danon

'Ties are the last piece in dressing up, not the first. I would never put one on until I already had nice shoes (proper dress shoes, none of this Vibram-soled walking shoe nonsense), a well-pressed shirt in nice cotton, nice slacks (preferably wool, but well-pressed cotton or a nice linen or seersucker is fine for summer afternoons and in tropical climatess), and a jacket. "
Then, if the occasion requires it, I would put on a tie.'

I agree.
Mephisto has several models of dress shoes ( for men) also comfortable for walking. They cost quite a bit
but...

rbnwdln

Janisj, I'd take your class! alanRow - No way you fit all that stuff in a carry-on bag.

acswift

I just packed for 8 days in a small backpack. I rolled my clothes and squished them into ziplock (1 gallon) bags. I brought very small amounts of toiletries as I know I can get everything I need once there, and am not particular to any brand. I brought two extra pairs of shoes, one of which was flip flops, in case of a foot emergency (i.e. heel blister) which I ended up wearing for most of the trip (I did get a huge heel blister). A couple of travel books, my journal, an energy converter and that was pretty much it! I did also bring a small flashlight and a fold-up duffle bag which I filled with the crap I bought along the way and checked on my way back to the US.
Happy Travels!

alanRow

rbnwdln - it was quite easy, I even had space left over

missypie

To me, the ability to pack light totally depends on how bulky your clothes are. My son's size 13 shoes take up 1/2 of a carry on. When we went to Italy I packed a couple of pairs of tropical wool or other lightweight pants and a few jersy-like ts. When folded, my entire stack of clothes was smaller than one pair of my husband's huge bulky cargo pants. (Funny thing, he's always the one nagging about packing light, and it's his size XXL clothes that take up so much room!)

carryon

DH and I always limit ourselves to carryon. It has its plusses and minuses. On our last trip the airline restricted us to one piece of carryon - not a purse and suitcase, just one item under a certain weight - period. That was a challenge for a week in Europe. Since it was winter, I had to wear a coat, so I bought an extra large size and added a couple pockets on the inside. One large one, one just the size of my wallet (a repurposed money belt). Everything that would have gone into my purse, went into my coat pockets. No airline weighs coats, or measures them. You can pack a surprising amount in large pockets. I also took along a couple of the jumbo sized ziplock storage bags (the kind you store blankets in). We used them for coats, shoes, etc, when going through security so we didn't have to worry about anything falling out of our pockets and getting lost. It simplifies that hectic procedure by letting you grab just two things at the other end and not worrying about forgetting to pick up something. It also was useful on the plane for stuffing our coats under the seat, keeping them clean, and not losing the little stuff. I also took along a few old items that were ready to be discarded (underwear, umbrella). Leaving them behind at the end of the week gave me a little more space and weight for souvenirs. I also put my heaviest items into my big coat pocket for the return trip. On the trip, the large pocket was useful for stowing my hat, gloves, guidebook, etc. Keeping my wallet hidden inside my coat made it virtually pickpocket proof. I won't win any awards for looking svelt and fashionable, but it doesn't matter to me. Everyone has to weigh appearances versus inconvenience and make their own decision about what's more important. As for body odor, keep in mind that Europeans are not nearly as obsessed with it as Americans are. Your manners are really what they'll be noticing.

violetduck

bookmarking

KERRYAJS1

Kerry here, Sorry folks - Got too carried away about seeing my name in print again and most of my post was not necessary for the question asked. But I have to clear up my seeming obsessive germ phobia! A bit un Australian perhaps? I am actually a real slob at home -sitting here right now smothered with germs and totally couldn't care less but, the first time your trip gets wrecked after suffering a bad case of vomiting, diarrhea and excessive snot after sitting for 12 plus hours next to some unfortunate with the Plague, you tend to get a bit finicky with subsequent trips.

And all my stuff does fit into carry on even for 6 weeks in Europe. After losing half my luggage in Vietnam, getting it back busted open and someone else's things stuffed in my bag, I would not use check-in if I could help it. You live and learn and I will learn not to post just for the sake of it. I'm a bit bored , got itchy feet and too much time on my hands!

