I know you've heard it all before but I am having a packing dilemma. We are going to New York City for a long weekend before and after 10 days in Italy. We will be in Positano, Rome, and Florence. I know the savy travel mantra is PACK LIGHT and I am trying but have never been able to master it. I am laying out the things for my husband and I and the pile is getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Yikes! Can anyone give suggestions for packing for this trip the last 2 weeks in June? I am a fashionable middle-aged (ugh!) woman and am finding it hard to pare down. I now have about 6 pairs of cute sandals next to the suitcase! Help?

Pick the most comfortable neutral colored 2 pair of sandals and put the rest back in your closet right now! See you're doing better already.

Seriously, I think of clothes for say 3 days at a time. Take that many and after 3 days you start with the first and repeat the outfits.

Also maybe you could keep your NYC stuff separate? taking an extra bag for you and your husband to share, packed with your city clothes, that will not go along to Italy with you but be left in NY.

I would definitely bring shorts and/or capris, contrary to what the Neiman-Marcus/over-65 crowd will tell you. Shorts may not be acceptable in some churches, but very comfortable and appropriate for daytime sightseeing, especially if the temps will get into the mid to upper 80's.

Sandals for the evening and comfortable walking shoes during the day would be my recommendation. Of course, you are talking to the guy who has to lug his wife's kitchen sink on travel.

I agree totally with Budman. I also think the fact that you already know we've "heard this all before" also indicates you have IGNORED this all before, haven't you?

The ONLY way you will ever learn to "pare down" is for you to lug it all yourself.

I took this from Rick Steves web site, and edited it (removed a few things I didn't bother taking, like a swimsuit, which I didn't need). See the full list for packing on ricksteves.com, there's a special list for women and men. Personally, I do laundry once or twice, depending on my length of stay. Better yet, I've had my DH do it for me. Believe me if you pack your stuff up and go take a bus in your hometown downtown and back with it, you'll find it much easier to pare down.

Clothing
1 pair of walking/comfortable shoes
1 pair of sandals (weather permitting)
1 rainproof jacket
2 pairs of shorts/capris/skorts
2 pairs of pants
5 pairs of socks (cotton blend)
5 pairs of underwear (silk, lace, or micro-fiber dries quickest)
1 extra bra
4-6 shirts (long/short-sleeved, various colors)
1 light cardigan for layering
2 dresses (optional)

Toiletries/Medicine
Body soap/puff (washcloth); most European hotels do not supply washcloths
Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
Shampoo/conditioner
Brush/comb
Lotion
Razor (non-electric)
Shaving cream if desired
Sunscreen
Prescription drugs (in original container with your name and your doctor's name, write down generic name)
First aid kit/moleskin/blister kit
Feminine hygiene products if necessary
Deodorant
Nail clippers/file/tweezers
Spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, or contact lenses and supplies
OTC remedies (whatever works for you): Pepto, decongestants, etc.

Money and Security
Moneybelt: Passport, plane ticket, debit card, credit cards, traveler's checks, railpass, driver's license (if you're renting a car)
Security: Bury copies of your passport, plane ticket, and prescriptions in the bottom of your luggage

• Your pack should weigh about 20% of your body weight, preferably no more than 20 pounds.

I tend to stick to one-hue packing. That way everything can be worn with everything else...shirt gets dirty - I can swap it out with any other shirt...spill pasta sauce on my pants - just change the pants and don't have to worry about shirt, socks, shoes or sweater. Since doing this I've managed to eliminate hauling at least one pair of pants every trip.

True, my wardrobe may appear a bit boring, but I figure I'm traveling to see the sights, not to be seen.

Maybe our recent experience will be of help to you. My husband and I spent a week Paris and I must confess that we shamefully overpacked. We truly needed only half the clothes that we brought. Our lifestyle requires a change of clothes for dinner, but I found that I wore the same stylish khaki suit with different tops most evenings and the same two pair of pants during the day. I kept my color schemes to khaki and black in both shoes and slacks, varying the tops for color. If you take a really close look at your ever-growing pile of clothes, I'm sure you'll be able to pare down. And while I'm a great believer in having a selection of comfortable shoes, there is no way you'll need 6 pair of sandals. Get ruthless and re-evaluate. We could and should have easily travelled with one less suitcase. Have fun!

RB,

it's ALWAYS the shoes !!!

You will not need all of them. It's just taking up valuable space! Take one pair of comfy shoes, whether they're athletic shoes or whatever you have that's broken in - wear those on the plane where your feet are going to swell, and you want to be comfortable walking around those terminals. Then take one nice, (again comfy) pair of sandals for the evening. That should be it!

Regards,

Melodie
<former Shoe Diva

this is very helpful, you can tailor it to your trip
universal packing list http://upl.codeq.info/index.jsp

The one additional piece of advice I'll add is this: lay it all out on the bed or some other surface before putting one thing in the suitcase.
When I don't follow this myself, I regret it. Put outfits together, the mixes and matches, the shoes that go, etc into piles. Then you will see the items that don't match the others at all, the shoes that are redundant, the
belts you need, etc. Putting it into the suitcase without getting the lay of the land tends to lead to overpacking, or missing something important.

