I'm a fashion editor - here's everything I packed for a 9 day holiday with only hand luggage

Wondering what to pack in carry on luggage? I just came back from Spain, and I made some key wardrobe pieces work really hard. I even had space for some shopping!

models wearing a red floral dress, a leopard print midi skirt, a black cut out maxi dress and a blue striped waistcoat and trouser set
(Image credit: Net-A-Porter, Rixo, ME+EM, Mint Velvet)

I've just come back from a trip to Spain, and since I'm normally a bit of an over-packer, narrowing down my holiday wardrobe to the size of a large cabin bag for a 9 day trip felt like a big ask.

Packing lightly really is an art, not least because on this trip I was staying in 3 different places, going between the city and the beach, as well as catching several flights on airlines with different luggage allowances.

Zara is my go-to for summer capsule wardrobe basics, and I'd recommend giving your suitcase a bit of a refresh each year with a handful of new pieces. However, I've recently been focussing on investment items that make packing a bit of a doddle. It meant I even had space for some purchases while on holiday - I couldn't go to Spain without checking out Zara, Massimo Dutti, Mango and Oysho, now could I?

Wondering what to pack in carry on luggage? The key items you need, in my opinion, are the following:

  • 2 co-ords
  • 4 dresses
  • 3 tops
  • 1 skirt
  • 1 pair of trousers
  • 1 pair of shorts
  • 2 bags
  • 2 swimsuits
  • 2 sandals
  • 1 beach towel

Dresses and co-ords

Tops

Skirts, trousers and shorts

Swimwear, shoes and accessories

Caroline Parr
Digital Fashion Editor

Caroline is Digital Fashion Editor for woman&home, and has been a fashion writer and editor for ten years.

After graduating from the London College of Fashion, she has spent the last decade tracking down and writing about celebrity outfits, covering events ranging from the Met Gala to the King’s Coronation.

She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of brands, but always likes to know about new and under the radar labels. She’s originally from Liverpool, and outside of work, her great loves are leopard print and her lively but adorable cocker spaniel, Ghillie.