10 items most people forget to pack for holiday as we always overpack pants

North Wales Live

27-05-2025

People really are 'pants' at packing as one-third regularly overpack their underwear - but at the same time one-fifth forget their phone charger. Almost nine in ten are guilty of overpacking for their summer holiday with 69% of holidaymakers overpacking clothes, while 36% cram in too many pairs of shoes.
Causing their cases to further bulge at the seams are toiletries, books and suncream At the other end of the scale, travellers are forgetting basic essentials, with two-thirds forgetting to take at least one important thing on holiday every time they go away.
Topping the list as the most forgotten item is suncream, with a third of people failing to pack it, while a fifth forget to pack an all-important plug adaptor.
The survey by tombola revealed that, on average, Brits are most likely to pack for their holiday around a week and a half before flying to their destination. One in five admitted to packing more than four weeks in advance.
A quarter believe that they can complete all of this within the space of an hour, but at the opposite end of the scale as many as one in 12 say it takes them longer than a day to complete. Samantha Wilcox, Organic Manager at tombola, said: "The research shows that while we're a nation of holiday lovers, we also love our home comforts.
"Taking our favourite items away with us provides a little slice of home but it can come at a cost, as lots of people subsequently forget much-needed essentials. Packing efficiently and thoroughly means you can not only take your favourite home comforts, but you also won't find yourself dashing to foreign supermarkets on the first day of your holiday."
TOP TEN MOST OVERPACKED ITEMS IN BRITS' SUITCASES
1. Clothes – 69%
2. Shoes – 36%
3. Underwear – 31%
4. Toiletries – 20%
5. Books – 18%
6. Suncream – 16%
7. Jewellery – 13%
8. Makeup – 11%
9. Swimwear – 9%
10. Food / snacks – 8%
TOP TEN MOST FORGOTTEN ITEMS BRITS FORGET TO PACK IN THEIR SUITCASE
1. Suncream – 32%
2. Plug adaptors – 20%
3. Hairbrush – 18%
4. Toothbrush – 18%
5. Phone charger – 17%
6. Book – 16%
7. Toothpaste – 15%
8. Nightwear / pyjamas – 15%
9. Camera – 14%
10. Currency / money – 11%
To avoid overpacking, professional packing expert and owner of Essex House Dolly Nicki Rodriguez has the following top tips.
1. Roll instead of folding
Nicki said: "Folding your clothes not only limits the space you have, but it also creates creasing. Instead, roll them, Rolling eliminates the creases and in turn, gives you more space."
2. Create a brick-like shape with shoes
Nicki said: "Pack shoes together so that the front ends are touching each other, but one shoe is upside down. This then creates a brick shape which can easily be slotted into your case."
3. Plan, plan, plan
Nicki said: "To avoid overpacking, only bring items that you actually need. Lay out clothing for each day so you can visually see what you are going to wear.
"For example, if you are staying seven nights, you'd put out swimwear, underwear, an outfit for evening, outfit for day. You would then roll these items and place them in a carrier bag with a label of the day."
4. Decant liquids
Nicki said: "When it comes to toiletries, buy small plastic pots and containers. You'll find these in most cosmetic shops - put all your liquids in these. They are literally half the size and will not take up as much room in your case."