Packing for a trip of any length can be pretty stressful. That said, weekend breaks are notoriously tricky, even though they’re only a few days long.
The problem is, there’s a very fine line between under and over-packing. And when you live in the UK, you can expect four seasons of weather in one day, which doesn’t help!
To ensure you have what you need to stay dry, warm, comfy and stylish, it’s important to have a plan for your packing. If you’re not sure where to start, not to worry.
After numerous trips of all lengths, types and climates, I’ve got you covered with my tried-and-tested guide to deciding what to pack for a weekend away, whatever the weather.
Figure Out What Bag You’re Going to Take
While it might be tempting to jump straight to deciding how many pairs of shoes you want to pack, it’s best to start with the basics. The first order of business? Work out what size of bag you’re working with.
If you’re just looking for a laid-back few days or you prefer to travel light, a smaller weekend or gym-style duffle bag will do the job nicely. For a little extra leeway, upgrade to a carry-on suitcase. Both of these options are ideal for road trips where you can make use of the car space.
Alternatively, if your journey involves bus or train travel, a hands-free option is an absolute no-brainer. Any sturdy backpack will work, like this Bange Travel Backpack* that comes with plenty of handy compartments.
Ask Yourself What You’re Doing
Now you’ve got your bag(s) ready, the next logical step is to ask yourself what you’ll actually be doing during your weekend away. Do you have a special event planned like a hen party? What kind of clothes do you need to take (casual, smart-casual or fancy)? Will you be spending more time inside or outside?
For example, an upmarket dinner and drinks for a friend’s birthday calls for a smart-casual outfit, such as high-waisted jeans and a bodysuit paired with a leather jacket and heels. On the other hand, a countryside getaway with lots of walking opportunities may require more bulky hiking gear.
Before you panic and pack three times more than you’ll need (we’ve all been there), write out your full itinerary. You can then easily figure out what types of clothes you’re going to need for each activity.
Consider the Weather
Sure, you have to take the weather forecast in the UK with a pinch of salt. However, it’s worth taking the time to consult it so you can plan your outfits accordingly. (They do sometimes get it right after all!)
- If it’s forecast to rain or supposed to be chilly, leave space in your case for an outdoor jacket, warm cover-ups and winter woollies (as well as your trusty umbrella).
- When deciding what to pack for a weekend away in the summer sunshine, drop the bulky knitwear and boots in favour of lightweight clothing and sandals.
Either way, the trick is to take layers in case the weather turns. A light rain jacket, sweatshirt and/or cardigan will suffice in spring/summer. Whereas, a chunky coat is a must in autumn/winter.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been caught out wearing a dress in a storm all because it was sunny and toasty when the day started. And take it from me, getting soaked through to the bone with no backup layers to save you? It doesn’t look or feel good!
Work Through the Days
Next step: review the itinerary you made earlier (Art Attack-style) and pull out bits of clothing that would work for all the different activities. Start outfit building according to what works well together — and what will be practical for the occasion.
As you’ll only be going for one, two or three nights maximum, try and take versatile wardrobe staples that you easily can mix and match with other pieces. It’s all about giving yourself the highest number of outfits with the fewest possible items of clothing.
- For a one-night trip, you could wear your favourite pair of jeans the entire time but then switch up your top if saving on laundry is the goal.
- If you’re going away for three days, stick to jeans and a tee and then add a blazer to dress up your outfit for nighttime. Or, you could switch to an oversized plaid shirt for effortless chic during exploring days.
Either way, 1-2 tops and 1-2 bottoms should be all you need for your weekend away (or 1-4 one-pieces like a dress, jumpsuit or playsuit).
Choose Your Shoes Wisely
In my opinion, one of the hardest things when choosing what to pack for a weekend away is figuring out how many pairs of shoes to take with you. Because you’ll only be away for a maximum of four full days if it’s a long weekend, a couple of pairs of shoes will suffice.
Basically, you’re looking for the winning combo of:
- One comfy pair that you can spend hours in without any issues
- One fancier pair that matches all your evening outfits
Remember that you can wear one of them to travel in to save bag space too!
Ask Yourself if You Need Accessories
Similarly, you can probably manage with just one handbag (in addition to the bag you’ll be taking all your stuff in). But more on your handbag later!
