All year round, we look forward to our summer holiday. Whether it’s a fortnight in Barbados or a few days in Blackpool, my fail-safe tips for perfect packing will have you feeling confident, organised and ready to go in no time! No more pre-holiday stress!

Wish you could pack lighter but don’t know where to start? Here are my tips for better packing…

Plan your holiday wardrobe 

For a capsule holiday wardrobe you can mix and match easily, stick to 3 or 4 main colours and only take items that can be worn more than once. It will make holiday styling so much simpler. Check the climate and weather in your destination before you go to ensure you don’t over pack and are prepared for all eventualities. 

Capsule holiday wardrobe categories:

• Travel outfit(s) for outgoing and return journeys
• Underwear
• Nightwear
• Swimwear & beach cover ups
• Activewear
• Clothing – day wear/evening wear
• Shoes & bags
• Accessories (jewellery, watch, belt, scarves, hats, sunglasses)

Consider dresses and jumpsuits

One of my favourite ways to pack light and reduce the number of clothing items I take is to choose dresses and wear each one more than once. Dresses are the ultimate choice for easy dressing – one garment and you’re done! Jumpsuits are the same. It takes the guesswork out of it and all you need to do is add a few accessories and you can step out in style. When I go abroad for 7 nights I keep evening wear super simple and take only 4 dresses with me. I wear a different dress every night for the first 4 nights then repeat. That’s it, so easy!

If dresses aren’t your thing and you prefer separates, the key is to pack 3 tops for each bottom and that will give you several different outfit combinations to wear. 

The selection process

Pro tip – let go of the idea of taking everything you love from your main summer wardrobe with you. Take into consideration how many nights you will be away. It’s important to be concise and plan it out properly. You can still enjoy wearing those clothes you don’t choose to take with you when you come home.

Lay everything out on your bed by outfit, right down to the footwear, jewellery and accessories. Setting it all out will help you see what goes with what. Have fun putting it all together and trying things on to see how they look.

The power of accessories

Don’t underestimate the power a few simple accessories can have in transforming your outfits for different occasions. A simple sundress can take you from day into night with the addition of statement earrings and a different pair of shoes. A beautiful kaftan worn during the day as a bikini cover-up will also look great worn to dinner with jeans or a pair of tailored trousers.

Limit yourself when it comes to shoes

Keep footwear to a minimum, 3 – 4 pairs max. This can be difficult, especially if you’re a shoe lover like me, but I promise it’s worth it. Most of us find we wear the same shoes on repeat on holiday anyway – or is that just me? We automatically reach for the ones that are easy to wear and comfortable, so pick versatile footwear you can wear day or night. Choose them in metallics and neutral colours. You can’t go wrong with that combination.

Bags and luggage

No-one needs a multitude of bags when they go on holiday. Be clever with your bags and think outside the box. Your straw beach bag can double up as your carry-on. A smart leather travel wallet can become an evening clutch. I’ve done this for years and it works so well. If you do have a bag you need to pack in your case, make use of the space and put things inside it, like flip flops or underwear. Choose your suitcase wisely. Warning! Bigger isn’t always better. A huge case is awkward to maneuver and will only encourage you to take more stuff that you probably won’t need. 

Scent your case

Line your case with scented drawer liners or tumble dryer sheets to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Rolling or folding? The big packing debate

I’m a roller! I’ve tried and tested both methods over the years and done a fair bit of research and personally I prefer to tightly roll everything. I find it minimises creasing and saves space too! Stuff small items like socks and pants inside hats and bra cups to help keep their shape. Fill any gaps with swimwear and accessories.

Packing cubes are a must

Packing cubes help everything stay organised. Prep your clothing and categorise before rolling everything up and placing in the cubes. This method takes up the least amount of space in a case.

When will you arrive?

Pack the things last that you will need first! Take your arrival time into consideration when packing so you can find the right things easily at the top of your case when you reach your destination. I usually pop a few essential items in my carry-on too just in case my case goes missing! (Pardon the pun) Toothbrush, shortie pjs, flip flops and swimsuit are my fail-safe top four. That way the first day of your holiday won’t be jeopardised if the worst should happen.

Travelling with children

Whilst not essential, I’d also recommend one small case for each child, providing they are  old enough to pull it along themselves. It encourages independence and ownership of their belongings, not to mention one less thing for you to carry. Our two always had a small backpack on their back and a cabin sized case each to pull along. It worked a treat, helped us out and they loved it! All their essentials such as snacks, water to drink, and things to keep them entertained whilst travelling was safely stored in their backpacks. Win win!

