Clothing... How much did you take? How much did you buy??

It's good to pack as light as you can, but...

Shopping isn't fun for me. I don't like to shop on ordinary days, and I certainly don't want to use my precious vacation time shopping. I take what I need with me. It's not as if I have to carry my suitcase all the way to Europe and back--just every few days from hotel to car or cab/train then back to another hotel.

If you like to shop, go for it, but some of us don't enjoy it.

I'll add that I don't like the men's clothes I've seen in several European countries, so even if I did like to shop, I wouldn't in a number of countries.

It really depends on how long you are going for and at what time of the year. I went to Italy for 15 days in Spring a couple of years ago and I brought a big rolling suitcase. In retrospect, I brought way too much stuff. In comparison, I recently took a 14 day tour of France, Spain, and Portugal and brought only a duffel bag of clothing, and I thought this to be sufficient. The only reason I can see for packing lightly and buying everything would be if you are going to be travelling around a lot and don't want to be bothered with carrying heavy bags around. But think: if you buy what you need there, you are going to be spending time shopping that you could be spending visiting museums, sitting in cafes, and historical sights. In the end, its up to you, but I would think its more practical to bring what you need in the first plac

Bring the basics, but pack lightly. If you really need something, buy it then. Then, anything you buy is all gravy!

Worst case scenario: you didn't pack it thinking you'll buy it and you either don't like the fabric or color or fit, think its too expensive, or don't have the time or energy to buy it.

now that's what you call a run-on sentence!

I use to pack very light so if for some reason I need clothes I don't have (unexpected weather, something broken,etc..), I have an excuse to go shopping But Erin said it, it takes time..and I prefer to spend it in sightseeing

I have a hard enough time finding things I like when I'm at home and have lots of time. The last thing I want to do on vacation is go searching for particular items that I could/should have brought with me in the first place. Obviously, if unforeseen circumstances arise (weather, lost luggage, mishaps), you'll have to shop and may enjoy buying wearable "souvenirs."

Actually, I consider shopping a part of learning about the culture of a place. I remember walking a mile to Tesco when I was in Bratislava in August 2002. The MASSIVE floods were hitting Central Europe, and the temps were like 45 F, so I needed some socks or pantyhose ASAP!! The whole thing was a big adventure, as I had NO idea what size I wore in Slovakian pantyhose! After an hour of browsing & asking for help from girls who spoke NO English, I made my purchase. Luckily they fit! I had such a fun time browsing around the store, and was very curious about brands, quality, availability, etc. I always love going shopping for toiletries & other items when I'm abroad. I consider it a lesson in living like a local. Plus, it really cuts down on the weight of my bag!

I like to shop for clothes in Europe. They have styles that are not so common here and alot of the time a whole season ahead of the US. I had such fun looking at the different styles in Rome last week and bought home some cute things, including shoes and patterned nylons.

Hi SeaUrchin, I love to look through the clothing and shoes stores too. And isn't it great when one has already done all the "must sees" sites and sights from previous trips that one has time to do the fun things. My only problem is that generally the shoes in Italy don't fit me well although shoes from Italy exported here to the US are the shoes that fit me the best. So I am envious, LOL!!

Are you going to Rome? All the Romans do is shop. Streets and streets filled with people walking, shopping, buying gorgeous goods at dozens of boutiques. Soldes soldes soldes! If you like shopping, it's awesome. Italians live to shop, from what we saw.

I always pack light, and when in Rome, I always am sure to make a trip to one of those wonderful lingerie shops. I love to buy things in them because the experience is so complely different, it's very personalized, and you made made to feel that you have your own personal shopper...
I also like see what the color of the season is in Rome and try to find something in that color. And it's a great opportunity to practice the language.

I also like to buy cosmetics and toiletries in Italy, because I love to see them on the shelves at home-I have a whole supply of lotions and facial masques from the spas on Ischia, and a lineup of Italian nail polishes.

I think it depends on where you are traveling as to how practical it is. Shopping in Italy is fun, IMO.

We are going to be in Rome for a few days. I heard that the shopping there is amazing. Any suggestions as to the best places to shop for womens/mens clothings and handbags... That is for those of us with some type of travel budget.