Then there’s any jewellery, sunglasses, belts or fun hairpieces to think about. Speaking of accessories, overlook them at your peril. Not only can they zhuzh up your looks, but they’re also perfect for making the same outfit appear completely different the next day.
Remember the Clothing Essentials
Outfit planning is a key part of the packing process, but don’t get so carried away planning your looks that you forget the real clothing essentials. Enter: underwear and pyjamas.
It’s not the end of the world if you forget a pair of earrings or that extra t-shirt. But not taking enough fresh pairs of pants to last the entire time you’re away is one of the worst errors a casual traveller can make. Save yourself the discomfort (and a fraught journey to the nearest supermarket) by getting the basics packed first.
Fortunately, unless you’re planning a super active trip, one bra — which you can wear en route to your destination — will do. The fewer things to remember, the better!
Put Your Toiletries in Travel Bottles
While toiletries are definitely essential for a weekend away, they sure can be bulky. The good news is, there’s an easy solution. Introducing: travel bottles.
Let’s be real, you only need a small amount of product for a couple of days, so why take the whole bottle? Actually, anything toiletry-wise that you can manage without for the weekend, don’t bother taking it.
For a simple but effective packing solution, invest in a simple pack of three travel bottles* and get ready for them to become your new best friends. Alternatively, to keep your options open, splurge on Amazon’s pack of 16 reusable bottles* of all shapes and sizes to fulfil your every travel need.
Take Minimal Makeup
How much or how little space you’ll need to account for when leaving space in your bag for makeup will depend on what you use as part of your usual routine.
But for a weekend away, I recommend only taking essential makeup, such as a lightweight BB, CC or foundation cream, concealer, mascara and lip balm. Otherwise, it’s just a waste of bag space (unless you’re going away for a special occasion, of course).
Don’t Forget the Important Stuff
If you wear contact lenses or need any type of special medication, include this in your toiletries bag. Just keep in mind that it needs to be somewhere accessible so you can grab it easily when needed.
Likewise, remember to include any important tickets for your daily activities or confirmations when it comes to accommodation and transportation. If you can show digital documentation and you’re confident you’ll have WiFi when you’ll need it, avoid printing the paper versions to save trees.
Just make sure your phone has plenty of charge so it doesn’t let you down at the opportune moment!
Pack the Necessary Electronics
All that’s left to do to successfully pack for a weekend away is round up your electronics.
Your phone is a given (duh) but like I just mentioned, you need the charger too. You’d think it would be impossible to forget such an essential; although, it’s easily done when it’s always hanging out in the wall.
If you’re taking multiple devices, be brutally honest with yourself about whether you really need them all. (I think it’s always better to keep devices to a minimum so you can truly unwind and switch off while you’re away).
Are you heading to a different country? Don’t forget to check what kind of plug adapter you’ll need and pack it well in advance.
As a final point, I try not to wash our hair on a weekend trip so I don’t have to worry about a hairdryer, shampoo or conditioner. If you’re staying in a hotel, these will often be provided anyway. That said, if you reckon you’ll need a quick mid-trip hairstyle refresh, straighteners or hair curlers may also be on your packing list.
Remember Your Handbag
Finally, you may choose not to have a handbag to free up your hands while carting around a carry-on suitcase. Even so, I think it’s the best way to keep all your necessities within easy grabbing distance.
After all, no one wants to have to rifle through piles of clothes and toiletries every time they need their phone, purse, umbrella or painkillers (the Sunday morning hangover pain is real).
It’s also worth having some hand sanitiser or wipes and a face mask handy in these times too just in case you find yourself in a crowded area or somewhere where restrictions are still in place.
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Figuring Out What to Pack for a Weekend Away
When deciding what to pack for a weekend away, the key is to always stay stylish yet practical, whether you’re sipping cocktails or trekking across the countryside.
However, it can be easier said than done and ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all packing list. It all depends on where you’re going and what you’re doing, but I hope this article has helped you think things through.
When it comes to packing, remember that practice definitely makes perfect. Therefore, take this as your sign to dust off your case and get some weekend breaks scheduled pronto!
Do you have any more suggestions in terms of what to pack for a weekend away? Let me know in the comments!
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