Let’s talk about extras

It’s not just our holiday wardrobe we need to remember to take with us. There are many other things to pack when we go away that we really don’t want to forget.

Extras packing categories

• Toiletries
• Make-up
• Hair tools and styling products
• Suncare
• Medicines and first aid
• Games
• Towel clips, swim aids and pool toys
• Books/Kindles
• Devices, chargers and travel adaptors

Your carry-on

• Travel folder with all documents – keep in carry-on bag
• Airport parking info
• Driving licence 
• Boarding passes
• Tickets
• Passports
• UK Health Insurance Cards EHIC (European) or GHIC (Global)
• ESTAs (USA)
• Travel insurance info
• Transfer and hotel check-in info 
• Money/currency/cash passport

One last thing…

Prepare your home before going on holiday – 15 things you need to do

1. Eat the contents of your fridge and fruit bowl

In the days running up to your departure, try to use up all the fresh produce you have in your kitchen so you don’t come home to a nasty smell when you walk in your front door. Pass on dairy products, meat, poultry and fruit and veg you won’t use to a neighbour, friend or family member. Rabbits and guinea pigs are always grateful for any veggie left-overs too! Wipe out your almost empty fridge so it is nice and clean for your return.

2. Launder the clothes you want to take

Stop wearing the clothes you intend to take on holiday in plenty of time to wash and iron them before packing.

3. Pamper your houseplants

Move houseplants out of the sun, water, feed and mist the leaves the day before you leave.

4. Cut the grass and water the plants

An overgrown lawn is a sign that your property is not being maintained and may be empty, which could attract burglars. Mow the lawn just before you head off on your holidays and if you will be away for longer than a week, cut it slightly shorter than usual. Water everything well. 

5. Safety first – Set up your lighting

Plug your lamps into timing switches and set them to come on when it gets dark to replicate and mimic the usual timings when you are at home.

6. Close and lock the windows

Avoid leaving windows open while you are away, even in hot weather. Home insurance policies may not cover a break in if a window was left open. 

7. Fix your window treatments

Decide how you want your windows to look while you are away and move blinds and curtains into the desired position. The goal is for your house to look lived in and not empty, so avoid leaving blinds and curtains wide open unless this is what you do normally 24/7.

8. Arrange pet care

Book your pets into their holiday home if they are not travelling with you. Contact a friend or family member who could help you out and care for smaller caged pets who need looked after while you are away.

9. Leave a key 

Give a key to a trusted person who could check on your home regularly, move mail away from glass doors and water your plants both indoor and outdoors if required. If you have a house alarm, make sure you leave a note with the code and instructions for the key holder.

10. Let your neighbour know

If you have a good relationship with your neighbour and you trust them, it’s a good idea to let them know you’ll be going away. They will be able to keep a close eye on your property for you.

11. Make the beds

One of the last things to do on the day of departure is to make your bed! Do you sleep well in a different bed on holiday? I never do. No matter how much fun you’ve had on holiday, it’s always nice to come home and there’s nothing nicer than sinking into your own beautifully made bed when you return after a long journey. 

12. Unplug unnecessary appliances and switch off electric sockets 

Save money on fuel bills by going around your home unplugging and switching off all the sockets that will not be in use while you are away. No one will be there to hear the breakfast show at 7am or read the digital clock on the microwave.

13. Leave interior doors open

It’s a good idea to keep vents and doors open to allow airflow in your home while you are away. It will help to prevent odours forming. Keep the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer doors slightly ajar too. 

14. Empty the bins and wipe kitchen surfaces

Remove all the rubbish and food scraps from the bins inside your home and pop into your outside bins. If you will miss bin day while you’re away, maybe you could ask a neighbour or family member to put them out for you. Clear crumbs away and wipe food spills from kitchen surfaces. It’s always nice to return to a clean and tidy home!

15. Sweet-smelling sinks (and toilets)

Finally, before you lock the front door and get in the car, pop some disinfectant or bleach down your plugholes and around the toilet bowl. Leave for 5 minutes before flushing away. It will leave your sanitary ware smelling sweet until you return.

Hopefully my pro packing, planning and prepping tips for your most organised summer trip ever. 

Happy holidays! 

Download my free printable summer holiday packing checklist here!