luveurop

No.

I always buy new clothes before a trip. Planning a trip is a great reason to go shopping. If one needs a reason that is.

LynM

My thoughts this next trip is that I have enough stylish mix and match clothes from this season to take over to Europe in August for their summer(being from the southern hemispehere) Normally I would buy a new wardrobe for a holiday but summer clothes won't be in the shops anyway. This way i am saving money to buy something from another country and then if i have to i won't feel so bad about leaving something behind that has been worn.

rickmav

My mother has another twist on the 'leaving it behind' travel packing dilemma when she goes to England. She takes her basic black pieces (and underwear) and shops for blouses, blazers, evening bag, costume jewellery etc. at the various charity shops. I'm not as brave as her so have never tried it, but I have to tell you, she always finds something stylish, disposable and cheap. And looks like a million bucks.

And the great thing is she gives it all back to a charity shop - except for a few amazing pieces of jewellery and a Chanel bag - when she goes home. I think for her, it's another part of the travel adventure.

suze

nancyz, i don't read any 'hostility' from those of us expressing that we like to travel in nice clothes. i think you started an interesting thread that is funny too, and shows the many different approaches to packing and clothes on a trip, is all!

Leely

Once I had too many margaritas in Puerto Vallarta. I threw up and had to throw my dress away. Does that count?

kasperdoggie

I look forward to bringing some of my favorite clothing on my vacations, so discarding them would break my heart I even look forward to putting together a traveling wardrobe before each trip instead of considering it a hassle. Then again, I tend to take city trips and not hiking/backpacking, so that makes a difference in packing approach, I guess.

I tend to dispose of some of my toiletries, trashy books I bring to read on the trains and sometimes even guidebooks, but basically would not hesitate to buy a new bag to take my purchases home instead of discarding my clothes or shoes. What can I say, vanity is a sin and am guilty as charged

LoveItaly

Hi Nancyz, I don't understand your last message. You asked a question, did you not. The title of your thread ends with a question mark.

And we answered.

You thank those with like minded opinions.

And you seem to be accusing those with a different opinion of pent up hostility and a testoserone release.

Yes this board does share travel information. And that is what people did here.

When I ask a question I expect different ideas and thoughts, that is why I ask a question.

So I do not understand your comment.

SusanP

I guess I see both sides of this. As I said, I wouldn't want to wear something too tight or stained. I often buy new things to wear while on vacation. I was only referring to underwear and nightgowns. And suze, I don't want to have to be washing my underwear in the sink, that's not my idea of a fun thing to do on vacation. And I don't see how 1 nightgown is enough for 17 nights!

Patrick

Unless you're traveling alone, I think there should be no need for any nightgowns. Live a little on vacation and see what results it gets you.

dsm22

I keep reading these post by people who throw away their clothes and I am still not getting it. I know there have been a couple of explainations by fellow Fodorites but it can't wrap my head around it.

I still say anything that I would want to get rid of to good will or trash bin I would just not wear again, and definitely not take on vacation. I always like to look nice and I would feel uncomfortable going around in something that isn't cut right for me or has a stain or is pilling. I know that you said that you did not mean that, but that is what you said.

I loved the advice on that one packing light thread............buy new clothes for vacation. I was told they pack better. I think that was LoveItaly too. That has become my new mantra.

I don't go away for more than 12 days anyway because I only get two weeks vacation. I take all of my undergarments and put them in a plastic ziplock bag and sqeeze all the air out. It hardly takes up any room then. I bring only things that mix and match. I can't imagine wearing anything that I would want to leave behind. Maybe I am really vain. I know others have said that they buy cheap undergarments and toss them. I would feel that I am wasting money and I could not throw out anything that was brand new either.

I have packed light and never had problems bringing home souvenirs.

cyrusmag

What isn't hostile about judging someone for leaving a suit in a room and then dissing them for shopping at Anne Taylor? Gimme a break...

I get it, Nancy. I think it's a great idea. Dont know that I could make it work for me, but kudos to you for your creativity. I usually pack light and plan to buy things to wear in the country I visit. Souvenirs.

lyb

>>Thanks papagena and others for your like-minded opinions. Seems like there's a little pent up hostility going on with a few of the others<<

So people don't do the same thing you do, they're hostile??? Umm...interesting...

OneWanderingJew

I've discarded clothes twice, once was on a trip to Costa Rica. The weight restrictions on the intercountry flights were so strict that even packing light (for me) put me over the limit. Because we spent time in the rainforest, I brought shorts and tshirts. I shed no tears leaving those behind. The other time was after a month in Australia. I was so sick of my clothes and needed room for the gifts and new stuff so a few things didn't make it home.

However, that being said, I could never do that with my cute clothes unless something tragic happened to them while I was away. Call me vain but I want to look good in my vacation pictures so I'd never wear something I wouldn't wear at home!!!

Thin, Darling--I think you were a bit too strong with your comments. Some of us can't afford the more upscale lines, myself included. Now if you'd like to take me shopping, and treat me to one or two great pieces, I'd be ever so happy

walkinaround

i discard/donate things that:

-never quite fit or looked right (despite trying on in the store)

-grossly out of style or not my style anymore (quite rare as i usually buy things that don't go out of style very quickly)

-worn out, ruined, etc.

-shoes that are not comfortable, don't fit right or have lost their bounce or support.

none of these categories would i ever bring on holiday.

gail

Dressing like a bag lady in a city might reduce chances of getting your pocket picked.

m_kingdom2

I'm rather concerned that you chose to keep any "sweaty old Tshirt (sic)" surely it would be prudent to keep everything clean?

Well in my dressing room I've virtually all the clothes I've ever owned, however, every single thing is laundered so there's not a trace of sweat. I view my collection as a sort of social history of the self.

bellastar

Sorry for the double post-hit the wrong key by accident!

mkingdom-I am overcome, surprised, and bemused to hear that you actually do perspire!! Oh my! (ha)

I can't add anything to all the other opinions here, probably because I do things a little differently each time I go on a trip.

I do remember leaving various things by the wayside in my travels if they were too heavy or too bulky, or otherwise in the way. It was usually a spontaneous act, and not something I ever regret or had second thoughts about....including:

An unused goosedown sleeping bag left behind with friends in London.I just kept the sleep sack and continued on my way south and across the channel.

Sweaters, jackets and a raincoat donated to the local Salvation Army in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii.

A bag of costume jewelry bracelets given to the girll who cleaned my room in Antigua, Guatemala. She had admired them, so I put them as a gift with her tip money the day I left.

A black leather jacket-given to one of the staff at my tiny hotel on Ischia, who was thrilled to have it!

But I always hold on tight to my Manolos!

Benita

I do not want to go on a vacation to Italy wearing old worn out underwear or stained clothes. You don't have to be a billionare to look nice. With the many packing tips on this site on how to travel light, why would you?

tod

I tried very hard to leave a comfortable pair of walking shoes behind in London after they had carried me through Paris, Brittany, Normandy, the Channel Islands, Cornwall, and Wales. They came unstuck very soon into my trip and were glued several times. When it came to the crunch - I couldn't do it.
Just sentimental I guess. I travel very light so they were not in the way and occasionally I slip them on to walk around my very large garden!

MissPrism

Didn't your mother tell you to wear nice underwear in case you got run over?
I usually take a pack or two of disposable knickers with me and throw them in the bin every night.