Like most people, I massively over-pack when I’m going away but I have had to learn to cut back A LOT when going abroad for a gig and only having hand luggage to take my clothes and things I need.
Check the weather And don’t underestimate the temperature as I thought I would be ok in November in Helsinki and seriously didn’t put on enough layers. I had 3 layers on, but it was nowhere near enough, it was so cold that I had to keep walking around and still got cramp in my thighs. What I should have done was have my super thick hoodie, extra vests and a few pairs of thermal leggings as I could have worn the hoodie on the flight and the whole time I was outside so it would never have gone in my hand luggage.
Get thermals for super cold weather I love my thermals, since I got them, I have worn them out in some really cold weather and barely felt it. Thermals are meant to be worn under clothes but if you wear them for when you are in the queue for a gig, there are 2 ways to wear them. Under your clothes and you run the risk of them making you really hot during the gig or over your clothes so that once you get into the gig, it will take you 2 minutes to get them off so you don’t overheat during the gig. Having thermals will also save you packing multiple pairs of leggings, jeans or trousers. Sometimes I have even just worn my thermals instead of wearing them under jeans or leggings and they have still kept me warm. Plus, hand warmers are amazing, get a few packets before you go.
Get little toiletries bottles
You can easily get these from Amazon and they are just the right size if you are going away for a few days. Just fill each one with your shampoo, conditioner or shower gel and you don’t need to worry about going out when you get to your destination to buy toiletries. Just remember that you need to keep them under 100ml and to write on the bottles with a sharpie to say what is in them. You can also get mini versions of toiletries from Amazon or at the airport if you would prefer and they are usually under 100ml. If you have absolutely no room in your bag of bottles, you can always buy them in a shop near your hotel once you get there.
Don’t forget your handbag
Most airlines let you on with a bag for hand luggage and a handbag so use your handbag to the max. I usually use mine to carry my electricals, make-up bag and a change of clothes. This will save you so much room in your hand luggage and will make things easier when going through security at the airport because everything is in one bag.
Be super strict
If you don’t need it, don’t take it. That top that you kind of like so you aren’t sure if you are going to wear it, don’t take it, you aren’t going to wear it. Do you really need 6 shades of lipstick?
One pair of shoes I am the worst for this as I have my gig shoes and I have my normal day-to-day shoes, but if I go abroad, I only take one set and that is normally my gig shoes. My gig shoes lately are my DMs, I have finally worn them in enough that they are extremely comfy to walk around in all the time and for jumping around like a crazy person at a gig.
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