HOW TO PACK: WEEK IN THE CITY

The worst thing to do is to (like me) get overexcited about packing and end up trying to stuff everything except your bed into a suitcase. Bad move because at the airport, it normally turns up being overweight and even if you get away with it, you end up not wearing half of the clothes you brought.

Of course, there’s always the issue of the two dreaded words ‘what if’s: what if I forgot to bring those shoes that go so well with that dress; what if I forget that perfume that makes me smell like roses, summer and cinnamon; what if I forget to bring that t-shirt that makes me look like Megan Fox; yadda-yadda-yadda. Forget the what if’s! The key is to plan in advance so you only pack the best and not the rest.

The main issue with packing stems in this question, “WHAT do I pack!?”  – How many tops do you bring? How many shoes do you take?… and the list goes on. That’s why I’m here to lay down the rules of packing and to make it more enjoyable so you can concentrate on the holiday-ing rather than the stressing.

Okay, let’s just say you’re taking a long weekend warm city break. Here are some tips and tricks that you can nab and pick at to make your own packing checklist.

Underwear
This may sound like the most obvious thing to pack, but once my sister went on holiday and forgot to bring ALL her underwear and she arrived late at night so she had to go running around for an open shop that sold underwear. She’s a bit of a forgetful cupcake but here’s a lesson to all: make sure you pack your undies, even if they’re the disposable ones.

Don’t forget that you can always bring less if you don’t mind washing them! To be on the safe side, aim to pack at least:

• 8 flesh-toned underwear/seamless underwear (extra one just in case!)

Clothes and ShoesNow in reality, you don’t need ten pairs of jeans, eleven shorts, ten million shoes and two thousand and twelve tops for a week in the city; although I’ll put my hands up now and confess because I used to think like that. I always, always overpacked, and it was tiring sifting through my overweight luggage wondering why I brought unnecessary items that never saw the light of day.

Think tops that go with more things than one, that’s the key – to be able to match tops with different bottoms; shoes that go with everything and a bag that matches all outfits. So, this is what I’d recommend:

• 3-4 basic tshirts/tank tops/vests
• 1-2 dressy/evening tops
• 1 cardigan

• 2 evening dresses
• 3 day dresses

• 2 jeans/jean shorts
• 1 pair of comfortable trousers/leggings
• 1 skirt

• 1 pair of trainers
• 1 casual pair of shoes like ballet pumps
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of evening shoes

• 1 evening bag
• 1 every day bag

Pick and match as you please to suit your trip but always remember that pieces that match are key. So love as you might that sequinned romper, take it out of the luggage as it’s just not ‘matchable material’.

Pajamas and Toiletries
Now that the hardest part is out of the way, you can concentrate on the items that aren’t so important but obviously still necessary, like pajamas! If you forget to pack pajamas, you can always wear the clothes that you’ve already bought, but if you’re like me and hate sleeping in your day clothes then make sure you bring at least one pair of pajamas. I always opt for the cute matching pajama set, just in case you get locked out of your room one day and have to go down to reception for help…

Don’t forget your toiletries either! Here are some key essentials that should exist in every toiletry bag:

• toothbrush + toothpaste
• razor
• face wash
• cleanser
• sunscreen
• lip moisturizer
• deodorant
• face wipes
• make up

If you’re not checking in your bag at the airport,  do remember that you liquid products that contain more than 100ml  are banned on-board and will be confiscated. So make sure you pack wisely because there’s nothing worse than having to bin your 150ml bottle of your favourite perfume that you just got for your birthday!

The extras and last minute necessitiesThese are pretty much the MUST-NOT-FORGET-OR-YOU’RE-IN-BIG-BIG-BIG-TROUBLE items. It’s fairly common sense items but you’d be surprised just how many forget the basics. Ensure they’re packed and check three times otherwise there will be tears and running mascara just as you’re about to leave – which is never, ever a good look!

• passport
• sunglasses
• camera
• notebook and pen
• towel
• a good read
• tampons
• any emergency, first aid items like plasters, paracetamol, diarrhoea medication etc

And now you’re (hopefully) stress-free, packed and ready to jet off for a care-free long weekend in the city. Is there anything I’ve forgotten that you always bring on holiday?

All images were created on Polyvore and thingsorganizedneatly.