Going away on holiday is something that most of us look forward to all year long. Packing for said holiday however is often something we don't tend to think about quite so much, often leaving to the last minute and then packing in somewhat of a frenzy. It's easy to take far too much with you, filling your bulging case with more and more items that suddenly you just can't be without for a few days, no matter how infrequently you wear them at home. It can make the whole process of getting ready to go away much more stressful than it needs to be an can end up costing you even more if you're flying.

Packing doesn't have to be stressful though and there are easy ways to reduce your case size. As someone who travels regularly but has only used a bag bigger than hand luggage once in the last 7 years (and that was for a 2 week trip to Bali, exceptions had to be made) I've become well versed in packing light and only taking exactly what I need. You can still have plenty of options for outfits and enjoy dressing up (or down if that’s more your thing) while you’re away but this way the process is a little less stressful. There are few things I always try to do when I pack for any trip, regardless of the length, and have found them to make the process more streamlined and reduce the amount I end up taking with me.

Work out what you'll actually need: Start by working out what you will really use when you're away. Count how many outfits you'll need for during the day and also evenings and then work it out from there. Do you need 4 pairs of shoes for a short city break? No, your comfiest trainers and maybe a nicer pair of sandals for the evenings will be fine. Take into account what you'll be doing on the holiday, what the temperature will be like and how long you're going for. You never need as many clothes as you think you do. 

Pack interchangeable items: Selecting items that you can mix and match is a life saver. Pieces like this white shirt from Gant (*gifted) are great because you can wear them with trousers, shorts and skirts but also use them as a cover up around the pool or on the beach. I love that the light-weight fabric of this one means that it is perfect for the warmer climates, whether you’re exploring a new city or lounging by the pool, whilst the structured collar and cuffs help to give it a more tailored look, ideal for dressing up in the evening. Their versatility means that white shirts are something that are always in my suitcase and are often the items I wear the most. If you’re looking for a new staple white shirt then you can get 15% off on the Gant website with code ‘CHARLOTTE15’ until 13th June.

Try a 10 X 10 wardrobe: The packing equivalent to a capsule wardrobe, this basic concept works on the premise that you only take 10 items with you but they all work together to give you 10 different outfits. This may seem impossible to some but having tried it on my recent trip to Lisbon it's actually easier than you think. There was one moment when I panicked I hadn't bought enough but actually I had plenty of options with me for a long weekend. You can bend to rules to exclude your travelling outfits, shoes or accessories as you see fit so long as you stick to the basic principle. If a 10 X 10 sounds too restrictive, you're going away for a little longer or know you'll get through more items in that time then just an edited capusel suitcase could be a the perfect alternative. Run on the same basic principles that you take as few items as possible, all of which interchange to give you more options, whilst also giving you plenty of outfits to wear for the duration of your trip.

Make the most of the space you have: Being creative with space is always important but particularly when you have tight luggage restrictions. Personally I love a packing cube and find that they really help to condense what I am taking in and allow me to squeeze in a few extra items whilst also keeping my case nice and organised. Of course there's always the old trick of popping stuff inside your shoes, splitting toiletries with other people you're travelling with and making the most of those additional pockets on your suitcase. Think about how you can make the most of the space you have and even if you aren’t great at packing light at least you’ll have made the most of the space you have.

Even if you quite enjoy packing (guilty), sitting on top of your suitcase to try and get it to close is never a fun way to start a holiday. I've realised how much I used to over pack on every trip and whilst I still like to take enough to have a couple options, gone are the days of almost injuring myself from having a ridiculously heavy suitcase for a 3 day trip. A little bit of planning can make the world of difference and really help to get your trip off to a much calmer start. Plus, the less you take the more room there is for a spot of holiday shopping.