Oh, and I mean by waist bag a small flat bag (easily made) that is worn under your jeans ( And even under your undies if you are really worried!)rather than a bum bag. Never had any problems losing anything and probably won't unless someone wants to undress me first. Might be fun - worth losing a few dollars for even!

suze

Even if I packed all the clothes I owned (for a single season) it would fill two gigantic suitcases. Y'all must have a better wardrobe than I do

suze

sheez... woud NOT fill...

rbnwdln

OK, Alan, I believe you. Can you come over and help me pack??

girlonthego

alan, if your bag is so light, can you tell us what brand name and size it is? I found every bag heavier than 7 pounds that is 22 inches in size. Rick Steves had the lightest I could find. Enlighten us.

Therese

Alan's bag is not a rolling bag, but a soft bag that you carry over your shoulder or backpack-style. It's not difficult to find these bags, and they weigh very little.

This style bag is much more appealing to men, as women's smaller frames and relative lack of upper body strength make them harder to handle, especially for long periods of time. Men don't typically mind the weight, and like the fact that they're even more mobile than they would be with a rolling bag.

If you really want to pack light, or are forced to do so by a particularly exigent airline, then you won't be using a rolling bag.

It is possible, by the way, to find rolling bags that weigh less than 7 lbs. They are often the least expensive rolling bags available (look at Target for a brand that you don't recognize) and are very simply constructed, without any (completely unnecessary) expanding compartment, separators, exterior pockets, etc. Always take a tape measure with you when you buy luggage, and a small scale (like a travel scale) if you've got one. The latter won't be perfectly accurate, but is useful for getting a rough idea of the weight.

danon

"This style bag is much more appealing to men, as women's smaller frames and relative lack of upper body strength make them harder to handle, especially for long periods of time."

Being a woman with a small frame , I find it easy to carry the bag over the shoulder. I have taken my soft (BREE) bag
on many trips. It is also much easier to lift (and store) on the flight.
I looked at some rollons, but I could barely lift them
EMPTY.

Connie

Two of us did it for a 21 day trip, including cool Paris and Switzerland and hot Rome. We were VERY glad we did.

scrb

You wouldn't want to stick laptops and camera gear into a soft bag.

And if you have to move around, like say hit a couple of cities before returning home, you want to be able to roll the luggage.

danon

"You wouldn't want to stick laptops and camera gear into a soft bag.

And if you have to move around, like say hit a couple of cities before returning home, you want to be able to roll the luggage."

I must admit ,I never take a laptop or camera gear (or anything that heavy).
We easily moved from Barcelona to Granada , then to Madrid with no rollons, also from Sydney to Melbourne to Christchurch and Sydney again .

Therese

danon, do you know how heavy your bag is, loaded? Or the dimensions of the bag? Some of carry-ons that come equipped with backstraps (but aren't true backpacks) are very close in size to rolling bags, and those I find quite difficult to manage (and I'm 5'6", female).

E_M

RBN,

Has anyone answered your question?

Yes, it is possible to do it in one carry on bag. It is even possible look stylish while abroad with all your possessions in one carry on bag. Especially if you sweat lemony.

If you are having trouble, could you post a list of what you are bringing? I noticed, for example, you mentioned a flat iron; they make travel sizes of those, you know.

danon

"danon, do you know how heavy your bag is, loaded?'

No, but if I cannot easily lift it by myself, something comes out of the bag. ( I am shorter than you).
It is not a backpack - just a bag with a shoulder strap.
We have 2 bags , my husband's is (I think) 55 cm, 35 cm, 25 cm *, mine is smaller.
The bags have been weighted by various airlines, but never put into a "measuring device".
At some airports, transfers may involve a long walk, (rollons come in handy in that case), some airports have small carts for carry ons ( love that!)...

I used to travel with a suitcase ( before rollons!)
but with more travel experience (and age)I have
reduced what I take on a trip.
Though, I understand people who like to take a number of outfits, who don't wish to wash things, who like to shop , or just prefer their shampoo...