I have traveled using only one suitcase for a 7 plus day trip several times. I would never bring a second bag. Its way too much bother with a second bag. When I see people dragging all that extra baggage with them I feel like they must be beginners.

When I started traveling I took everything, plus extras "just in case" and would come home with a week's clothes unused. I would try to pack less the next trip, but paranoia and insecurity would lead to more.

Then I broke a rib a week before a trip and eliminated half my planned stuff, and then took even less. Guess what happened? Nothing. You can actually buy a pair of shoes if the ones you took pinch. They sell shampoo outside of New York. And socks!

Now I pack the least I can get away with in the smallest suitcase it will fit into, plus an empty collapsed carry-on for purchases.

It's still too much.

We have traveled northern Europe in February with just a 22" roll-on per person. Wear your heaviest clothes on the plane, along with your coat. Make sure everything coordinates. Make use of laundry facilities or have the hotels do it. One great looking, versatile pair of shoes is all you need. I learned this after our first trip abroad and hauled about 5 pairs with me. Never again! I can now manage with 1 pair and as long as it is the right style I can wear them anywhere.

For a 7 day trip I take 1 large suitcase which is 26 or 27"- and a small carry on tote with my books, and magazines to read on the plane. I always have room in my suitcase for purchases, and I even fold up an empty LeSport Sac tote, incase I really need extra room for surprise purchases.

I never think it is a big deal to check my suitcase for a 7 day trip, and I certainly am not going to bother doing laundry when on vacation.

Looking good and dressing well is "routine" and important to me. I can't imagine wearing the same 2 outfits day after day.

I always find SHOES the hardest to edit, as "a girl has to have the right pair of shoes" for all activities!

One checked and a carry-on back pack.
M

I take a 22" to check through and a carry on with cosmetics, change of clothes just in case, any medicines, and reading material. A flat bag to bring home purchases is a good idea, as is at least one extra pair of shoes in case you get your feet really wet.

I also suggest a robe that packs flat and a pair of house shoes. Our hotel had an elevator fire one night, and one poor girl stood outside on a traffic median in a pair of shorty pajamas and barefooted in mid-October in London for about an hour. A man finally gave her his socks.

JaneyGirl, 6 pairs of underwear and only 1 bra? Or is it some British slang I don't understand?

No matter how long I am going to be gone I find that packing for 7 days covers everthing I need. Well of course I mean if I am going to be gone 7 days or more up to 2 months. I do wear the heaviest on the plane (including a good warm coat in winter which can also be used as a blanket when need be). I pack an extra pair of daytime shoes and one pair of dressy shoes. I use black as my basic color (and all 3 shoes are black. I have found (since I travel alone) that rather than carry a handbag and carryone onto the plane I am more at ease putting my handbag in the suitcase. I put items in the handbag so it is not wasted space. I have 2 different size carryones, smaller for shorter domestic trips and larger (but still within the requirements of the airlines)for trips to Italy. Each of these have an outside zippered pocket where I put e-ticket sheet, ID, boarding pass, passport etc. My
wallet, small address book, small notepad and pen (in case I need to document dates, times, names in case of a problem) goes inside the carryone along with whatever else I do not put in the checked in bag. I never put anything important (well clothes are important but think you know what I mean) in the checked in bag. Just having the carryon to deal with rather than purse and carryon sure cuts down on stress. As far as winter clothes versus summer clothes it is true that winter clothes are bulkier but I have found I do not need as many as they stay fresher long. A teeshirt under a turtle neck sweater is good in cold weather and keeps the sweater clean. My coat is a dark gray below the calf length that looks good with pants or skirts/dresses. It is wool/cashmere. Pack one or two dresses for evenings when I need them and a very small evening bag. Basically wear the jewelery I start the trip with throughtout the trip with exception of dressy earrings that I tuck in my wallet along with one evening ring. Also take one pair of very light flipflops. My carryone has travel size bathroom items. I find it easy and fun to replace during the trip. I do not bring bathroom supplies home with me. Just toss them. I never thought of packing another duffel or carryone bag into the checkin luggage. Think that is a good idea (for laundry etc.) But whatever I buy (which is not a lot) I carry back in my carryon bag so the purchases are not broken or stolen (which is why I toss all the bathroom supplies before I return home).I do not take a jacket, not necessary. In fact would like to figure out if I can get away with changing to a 22inch suitcase instead of using the 26 inch suitcase I now use.
Really, as so many other travelers say, the less you take the better the trip will be.

