Packing light is one of those things that looks effortless when someone else does it. You see people gliding through the airport with one small bag while you’re wrestling a suitcase that somehow weighs more than you do.
I’ve definitely been both people but I always lean towards packing light these days!
Packing light saves money on baggage fees, makes travelling easier and, once you’ve done it a few times, you realise you didn’t need all that extra stuff anyway!
Whether you’re heading to the Greek islands, exploring a European city or enjoying a UK staycation, here’s exactly how I pack light without ever feeling like I have nothing to wear.
The #1 rule of packing light: Get the biggest under seat cabin bag you can!
Underseat cabin bags are free on all airlines and most people think it’s just a small handbag or a laptop bag. Nope! Your underseat bag is surprisingly big and you can get so much in there without paying a penny for luggage.
You can fit so much in your underseat cabin bag that it actually gets heavy so I like a small wheeled suitcase. It’s so easy to breeze through the airport with this.
Travel Hack Tip: Make sure your underseat suitcase has a long handle. Many of these mini cases have a very short handle, making it very difficult to wheel and pull along if you’re more than 3 feet tall!
The #2 rule of packing light: You can wear the same clothes twice
I know, shock horror! When did it become a thing that we’ll only wear an item of clothing for 6 hours if we’re abroad!? I’ll wear something all week at home, but when I’m on holiday I suddenly want fresh outfits for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s not necessary, you can wear things again and again.
And, spoiler alert, it’s really unlikely you’re going to spill your dinner down your shirt. If you don’t do this at home then you won’t do it on holiday!
Some items are easier to re-style and wear again without it feeling obvious. Things like dark coloured trousers or skirts and jackets/cardigans are the things I’m wearing on repeat.
Pack versatile, double-use clothing
After 20 years of travelling, I’ve realised packing light isn’t just about taking less. It’s about taking smarter pieces that work harder and can be worn in multiple situations.
A linen shirt becomes a beach cover-up, a light jacket for cooler evenings and a smart layer over a dress for dinner. A simple black dress works with trainers during the day and sandals with jewellery in the evening.
For me, this often means looking quite dressy during the day and then quite casual in the evening, and I’m OK with that. I don’t go super casual or super dressy so it’s pretty easy to wear the same outfit all day.
Stick to a colour palette
The biggest mistake people make when packing is choosing individual outfits instead of choosing clothes that all work together. If you’ve got trousers that can only be worn with one specific top then it needs to stay at home.
I stick to a simple colour palette of neutrals with one or two accent colours. Think white, black, beige and denim with perhaps a pop of coral, blue or green.
When everything coordinates, every top goes with every bottom, which instantly gives you dozens of outfit combinations from just a handful of pieces.
This is why I love a good co ord set. Not only does it look polished, but you can wear the pieces together or separately to create completely different looks. Pair the shorts with a vest top for sightseeing, wear the shirt over swimwear during the day or style the top with jeans for dinner. One outfit suddenly becomes four or five.
You need a long dress
I never travel in the summer without one long dress. This is an item that’s so easy to pack and simple to dress up or dress down. I could wear this to dinner on the first night and then chuck it on for the beach the next day.
The swimsuit as a top
The greatest hack to pack light is to wear your swimsuit as your top. Always. Especially if you’re packing skirts for the evenings because you can then wear them with your swimsuit the next day.
Wear your bulkiest items
This is one of the oldest travel hacks around because it genuinely works.
If you’re taking trainers, wear them on the plane. If you need a light jacket, wear it rather than packing it. Not only does this save space, but airports usually involve plenty of walking, so you’ll probably want your comfiest shoes anyway.
If I’m going to be working out on holiday then I’ll wear my workout clothes on the plane to save space in my luggage. I don’t go anywhere without a pair of Adidas Firebirds at the moment!
Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes
Or no extra shoes if you can! Shoes are usually the heaviest, bulkiest thing in any suitcase so if you can get away without packing any then you’re already winning.
For summer holidays, a pair of really comfortable sandals that you can walk in for hours but also wear out for dinner are the best.
If I know I’ll be going out for some nice evening meals then I’ll sometimes pack a nice, slim pair of sandals. And I’ll occasionally take my trainers if I think I’ll be doing some big walks or working out.
Keep toiletries simple and decant everything
Most of us only use a fraction of the beauty products we pack. I now decant products into smaller travel bottles and pots only take the essentials. Hotels usually provide shampoo and shower gel, so I only pack my favourites if I know I’ll really want them.
A tinted moisturiser with SPF, mascara and a cream blush can create a lovely holiday look without filling an entire wash bag. And don’t forget that you’re going to be hot and sweaty on holiday so it’s unlikely you’re going to wear a full face of makeup or have perfectly styled hair. Keep it sleek and simple, it ends up looking better!
Travel Hack Tip: I’ve found that old Carmex pots are the best for skincare. My skin just doesn’t feel right without a ridiculous amount of products but so many travel pots will leak, break or spill.
Don’t pack “Just In Case”
This is probably the hardest lesson to learn.
That extra dress “just in case”. The heels “just in case”. The fourth bikini “just in case”.
Nine times out of ten, they never leave the suitcase.
If you’re travelling for a week, you’ll probably find yourself wearing the same favourite outfits on repeat anyway. Holidays aren’t fashion shows, and nobody is keeping track of how many times you’ve worn the same linen shirt.
My Summer Holiday Packing Essentials
When I look back at my favourite trips, I realise I packed far less than I thought I needed.
My essentials usually include:
- A versatile co ord set
- Two or three tops
- Two bottoms
- One dress
- Two swimsuits
- Comfortable sandals
- Sunglasses
- A crossbody bag
- A reusable water bottle
- A lightweight jumper
- Travel-sized toiletries
Everything mixes and matches, and it all fits comfortably into one cabin bag.
Packing light
Packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing style. In fact, I think it often makes getting dressed on holiday much easier and takes away a lot of the headspace in ‘what should I wear!?’
By choosing versatile pieces, sticking to a simple colour palette and investing in luggage that helps you stay organised, you’ll spend less time worrying about what to wear and more time enjoying your holiday.
Whether you’re planning a city break, a beach escape or a UK staycation, a few clever packing tricks can make travelling feel lighter in every sense. And if you’re looking for stylish holiday outfits alongside practical travel essentials, Very has everything you need to build a holiday wardrobe that works just as hard as you do.
