artlover

We usually stay in at least one timeshare that has at least a washer or washer/dryer, so maybe that's why I can get away with just 2 pairs of pants. Also, I just have this "thing" about travelling light. Plus, you can always buy another pair in Italy--infact, my favorite pair of jeans are originally from there!

fuzzypuppy1234

Two pairs of pants should be plenty. For 3 weeks in Egypt I'm bringing only a skirt, a pair of shorts, a pair of capris.

...and to the horror of the more shallow posters here I'm also bringing a fanny pack (aka waist pack).

mai

haha as a college student i usually only wear 2 pairs of pants in two weeks..haha i just rotate them. for traveling i think this is enough unless you fall a lot i don't think they'll get really dirty and even if you do just bring a tide out pen and wash it in your basin.

underwear..whoever suggested washing it in the basin has a good idea..they make these laundry sheets now that are paper thin and dissolve and i think you can do this easily..my mom also suggested throwaway paper underwear...i laughed at her but apparently people do this!

i really do think two pairs for two weeks is really plenty if..i'm working on packing lightly myself and am only bringing two pairs of pants for my two weeks overseas too.

toedtoes

My general rule is a minimum of 3 bottoms and 4 tops. That gives me 12 days of outfits without wearing the exact same thing twice. It also gives me a bit of leeway if a piece of clothing has a "fatal accident".

I think part of the concern of wearing "the same thing" over and over is rather funny when it comes from folks who always wear black pants and jackets with a colored t-shirt - you may not be wearing the same PIECE of clothing, but you're still wearing the same thing everyday. I know someone at work who does that - every day it looks like she's wearing the same thing because all her clothes look exactly the same.

I do agree with Mimmel on the underwear thing - I hear and read about only taking 4 pairs of undies for a 3-week trip as a way to save space in the bag so often. To me, I don't find that taking 21 pairs of undies takes up that much more room than taking 4 pairs of undies and then I don't have to deal with washing them constantly.

carolinetaylor

What i don't get is these people who say they travel with a carryon and then i realise their "carryon" is bigger then my checked luggage!!

For me a carryon is 1 small piece of luggage with the bare essentials in case my luggage gets lost (which it never has) not a 22" piece of luggage

thursdaysd

Maybe it's because I grew up wearing school uniform, but I just don't get the need to wear different outfits every day. Like toedtoes, I generally travel with three pairs of day trousers (although I've been known to only wear two of them!) although three not four day tops, but I usually wear them in the same combination. Growing up, I basically had one winter and one summer outfit for school (different clothes but they all looked the same) and I got used to not having to think abut what to put on in the morning.

caroline_edinburgh

You say no skirts - but will you be taking *any* other outfits, like dresses ? If not, I'd say 4 would be my minimum - 1 pair for daytime & 1 dressier pair for evening, per week. I can't imagine wearing the same trousers for more than a week.

vjpblovesitaly

I would wear one pair and take two if I were going solo. I would take more if I were going with someone because they might think I am a skeeze for wearing only 3 pairs of pants. Stupid, I know.

suze

4 would be my minimum, however long the trip (since I don't wear skirts or dresses). I'd want to have something nicer/different to wear in the evenings to be a bit more dressed up. Maybe wear one pair pants and boots & pack 2 casual and 1 dressy pants with at least one more pair of shoes.

AdrienneB

Julies
I actually did just take one pair of slacks along with the pair I wore. I had a skirt and a dress along, which never were worn during the trip. We did utilize drycleaners who cost a fortune and sent things back with very strong chemical odors.
Take what you wear at home for a lunch with the girls is my motto. I use scarves, jewelry, and change my jackets and blouses and always look great with the same black slacks. The trick it to draw the eye to the face and away from the bottom, no?
In an effort to bring back items I found in travels, I have left behind many clothes without regret. I, too, have gone to a second hand store to get clothes for this purpose.
I don't understand the big deal about having a lot of clothes, anyway. I like fewer, really nice quality clothes that fit well. I know of a high school home ec teacher who bragged that she never had to wear the same clothes twice all year. I never understood why she wouldn't want to wear things more than once and why she would tell young girls this.
Have a great trip!

Vicky

No. I always want to look glam on vacation. i can stuff 20 outfits into a carry on!

janisj

w/ 3 or 4 "bottoms" - i.e. pants, skirts, dresses whichever you prefer in any combination, is more than enough to build a 35-40 outfit wardrobe that easily fits into any 19" or 21" rollaboard.

The flexibility comes w/ the tops one chooses -- Sweaters, tops, jackets, pashmina, etc that can mostly be mixed/matched/layered.

kschaub

Ok, I actually just packed for ten days in England and 2 days in Paris, in a 20 inch carryon for the first time in my life. I successfully packed 3 pairs of pants, (black chinos, jeans, dressy black pants) a dress, and 9 tops. Oh, and 3 pairs of shoes. LOL! I have to say packing light is great, but I tend to be clumsy and get spills on my clothing, and the thought of having to wash my clothing in a hotel sink....yeah, not so much.....so all told I have four pairs of pants, plenty of options to look chic, and I'm not lugging a giant suitcase. I rolled the items that were thin, and bought a space bag for the bulkier items like the dress and sweaters (that thing is genius) and voila! So I guess my answer to your question is no, I would not just take two pairs of pants! LOL!