We love travelling and do so quite often. Yes, even with kids. I am not afraid of it and I really have packing down to a fine art. As I am finding out, many of you are worried about it and take a needless ton of extra things with you. By way of illustration, I will mention that for a month-long holiday in Mauritius with two babies we had one large suitcase and one carry-on. Nothing more, not counting the pushchair. I always have the least luggage and yet surprise everyone with a new outfit every day. What is the secret? Planning. In today's article I will advise you how to pack really efficiently. It works for me 100%.
HOW TO PACK FOR A SUMMER HOLIDAY?
STEPS:
- Think about the situations that await you on holiday.
Every holiday is different and so is spending time with children. Outfits are planned accordingly.
Example: “We, as a family, experience only 3 holiday situations – either we are sleeping (so we need pyjamas), we are at the beach/by the pool (we need swimwear, flip-flops and a cover-up) or we are at lunch/dinner/coffee (light dresses, T-shirts, tops). Nothing more. On holiday I don't do sport, I don't stroll about, I don't party and I don't shop. So my holiday capsule will look according to the needs mentioned above.
- Plan outfits for these activities.
There is nothing worse than not planning your clothes or your packing and then discovering on holiday that nothing goes with anything and you agonise over combinations there every day.
How to avoid it? Definitely choose a colour tricolour for the beach, e.g. white-blue-red, and coordinate it in a “sailor” style, and everything will go with everything. Or, if you like patterned swimwear, get a plain-coloured kaftan/cover-up that matches all your swimsuits and ordinary plain flip-flops. Because floral swimwear, a striped kaftan and flip-flops with a heart are fashion death even if it were all straight from Dior. I advise you, plan.
- Get organisers for packing into the suitcase.
These are those zip-up pouches. You will have total order and an overview. I pack each of us separately – everyone has their own pouch, plus one is for cosmetics, so unpacking at the hotel takes me 10 minutes at most.
- Accessories are key.
Especially in summer! A hat, sunglasses, a shell necklace or a scarf are the basics. That way you can have one dress in three ways and a different look every day. Accessories are mostly small, easier to pack than clothes and crease-free.
- Travel in bulkier items so they don't take up space in your suitcase.
I usually travel in trainers (in the suitcase I only have flip-flops and sandals) and in longer trousers. Instead of a handbag I take a beach tote bag over my shoulder and fill it with the things I need. More fits into it than into a handbag and it doesn't needlessly take up space in the suitcase.
EXAMPLE OF A HOLIDAY CAPSULE
The following illustration shows 20 items including accessories and shoes. With a capsule like this I can easily manage a week-long or even a 10-day holiday. I have three swimsuits packed here, day and evening outfits (at least 11 outfits), and the items take up about a third of the suitcase. So go on, try to count the number of items, including accessories and footwear, when you pack for a holiday, and let me know. I would guess about a hundred!
Oh, and before I forget. No matter how many things you have, I wish you the most beautiful summer and relaxed holidays! 
Items in the illustration photos: Suitcase: American Tourister, Hat: H&M, Straw bag: Asos, Straw sandals: CCC, Dee Zee, Clothing: Zara