After 18 months of planning our mammoth family trip to Oz, the time has finally come to start packing as we set off to the other side of the world in just a few days!

Packing is probably my least favourite thing to do when it comes to travelling and the mere thought of it is enough to make me feel a little anxious, but there’s no getting away from it, it is a job that needs to be done. But before I begin packing for the four of us, I thought you may like to see some of the clothes I’ve decided to take with me for our four week trip to Singapore and Queensland, Australia.

Jamie and I have both been to Queensland once before, so we’ve got a good idea of what we need to take and the key of course, like with any packing, is to try and travel as light as possible.  (No mean feat when you adore clothes.) So bearing that in mind and with me trying to be as good as I can be, here’s a list of what I’ll be taking with me and a few spotlights on some of my favourite items.

(Where possible I’ve added the links in to various items too, just in case you fancy a closer look or want to treat yourself.)

WHAT I’LL BE PACKING IN MY SUITCASE 

(Besides underwear, make up, toiletries and a couple of belts.)

BOTTOMS

Six items including skinny jeans, a buttoned knee length denim skirt and denim shorts.

My favourites are:

– One pair of khaki palazzo trousers from Zara

I’ll actually be wearing these to fly in as they’re super comfy plus they’ll cover my swollen ankles from the long flight when we arrive in Singapore. These trousers (similar to these) go with everything so I’ll be wearing them a lot when we’re down under.

– One cream suit from Precis Petite

Ok, so admittedly a cream suit isn’t the most practical when you’ve got kids, but this jacket and trouser combo is so lovely and versatile. I can dress it up or down and wear it as a suit or as separates so it’s def coming along with me.

– One *red and white mosaic skirt from Kettlewell

Made from jersey this flirty skirt (see pic below) is super comfy to wear and really flattering on. It’s fabulous worn casually with trainers and a T-shirt or dressed up with heels and a blouse. It’s also currently in the sale, if you fancy one for yourself?

Top, necklace and skirt from Kettlewell

TOPS

About six to eight tops including a few T-shirts and one light weight jumper.

My favourites are:

– One *marine navy v-neck top from Kettlewell

The perfect summer top, this will go with pretty much any bottom that I’m taking with me so gives me lots of outfit options. (See above pic.)

– One *red and soft white stripe faux wrap top from Kettlewell

I adore this top so much. It’s so comfortable to wear and really flattering and looks super chic teamed with denim or my cream suit.

– One ecru embroidered blouse from Zara

I’ve been after a top like this for ages (see top pic on the right) and finally found it just a few weeks ago! Light and easy to wear, I’ll be wearing this with my jeans and palazzo trousers when I want to feel pretty but chic.

– One leopard print cardigan from H&M

I’ve had this cardigan for years and it alway gets me compliments. Cosy to wear, as a leopard print fan, what’s not to love?! I’ll be wearing this whenever it gets slightly chilly in Queensland.

Dresses

Oh, I do love a good dress but this holiday wise, I’m only taking a few select ones with me including my two current summer favourites:

– One red paisley maxi dress from Boohoo

I’ve had this a few years now and it remains my favourite summer maxi dress as it’s so light and easy to wear. I’ll be wearing this when we’re in hot and sticky Singapore in a bid to keep cool.

– One orange embroidered tunic by Antik Batik from Outnet

This is a last minute purchase and has divided opinion on Instagram stories (!) but I’m keeping it as it’s so pretty and the colour is gorgeous. I will however be teaming it with a wide waist belt (to give it some shape) and heels when we go somewhere lovely for dinner.

Swimwear

As I’m trying to keep clothing down, I’m only taking two swimsuits with me to Australia plus one bikini and a couple of beach cover ups.

My favourite swimwear items are definitely both the swimsuits!

– One stunning *red swimsuit by Aubade from UKSwimwear.

This absolutely beautiful designer swimsuit is the most flattering swimsuit I have ever worn and made me feel a million dollars when I tried it on. I adore it because it’s practical enough for swimming with the kids but also sexy and feminine enough to hopefully turn my husband’s head from time to time!

I love the cut of the swimsuit and the draped fabric which is incredibly flattering around my (proud) mum tum and the Guipure lace detail on the straps is a gorgeous touch. Made by a Parisian brand famous for it’s lingerie, this swimsuit is probably one of my most favourite items that I’m packing and one I cannot wait to wear when we get to the other side of the world.

– One strapless leopard print swimsuit from Zara

Just a lovely swimsuit with a bit of sass which I think I may also be able to wear as a bodysuit potentially. I’m thinking besides the beach and sea, it should also look rather nice teamed with my palazzo trousers for a cocktail or two.

SHOES

Ah, this is always the hardest part for me as I would take them all with me if I could, but I’m (only?) taking five pairs including a pair of heels and a pair of beach flip flops.

My favourites:

– One pair of *Vionic Syra lace up trainers 

These are so comfortable and go with everything in my wardrobe from shorts to dresses to jeans. I literally live in them most days so there’s no way I could leave these behind. They’re very much loved.

– One pair of Air & Grace espadrilles in red

My favourite summer shoe for when a little height and a little extra added chic is needed.

Jewellery

I haven’t decided on earrings yet but I will be taking just two necklaces with me – *a cream and yellow tassel necklace from Kettlewell and a colourful statement necklace that I’ve had for years but hardly worn. (See photos above).

So there you have it, my Oz wardrobe in a nutshell!

I’m rather proud of the thought I’ve put in to everything working together as outfits and making sure that everything I take is needed and loved. I will try to share some snaps of me wearing some of my favourite holiday pieces when we’re over in Australia on Instagram, so if you’re interested please do keep your eyes peeled for those too. One thing that did really strike me when I took these photographs earlier, was just how colourful it all is, in comparison to previous holiday clothes.

There is literally not one black item (bar underwear) that I’m taking with me! Who knew when I had colour analysis done back at the end of last year, how powerful it would be huh?! Just amazing!

Finally, I just want to show you these brilliant *items I was kindly sent for the kids by the kind people at Tiddlers & Nippers that I’ll be packing in my case for them.

The kids’ travel towels are genius as they are so light and small to pack but super absorbent (game changer in regards to kids’ holiday towels I think! ) and both the wash bag and wet and dry bag are going to come in really handy.

So there we have it. Pretty comprehensive I think.

All that remains now is for me to get on with the packing and hope that it all fits in the case! Wish me luck and I’ll speak to you very soon when we finally arrive ‘down under’! x

*Gifted items – many thanks to Kettlewell, Vionic, UKSwimwear and Tiddlers & Nippers who sent me the very lovely pieces.