Everything But The Kitchen Sink? Here’s How Industry Mums Pack Smart
We have the lowdown on what fashion and beauty experts pack (and leave behind) for family holidays.
What does a fashion editor take on holiday when travelling with her young twins? Or are skincare experts tempted to take their entire bathroom cabinet in their suitcase? We snoop inside the suitcases of four well-travelled fashion and beauty experts to find out their top family travel tips.
‘Be organised’
Sarah Clark, fashion stylist and founder of littlespree.com, lives in London with her boyfriend and twins, Tabitha and Marlow, four
Where we’ll be holidaying Northern Tuscany, Italy
What we'll be packing Having twins means I’m super-organised. I’ll pack simple cotton dresses, shorts, swimwear and playsuits for Tabitha. Lots of shorts for Marlow (Gap do my favourites), T-shirts, jeans (just in case), a cardigan and swimming shorts. And no more than two pairs of shoes each.
My style My summer style is relaxed and comfortable (I have to be able to run after the kids). I love the Gap sexy boyfriend shorts – and I’ll live in them with hippie tops and Isabel Marant sandals. I also love Mango’s folk-style dresses – I even bought a mini one for Tabitha.
Surviving the journey For the flight, I pack extras of everything – clothes and snacks. You never know when you might be delayed.
Travel smart Take a light, easy-folding buggy. A small shoulder bag is also invaluable, plus a large tote – I love LL Bean ones – for all the kids stuff.
‘Always look after your skin in and out of the sun’
Nichola Joss, Sanctuary Spa Global Skincare Expert, lives in Kent with her husband and sons, Riley, 10, and Ernie, nine
Where we’ll be holidaying Spain
What I'll be wearing I'm all about silk kaftans, Melissa Odabash swimwear – which makes me feel fabulous on the beach – and flip-flops.
What I'll be protecting our skin with I always buy Invisible Zinc 4 Hr Water Resistant SPF50+ for my boys, and La Roche Posay Protective Oil SPF50+ for me. I also pack a straw hat to shield my hair and face from the sun.
My post-sun skin saviours Sanctuary 4 Day Moisture Body Oil Spray is a mixture of water and oil, so it’s cooling and hydrating after a day in the sun.
‘Don’t Wing It With Kids’
Kirsti Nicole Hadley, founder of the Momma Loves blog, lives in Brighton with her partner and son, Sonny, three
Where we're heading this summer I try to take Sonny to the festivals I’m working on and this year there are two new ones for us, Wilderness in Oxfordshire and Somersault in Devon.
What I'm packing It’s a running joke that I take everything with me to festivals. I can’t be without my false eyelashes, sunnies, Whistles biker jacket, denim shorts, sandals, DM boots and Etre Cecile T-shirts.
What I won't be stressing about Be honest with yourself when it comes to camping. If you love it, go the whole hog, pitch a tent, take a stove and live it. If not, book a house off-site or organise glamping in advance.
Why prep is key Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. If you’re staying off-site, book your cars to and from the festival in advance. You can’t wing it with kiddos in tow. Be realistic and choose a couple of things you really want to do each day and do them well – don’t try to see everything. And don’t try to be your pre-child, party self. That’s also not possible.
‘Always pack Jumpers And Wellies for staycations’
Julia Yule, co-founder of skincare line, Bloom & Blossom, lives in St Albans with her husband, son Baxter, four, and daughter, Clemence, 19 months
Where we'll be holidaying Calcot Manor, Cotswolds
What I'll be packing for the kids In particular, sundresses that don’t need ironing and colourful canvas shoes from H&M. The kids have a Trunki each for their stuff. If it doesn’t fit in there, they don’t need it.
Be ready for the British weather I always take a cashmere jumper for me and Hunter willies for the whole family. British weather is just too unpredictable.
My beauty must-haves I love my Aromatherapy Associates Essential Travel Oils. I also pack Bloom & Blossom Gentle Baby Wash as it works for us all.
Don't bother packing A baby monitor. We’ve discovered an app called ‘Baby Monitor 3G’, which works using our phones.
