In typical fashion, I waited until the very last minute to pack for London’s Notting Hill Carnival (NHC).
I was so excited about my upcoming trip I wasn’t even fazed and got right into it!
If you’re playing mas and also attending a few fetes and not sure what to bring, I’ve for you covered. Here are my top packing suggestions to ensure your trip is seamless and oh-so-fun!
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What to pack for Notting Hill Carnival:
A complete packing list for women
Travel documents
Even though I rely heavily on my phone for all my important information, I still like to make copies of my passport, driver’s license, fete tickets, accommodations, costume registration, and costume pick-up directions.
The worst-case scenario, you have a backup if something happens to your phone. A friend of mine also gave me the great idea of keeping a written emergency list.
I didn’t do that this time, but I will do it for my future travels.
Luggage
If you’re only planning on visiting London for a few days, then packing in a carry-on is your best bet. Unfortunately, I tried my hardest to pack light and was unsuccessful. I used a mid to large-sized suitcase that honestly needs to be replaced.
Packing cubes
I finally invested in packing cubes; my goodness, they are a game-changer! The packing cubes made a huge difference and helped me stay organized. I didn’t have to dig through my entire suitcase for one item, only to see a pile of clothes sitting behind me.
Packing cubes are a fantastic investment. Get you some; trust me, you’ll thank me later!
Clothing & footwear
It’s no secret the weather in London can be gray, rainy, and cold. Thankfully, the weather was warm and sunny.
A week or so before your trip, add London to your weather app and checked it daily to help narrow your packing list.
Here are the essential items I packed for Notting Hill Carnival:
- Fete outfits: I flew into London a few days before the carnival to revel and vibe at the fetes (parties). If you’re planning on checking out a few fetes, a good rule of thumb is to dress comfortably and stick to clothing that compliments your style. I packed 2 cute dresses, 2 rompers, and 1 two-piece outfit. I kept it comfortable, cute, and classy!
- J’ourvet wear: If you’re planning on going to J’ouvert, pack clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. I wouldn’t wear anything brand new or valuable. I usually wear a bodysuit or shorts, a t-shirt, and fishnets. You’ll receive a t-shirt if you’re playing with a band. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in as long as you know you’ll be covered in paint, powder, and even chocolate! Don’t be alarmed if you see people scantily clad and feel you must dress the same way.
- Shoes: When it comes to shoes, I have a hard time justifying why I can’t bring all the shoes in my closet! I got it together, though. I wore a pair of sneakers on the plane and packed two more pairs (a pair for J’ouvert and another for playing mas on Monday).
Miscellaneous clothing I packed for my six-day stay in London:
Clothing: London weather is unpredictable; fortunately, I lucked out, and it only rained on the first day! The temperature was perfect mid-70s during the day and not too cool at night.
Depending on the weather, be sure to pack breathable and lightweight clothing. Layers come in handy.
- 1 pair of jeans: I almost left these at home and am glad I didn’t! They were perfect for daytime and at night when the temperature dropped.
- 2 pairs of leggings: I practically live in leggings. They are perfect for flying and take up no space in your suitcase!
- 4 tops: I brought 1 long sleeve shirt, the rest were short.
- Jean Jacket: Came in handy
- 2 pairs of sandals: Always good to have options!
Accessories
Adding accessories and embellishments goes a long way to complete your entire look. For the parade, I wore colorful face jewelry and shimmery eye makeup. Bring extra face jewelry in case they fall off.
Here are a few other accessories:
- Sunglasses
- Scarf (to wrap my hair during J’ourvet)
- Fishnets (I recommend buying a pack)
- Fannypack (I brought 2: one waterproof and another for the parade)
- A disposable poncho (in case it rains)
What to bring to a fete
Most fetes are outside, which means you’ll be in the sun. My fete purse consists of tissues, mints, body spray, and deodorant. Mix dancing in the hot sun and drinking; it makes for a sweaty combination.
- Small clutch or bag
- Travel size sunscreen
- Portable charger with built-in cables (Especially if you’re going from fete to fete)
- Sunglasses
- Hat (if necessary)
J’ouvert must-haves
Making sure to have everything I needed for J’ouvert was top of my list. Sunday is reserved for dutty mas or extended J’ouvert. I skipped it so I could catch a few extra zzzs. Don’t worry if you sleep through the 6:00 am J’ouvert; you’ll have plenty of time to party.
- Baby oil – Apply the oil to your skin beforehand. This helps to remove any paint, powder, clay, and mud from your skin at the end of the night.
- Fanny pack – I never leave home without my waterproof fanny pack.
- Cash
- Sunglasses
- Bandana – Comes in super handy if you get unwanted paint or powder on your face.
- Flag of the country you rep
- Go Pro – if you own one.
- Hat
- Tissues – not all bathrooms are created equal. Make sure to bring your own.
Essentials for the road
Carnival Monday has arrived! Plan to be outside all day. You should have your costume, wristband, stockings, comfortable carnival shoes, and a small fanny pack or thigh purse for everything you’ll need for the day. The objective of the day, keep it light and simple.
- Phone – fully charged
- Portable charger (if your bag is big enough. To conserve my battery, I put my phone on airplane mode for part of the day). Remember, over 2 million people attend NHC, and the cell phone reception is terrible.
- Lip gloss/lipstick
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof phone case
- Tissues
- Cash
- mints/gum
- Bandana
- Flag
- Disposable poncho (in case rain is in the forecast)
Toiletries
- Travel-size containers for shampoo, lotion, etc.
- Body wash/soap
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Facial products
- Hair products
- Sunscreen (the sun wasn’t intense but still super important to protect your skin)
- Baby oil: If you’re partaking in the J’ouvert fun, I recommend applying baby oil to your skin ahead of time. It helps to remove the paint and powder once you shower.
- Makeup
- Makeup wipes
- Shower caps
- Vaseline
- Disinfectant wipes
- Sanitizer
Health
- First aid kit (safety first!)
- Ibofoepn
- Personal medication and health aides (asthma pump, etc.).
Electronics
- Mobile phone
- Portable charger with built-in cables
- Camera
- Selfie stick
- Waterproof phone case
- Mini hand fan
Miscellaneous items
- Gel insoles
- Nipple cover pasties
- Compact mirror
- Ear plugs – I noticed a lot of feterans (carnival veterans) wearing earplugs and understood why. They will come in handy if you attend Notting Hill Carnival, even as a spectator. The music is loud, and I like my eardrums, thank you very much.
- Sewing kit
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks – (I don’t own a glue gun, but if you do, I say bring it along in case you need to glue fallen pieces of jewels to your costume)
- Laundry bag & plastic bags (for your dirty J’ouvert clothes)
- Laundry detergent (travel size)
- Small ziplock bags
- Your flag
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
Packing for Notting Hill Carnival was pretty simple, given a lot of the essentials are the same for other carnivals I’ve attended in the past. The excitement of playing mas and jamming to soca music made my packing experience much more fun. I should listen to soca music every time I pack; that would prob make me want to pack sooner!
Ok, now it’s your turn to tell me what I missed! What are your packing tips for Notting Hill Carnival? Share your best NHC packing hacks below!
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