Well, I`m not going for one week but for three, to Croatia. When I think of stairs, ferries, buses, etc, I know I won`t be bringing much. One small bag and one carry on. We trekked all over London, trying to find our hotel, and I said Never Again, with a larger suitcase.

Trip length is unimportant. Travel purpose is. Are you going to a wedding? Is it a sports event? A business trip? I find it hard to believe that some travellers are so busy that they can't rinse out underclothes and such. No one in Europe is going to criticize you if you wear the same dress or slacks more than once. Question? How much time do you want to spend returning to hotel to change clothes? Luggage may be the most onerous item of any trip. It is possible to travel and never handle baggage...I would consider that the height of luxury.

One. Carry-on.

It is harder in winter not only because the clothes are bulkier, but they don't wash as easily in the sink :D On the other hand you don't sweat as much in the winter so things don't wilt or get stinky as fast :D

My husband and I each carry only a small, rolling carry-on. On the way there, last trip, that was fine, but on the way back, they were too heavy, and we had to check them. We had put heavier, breakable souvenirs in them. Next trip, we'll put those items in a backpack, which counts as a "personal bag."

Sandy

For 7 days or less, don't take more than you can stuff into your pockets.

This past May I spent 12 days in London and Paris and was able to make do with a 22". I got my suitcase at COSTCO for well under $100 and love it. It has compartments for everything. Like the others I carried my London Fog coat on the plane. My reason for the 22" is because of my fear of the airlines losing my luggage or having it delayed. This way no worries. My tote bag that I carried all over the place was crammed with everyday essentials, plus all my makeup, my umbrella and guide books. It can be done.

Thanks to the many seasoned posters here I learned the tricks of the trade. Also everything is put in ZipLoc bags. Takes up less space once the air is squeezed out. And I pass the weight requirements all on carriers.

I can do okay with a 22" case for a two-week or longer trip. I do laundry every 5 or 6 days, however. I'm not happy with the concept of washing my clothes out in the sink, as I think they get cleaner at the laundromat, and I can't be sure at my budget level of having the bathroom facilities that make handwashing comfortable.

I would never travel with only the shoes I am wearing, because too many times I've had what seemed to be a good pair of shoes turn on me and become torturous.

I would never travel with only 1 pair of shoes... 1 on my feet + 2 in the suitcase is my personal minimum. You can wear the same shirt (dirty or clean) with little ill effects, but (as mentioned by WillTravel above) if your shoes are not right... that is really BAD news!

Shoes are heavy and bulky, although you can pack stuff in them to use space efficiently. My number is 2 pair per person, one for walking and one pair that can be used for appearance and for walking. Wear the heavy ones on the plane, pack the light pair.

Nevertheless, this doesn't always work, but you can buy shoes. So far we have bought shoes on trips in San Francisco, Paris, St. Remy, and Bath. I'll bet it will happen again somewhere else.

I almost always use a 22" rollaboard case and a rucksack carry-on for travel. I have traveled a lot and discovered that having a lot of luggage or a big piece is actually a pain esp with train travel. It is rare that I regret not having something but I have regretted bringing too much.
Because many of the airlines have such strict weight restrictions for carry-ons, I no longer try to carry on my rollaboard (it's 8.5 lbs empty).
The secret in what to pack is make sure everything you bring goes together so you can mix and match. Also clothes for layering help too.
I usually have 3 pair of shoes: 1 hiking/walking, another casual loafers type, and then dressy. I wear the heaviest pair and pack the others. My case has pockets for these so I don't have a problem with packing.

My luggage was "misplaced" in both Paris (1 Day) and Venice (3!!! days) Not as much fun as it sounds, even with all the available shopping. The Paris experience taught me to carry a change of underwear, something to sleep in, and to always wear my walking shoes on the plane. Since Venice, I no longer check luggage. Even for two weeks, it's my 22" and one other carryon for toiletries, cosmetics, etc. I roll up a lightweight bag for the return trip for the purchases. On the homebound travel, we do check everything. Most of my travel gear is black, denim, beige. Everything matches. And, although I love my man to pieces, we never share a suitcase.

For seven days I usually have to take a 25" suitcase, although it usually has space to spare inside; my only carry on is my everyday shoulder bag. Occasionally I can get everything into my 19" soft luggage, it depends on the trip.