By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine

Security restrictions mean nothing bigger than a laptop bag can be taken on a flight as hand luggage, but can all the essentials be squeezed in? The Magazine takes on the challenge.

Most of us have seen them, the travellers who fit their entire holiday wardrobe into one small suitcase which they take on the flight as hand luggage, avoiding lengthy queues at airport luggage carousels.

Latest baggage advice

They're annoying because not only do they push the definition of hand luggage to the extreme - leaving little room in overhead lockers for anyone else's stuff - but we all secretly wish we were disciplined enough to pack that well.

But the current security restrictions on flights pose a challenge for even the most expert packer and according to some newspapers, these are set to become permanent.

According to the new rules, hand luggage must not exceed 45cm x 35cm x 16cm (about 17.7in x 13.7in x 6.2in), including wheels, handles and side pockets.

That's about the size of a laptop bag - a tight fit for a holiday wardrobe, no matter how mini the break. So what does fit in?

Not too big, not too small

Our first challenge is to find a bag that fits within the size restrictions. With space at a premium, getting one that is as close to the maximum size allowed is a must.

The extensive luggage section at one of London's premier department stores, Selfridges, should offer the Magazine several options. It does - but at a price that suggests the bags have been hand-stitched in gold thread by a remote hill tribe in the Andes.

It's a slim fit

Asked about the new size restrictions, shop staff eventually hunt down a piece of paper outlining the measurements.

Uncomfortable with paying so much, the Magazine trudges down the road to the destination of choice for sensible shoppers, John Lewis.

Here, a bag of almost the exact size is purchased for �50. Staff not only know the new measurements off by heart, they also carry a long ruler to check the dimensions for you.

According to our helpful assistant, laptop bags have been flying off the shelves.

"It's been busy, very busy," he says, with the haunted look of a man who has said little else but 45cm x 35cm x 16cm for the past few days.

In-flight comforts

Back at Magazine HQ, all the essentials for a flight are gathered - jumper, book, trashy magazine, MP3 music player, mobile phone, laptop etc.

Most liquids are still banned, as are cosmetics, which is just as well, if the size of the average make-up bag is anything to go by, there will be little room for much else.

Now... zipping the thing up

The bag does flatter to deceive. When empty it looks quite roomy, inspiring confidence that everything will easily fit in. But it is a tight squeeze after just the laptop, magazine and book.

Using some of the packing techniques mastered at the supermarket each week, the Magazine presses on undeterred. The jumper is rolled, a space-saving tip from Susan Bull, chief fashion adviser at John Lewis's Oxford St branch. But it's the only thing that can be packed this way.

The itsy-bitsy size of MP3 players is a real bonus, as there would be no chance of getting a portable CD player and several discs in this bag. Downloading a book instead of lugging a hefty 626-page tome onboard is also a good idea - if only we'd thought of it before now.

But after much packing and unpacking, the challenge is complete. That's a laptop, book, newspaper, magazine, MP3 player, mobile phone, jumper, blow-up pillow, DVT travel socks, sunglasses, travel documents, passport, wallet, vitamins and hairbrush all packed.

Next challenge - actually zipping the bag up. Surely the airlines aren't insisting on that?

Add your comments using the form below.

I'm horrified - not even a second pair of undies in there! Now we know something about staff at the magazine!! Think of your grandmother's advice re clean undies and being run over!!
John Laverty, London

Two sarongs, four tee shirts and a pocket digital camera. That's me sorted for two weeks in the Maldives. The 25kg of scuba diving kit will have to go as check-in.
O.G.Nash, Doha, Qatar

I think it's about time they've tightened up the rules on hand luggage! Theres nothing worse than getting seated comfortably and then watching some oaf jam his "hand luggage" into your locker, squashing everything inside your own! And then there's the part when you need to get it out after take off, no chance! Its a joke, some of the things people try to pass as hand luggage!
Stuart Wood, Leeds, England

Having had two pairs of sunglasses and a camera lens pinched from my hold bag a couple of years ago (travel insurance did not cover this, so bye-bye �600+), am I supposd to put my camera kit in the hold now? You have got to be joking. I'm all for reducing hand luggage on flights, but the airlines, airports and insurance companies have to do their bit too and guarantee free replacement of any lost items!
Simon C, Watford<

