Where are you going? When are you going? You need advice for both, male and female?

We will be in Rome during Feb. mid 30's man and wife.

First: take as little as possible.
Second: of what you take have as much of it as possible be washable in a sink and dryable overnight!]
Third: at least [and no more than] 2 pairs of shoes. BOTH of which are comfortable, as in you could walk all day in them.
Fourth: leave electrical appliances at home. [as for battery operated marital aids... *grin* -- take a look at the thread on *that* one.]
Fifth: did I mention pack light? I've gotten it down to less than a 21" rollon. You're going to have to carry, roll or arrange for carrying your luggage. Use the old "late rainy night arrival and 10 blocks to your hotel" test.

There are many views of packing. Mine is only one. My policy is few colors, [in winter a lot of black--yeah I'm one of *those*, EVERYTHING goes with everything else. I seldom take more than 2 skirts and 2 slacks and 5 tops for a week trip, plus blazer and or season_appropriate coat. Hope this helps some. Remember -- no one excedpt you will know you are wearing the same things again and a again

I agree less is better. black & beige
black & gray black & any bright color.

Black shoes - one pair for walking
one pair for going out

The new stretchy fabrics are great for women few wrinkles and they pack up small.

Generic packing advice: Rome in Feb./10 days

2 dark cardigan sweaters
2 dark jackets (soft rayon)
3 pairs trousers 2 long sleeve shirts
2 turtle necks (black and beige)
rainwear (small umbrella & raincoat)
coat
socks/underwear
warm pajamas
1 pair sweatpants to relax in the room
1 set long (lightweight)underwear/thermals)
2 scarfs (females; unless you're in France)
1 pair gloves
1 pair closed shoes (laces?)
1 pair walking shoes/ boots (laces?)
1 black belt

Here's what you do: layout everything you plan to take with you on your bed. Look at it. Put half of it back in the closet and drawers and pack what's left. It will still be more than you need.

If possible, don't pack any shoes. Just wear the pair you wear on the plane. If you can't do that, only pack one extra pair.

Unless you plan on some real upscale dining or orchestra seats at the opera, you won't need a coat and tie.

My wife saves our old underwear with about one wear left for trips to Europe. We wear it the one last time and throw it away in Europe. Saves having to carry the stuff back.

Coat and tie generally not needed unless you plan a special restaurant.

Sneakers still look out of place. Try dark walking shoes. You need more than one pair because it rains and things happen.

We bought special bags to pack our clothes in before we place them in suitcase. You can do same with reusable plastic bags. It keeps everything together in the suitcase and really makes it easy as you move from one hotel. Put all socks in one plastic bags, all tshirts in another, etc.

There are always laundrys. Travel light. Clean if needed.

I also take some old clothes - still presentable, but perhaps on their last legs. Toss them as needed to make room for souvenirs. I wouild try to get everything into carryon luggage. Our family of 4 went with only 8 pieces of carryon for two weeks in Scotland, andl alst spring went for 2 weeks in Ireland with 2 carryons

I was just in Rome in January, and here's what I took:

Two pairs of pull-on, flowy black pants
One pair black velvet pants
One pair nice jeans
One long skirt, which I did not wear at all

Three 3/4 sleeve sweaters, two in bright colors and one in black with beading
Two casual lycra long-sleeve shirts--one burgundy, one plum
One black tunic
One black lightweight nylon vest (kind of like the outdoor kind, zip-front, only much lighter weight)

One pair of dressy boots I rarely wore
One pair of lightweight black tennis shoes that were subtle enough not to look like tennies unless you looked closely

A couple of scarves, plus the usual undies and toiletries

Notes: I could have easily gotten by without at least two of the tops and probably without the skirt. The black vest was the smartest thing I brought--it had a handy pocket and worked well on days when it was too warm for my coat but I wanted an additional layer besides pants and top. The only time I really felt I needed the boots was when I went to the opera.

I do disagree with the people who say *never* bring anything electronic. It's a personal preference thing--when my hair's at a certain length, it looks absolutely *awful* unless I am able to dry it after washing. So it's worth it to me to bring along a dryer--dual voltage so no converter, just an adapter needed.

BTW, I was able to easily fit all of the above in a carry-on sized rollaboard. Can't help you on the guy packing, though.