There’s no feeling worse than arriving at your weekend break destination to open your suitcase and find you have forgotten your favourite jeans or that your wardrobe and the weather forecast don’t align.

Luckily, Village Hotels has teamed up with the Style Sisters. With over 290k+ followers, the pair, who have a background in design and style, are on a mission to help style and organise homes across the country, promoting the positive benefits of a tidy space, for your home, mind, and wellbeing. 

This comes after it was found that, at the start of 2024, almost 3 in 5 (58%) of British travellers admitted to having a ‘full-blown meltdown’ when it came to packing for a trip, which is typically down to forgetting to pack and essentials and overpacking.

Luckily, the Style Sisters have lifted the lid on making sure you plan ahead and leave the holiday stress at home.

Be versatile when it comes to the weather 

A wise person once said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Usually, when you’re going away during a certain season, you can predict how cold it will be and what the general weather will be like. For example, in winter in the UK, you are going to need plenty of layers, warm clothing, and a sturdy weatherproof coat! But with the reliably unpredictability of British summer time, it’s likely even in the warmer months you will need a light raincoat and jumper for chilly evenings.

To avoid overpacking and filling your suitcase, we would suggest just taking one thicker sweater or cardigan that is a neutral shade, so it can easily be paired with lots of different outfits. Rather than bringing a heavy coat, usually a lighter raincoat will do the trick and can be easily rolled into your case or hand luggage. Versatile footwear is also a must; a pair of your go-to trainers can work just as well during the daytime with jeans and a t-shirt as they do with a dress in the evening.

Pack strategically 

Our biggest top tip would be to write a list of everything you need to bring for the trip. Getting it all written down will mean you can work out if there’s anything you need to buy before you go, running low on or the items you’ll want to save to pack until last, as you’ll need them for getting ready the day you leave.

Doing this a week or so before can save on last-minute stress and rummaging around looking for things you want to take and pack. Pack the items you know you aren’t going to need a few days before to save going back into your suitcase. Then, depending on what time you are setting off, items like your make up and wash bag can be popped inside before the case is zipped up.

Try to save space 

Categorise and contain: This tried and tested method works in every space when it comes to getting organised, so it’s no different for your suitcase. Packing cubes are the go-to item to add to your case to create a sense of order. They will not only help you save space by compressing clothing, but they will also make it super easy to find what you need. They also offer some protection to your clothing and personal possessions during travel on trains and planes.

Roll over and fold. Rolling your clothes is another space-saving tip, meaning you can fit more in, which of course is good news for more choice of what to wear while away. Rolling them can also stop them from getting creased. We recommend this method for t-shirts, dresses, swimwear, etc. Bulkier items like jeans and sweaters can be rolled but it is best to use the flat-roll method for those, combining folding and rolling.

Avoid unessential items 

It can be easy to fill your suitcase with “just-in-case” items. But when you’re just going away for a few days or long weekend, there are some things that can really be left at home. How many outfits can you actually practically wear during the time you’re away without an outfit change three times a day?! As much as it can feel like you are bringing things for all eventualities, realistically, these items will just end up sitting in your case, taking up space and meaning more things to sort through when you get home. We try to avoid taking too many multiples, for example, 1 piece of swimwear, a couple of daytime tops, 1 jumper or cardigan, and re-wearing them rather than overpacking.

Full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc. will also take up valuable space and won’t be needed. Either the hotel you are staying in will offer handy miniatures for your hair wash, or instead, you can bring your own reusable and refillable travel bottles. These can be filled from your existing bathroom products. There are lots of styles and designs available, with simple bottles as well as screw-top jars, bottles with pumps, perfume atomisers etc. 

Very often, hotels will have a hairdryer and sometimes even hair straighteners in rooms, so it’s worth checking before you pack bulky, heavy electrical equipment.

Be mindful of liquids 

Identify which items in your suitcase could lead to leaks! Even when you think you’ve checked if foundation, face wash, etc. is properly shut when cases are in transit, it can naturally lead to spillages. To avoid this, it is a good idea to double-bag toiletries and liquid make up items, in separate bags. Use zip-lock bags and make sure you separate liquids from clothing, bags, and shoes.

Make sure jewellery is secure

As rings, necklaces and earrings are small and delicate, rather than just storing them in your make-up bag or amongst clothing in your suitcase, a portable jewellery travel box is one of our recommended investments for regular travellers. There are plenty of designs and styles available to suit your budget, from roll-out cases to ones with removable dividers. Not only do they look pretty, but it will keep precious jewellery safe and secure.”

Commenting on the importance of holiday packing, a spokesperson from Village Hotels said: “The weekend is where most of us let off some steam after the buzz of the working week, so it’s a great opportunity to take a well-needed break. However, the stress of packing, especially when you might only be going away for a few days, can hinder the fun you have when you’re away.

“With this in mind, we’re proud to collaborate with the Style Sisters to put together a comprehensive list of how to plan ahead with your packing and leave your stresses at home. We hope this list has inspired anyone who stresses about packing to take a weekend break across the UK in the coming summer months.”