Packing is a fine art, and you want to have everything that you need to appear prepared and beach-ready on your summer holiday. However, it somehow always goes wrong. No matter how large your suitcase is, there just is never enough space for everything you want to take. Here are a few tips on getting packing right this year, so you don’t have to have that awkward conversation at a check-in desk about your suitcase being too heavy.
Halve it
Lay out what you think you need on your bed. Now, do your best to halve it. You can go without more than you think. Of course, never try to cut back on the essentials (medicine, toiletries, etc), but you really don’t need three pairs of shoes and five pairs of shorts! If things ever get desperate while you’re abroad, it’s a great excuse to go shopping.
Pack savvy
Don’t just throw your clothes into your case. Create a system and work out what you will need to be able to access immediately. If you know that you’ll be arriving at your destination in the middle of the night, and all you’ll want to do is take off your makeup and go to bed, put your PJs and toiletries on the top. It does sound like common sense, but these small considerations make a huge difference when you’re exhausted from a long trip. Here are some more packing tips.
Weigh before you go
Your luggage may be the right dimensions, but the weight could be completely off, and then you’ll have to choose between throwing away your favorite pair of shoes or your straighteners. There are plenty of luggage-weighing gadgets that you can buy online. Something like this will do the trick. It doesn’t have to be precise – it’s just so you have a rough idea of whether you’ve gone massively over the limit or not.
Day dresses and swimwear
Swimwear has improved over the last few decades in how it caters to all sizes, as highlighted by Peter Hahn’s blog post: Swimwear in plus sizes that fit. At least have one piece of swimwear that is robust and practical, so you can do some sea swimming or go scuba diving.
Sensible shoes
Boring, we know. But, when you’re shopping in the streets of Rome or sightseeing around Paris, you are going to thank your lucky stars that you bought some sensible walking sandals. Yes, they may not be super chic, but you can’t argue with blister less feet and all-day comfort. You can get really comfortable sandals and flip-flops from outdoor shops.
Check the weather
Obviously, before you go, check the forecast. It’s always so important to know what kind of weather to expect. If there are going to be showers, a light, waterproof coat is a must. Even if it can get hot during the day, sometimes it’s chilly at night, so take a lightweight jumper or jacket with you to be sure.