For Christmas with family, the easiest way to pack is with a small set of clothes in two or three colours. Take two pairs of trousers and three or four tops. Add one festive piece for the Christmas dinner, one warm layer and two pairs of shoes. With eight to ten well-chosen garments you will manage three to four days. Below you will find a packing list for women and men, a plan per day and tips to make everything arrive crease-free.
Start with the programme, not your wardrobe
Look at the programme first before you pack your suitcase. Think of arrival, dinner, brunch, a walk and a quiet day at home. You do not need a separate outfit for every moment. With good combinations you can wear the same trousers several times.
Choose one colour palette
Take pieces that combine with each other. So choose a base colour (black, navy or brown) and add one or two light shades such as cream or white. Take pieces that combine with several other items. That way you can easily switch during the holidays.
The packing list for women
- Two pairs of trousers: a black pair for dinner and a warmer or lighter pair for daytime. High-waist pleated trousers in black are ideal because the fabric hardly creases and the small amount of elastane means they still sit well after a long car ride.
- One festive blouse: a lavalliere blouse with a satin look in pearl cream turns the same black trousers into a Christmas dinner outfit. The blouse is light, takes up little space and the creases hang out quickly.
- Two pieces of knitwear: a knitted polo with V-neck in black for the brunch and the travel day, and a warmer sweater or cardigan for the walk.
- One or two basic tops: a thin long-sleeved shirt works under knitwear and as an extra layer in a cold guest room.
- Loungewear: soft trousers and a sweater for the day on the sofa, preferably something you can also wear if unexpected visitors arrive.
- Shoes: one pair of smart shoes for dinner and one pair of sturdy boots or sneakers for outdoors.
The packing list for men
- Two pairs of trousers: slim-fit trousers in black for dinner and a second pair in a warmer shade or dark jeans for daytime. The elastane in the fabric makes the black trousers pleasant for a long day at the table.
- One festive top: an open merino wool polo in black or a white shirt. Merino wool is ideal for a stay-over: it stays fresh for longer naturally, so you can wear it twice.
- Two knitted polos: a lyocell polo with quarter zip in charcoal is supple, hardly creases and combines with everything.
- A warm layer: a sweater or wool cardigan for the walk and a cold room.
- Loungewear and shoes: soft trousers and a sweater for at home, smart shoes for dinner and sturdy shoes for outdoors.
How to combine it per day
| Moment | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Travel day and arrival | Black trousers, knitted polo, comfortable shoes | Jeans, quarter-zip polo, sneakers |
| Christmas dinner | Black trousers, blouse with satin look, smart shoes | Black trousers, merino polo or white shirt |
| Brunch | Light trousers, knitted polo | Second pair of trousers, quarter-zip polo |
| Walk | Light trousers, warm sweater, boots | Jeans, sweater, sturdy shoes |
| Lazy day | Loungewear | Loungewear |
Packing crease-free in five steps
- Heavy at the bottom: shoes and wash bag at the bottom of the suitcase, on the side of the wheels.
- Roll or fold: you roll knitwear and loungewear. Trousers and blouses you fold, with tissue paper or a thin bag in between.
- Party clothes on top: the blouse or shirt for dinner goes in last, so that nothing presses on it.
- Unpack straight away: hang everything up as soon as you arrive. Most fabrics straighten out overnight.
- Steam from the shower: no iron at your family's? Hang a creased blouse in the bathroom while you shower.
Leave at home what you do not need
Leave 'just in case' items at home, such as an extra pair of shoes or a second party outfit. Ask beforehand what the programme is and whether there is an iron or washing machine. Then you know exactly what you need.
Travelling together: share the suitcase cleverly
If you travel together, agree beforehand what everyone takes. One iron or travel steamer, one wash bag with shared products and one pair of slippers per person is enough. Choose a colour palette together that goes well together, especially if photos are taken on Christmas Eve. You do not need to match. A similar colour palette is enough. Children are easiest to pack for with a set per day in a separate bag, so you do not have to search in the morning.
Gifts and space
If you bring your gifts, reserve space or pack them in a separate bag. Also allow for extra things on the way back. A foldable bag at the bottom of your suitcase saves puzzling on the last day.
Looking for clothes that travel well? Take a look at the Airport collection for women and the City Life collection for men. Also read why merino wool and lyocell are so pleasant when you are away from home for a few days.
Shop the look
Arabelli: high-waist pleated trousers, black
Rosamund: lavalliere blouse, pearl cream
Josephine: knitted polo with V-neck, black
Vincent: slim-fit trousers, black
Trenton: open merino wool polo, black
Edmund: lyocell polo with quarter zip, dark melange charcoal
Frequently asked questions
How many outfits do you take for three days of Christmas?
With eight to ten pieces that combine well, you can manage three to four days: two pairs of trousers, three or four tops, one festive piece, a warm layer and two pairs of shoes.
How do you prevent creases in your Christmas outfit?
Put party clothes at the top of the suitcase, with tissue paper or a thin bag in between, and hang everything up straight after arrival. Steam from the shower helps to get the last creases out.
Which fabrics are handiest to take along?
Merino wool and lyocell, because they hardly crease and stay fresh for longer naturally. Trousers with a little elastane also keep their shape after a long journey.
