Is it an overnight bag or could you take it for a week? I am often asked to advise people on overnight bags or airline carry on luggage. This is my own personal take on it – it won’t suit everyone!

This post is a follow up to my handbag declaration. I was recently away for a week with only an overnight bag full of clothes, shoes, toiletries etc (which I took as hand baggage). This may sound amazing but I genuinely think it’s all in the packing!

I blogged about packing a travel bag before – and that was when I was up in Scotland in the Spring (winter to most of us!). That time – I had jumpers, long skirts and trousers in my weekend bag – for a week. This time – I was in hot places so I did a week with an overnight bag: here’s how…..

Careful planning, for a start!

I often travel in long silk skirt which doubles as extra ‘occasion’ outfit should I need it, black leather fitflops. Then: Plan what you will need to wear each day and don’t pack anything extra! You won’t run out of clothes….and even if you do, there are shops! I went to a party, went to the beach, had nice meals out, then on to my factory to work, so I needed outfits for all occasions.

But anyway, what I am trying to illustrate is that you can travel with really quite a small bag – all of this fitted into my overnight bag (pictured above):

Here’s the list….

• White wedge heeled sandals
• Delicate strappy tan high heels for posh night out
• Posh dress
• Beachy dress
• Smart linen (yes, linen – and no creases!) skirt
• 4 smart t-shirt type tops to go with skirts (plus the one I wore to travel on day 1)
• 1 long sleeved wrap around top incase of severely cold air conditioning and for travel
• Bikini & swimming costume
• Clean underwear for each day
• Toiletries & Cosmetics
• Laptop and charger and plug adapter!
• Noise reduction headphones for travel and in flight entertainment
• Notebooks for worky stuff
• Pencil case with important drawing equipment and tape measure etc
• Travel wallet with passport, travel docs, various currencies, credit cards etc
• 2 phones
• Mini zip case with PC cards and memory sticks, wifi adapter, etc

The only thing that I normally travel with – that I could not fit in was a good book, but since I’ve got my laptop, I was able to read an ebook, so all was not lost!

On reading this blog back – it doesn’t sound possible – but it is. You just need to do your packing right!

How do you travel?