Your ultimate holiday packing list to cover all bases from plane to pool this summer
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We've all been there: sorting our holiday packing list with less than 12 hours before we're meant to be boarding the flight itself. It's always a panicked frenzy, underwear flying across the room as you attempt to figure out how many bikinis are too many, before inevitably employing a fellow family member to sit on your suitcase as you wrestle it shut. Now, with a lack of aircon in the UK driving us up the walls, the time to spread our wings and jet off to some exotic holiday resort (air con inc.) has come and, while we're ready for the sun, sand and sea, the stress of packing? Yeah, we haven't missed that.
Lucky for you, here at team GLAMOUR we anticipated that, being the gorgeous, fun go-getter you are might have left you stymied as to what to pack, will minimal time to do so. So we got ahead of the curve. Whether you're headed on an 18-hour flight to Singapore (lucky you), or you've booked yourself a luscious Airbnb in Majorca, we've got your holiday packing list covered.
So let's get into it… (we based our list on a seven-day holiday, so you might need to adjust accordingly if you're travelling for longer or less).
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Clothes, footwear and accessories:
Underwear:
- Two pairs of pants per day of the holiday + a couple of spares just in case
- One t-shirt bra and one day bra (bralette/halter bra/wireless - whatever support you need and find comfy!)
- Evening bras as necessary to suit your outfits (strapless, multiway etc.)
- (For couples/those planning to meet people abroad) A handful of lingerie options
- One pair of socks per day of the holiday
- One pair of short pyjamas
- Optional: Cosy socks for long haul flights
- Optional: One sports bra if you plan to work out
- Optional: One pair of tummy control shapewear
- Optional: Running socks if you plan to work out
For the day:
- One pair of denim shorts
- One pair of floaty/linen shorts
- One pair of long, loose trousers for rainy or chillier days
- Two midi/maxi skirts
- Two summer dresses
- Two crisp linen or cotton shirts
- One good quality cotton t-shirt
- Three breathable vest tops
- Two crop tops/blouses (crochet tops are going to be big for summer 2022)
- Two lightweight blazers or a leather/denim jacket for layering
- One waterproof jacket just in case or an umbrella
- Optional: Gym leggings or cycling shorts
- Optional: Gym vest
- Optional: Scarf for religious countries
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For the evening:
- Three dresses
- Two pairs of high-waisted and/or wide-leg trousers
- One maxi skirt (perhaps satin or with a thigh split for a more evening-y feel)
- Three cropped/strappy/blouse tops
For the beach or pool:
Shoes:
- Pair of leather sliders
- Pair of slip-on mules
- Pair of white trainers (wear these on the plane)
- Pair of strappy sandals with a chunky heel
- Pair of versatile, goes-with-anything ankle strap sandals, e.g. Birkenstocks
- Pair of waterproof sliders or flip-flops
- Optional: Pair of gym trainers
Accessories:
- Easily layerable gold jewellery pieces: Short and mid-length chain necklaces, chunky mini hoop earrings, and perhaps a couple of colourful bracelets/necklaces to elevate your basics
- Small lightweight tote - raffia ones are easy to pack away
- Beach bag
- Leather crossbody bag
- Sunglasses
- Hair claw clip
- Sun hat
For the plane:
- One pair of jeans
- A relaxed and light top, t-shirt or blouse
- One cosy jumper, zip-up hoodie or cardigan
- If it's chilly in the UK when you set off, wear one of the aforementioned jackets while travelling (it'll save you space in your luggage, too)
Toiletries/first aid kit
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Face:
- Primer
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Setting powder
- Bronzer
- Blush
- Highlight
- Eyebrow pencil/powder/pomade
- Eyebrow gel
- Mascara
- Eyeshadow
- Eyeliner
- Lip liner
- Lipstick/gloss
- Setting spray
- Make-up brushes and sponges
- Eye make-up remover
- Double cleanse
- Flannels (we recommend one per day)
- Toner/acid
- Any prescription skincare pills/topical treatments
- Hydrating spray/mist
- Serum
- Oil
- Moisturiser
- Optional: Tan drops
- Lip balm
- Sun cream for face
- Optional: Face mask
Body:
- Shower gel
- Body lotion
- Sunscreen for body
- Aftersun (a must for sunburn)
- Deodorant
- Perfume/body spray
- Razor/shaving foam
- Optional: Exfoliating scrub
- Optional: Fake tan/gradual tanner
- Optional: Tanning mitt
Hair:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hair brush
- Dry shampoo
- Hairspray
- Heat protector spray
- Hair serum/scalp oil/leave in conditioner
- Sun/chlorine hair protector spray
- Hairdryer
- Hot hair tools - AirWrap, straighteners, curling tongs
- Hair bands
Hands and feet:
- Nail polish/top coat/base coat
- Nail polish remover
- Nail file/clippers/scissors
- Hand cream/cuticle oil
- Hand sanitiser
- Optional: Foot cream
- Optional: Pumice stone/foot file
First-aid:
- Two packs of painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen etc.)
- Plasters and blister plasters
- Any daily medication you take or need (the contraceptive pill, mental health medication, EpiPen etc.)
- Hayfever tablets
- Insect repellent
- Insect bite relief cream
- Optional: Condoms
- Optional: Travel sickness pills
- Optional: Imodium for countries where water isn't safe to drink
- Optional: Buscopan for tummy aches and bloating
- Optional: Hydration salts (e.g. Dioralyte) for girls holidays/hen dos to stave off the worst of the hangover
Misc:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste and mouthwash
- Tampons, sanitary pads, menstrual cup and/or period pants
- Reusable make-up remover pads and cotton pads for nail varnish
- Cotton buds
- Tweezers
- Optional: Contact lenses and solution
- Optional: Glasses, if you use them
Miscellaneous:
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- Passport
- Boarding pass
- Face mask for the plane
- Any VISAs/ESTAs/travel insurance documents you might need
- Covid travel forms and proof of vaccination
- Driving licence
- House keys
- Wallet , credit cards, debit cardsand any foreign currency
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Travel plug adapter
- Portable charger/power bank
- Clear plastic 1L sandwich bag for liquids at the airport
- Headphones
- iPad/tablet/Kindle
- Ear plugs for long haul flights
- Eye mask
- Neck pillow
- Pack of tissues
- Wet wipes
- A good book
- Waterproof or disposable camera
- Reusable water bottle
- A couple of plastic bags for any swimwear that doesn't dry before your flight home
- Beach towel
- Swimming goggles
- Beach blanket
- Portable speaker
- Beach games - cards, beach ball volleyball
- Lilo/rubber ring
If you're driving to your destination:
- Plastic wine glasses
- Wine (!!)
- Parasol
- Foldable beach chair
After more packing checklists? Head this way for our festival checklist, over here for our round up of the best festival tents and, if you're after more beach holiday inspiration, check out these AirbnbLuxe stays. We've also got treehouse Airbnbs, Lake District Airbnbs and Airbnbs in the Cotswolds - perfect for family holidays and couples alike. For more from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.
Scroll for our top travel essentials to buy for your getaway in 2023.
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