What to take on holiday
by SUSANNAH CONWAY, femail.co.uk
Whether you're going for one week or one month, packing for a holiday is a tiresome task. To help you we've got some useful hints to help you pack a capsule wardrobe ready for any eventuality and a list of what to take to help you if you're stuck!
Click on our picture gallery link in the blue box below to see our pick of holiday essentials.
When packing for your holiday remember less is more. Inevitably you'll end up wearing the same old things while on holiday so make sure you take only the clothes you really love to wear. If in doubt, leave it out.
Everything you take must work with everything else. If you plan to spend most of your time on the beach pick your swimwear and work your other
clothes around them.
Take two bikinis or swimsuits for a week's holiday, more if you're away for longer (they are, after all, very small). A canny space saving tip is to look out for a reversible swimsuit.
Your most valued item in your case will be a sarong, which can be worn as a cover-up on the beach, as a skirt, as a dress or even as a wrap in the evening. Find one which co-ordinates with your swimwear for a chic pulled-together beach look.
A silk knee-length skirt is anothe ruseful item which can be worn with a T-shirt or vest. Pack a selection of different coloured tops that can be interchanged with the shorts, lightweight trousers and skirt.
For evening the little summer dress comes into its own and can be worn with sequinned flip flops or kitten heels.
For a smarter look for day when sightseeing or shopping in the city, take a lightweight jacket and co-ordinating trousers and/or skirt - try white or a flattering pastel colour.
A denim jacket is another good idea that will work with everything from your evening dress, skirts, trousers or even your sarong.
Flip flops are perfect for the beach and for sightseeing. Also take a pair of white plimsolls and something dressier for evening - kitten heels are best.
Accessories and jewellery will help to liven up your outfits but it's not wise to take anything too valuable - suitcases have a tendency to go
missing.
And lastly, when you get back, with a fantastic tan and a great set of photographs, be sure to write down in a notebook what you wore most on
holiday. This way, you can refer to it next time you're faced with an empty suitcase and haven't a clue what to take all over again.
What to pack:
2 bikinis/swimsuits
1-2 sarongs
Shorts
Cover-up shirt for beach
2-4 vests/T-shirts
Lightweight trousers for sightseeing eg. combats
Knee-length skirt in cotton or silk
Lightweight jacket/blazer eg. denim
Jeans
1 dressy top
2 dresses for evening
Cardigan or wrap for cooler evenings
Mules/plimsolls for day
Flip flops for the beach
Kitten heels for night
Accessories/jewellery
Beach bag (can also be used on plane and when sight seeing)
Evening bag
