Prepared for every event or travelling light?

The trouble with UK is that you do have to pack for every eventuality
I if I'm going to reliably hotter places I like to take a fair percentage of the( lots of really nice )summer clothes I have ,which get worn all too rarely in the UK And even then I stick a jumper in 'in case '
We once arrived in Crete in Oct half term It was like November in UK on the beach that evening I thought I was going to have to go out and buy track suits or similar for entire family but no, the rest of the week was blazing hot
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Just back from 2 weeks in western Scotland and the outer Hebrides. Took jumpers/ sweatshirts/ cardies/thermals/thick jeans /boots/ woolly hats. Had glorious weather and spent lots of time on beautiful deserted beaches. Wish I'd taken shorts, beachwear, skirts etc. as I had to roll up my walking trousers and wear some of the vests I'd taken for layering and buy suncream. Moral: pack for every eventuality.

Coolgran65 I like your style and am taking note (smile).

Depends where I'm going, how hot/sweaty it's going to be, and whether I know I'll be able to get washing done quickly or do it myself.

Nowt more irritating IMO than running out of clean things, or having to buy something like a warm jumper you don't particularly like from a poor selection, because you thought you wouldn't need one.

Having said that, I usually have it down to a fine art now - separates that nearly all go together - except when we went to a wedding in the Czech Rep a few yrs ago and first night in Prague I realised I had forgotten to pack any knickers. Thank God for an M&S in the centre - wouldn't have had a clue where to look otherwise.

Isn't there a saying about "half the clothes and twice the money"?
I do have a "master list" for when we go to visit DD2 up in Yorkshire-it does include things to do at home like switching off hot water, opening dishwasher, washing machine etc as well as essentials to take like medicines etc
Course these days it's chargers as well!
We used to fill the car to the roof when driving to visit pen friend in France but the last few times we've used Eurostar so we've had to cut down but we've adapted. Used to take loads of photo albums for example but they're all on a gadget now.

I always work on a colour scheme of black, navy, white/cream, taupe. Everything goes with everything. Lay all possibles on the spare bed and weed out. Only dress is one maxi with v neck and elbow length sleeves.3 pairs shoes I.e. 1 Clarks comfy Velcro sandals, 1 comfy flat pumps, 1 pewter colour Fitflops. Trousers are a mix of linens, palazzos, and leggings. Tops are tunic or shortish dresses to wear with leggings. Sun hat that rolls up. Wear a long taupe cardicoat travelling with navy ankle grazer jeggings and grey/silver lace up casual shoes. Backpack for meds, kindle, camera, travel documents. Lightweight canvas handbag in suitcase.

Best buy ever is an Antler thingy or weighing my suitcase.

I used to pack everything for the weather when we went to visit Mum in Yorkshire by car - never know if it's going to be sunny, rainy or windy - cold or hot!! Since being widowed 3 years ago I no longer drive up there as it is over 5 hours plus stops at service stations (brief) & is too far to go drive on my own so now I take the train. I have learnt to pack lighter - Mum has a washing machine & I can always borrow things from her to wear + there are shops in her local town. I have downsized for my next journey to a lighter wheelie case & small rucksack so will be taking less. I always travel in a warm jacket (November visit), jeans & trainers- take a pair of shoes & a few nice tops, smart trousers. Medication takes up quite a bit of room & try not to overdo the toiletries. It will be interesting to see how I get on!!

Just went on a walking holiday in Cornwall taking a car load of warm clothes, rainwear, etc. Then the sun came for the whole week and I managed with a pair of linen trousers I had bought the day before I left and 4 t shirts. I never get it right but as long as you have clean underwear you can manage.

Passport, Ticket, money(US dollars) and credit card, spare set of underwear and socks. Pashmina, iPhone, headphones, charger and conversion plug for charging. (I live in Canada). These go in my hand luggage. I am a glass half empty type of person, so I anticipate the airline losing my suitcase. No problem, I can buy most replacements if I have to, and I always buy insurance.

I used to travel a lot for work often away for several weeks. I had no problem packing light, just enough for 3-4 days and let the hotel laundry do the rest. My laundry bill was often more than my bar bill !. But hey ho -- expenses.

We don't really have holidays but I've travelled long haul for work meetings/social evenings a few times and found it really hard to pack lightly - outfits for the meetings wouldn't do for the evening meals plus I always used to have to take loads of work equipment etc with me so my luggage was huge! We did go to NZ last year though and I took everything for summer sun only to find it was freezing cold spring out there and I didn't wear half of it!