Surely you just wear the jumper? No need to pack and instantly more room in your bag.
Caroline, London

I always thought hand luggage essentials were spare knickers and t-shirt in case your main luggage is lost?
Jill Anderson, Dundee, Scotland

Without a toothbrush, Magazine is unlikely to encounter any holiday romance.
Phil B-C, London

I have just come back from a long weekend in France, having left very early on Friday amidst the hand baggage chaos. Getting through security was MUCH FASTER, The overhead lockers were not filled with clutter and there was an air of peaceful tranquility in other words NO MOBILE PHONES ! instead people were actually TALKING TO EACH OTHER, saving money and their brain cells.
Krystyna, Haslemere Surrey

When flying to Australia, I always pack a change of clothes and tolietries into my hand luggage, I like to get changed freshen up in Singapore before the next hop of the flight!! How will I do this now?
Dave, Manchester

Another tip: wear baggy trousers with BIG pockets - heaps of extra space (even for a spare pair of undies!)
Damian CARLILE, Caussade, France

Deodorant? Moisturiser? Toothpaste and toothbrush? Looks to me like the airlines will have to go back to providing those little freebie bags that they had in the 1970's and 80's containing all the essentials passengers are no longer allowed to provide for themselves! If I remember correctly they contained: moisturiser, socks, eye mask, minitoothbrush and toothpaste tube.
Rebecca, London

Anyone with a brain knows you carry a fleece or jumper on with you to use as a pillow, back or neck rest on the flight, just undies and thin blouse, with essential paperback, MP3 player and phone in the bag, sorted!
Lyn K, Cheshire UK

John Laverty - no need to pack spares for a mini-break... As every self-respecting traveller knows, you can get 4 days wear out of one pair of pants: Day 1 - as designed. Day 2 - inside out . Day 3 - right way out, but back to front. Day 4 - back to front and inside out. Or take a leaf out of Sir Jimmy Saville's book and just wash them every night and leave to dry... ...or just go commando.
Anon, UK

Since when has a laptop been a 'holiday essential'? Surely the point of a holiday is to get away from the damn things ...
Andy, Darlington

I'm flying home to New Zealand in a couple of weeks and I am really stressing over the new hand luggage limit. I have a laptop which I'll obviously take on board as hand luggage but then what about all the flight essentials one needs for a long haul (24 hour!) flight? My laptop fits into it's bag but there is NO room extra for anything else, maybe one magazine. I can forsee this trip being very miserable indeed.
Petra, London, UK

Why bother? Simply hop across the channel and take your normal hand luggage from any other European airport. It's only the British government that's putting its citizens at such inconvenience.
Rod, UK

In response to Rebecca from London. You still get these goody bags in Club. My advice is pay the extra for the Club ticket, the difference in price is comparable to paying the prices for the toiletries in shops once you are "airside".
Toni, Haywards Heath

You sound amazed that your laptop bag is full when you put a laptop in it and not room for all the other items - maybe it's just me but surely that is what a laptop bag is designed to carry??
Lawrie, Airdrie, Scotland

Minimum for me would be medication, a change of clothes or two (just in case hold luggage gets lost), mobile phone (like it anyway but especially useful for chasing up airlines if luggage lost), radio[1] (so can stay awake to guard my stuff when I'm in the airport), mobile charger (so can keep mobile running after being on hold for hours) and book so not bored on plane. Luckily my mobile doubles as one.
Francisco, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

What a disgrace for personal hygiene!!!! If airlines are going to ban essential toiletries, they should provide them - free of charge. How am I expected to fly 26+ hours to NZ without even a roll-on deodorant and toothbrush. This is a breach of our human rights and no doubt airline prices will increase and probably sell these products on baord to make even more money!!! Shall we use cargo ships instead!!!! More space, comfort and at least we'll smell nice!!
Melanie McCorquindale, London

I can recommend getting a compression bag for packing clothes. You squeeze out all of the air and they take up much less space, so you can easily get a weeks worth into a laptop bag.
Liam, Manchester, UK

The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.