Starting SYC and planning a minimal travel capsule

I'm going to London in April! My family booked the trip for the start of the Easter holidays and it's just at the end of my holidays. So I had to look those prices up and with a round flight from Berlin for 50€ I couldn't resist. So I get to do some sightseeing and spend time with my family, what could be better? The last time I was in London was 2007, so it's been a while. It's Friday morning to Monday evening, so three nights. I only have carry-on luggage and my bag (fitting the airline guidelines) isn't all that big, so I'm going to pack as minimal as possible. I have to anyway, because the maximum weight for the baggage is 10kg and I want to leave some room in case I buy something. They've changed the guidelines so that you can take an additional medium sized handbag at least, so that's a good thing.

And because I want to have some spending money on the trip, I'm now officially on SYC. I don't really need anything anyway and I think I'll be able to assemble a good travel capsule without shopping. I know that it's early yet, but want to help me plan when it's time?

12 years ago

Sona

Veteran

Yes absolutely we will help you plan! London...what fun.

ramya

Awesome this sounds super fun!!

shiny

I'm in -- especially since my 2014 fashion goal is learning to pack everything in a carry on!

You can do this!!

First question: does your carry on have four wheels or two? Because the type with four wheels has less inside space....

Next question: what is the agenda?

Diana

Lucky you! I love London and haven't been there for years. (Although I may be heading there later this year for a wedding... Fingers crossed!).

Anyway, here is my recent travel capsule, complete with teeny tiny bag. It's probably going to be colder in London in April than CA in Nov. but I think you could swap out some of the lighter pieces for warmer ones. I actually did have a bit of extra room in the bag.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....el-capsule

Astrid

Thanks Sona and Ramya! Yes, lots of fun.

Thanks Shiny! It's not one with wheels but a travel bag (the one in the picture below). The guidelines say 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and that's pretty much the bag I have. I'm not sure yet what exactly we will do, but since my sister and brothers haven't been to London before I think we will do the typical sightseeing. Lots of walking in any case! Maybe we'll go out eat something nice one evening, or go see a musical or something like that, but I don't need to have any dressy outfits.

Thanks for the link, Diana! Going to go have a look now.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Kim

I went to London in the fall for 10 days with a carry on bag, about the same dimensions. Mine had wheels though, and that eats up about 5 lbs of the weight limitation. My carry on could weight 10kg and my "personal item" ( laptop case, etc.) could weigh 10kg! LOL

Let's just say I made the most of my personal item and layering for my plane trip!

Photos in this thread, (go down to my followup post in the thread to see the pics.)

If I can do it for a 10 day trip in the fall, you can certainly do it for a weekend! Have fun with your family, I can't wait to get back there! Going in the summer this time, and still travelling carry-on, but should be easier with summer clothing! LOL

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-amusement

Thanks Kim! You're right of course, it should work. I used that bag on my trip to Hamburg last year for a long weekend and was alright. But if the bag weighs less it's fine by me, I have to lugg it around after all. The second bag is not supposed to be big luggage though, only personal items and not too heavy. Probably only phone, wallet, documents and tickets, a water bottle, umbrella and my camera. In the past you had to pack your handbag or any bags with things you bought at the airport into your one carry-on bag or they wouldn't let you board. Thank god that's different now.

And I've never been to London in summer, I was there twice so far, one time in February and one time in November.

Oh I'm so envious of Europeans and your airfare deals!

You can definitely do it, although London in the spring will probably require a flexible capsule as far as weather goes. If it were me, I'd be thinking cardigans in both wool and cotton with 'neutral' blouses for underneath (cotton or silk) to be able to adjust easily. With an additional stand alone top, either wool or warmer weather appropriate, to be decided on as the forecast gets closer. And I usually bring both trousers and a skirt, because I'm happy in both. But that's my style of course! I can't wait to see your planning thread, as I love packing lightly/creating little clothing capsules.

Lantana

I'll reinforce Kim's point about layering for the flight. You can pile the layers on thick and once you're on board you can peel them off until you get to a comfortable level.
I took a fold up trench on my last NH trip, only used it a few times in 3 weeks but I am so glad I had it as a back up for bad weather.

Transcona Shannon

Your trip sounds wonderful Astrid and your plan for SYC is perfectly sensible. You know you'll get lots of packing/capsule advice when the time comes.

Thanks E! It really is so inexpensive - I'm now going by plane to London and back for less money than I paid for a one way train ticket home in May. That's a bit crazy, don't you think? I agree that the weather might be all over the place and being somewhat flexible is a good idea. I'm not sure on the pants/skirt question yet, we'll see. I do think I'm going to take pictures and everything for the planning, it's fun!

Thanks Lantana! It will probably still be chilly in the morning anyway, so layering up for the flight might be a good idea.

Thanks Shannon! I know I'll get the best advice.

rachylou

Oh what fun! I say two outfits. One you wear, one in the bag. Hopefully that leaves plenty of room for a goodie or two

It is crazy, but I wish we had some of that craziness here. Enjoy yourself! (Both the trip and the planning, hehe.)

Member

I've used a wheel-less travel bag for years as my sole luggage--14 days in Turkey once; 10 days in Rome and Amalfi twice; 7 days in Ireland, too many days in Detroit...you get the picture.

While I don't love not having choices when I travel, I do make sure that I've planned what I'm wearing, that everything works with everything else and that I can get away with two pairs of shoes (the actual shoes and clothes depend on events--so a dressy pair and a walking pair, or warm and dressy, etc etc).

It can be done! Also, I've been known to purchase underwear and socks for a trip and throw them out as I use them so as to create bag space for something else. Shame on me.

Thanks E.

Thanks RD! The lack of choices isn't a problem for me, it's more that I'm always afraid it's not enough and so I regularly overpack. I also fear being wrong about the temperatures and being too hot or cold. But I'm sure I can do this! Trying to create outfits beforehand and keeping things as flexible as possible should help. I agree on taking two pairs of shoes, it's always good to have a second pair at hand for whatever reason. I couldn't imagine buying and throwing out stuff though!

cheryl

Yay! What a wonderful trip to look forward to. Can't wait to see your travel capsule.

Category