I pack light and don't go shopping!

Well I have bought a couple items if something unexpected happens (hotter or cooler weather than I prepared for). I hate to shop for clothes and it's the last thing I'd want to spend time doing while traveling/on vacation.

But if you like to shop, sure it's practical. Why not?

One thing I have realized while traveling is that I will conform to whatever my situation is at the moment. So, if I only have 2 pairs of pants, 3 tops, and 2 weeks, that is what I will wear.

I do not purchase clothes unless they are exceptional: I have to look and feel really good in them. If I stand in front of the mirror and see the same old Claire, then they are going back on the racks. So, I can't depend on shopping to fill the void.

Overpacking is maddening, though. . . almost as much as shopping is. So, pack light and don't stress about quantity. No one will know if you go two days in a row, and as long as you smell good, you are in.

For me, it's inevitable. If I go some place with the idea that I need to buy something, I'll never find what I like/need/want or that fits right or is in the right color. But if I arrive with a suitcase full of clothes, I'll find a ton of clothes.

I've long ago figured out I simply do not enjoy shopping for clothes while on vacation anywhere. I may pick up an item that catches my eye, but normally I take what I need and spend my time on vacation sightseeing or relaxing.

I like shopping, but only when I am not searching for a particular item that I need immediately. In order for shopping to be a fun vacation activity, I need to have brought everything necessary for the trip with me; otherwise it is too stressful, especially in a strange city where it is difficult to ask questions and you don't know a lot about the shops. I pack everything I will want to have (without worrying exceptionally much about packing light--if I go home with some things unworn, that doesn't bother me much) and then shop for pleasure, knowing it's okay if I don't find anything.

I love to make a brief shopping foray or two while traveling, especially in Europe. It is indeed part of the cultural experience, whether buying personal care products at the wonderful pharnacies or buying a sweater/scarf which remains a nice memento of the travels. I pack light and allow room for purchases, but I do bring all the essentials I must have in case I don't find what I need.

And I love how beautifully the purchases are packaged, i.e., in Venice, with the lovely paper!

If nothing else, try Rinascente in Rome.

I vote with Suze above... it is an effort to get me to clothing stores HERE, much less on vacation. But there are circumstances...
I can pack light...black slacks and a skirt and multi-use tops. Who is going to see me twice? (as if I care anyway)

OOOPS...how much do I buy? Only things that I can wear to work and for play anyway

Again I'll say only if I'm desperate!

Once I was caught in a heatwave -and I do mean HOT- in Switzerland unexpectedly. I found several pair of nice -long, loose, print rayon- shorts at the local mall and bought those. Once bought a black tshirt when the one I'd packed for the trip was damaged by fire (long story).

I like to buy clothing when I'm on vacation. I don't spend too much time on it, but I'll pop into stores that have stuff I like in the window and buy a couple of things. That way you have something cute to wear at home that will remind you of your vacation. Also, when someone compliments you on it (and wants to know where they can buy it too), you have the satisfaction of knowing they'll be hard pressed to copy you.

I was afraid to post this before.. I don't like shopping..except for the Grand Epicerie type departments the weekly markets and I love the museum shops.Of course, with a 22inch suitcase, there isn't a lot of inducement.

I shop all year at sales for clothing I may need for a travel season. Gauzy, cringle cottons for summer. Cashmere crushed velvets, denim for winter, no wrinkle problem and travel light.

I pretty much detest shopping, also, just hate it, although I hate shopping for clothes more than about anything (except a car). I don't mind shopping for glassware, CDs, or some small items so much.

So I would never go abroad only to spend a lot of money buying clothes I don't need and already have at home. I don't understand the point of packing light only to buy a lot of stuff, as you have to carry it with you once you have it, so what difference does it make in terms of packing light. And you spend all that time in stores shopping (which you can do at home) and probably buy stuff you really wouldn't if you were at home and that costs too much. Now if your goal is already to buy stuff abroad and shopping, then I think it does make sense to pack light and leave room for it.

It takes me a long time to find the right color and size of something I want at home, so I am not about to find it so easily on vacation or even know the best bargain stores. Even things you think will be simple are sometimes not easy to find.

