michmae

AHHHHH!!! I, like most people, have the worst habit of packing every single thing that might be needed and some things that i just convinced myself I can't live without. I'm so used to driving there with a big van so i can pack whatever I want, but this time were flying. It's my 3rd time ever to fly, and usually we just check things, but this time its just my mom and I, so shes convinced we can just pack light, and carry everything on board. This is possible but I, being 16, think I need at least 3 outfits per day(thats what I do here!) I'm trying to pack light, but I'm finding it impossable. I'm going to Orlando, Florida right smack in the middle of summer, so it will be very hot. This means light layers, and shorts, which don't take up much room right? Well, not for me Also, there are soooooooo many topics and ideas on how to pack clothes; rolling, bundles, just folding, I'm confused, which one is the best???. We'll be gone for 5 days. HELP!!!

suze

Are you willing NOT to have 3 fresh outfits every day? That's going to be the trick for packing light. You have to be willing to wear clothes more than once.

Don't focus on the rolling, bundles, whatever, that isn't as important imo as simply not trying to take too much stuff.

I lay everything out somewhere together, like on the bed. Neatly fold the tops, shorts, skirts. Then put outfits together, and pick things that mix & match each other. For 5 days in Florida maybe take: 7 tops, 4 shorts, 2 skirts, 1 pants or capris, 1 very lightweight jacket or sweater. Plus of course sandals, sneakers, undies, cosmetics, etc.

Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane. Pack only two other pair of shoes (maybe flip flops, and sandals?)

Another tricky part about carry-on only... Do you know about the liquids rules? For your cosmetics & toiletries, that you can only take a 1-Qt. ziplock bag and the containers of gel or liquids cannot be more than 3 oz. each. So you'll really need to get travel-sized (either purchase or make your own). This to me is the hardest about carry-on only, not the clothes, but the toiletries.

eeyorelvr

I never only travel with carry on, to me this is too hard with the new liquid restrictions. How does 3 oz of shampoo and conditioner last 5 days, let alone hair spray's, body sprays etc. But I do try to pack light for my travels, shorts can be worn more than once, so I try to mix and match several outfits, and even though it will be hot and you will probably be wearing a lot of sleevless, I bring a cover up, so one that matches all or most of my outfits is all I take. I will admit, no matter where I go I always take a pair of long pants (usually worn on the plane) in case of some odd weather change, and an extra set of cloths/shoes in case we get rained on or spill/stained. You could do laundy, but who wants to spend what little time you have on vacation doing laundry.

BeccaSmith_79

I always do carry on only, especially if a trip is less than 7 days, to a warm location, and doesn't require formal dress. Suze is right on the money - pack things that mix and match, and go casual to dressier if you are going for a nice dinner. Florida is very casual usually, so a cute skirt and solid tank or tee can go a long way!
Have fun!

suze

My shampoo, conditioner, etc. are very concentrated. I only need a 1-2 oz. bottle of each (I make these up myself, putting the product into tiny plastic travel bottoes) lasts me for a 10 day trip. For something like suntan or body lotion that you need a larger size, just wait and purchase after you arrive.

Personally I don't go carry-on myself. I do pack very light, in a 22-24" rolling suitcase, but I do check it thru.

Oops I forgot the most important thing!!!! A couple of bathing suits and a sarong or cover-up!

sf7307

Even for a girl who likes to change outfits often, I think you can do this, by limiting the number of bottoms you bring (shorts, capris, pants, skirts) --- bring a lot of tops, as hot weather tops don't take up much room. When I travel to a hot climate, I can wear the same pair of shorts over and over as long as I can wear them with a different top (which makes it feel like a completely different outfit). I'd bring 10 tops for Orlando -- 1 per day and 1 per night.

jent103

Unless you have really long hair and are using tons of shampoo daily, three ounces should last you five days just fine. I use a bar shampoo (from Lush), but I pack less than three ounces of conditioner and make it for a week+ with no stress at all. (My hair is above my shoulders and fine.) You need even less of face/body wash. Plus your hotel is very likely to have soap or body wash available. I echo what suze said about sunscreen, etc - just buy one when you get there for everyone to share.

You really do NOT need three outfits a day, anywhere. In Orlando, in July, your clothes will be sweaty and un-fresh an hour or two after putting them on. There's really no need to try to start out "fresh" every morning and evening. If you're doing the theme park thing, I might take two/day - one for the park and one for dinner or whatever afterwards, if that's the plan. BUT those nighttime outfits? You're only going to be in them a few hours. You can easily wear those twice. For example, you could wear a tank top and nicer shorts or a skirt Monday night and then wear the same tank to the park on Thursday.

Jeans take up a lot of space and will be very hot anyway.
Your hotel will most likely have a hair dryer, so if that's the case, no need to pack that. Straighteners/curling irons don't take up too much room, if you need them, but if not - even better.

Someone mentioned body sprays - do you have a Sephora near you? If that's something that's important to you, Sephora will give you tiny little samples of perfumes that will easily go in your quart-sized bag. Other stores might as well.

A lot of people will tell you to lay out everything you want to take on the trip, and then put away half of it. Might be something you could try.

Cranachin

Don't forget that the liquid/gel rule applies to toothpaste, too. You will need to buy travel-sized tubes or wait until you get to Florida to buy a large tube (which you will have to leave behind).

Maybe your dentist will give you some small tubes.

suze

You can buy travel sized tubes of toothpaste at most any drug stores for under $1.

DeniseBar

I am confused! Can we not pack large sized cosmetics in our checked luggage?
What about aerosol cans? Thanks for any help.

Cranachin

DeniseBar,

michmae said

<this time its just my mom and I, so shes convinced we can just pack light, and carry everything on board.>

If you carry everything on, you can't pack liquids or gels over 3 oz. That means the CONTAINER cannot be over 3 oz., not just the amount of stuff in it.

If you check your bags, you can have large-sized cosmetics and toiletries.

suze

You can pack whatever you like in CHECKED luggage. The 1qt. baggie, 3 oz. size limit is for gels and liquids in CARRY-ON.

jent103

You can pack whatever you like in CHECKED luggage.

Well, I wouldn't recommend explosives...

janisj

"How does 3 oz of shampoo and conditioner last 5 days"

Even if you have waist length hair and wash it twice a day - you don't need 3 oz of shampoo for 5 days.

I just checked my medium sized redken bottle and it is 10.1 oz. It is easily enough for 5-6 weeks of serious shampooing.

Besides, 98% of hotels provide shampoo and conditioner so it really isn't necessary to bring your own.

Michmae: The main helpin cutting back is to not think in terms of 'outfits'. Three outfits a day wouldseem like 3 pairs of slacks/shorts/skirts plus 3+ tops to go w/ them.

Instead - think mix and match. One pair of shorts or capris that goes w/ 3 or 4 different tops. Do the same w/all your 'bottoms'. Mixing and matching tops means you really only need maybe 3 pants or skirts (plus what you wear on the plane)

abram

For 5 days in Florida in July, I'd take two pair of shorts and five shirts for the daytime, a skirt and a nice pair of capris with two or three tops I could mix and match for the evening, a light sweater in case the a/c is cold, and I'd wear light weight casual pants on the plane.

KTtravel

Most hotels will supply shampoo and conditioner and some now even stock toothpaste and other liquid/gel products as they know it is hard for travelers to bring their own. Unless you have items you can't live without, you can leave these items behind.

Have a fun trip!