Packing for the hols

Continuing on the theme of the summer holiday, today's blog post is focussing on OISE Oxford's recommendations for holiday packing.

I find packing a most distressing experience.  I like to spend days before the big pack thinking about what to pack, though rarely making any effort to put anything in a bag (which would be helpful).  I also like to spend the days before purchasing new items for the holiday - it is just far easier to buy new than to wash existing clothes.  However, I have found that financially this can somewhat limit the actual holiday experience by not having the available funds to explore quite as much when in the holiday destination.  Then the actual day of packing usually starts at the very last minute, typically at nightfall and in a cold panic.  Urgh.

Things not to forget on holiday:

• Passport (essential for the foreign get-away)
• Sun cream (typically not used on the first day, then regretted)
• Allergy tablets (for that dusty hotel room or pollen filled sunny country)
• Anti-bacterial hand gel (essential for public transport)
• Plug adapter (to charge up the essential mobile phone etc)
• Rescue Remedy (because it is calming and reassuring, and tastes nice)

For the fashionistas, Lauren Laverne provides some fashion tips in The Observer for the holiday goer.  I will attempt to adhere to the following recommendations when I next pack in the hope to reduce some packing panic.

1 To pack and dress easily, limit yourself to three (complementary) shades. Then everything goes together without being too matchy.

2 Holiday Clothes are performing a function, don't feel obliged to maintain your usual look. Simplify, and don't pack anything you can't wear three times or three ways.

3 Layers. If you are holidaying in the UK keep them light but numerous, and you should be climate-proof and able to close your suitcase. Dresses you can wear with leggings, a rainproof poncho to go over a light jacket, a big multifunctional scarf...

4 Shoes. Even if you're going for a month, you only need three pairs: flipflops, ballet pumps and a pair you can walk all day in. Wear the latter during travel.

5 Crease-free fabrics. Jersey, Lycra and a couple of light wool bits are your best bets.