So, I do buy stuff as "emergencies" sometimes, mainly when the weather turns out a lot different than I expected or planned for. Otherwise, I might buy something once in a great while if I see something I like, but I never go into a store when on vacation with the intention of shopping for clothes when I don't need them. Besides, the last thing I want to do is not pack something I need, and then spend hours trying to find it.

The post did ask about buying "what you need", not just to buy things you like for fun or because you like shopping as an activity. I think you always should take what you know you need.

It is easy to pack light in summer but summer itself can cause clothing problems. Those 3 T-shirts and 2 pairs of slacks get mighty nasty if it is 90 degrees everyday. I am still trying to figure out how to be a smart packer. I ususally return with clothes I never wore, but have had the opposite happen also. Aaarrrrggghhhh.....

On my last trip to Italy I only packed clothes from the Solumbra catalog. They are pricey but wonderful for travel. They look presentable for most day activities, and they wash in a sink and drip dry overnight-and look fine without ironing. And roll up very small to pack. No need to shop.

Ooops-I meant the Sun Precautions catalog.
http://www.sunprecautions.com
Not the most stylish, but wonderful for sunny Italy.

1) I am a 5'8" tall female
2) I weigh close to 300 pounds
3) Having lived in Europe/England, I can assure you that nothing will fit

Why waste your vacation time shopping when you have perfectly good cloting at home?

If a country specializes is something you need/want - in Italy probably something in leather - and want to look for a good deal on a purse or leather jacket - fine. But why waste your valuable vacation time looking for clothes when you could be seeing the Vatican or Pompeii - or even just sitting in a cafe soaking up the atmosphere?

I am an experienced traveller, and I just broke the cardinal rule; I packed way too much and regretted it. I rationalized at the time because I knew the weather would be "iffy" in Italy, and I hate being cold but I packed more than I needed. I justified it by saying that I had a rolling suitcase that I could pull, which was true BUT for some reason I didn't realize that I couldn't pull that X@#%X bag over the bridges in Venice. What was I thinking? In all my research, it never occurred to me that you can't pull a big bag over bridges with steps. So I ended up paying when I wouldn't have otherwise, i.e. needed a water taxi to get to the train station after disastrous attempt upon arrival when I thought I could manage on vaporetto. Oh, and of course, I bought too much stuff along the way which didn't help lighten my load at all.

Pack light - but enough for the duration. Best bet is black bottoms, white/ivory tops/tees, along with sweaters in your favorite colors - LAYERS for the variable weathter.

If your visit is more than a week, clothing that drips dry overnight is essential.

It is definitely not "practical" to figure on "buy much of what you need to wear when you get there".

As others have mentioned, how successful are you with this at home? Do you really want to spend valuable visiting time shopping for clothing - which is likely to be difficult, time consuming, and whoppingly pricey?

I do most of my shopping when I travel, in part because I'm so busy when I'm at home and in part because I like having things that I won't see in the shops at home and like the fact that I'm reminded of my travel whenever I wear those items. I am, for instance, wearing jeans that I bought in New York and red leather boots that I bought in Paris, both while on holiday. In the case of the jeans I was looking expressly for them, but the boots were a pair I just happened to notice as I walked by the shop. It took me less than five minutes to buy them (along with a second pair).

I buy dish towels when I travel for the same reason: every time I use one it reminds me of the place where I bought it.

take only 70% full bag ,yo will need that space after shopping! send back home extra shopping from the place you are visiting.if the postage is convenient.If you travel with you partner share some items! Tshirts etc..
Take those old clothes (for backpakers)you can just leave them behinde!

Buy much of what you need there? Sorry, I don't think that's good advice. You know how much time it would take to buy everything you needed? Plus depending on what size you are, you might have trouble finding clothes (like if you're 5'1" and you go to Amsterdam or if you're 6' and you go to Spain or France!).

I would say pack clothes for your entire trip, and if you find something you really like, buy it. This is what I always do.

I like shopping while on vacation but only for things for the home but if clothes shopping is your thing then it will be fun for you.
I pack light and wear clothes that can be dressed up if needed.