What do you mean multiple black pants? How many pairs of pants are you taking.


The only clothes I take are clothes that I love to wear and I'm sure look pretty good on me.

All of my pants are in neutrals so they usaully go with my tops. I pack a pair of jeans, pants and wear a pair and they go with everything. For summer I'd pack a light sweater, a couple of tees, a nicer top that can be worn out in the evening.

I plan on doing a little light laundry when I travel so I don't take much and everything can dry over night.

For pants, I tend to take black, khaki, and denim--with shirts in colors that go with all three.

We usually try to go carry on only, because DH hates to hang around waiting for the bags to get off the plane. So I travel in my bulky clothes, jeans, sneakers, sweater, jacket. I hate the idea of sitting on an airplane with my bare skin touching the seat, so jeans are perfect. If I think I'll need to dress up a little, then black, knit, poly, no-wrinkle, pants. Then another jean, a couple of capris, in denim, tan, and/or black and of tops that go with everything.

I also have a black cashmere cardigan sweater that can be a warm layer or a semi dressy top if needed.

sunbum, I think I know what you mean, and yes, I try to pack so everything goes with everything, as much as that's possible. I try to resist bringing that cute outfit that is a stand-alone, and needs its own shoes to boot! 2 weeks is a long trip, though, at least for me, so I think I'd pick two color themes rather than just one, unless space is truly tight.

I just can not pick a color theme, as hard as I try. But I do take jeans or black slacks as neutrals. Then I try to have one cover up that will go with two or three tanks or other tops, honestly by the time I pack two or three cover ups, each with the two or three tanks I have just packed too much. We do try to do some laundry if it is a two week trip though.

Look at photos of Hillary Clinton - not as fashion icon but as a woman who travels all the time. 95% of the time she is wearing black pants, black shoes and some combination of shirt, jacket, etc. She always looks acceptable for the situation.

I travel with a few pairs of black pants, a black skirt, black city shorts when appropriate. And a packable dress or 2. Then I can mix/match tops, jackets, sweaters - and they all go together and are easy to layer. Reduces the shoe problem.

When I return I am so sick of black pants, etc I could scream. But packing is a breeze, luggage reduced.

Thanks -my plan, like Gail is to have several pairs of black pants, and a skirt and wear them to death

we will be in Alaska, first on our own for a few days, then a land tour and then a cruise - I have black pants that are great for hiking but are nice enough that I could wear to a casual dinner with a nice top - just trying not to take too much with me to schlep around and I am usually not very good at that. I usually take my biggest suitcase and keep putting in clothes until its full.

Am really trying to keep it lighter this time. Shoes are a pain- my walking shoes seem to take up 1/2 the suitcase ( big feet)

I don't go with a color theme, just make sure everything I pack goes with at least 2 other items so that I can mix and match.

For shoes, it depends on the weather and what we are doing, of course, but I generally bring 3 pairs.

I generally pack for 1 week and then do laundry as needed.

I do and it starts with shoes. I have the pair on my feet and one extra pair. Next is my overcoat/cardigan or raincoat (depending on the season). It has to match my shoes. Then I start filling in with pieces that layer.

Last trip I had a pair of brown shoes and a pair of green shoes. I had a heathered brown cashmere cardigan. All of my clothes were brown/taupe/cream/green or rust. Everything matched everything else. I even made sure my pajama t-shirts are fit for layering duty.

I usually base off of black or navy. Next week we're going to Seattle for two weeks and I'll take 2 pairs of casual black pants, one pair of jeans (I usually don't take them because they're heavy but we're going to stay at our daughter's for a few days so can use her washer and dryer); will have about 4 casual tops (black, white, gold), a denim shirt to go with the jeans, a Travelsmith "big shirt" (either black or red--haven't decided) and a fleece top (because it's still cold there). For evening, I'll take a black cashmere sweater and a purple silk "big shirt." I'll wear my black Propet walking shoes and pack a pair of dressy sandals for evening.

We are one-bag packers, even for two-week cruises. I use packing bags from Ebags and can easily get all of this into a rolling duffle.

Some good packers, here! Yes, I do color coordinate, although black is just not for me. My colors are more in line with palmettoprincess, with the brown/taupe shades. My favorite "bright" colors are orange and rust, and so what I bring will coordinate with shades of those.

Our fall vacation is usually 2+ weeks and focuses on woodsy/outdoorsy settings, so I do bring a couple of jeans and a pair of khaki or brown pants for dressing up a bit. I pick things that can be layered or worn separately, and finally learned to stop packing "standalone" items.

For shoes, I wear my bulkiest shoes, a midrise pair of hikers. I'll bring a pair of lowrise hikers also, to switch off, and a pair of boat shoes for dressing up a bit. Some vacations need a dressier outfit, of course.

As others mentioned, I pack for a week plan to do laundry. Among my weaknesses - packing too many hiking socks and overpacking tops (for layering, and then the weather doesn't call for it). It's always fun to purchase something on the road -- yes, I wear those logo sweatshirts and t-shirts, but a scarf or special piece always reminds me of the trip when I wear it later.

At one time I didn't pay attention to what I wore, thinking nobody would recognize me anyway. But those pictures! DH makes a set of DVDs from each vacation, slideshow with music, etc. So however I look is immortalized, in a way. But no way will I sacrifice comfort or be forced to haul around a ton of luggage.

sludick - So true about the photos!!! We don't generally take many photos during regular life - pretty much just vacations, holidays, and events. What we wore on vacation is preserved for all eternity.

A good idea if one has it or can find it to buy is a cashmere twin sweater set. If it is cold wearing both is good otherwise just wearing the pullover can be a great look and just the cardigan can be used with other clothes.

i use to take only those clothes which i like most,i try to take less pents but more tops with me....

Absolutely start w/ color theme ..... be it ubiquitous black pants (my choice) or brown or navy. Even when I take a pair of jeans, they're black denim. Color spectrum for tops can then be more flexible, because most everything goes with black .... generally I find myself bringing tops in reds & grays and have accessories & jewelry that will work within limited color palette.

Really, should think of packing for 4 or 5 days. ALL (or most) clothes should be washable. Yeah, may get a bit tiresome wearing same outfits, but well worth it to carry a lighter load.