Packing light can be hard, but it’s especially hard when you are travelling to one of the most stylish resorts in Europe. The beauty of staying in a home-from-home is having wardrobe and closet space for your favourite brands of clothing, toiletries, and accessories. Fitting them all into a modest suitcase can be a different story. Luckily, there are some things you can do to cut down on space without sacrificing on quality or comfort.
Follow these tips on how to pack like a pro for your next luxury vacation.
- Keep your Bag Light and Your Standards High
- Never Travel to Marbella Without ..
- Lotions and Potions
- A Closet of Dreams for your Holiday Wardrobe
Keep your Bag Light and Your Standards High
Firstly, it’s time to get tough: Pack only what you need and cut out any distractions that aren’t essential. Ask yourself: do I really need another bikini? Do I really need those extra jeans? What else could I leave at home and still feel prepared? As a rule of thumb, if you are not really sure you need it, but think you may need it as a back up- then you probably don’t need it!
Save space in your case by creating a capsule wardrobe of four or five separates. They can be mixed and matched easily creating endless outfit possibilities. Do leave some room for a “wow” outfit or two though, after all, this is Marbella, Darling!
Now let’s come on to footwear. It can be a big stumbling block (not literally we hope) when it comes to creating your wonder – case. Heels are most definitely in for those glamorous nights out and even for daywear. But try to remember, Marbella has a lot of cobbled streets. By all means bring your restaurant shoes (we all have a pair, those incredibly elegant pointy-toed creations that are not necessarily conducive to long walks) but bring a trusted pair of shoes you can dance the night away in too.
We shouldn’t have to tell you this, but you will need some sensible footwear for daytime and poolside too. Plus, don’t assume you should only bring open-toed footwear. There is still a place for boots in the colder months and sneakers can work year-round. If you’re coming from a colder climate, make the sensible day wear shoes part of your “ to go in” outfit and save space while you are at it.
If you’re still thinking about more ways to pack smarter, consider opting for clothes made from lightweight fabrics. Cotton is a popular choice amongst travellers for summer because it is soft and easy on your skin, but it also absorbs moisture quickly and is lightweight. Silk is another great alternative: In addition to being breathable and lightweight, silk holds up extremely well against wrinkles. When you arrive in your destination, hanging clothes promptly next to a steamy shower is another must, so any creases from the case will be gone.
Never Travel to Marbella Without ..
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when deciding what to bring, but at least when you are visiting The Costa Del Sol you can safely predict the weather and consequently work out the type of clothing you will need to stay warm in advance. See our handy guide to the climate here, year-round. In Marbella you’re not just dressing for the weather, you need to keep your glamour game high, and “think chic”.
You’ll need evening wear at any time of year and daywear can be just as elegant. You will likely be spending some of your days lounging on stylish loungers and eating in swanky beach clubs. Do you have a day-to-night beach outfit that works perfectly well for a morning coffee and sundowner cocktails?
Lotions and Potions
Are you in a cosmetics conundrum? Toiletries and make-up will weigh your case down more than bikinis and wraps. So, it’s time to get ruthless. Do you really need 4 eyeshadow pallets? 7 different lipsticks? The first step is rationalisation, so be strong my friend.
Secondly, look for travel sized alternatives and you can even decant your favourite shampoos and conditioners into small travel bottles. Lastly, remember if you’re staying with Swish, we can shop for your groceries and little extras like sun cream and shampoo for you before you arrive at no extra cost. (Call us the glam squad! )
A Closet of Dreams for your Holiday Wardrobe
Now, let’s just take a step back and admire the walk-in wardrobe you could be enjoying in your next villa rental. Unpacking here would be a dream, right?
Make sure you follow our tips and still leave a little space in your case for a couple more outfits. After all, the shopping in Puerto Banus is fabulous!
If these tips have helped you work your wardrobe, check out our guide to travelling with kids to ensure a stress-free visit for every member of the family.
With love, The Swish Team x
