What to Pack For a Spontaneous Holiday
How to Pack for Your Next Spontaneous Holiday (You Can Thank Us Later)
Not all holidays are created equally — sometimes you take months to plan the trip of a lifetime, while others come up on a whim, giving you just a few days (or even hours!) to prepare your luggage. Likewise, your packing lists will probably look quite different depending on your itinerary. For those of you who find yourselves doing the mad dash to pack for a spontaneous weekend holiday, we’ve got the goods on everything to pack to make sure it goes swimmingly. Read on, and take notes!
Embrace All Things Mini
Head to your local Superdrug or Boots and stock up on on miniature containers for all your skincare and in-shower needs. That way, you don’t have to worry about oversized products getting taken from your carry-on, delicate products won’t be at risk of exploding or breaking, and you won’t take up as much space in your bag. Have a bunch of these containers on hand so you have them ready at a moment’s notice.
Stick to the same downsizing principle when thinking about appliances — grab a travel-size hair straightener or curling iron and a foldable hair dryer. Try and keep your makeup to a minimum, and choose palettes that have a built-in brush so you don’t have to pack a bunch of full-size ones from your kit.
Keep Comfort Top of Mind
Comfort should guide your choices here — you don’t want to have to think too hard about your outfits when packing light. Try and plan out each day’s look before you go, so you don’t pack a ton of extraneous pieces that will weigh you down. Stick to formulas that will take you from day to night without too much changing.
If you’re on a warm-weather holiday, bring a midi dress that you can pair with trainers while you explore during the day, and a pair of strappy sandals or heeled mules for the evening. Or go for a vest or T-shirt paired with wide leg trousers — both shoe options work here as well. If you’re travelling somewhere cooler, a warm jumper and jeans should be your go-to, paired with trainers for the daytime and boots for the evening. Pro tip — wear the same jeans two days in a row and just swap out your jumper if you’re tight on packing space.
Think About What You'll Need While on the Go
You’re probably going to be spending most of your time out and about, exploring, eating, and seeing the sights. You don’t want to get stuck in an embarrassing situation while out in the streets! Start with the most basic piece of the puzzle — how you’re going to carry everything. If you’re one of those people who lives and dies by a tote bag, stick to what you’re comfortable with. If you’re more of a bag fanatic, make sure you choose one that has a shoulder strap (so your hands are free for ice cream, etc.!) and has enough room to fit everything you may need to carry round without being too heavy.
Now, what to fill it with? For the practical stuff: Have one pair of sunglasses that are comfortable to wear all day that don't pinch, a light jumper that you can roll up in case the temperature dips or you have a meal in a cold restaurant, and a portable phone charger if you’re on your mobile using Google Maps or posting Instagram stories. For the fun stuff: We’d recommend a small Polaroid or instant camera, a deck of cards, a small reusable water bottle, and a snack (extra points for something local!). A mini medical kit is also a great thing to have on hand — make sure you have a few blister plasters if you're walking around all day, anti-bac for when you sit down for lunch, and a lip balm with SPF to avoid painful chapping. It's also smart to keep a pack of IMODIUM® Instants in your bag in case an episode of diarrhoea starts to happen — they can be taken anytime, anywhere without water and start providing relief in just an hour.Credits: Photography: Michelle Beatty; Art Direction: Jenny Anna Ung; Hair and Makeup: Lica Fensome; Wardrobe Styling: Nazanin Shahnavaz; Prop Styling: Hannah Cork; Production: Andi Nash and Joanne Lawless; Design: Rebecca Joy; Model: Pamela Grzeskowiak