What I’m Packing for England in May: 10 Days, Carry-On Only | Jo-Lynne Shane

Here’s the scoop: I’m going on a women’s group trip with Walkabout Tours, a boutique tour company run by my friend Shelly. We met years ago through blogging and have stayed in touch ever since. When she started hosting these small-group tours, I knew I wanted to go on one, and this spring, the timing finally worked out!

I’m arriving a day early to acclimate and staying two extra nights at the end to make the most of my time (and squeeze in a little shopping—I mean, priorities!). That means I’ll be gone for 9–10 days total, and I need to pack accordingly.

Why Carry-On Only?

wearing

Shelly has strongly recommended that we all pack in a carry-on suitcase because we’ll be moving around England via planes, trains, and automobiles—and we’re each responsible for our own luggage. When I travel with Paul, I know I can rely on him to help me lift my heavy suitcase or navigate cobblestone streets. But this time, I’ll basically be on my own, and I don’t want to be that girl struggling with a giant suitcase and holding everyone up while the rest of the group strolls merrily along with their light carry-ons.

For me, the challenge is two-fold. First, I’m trying to narrow down what clothing to bring—things that mix and match well, give me options, and don’t take up extra space. And second, I travel with quite a few toiletries and hair tools, not to mention my regular medications, supplements, and just-in-case pharmacopeia (I like to be prepared for anything, especially when traveling abroad!). Then there are all the other random accoutrements… umbrella? Travel steamer? Chargers and adapters? It adds up quickly.

With all that in mind, I pared down my toiletries during our Florida trip and set aside only what I truly need when I’m away from home. I’ll decant everything I can, and I plan to use a good old quart-size Ziploc bag for my liquids—because, well, Heathrow.

I have a T3 travel dryer and flat iron that are both EU-outlet approved and smaller than the Dyson versions I use at home and usually travel with, so I think I’m set there. The real conundrum is the clothing!

What Makes This Trip Tricky

Packing is always a bit of a puzzle, but this trip adds a few extra variables. When it comes to clothes and shoes, I can be a minimalist—I’m fine with mixing, matching, and re-wearing things. But I also like having options, especially when I don’t know most of the ladies I’m traveling with or what the locals will be wearing. I’m not so concerned about blending in, but I do want to feel confident and happy with what I’m wearing.

And then there’s England’s famously unpredictable spring weather. I won’t know until a few days before I leave whether I’ll need outfits for cool, damp days or warm, sunny ones.

The good news is, I do have a set itinerary, unlike our fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants Florida trips. That means I can plan around specific events and excursions.

That’s where you come in! I’m hoping you can help me get this packing list and my outfits nailed down.

What I’m Packing for England… Maybe

I created two potential capsule wardrobes—one for warmer weather and one for cooler—and I’ll finalize everything once I have a better sense of the forecast. I tried on a bunch of these outfit combinations yesterday, which definitely helped me weed out a few things.

I still had way too many tops, but creating these graphics really helped me see how everything comes together. I was able to pare down a bit more. In each potential capsule, I have 7 tops (maybe still too many!), plus 2 pairs of jeans, a dress, 3 pairs of shoes (including the pair I’ll wear on the plane), and 2 coats/jackets (I can wear one on the plane if need be). I also have one crossbody bag and one tote.

My travel outfit isn’t included in those numbers, but it’s pictured below. I could re-wear parts of it during the trip, but more likely, I’ll just wear it around the house when I want loungewear that isn’t pajamas.

No matter which option I end up going with, the black rain coat and the stripe dress are both pretty much set. I’m hoping it’ll be warm enough (60s and 70s) to bring a lightweight jacket as an outfit completer piece, but if it looks like it’s going to be chilly and/or rainy, I’ll bring my crop trench instead. It’s more of a second outerwear option that I’d remove indoors. I could technically leave it home, but I like the idea of having two outerwear options for variety’s sake, since I’ll probably be wearing one every day.

I also have two bags—one crossbody for everyday use, and a Longchamp tote. The tote folds flat in my suitcase, and I can use it on longer sightseeing days when I want a larger bag. It also gives me the option to check my suitcase on the way home and use the tote as my personal item, in case I do a little shopping while I’m there.

Okay, here’s how it breaks down. Let me know what you think, and feel free to give advice if you think I’m missing something—or if you see anything else I can remove. I haven’t tried packing it all into my suitcase yet, but it should work!

England Travel Warmer Weather Capsule

In the warmer weather capsule, I have five short-sleeve tops and two long-sleeve options. One is a floral blouse I can wear with the black jeans and ballet flats for dinner or the theater; the other is a versatile black sweater for cooler days.

I’m planning to use the beige Talbots utility jacket as a light layer over the short-sleeve tops—it should work with all of them. The dress, jeans, and shoes stay the same in both capsule versions. Below are the outfit possibilities with this one, along with links to shop everything.

Warmer Weather Outfits

Shop Them Here:

Final Thoughts

So, what do you think? I’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions—especially if you’ve been to England in May or have tips for navigating planes, trains, and cobblestone streets with just a carry-on. No matter what I end up bringing, I’m excited for the adventure!