I don't usually manage to come back with less (or Les, as I'm married now), because I buy a few things, but I usually shed enough to break even. Some (but not all) of the undies and socks that I pack will be on their last legs, and I'll discard them. Occasionally, for active holidays, I've packed an extra pair of worn-out shoes or sandals that I use for grubby or wet environments, knowing that I can discard them if I need to. I give away the books I've read, throw out the photocopied pages from my guidebooks, and usually discard partially used shampoos, sunscreens etc. I don't think I've ever left clothes behind though (although after a hiking trip, I did want to get rid of my dirty, dusty trousers).

just a bit of clarification - the cousin didn't just leave the old things behind in the room. In one hotel she wadded them up in a plastic bag and put them in the waste basket, and in another she threw them out in a bin.

I'm not advocating it, but -- if you are a "toss out as you travel" person - be really careful where you toss . . . . .

ditto starrsville and seetheworld.

I only come home with less money, and I definitely buy stuff overseas to bring home with me.

Most of the time I take my favorite clothing so I wouldn't get rid of it.

The one exception was when we hiked Kilimanjaro - obviously not in Europe, but we donated our clothes to the porters. That was the only time I did not bring my clothing/items back to the States.