My travel wardrobe follows the same rules as Yesiree100 and Elsiejune. Everything in my suitcase is one of the following colors: black, white, khaki/beige/camel, gray or red. (In June, your color palette might tend to lighter colors.) Everything mixes and matches, and I use scarves to bring the pieces together and to add variety from day to day. I don't take a dress, but I do take skirts which are more comfortable (for me) than shorts/capris on a warm day. Almost everything can be washed in a hotel sink if necessary and hung to dry.

Just remember...if you fillup that suitcase (with 6 pairs of shoes!), you won't have any room for all those new shoes you will be buying. Take the minimum and do a bit of shopping while there! I go black, tan and white with maybe one accent color, 1 comfy walking sandals, 1 going out but still comfy shoe and 1 walking shoe. Then, I buy some drop dead gorgeous glamour shoe while in Italy.

Hi all, thanks for providing me with a giggle this afternoon! My husband and I have just come home from a day shopping for new luggage for our trip to Europe in 2 weeks time. I had decided to make the supreme sacrifice and for the first time, abandon my coffin sized suitcase for a 63cm (around 24 1/2 inch I think)mid size! The first heading I see on Fodors when I arrived home is about condensing luggage!! Very timely and I will also try to adhere!

OK, two pairs of cute sandals (the very most comfortable that will go the distance, all day every day) and match all your clothing.

Think coordinates rather than outfits.

Black, tan (khaki), white bottoms (skirt, slacks, shorts) along with an assortment of tees in white/ivory/your favorite and most flattering colors (short, long, sleeveless). A twin set or two is practical (you can wear one or the other or both, depending upon the weather). That way, everything goes with everything else. Note that you should always have something with long sleeves, at least a lightweight sweater, along when out and about in NYC - a/c indoors is often quite chilly in theaters, restaurants...

Actually, a black twin set would be "dressy" with a black, tan, or white bottom, with a bit of jewelry.

For the variable weather, a short or 3/4 rainjacket with hood (precludes the need for dragging an umbrella all about), polartec jacket (with hood is great for open air boat rides) that fits nicely under the rainjacket just in case of very cool weather, too.

If you have any fancier dining destination plans, a simple but very nice dress, with a nice sweater, will take you anywhere, but also just dressier slacks/nice skirt, with nice top/sweater. I prefer first layer top (tee, camisole) with a very flattering neckline, that shows off a fine gold chain or shorter strand of pearls.

You can really "keep it to a minimum" with neutral bottoms and colored tops, along with neutral outerwear.

As for shoes, I favor one pair of sandals, a pair of walking shoes (in case of pouring down rain), and one pair of dressier shoes (that are comfortable enough for walking a mile or more) if you plan on dressier places.

Best is to pack tops/frequently worn bottoms that you can rinse out in the sink and will dry overnight with no need for ironing. Bring a bit of laundry detergent and one or two plastic hangers with clips (for slacks, shorts, skirts). A top and bottom will drip dry on one hanger with clips.

While in NYC, highly recommend the Circle Line Sunset/Harbor Lights cruise.

Just returned from a month in Italy.

My suggestion would be to pack 1-pair of nice slacks (black or neutral) for evening. Mine were linen and I did wash them out and hung them dripping wet in the shower to dry. They worked fine and didn't need pressing as I shook the legs out as they dried.

Capri pants for day with a little stretch in them. A print pattern works well. I had three pair and they washed and dried quickly. They can also be worn in the evening.

One pair of good walking shoes like tennis and one pair of sandals. You just don't need any more than that.

T-shirts with cotton/lycra drip dry in about 2-hours. Roll, well in towel, shake good, and hang on hanger near window.

Underwear. You could actually get by with 2 pair of unders. I brought 6 pair and used the other four to pack my gifts in to keep from breaking. 2-bras.

If you spend 3-nights at each destination you wash out the dirty clothes upon arrival at hotel and they are dry when you leave if not sooner.

I pack fairly light and I still find I bring things that I only wear once. Long sleeve lycra/spandex packs well, doesn't wrinkle, dries quickly, but is HOTTER than H- - -. Leave at home unless it is Fall.

The worst thing in the whole month in Italy was lugging the luggage and we had small suitcases. One tends to pick up brochures, books, maps, wine, and other items that make your suitcase become even heavier as the days progress.

Keep it light and simple.

Lots of great tips. I especially like Eurogals method directly above. Very practical.

One small thing I do different from Jules post, is I always pack a swimsuit. Doesn't take up that much room and it's one piece that nothing else can serve the same function. You never know when you might find a spa or hotel pool or lake you want to jump into.

