Today I’m sharing my top tips to pack light for a week away. I always travel as light as possible because it saves time and money and makes travelling so much easier. Honestly, once you’ve learnt the art of packing light you’ll never go back to hefting a heavy suitcase away with you!
The scientific reason why travelling light makes you happy
It’s not just because you can stroll through the airport quickly, breezing past sweaty queues of stressed-out passengers and their massive suitcases filled with fast fashion they probably won’t even wear.
Travelling light frees up a lot of headspace because there are no decisions to be made. You don’t need to decide what to wear for dinner, and potentially regret your decision, because you only have one choice.
It’s the paradox of choice (a concept introduced by psychologist Barry Schwartz) and we’re actually happier when we have fewer choices.
So next time you’re packing your bags and you’re tempted to add a few extra options, remember you’ll be happier if you don’t! Make your outfit decisions at home so you’re happier on holiday.
How to pack light for a week away
We all know it’s fairly easy to pack light for a weekend away, but what about for a week? It takes an extra level of organisation but here’s how it’s done. Here are 10 tips to help you pack light for a week away.
#1. Make an itinerary for your week away
It’s really difficult to pack light if you don’t know what you’ll be doing. You’ll end up packing lots of ‘just in case’ clothing to ensure you’re covered for every possible activity. If you know exactly what you’re doing you can pack specific outfits knowing you’re covered for the whole trip.
#2. Pack outfits, not clothes
This leads me nicely onto my next point – pack outfits, not clothes.
Don’t just pack 3x trousers and 4x tops and 2x jumpers. Pack a very specific outfit for each day/activity.
This will ensure you don’t pack any random items that don’t really match anything. It also means you’ll end up wearing everything you pack.
#3. Keep shoes to an absolute minimum
My number one tip to pack light for a week away is to go minimal on the shoes. Shoes are so bulky and take up so much space so if you can wear one pair and only pack one pair then you’ll be winning.
I like to travel in a neutral pair of women’s running shoes and I’ll wear these day to day. And then I’ll pack sandals or possibly heels for nights out.
#4. Don’t be afraid to wear things multiple times
When did this trend start for people to have three different outfits for each day they’re on holiday?
If you’re trying to pack light then this just isn’t possible!
There are certain items that are really easy to wear multiple times without people really noticing. For me, I tend to wear the same jeans and skirts again and again. Then you can simply pack lots of lightweight tops.
#5. Stick to a colour palette for a capsule wardrobe
This was a real game changer for me. I had my colours done with Style Me Happy. It’s an online personal styling service where you send photos of yourself and they look at your hair, skin and eye colour and your body shape and tell you what colours and clothes will suit you. I had it done nearly two years ago and it’s really changed the way I dress and shop.
Once I realised there’s a very specific colour palette that suits me I tend to stick to these colours only. It makes it much easier when I’m shopping but also makes it really simple to pack light for a week away because all of my clothes match!
It also showed me that some clothes really don’t suit me so I’ve ended up with my clothes being quite similar – which I know sounds boring but it means I have fewer clothes but more to wear because I look and feel good in everything.
It probably isn’t that obvious to the outside world but all of my clothes are fairly neutral colours with earthy tones and all of my outfits nip in at the waist.
This colour palette has naturally led to a capsule wardrobe which makes it much easier to pack!
#6. Keep track of how much of your beauty products you use at home
You might be surprised to find that you don’t actually use a lot of certain products such as cleanser, moisturiser and foundation. If you don’t use a lot, make sure you decant these items into tiny tubs or pots designed for travelling. There’s no point taking a 100ml tube of serum if you’ll only use 5ml while you’re away.
Read more: How to travel with hand luggage liquids
#7. Opt for thin materials
This is a huge tip to ensure you pack light for your week away. Choose clothing made from thin materials. So leave the bulky knitted jumpers and chunky jeans at home and opt for satin slip skirts and cashmere sweaters.
Travel Hack Tip: New Look currently have a gorgeous selection of satin slip skirts!
#8. Wear thermals and a big coat if it’s cold
‘But what if it’s cold!?’ I hear you cry.
If it’s really cold then you’re going to need thermals and a big coat. With thermals and a big winter coat you can still pack those lightweight, thin materials and stay warm underneath.
A good tip for ladies who want to pack light for winter trips is to pack dresses and wear fleece lined tights and a thermal top beneath the dress. You’ll be really warm and the dresses won’t take up much space in your luggage.
#9. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane
Make sure you’re wearing all your bulky items on the plane to save space in your luggage. Yes, you might be hot and bothered walking through the airport in a big coat and chunky boots but it’s not for too long and you can remove everything once you’re on the plane.
#10. Purchase some items when you arrive
There are some things I simply purchase when I arrive. For me, it’s usually sunscreen which I get once I arrive because I know I’ll use a whole bottle during a one week trip.
Those are my top 10 tips to pack light for a week away. If you have any questions please do pop them in the comments below and I’ll get right back to you!