My DH, now sadly gone, and I spent two months down under with just what would fit in our cabin luggage. Managed just fine, and made fabulous memories.

I used to pack everything under the sun until I lost my luggage on a flight to Chile on my way to a photographic holiday to Antarctica. I had enough time in Santiago to buy a spare set of socks and undies and other travellers kindly lent me bits and pieces. With 2 sets of clothes I ran up a large laundry bill but realized how little I really needed. Now I travel light and do a bit of washing (or use the laundry for heavier items). The tour operator on being told of my lost luggage asked "Have you got your medicines, glasses and camera in your hand luggage?" I was able to reply "yes" and was told that was all I needed! -And yes the tour leader was a man!

Have you read the poem 'Just in Case' by Charlotte Mitchell? Well that's me when we go on holiday. And when I get home I make a list of all the things I took and didn't wear/use so I don't make the same mistake next time. But it makes no difference. Still take far too much!

The things that have helped me are (1) little plastic jars for cosmetics/shampoo etc. and (2) a List! on the computer, called 'things to take abroad' - one item is 'put your Swiss Army knife in the suitcase that goes in the baggage', i.e. not in the carry-on...

In the summer of 1967, aged 19, a friend and I hitch-hiked across Europe to Yugoslavia, now Croatia and back. we were away for 8 weeks and my rucksack weighed 9 pounds!
We are replicating the journey next year, its 50 anniversary, not hitching this time though but by rail and car hire. I don't think I can stick to the 1967 weight but am taking a small carry-on size case, there's no way I'm lugging lots of stuff around Europe. I think the trick is to stick to a 3 colour scheme, I'm taking beige, white and blue, and two pairs of shoes, three at the most.

In my head I'm minimalistic but in reality I'm a clutterbuck.

I try, but then I keep adding instead of taking away !

Even though we emptied loads of things out of our suitcases this last holiday, when I came home I had not worn several items.

I suppose taking more things away with you is a sort of mental 'insurance'. A crutch.

About a fortnight before I go anywhere, my sister rings up and asks if I've packed yet. Not a chance! This is the woman who can travel the world with a small suitcase and a smaller backpack. We will never understand each other.

Unfortunately I can no longer travel but I always used to take the minimum. When the children were young we used to go camping. So with two teenagers, and the dog the car was loaded with all the camping equipment and the golf clubs so we were allowed one very small bag each for a two week holiday.

I do agree that over the years I've adopted the adage that if I've forgotten something, then I can buy it, but I had to laugh at the sign I saw in a shop in Hawaii, near to the cruise terminal.

"If you forgot something, and we don't stock it - you don't need it!"

I'm in the middle of packing right now. 17 days around the peloponnese ( I know, I know, I keep mentioning it on almost every thread.sorry!) I'm really trying hard. It's not clothes that make up my weight. It's sunscreen, after sun, moisturisers, face creams for my very sensitive skin. I know you can buy it in the airport and abroad but I worry I won't be able to buy products that I know suit my skin and that my skin problem will flair up and anyway I've gone to the expense of buying it now. I'm well under the limit of 20 kg but the cases feel very heavy and I just know my husband will moan. Oh well I'm sure it be worth it...happy holidays everyone

Sorry, wrong thread, I do pack more than that.

Boxer shorts & string vest -- It is fathers day after all.

All my friends find my obsession with luggage and packing hilarious. One friend insisted on inspecting my luggage before we set off to share a cabin on a Nile cruise. I've just been tidying the holiday wardrobe ( yep , almost all of one wardrobe), which is mainly full of things only worn on our annual trip to our family in Oz. There are boxes of electronic stuff, pressies etc and a section for shorter trips to cooler climates plus a local overnight essentials bag. If anyone needs a case, advice on local SIM cards, transport etc they know who to call. Agree that lightweight cases and Kindle are marvellous inventions. I also love researching holiday trips , downloading apps etc and always try to book refundable hotels. & car hire , as I have made savings of hundreds by rebooking when prices are lower.

I'm with you, Moobox, I have to assemble things during the week before we go, and pack in my mind ,as it were. I do reject some things before actually packing. This is all done in conjunction with frequent looks at the weather forecast for our destination(s).