And along the lines of Elaine's suggestion, I start hanging what I plan to take in a separate place (back of the closet door works) weeks ahead of time and gradually think thru the various combinations, occasions I'll need to dress for, weather possibilities. And most importantly RESIST that last minute, "oh I might need this" symdrome that tosses extra stuff in your suitcase that you will never use.

Oh, thank you. GREAT responses that have really helped. I am one of those people who always think that I may run into Tom Cruise and what if he asks me to dinner and I don't have the right dress or shoes or accessories?! I just watched the movie "Only You" and Marisa Tomei had a large purse that someone else packed and she looked like a million bucks racing all over Italy. Or Meg Ryan in "French Kiss!" Lost luggage but she looked fabulous for weeks in France! Yeah, right. The movies.....I really have to balance the idea of carrying all my good stuff versus leaving it at home. Not sure which will prevail this time!

I just returned from a 12-day trip to Switzerland and Germany. I knew the weather would be varied, but did it all with a small carry-on piece of luggage and a small duffel bag I could sit on top of it while rolling it. I also am a shoe fanatic, but you have to exercise control Keep in mind you will be walking alot, so comfy shoes (at least 2) for walking take priority. Then I usually bring one or two pairs of sandals. Which is still probably too much. But I place these on the bottom of the suitcase and everything else goes on top.

For clothing, the key is to put everything in plastic bags - this way you can compress everything so there is less air taking up space between the clothes. I just use the smaller kitchen garbage bags. My pants go in one bag, short-sleeve shirts in another, undies in another, etc. Also helps to keep things organized for re-packing quickly, and I usually pack 2 or 3 more bags for dirty laundry, etc. Socks get rolled up into the shoes to save space.

Toiletries should be pared down majorly. Skip the mega-facial products and bring one favorite, that's it. Mine is moisturizer. Use the travel-sized everything: toothbrushes, deodorant, etc. I also pour some Fabreeze into a small spray bottle to "freshen" things if needed.

One thing I won't travel without is a black non-wrinkle cardigan sweater. It's a must for places like Italy where your shoulders should be covered in churches, etc. and for keeping warm, etc. You can tie it around your waist to keep hands-free, or around your shoulders for a more fashionable look. Also, leave the big purses at home and take something very small and secure. I hated carrying around my "cheap" small bag but it was certainly worth it. I do have 2 though - one tan and one black.

If you have alot of varied weather, the trick is layering. I brought 2 camisoles, which I could put under a t-shirt, which I could put under my cardigan, which I could put under a light jacket. I stayed warm without alot of bulk.

After all this, I still am fashion-conscious and pack jewelry, layering it in a sturdy jewelry case. It's amazing how much I can get into a small bag but I do!

Oh, and don't forget a large shopping bag! Usually on the way home I check my bag (who cares at that point? ;-)) and carry on the merchandise I've purchased along the way.

Hope that helps!

Lori

RB,

oh sure...Meg Ryan in French Kiss --had one white blouse that she tied in 75 different ways and looked cute in every one...only French women or movie stars can do that! And have a fantastic scarf tied in some complicated way I can never figure out!

OK, besides my shoe tip, I'll give you another.......Downey Wrinkle Releaser. It's a godsend. It DOES work. Forget a travel iron (does anyone actually use them anymore?) Seriously...you spread your article of clothing out on the bed, spritz, smooth out with your hands, and voila! No wrinkles. Then go wash your hands cuz they're kind of sticky! I pour it into one of those small pump thingies, label it with my
P-Touch label-maker (honestly, I'm not THAT anal-retentive, it's just to tell it apart from the OTHER pump sprayer that contains hairspray)!

Melodie

I just returned from a 9-day bike trip to the Tuscan coast, with a day and night on either side in Florence. Even though I packed light, I still ended up with too much stuff :~). The following items turned out to be the best things I packed: white jeans, which were both fashionable enough and dressy enough to go out to dinner in the city and looked just as good in the countryside, black linen pants, nice fitting T-shirts in white, black and navy, and a couple of pashmina wraps (fuschia and peach). The wraps served double-duty as blankets on the flights and a light cover for cooler or air-conditioned evenings. Between all of these items I had several great outfits.

In addition to comfortable walking sandals, I brought along two pairs of fun, easy to pack and comfortable shoes (sequined ballet flats and silver thongs) that I picked up at Target and Old Navy. Everybody on the trip loved them!

hey rbnwdln -

This is really not advice, just a funny thing. I am normally a very, very light packer and this was true when we went to Germany last month. I pack stuff to wear in layers but didn't count on it being quite so cold on this trip (that, of course, shouldn't be a problem for you).

Anyway, I was in a store in Munich looking at some clothing. I am on the small side (size 2-4) and I picked up a size 34 shirt. The sales lady said to me "is this for YOU?" Meaning, you're huge, lady, what are you thinking? I then took off my coat and four shirts so she could see I actually could wear this small size!! We all got a good laugh about it.

Anyway, pack as light as you can and don't worry. I would cut back on the amount of shoes, but like I said I am a packing Nazi.

PS: No "ugh" for middle aged - we just get better, right??