So I am taking my first trip ever overseas in March. I have always overpacked for trips, I've gotten better over time in not bringing AS much stuff, but still bringing more than I actually used. I have been looking at a few sites that sell luggage and travel accessories like those compressor bags. Which I think would be ideal for the trip back (stuff the clothes in there without any worry of wrinkles and have space for souveniers) are they really worth it? What about the neck pouches? I will be in Milan with a friend who lives there, so I don't know how suceptible I would be to theives, but are there things that you wouldn't travel without? I am also looking for a bag to take with me, I am traveling for 7 days. And have no idea where to start!

Milan? T that neck pouch!

As for bags, go to eBags.com and click on the length of your trip; recommendations for bags will come up. I always take a small folding bag with for bringing purchases back.

Yes, you'll want either a money belt or a neck pouch. You'll want it at the very least for your credit cards and passport. I only keep a copy of my driver's license and a day's cash in my wallet/purse, so that if I lose it, my trip won't be ruined.

As for overpacking -- there is a way to learn how not to do it -- and believe me, if I can do it, you can. I took Rick Steves list in his book, and followed it almost to the letter (I did take an extra pair of pants with me). I also found it easier to pack light knowing I could do laundry once half way through my 10-day trip, so I didn't need 10 of everything. The adventure of navigating a laundromat in Paris was part of the fun of the trip.

Also, keep in mind that they have everything we do over there so IF you don't take it with you and you need it, you can always find a store to sell you what you're looking for.

Happy travels,

Jules

I often take one or two of those space bags/pack mates. I always take it empty and use it exactly as you mention - to compress things on the return journey. I only use a 19 inch rollaboard or sometimes a 21 incher.

Don't be tempted to stuff the space bags on the way over - just crams in more than you need to take and makes the bag heavy.

Since you are staying w/ a friend you can pack even less than many of us "pack light cult" members. He/She either has a washing machine or has a local laundomat to recommend. So don't think of it as a 2-week trip -- it is only a 3 or 4 day trip and you can do laundry. You could manage that w/ just an overnight bag.

Also remember that not only can you most likely do laundry at your friend's, she will have "sundry" items you may need like band aids, sinus pills, etc. Ask her in an e-mail if you can use her shampoo & other products if you aren't locked into yours.

Do those compressor bags really work?
I mean in that they do not wrinkle your
clothes?

They do work and they can put wrinkles in your clothes, that is why it is best just to use them on the return trip when it doesn't matter. If you use the bag on the trip put underwear or nightclothes in it so wrinkles won't matter. I have compressed sweaters in the bag on my trip and the wrinkles come out, but it is a pain.

You can never have enough gallon or quart sized baggies. I've used them for toiletries, separation of used and unused film cannisters, receipts, jewelry, and finally I put my underwear in them after seeing security rifle through my mom's once which freaked me out! I'm also planning my 2nd trip to Europe this year and I'm already planning the packing as I did overpack last time. Bought several black/white tops from Gap as they can be dressed up/down as needed. Bringing 1 pair of jeans/1 black dress/skirt/2 capris and that's the basics. Last time I got by with a black purse with straps long enought to fit around my neck/body. It was flat, which stayed close to my body and after layering a jacket over it I would hug it snugly in large crowds. For a woman traveller, having hands-free purses is the way to go.

I have used the jumbo zip lock type of bags and squeeze air out as I roll the bag with items inside. I have rarely had problems with wrinkles, but I have had problems with luggage weight when doing that. You can get so much more in the suitcase so it is heavier but looks less full! I stopped using them on my past few trips because of that.

You already have the diagnosis, so I think you have the cure.

The cure is not to take more capacious luggage. The cure is to curtail your own tendency to overpack.

Tedgale's crackpot theory #318:

People try to overcome their nervousness (about the trip itself, about leaving the safety of home, about not "looking right" or "fitting in" abroad) by taking with them everything they have at home. So:

1. Try making a list, as others have suggested, of what you will wear and what you need. Then CUT from the list.

2. Tell yourself, until it sinks in: Milan is a big city. Yes, they sell toothpaste there.

3. Finally, tell yourself -- if you really are a glamour girl, as I infer from your posting-name:

I am going to Milan, the world centre of fashion. I am going to shop. I NEED to arrive with a half-empty suitcase IF I am to go home with a full one.

I pack one empty suitcase inside another on the trip over...fill it
up with prizes as I go..

I pick my fabrics carefully, roll them, takes up less space, sweaters I fold in half front on top and fold the arms across. My skirts are knit or a thin crushed velvet so wrinkles are at a minimum. Wear the heaviest shoes or boths with my jeans. In summer I find packing less a problem as the fabrics I prefer, gauze, cotton knit, linen are so light. I take a 22" and sometime a backpack. Happy Packing

So, daisy58, do you place a 21 inch inside a 26 inch or other size and pack only the 21 inch one? Then do you check the whole thing?

Upon returning, do you take the 21 inch out as a carry on with your prizes and check the larger one which you have filled with your clothing?

I am intrigued by this idea.

These must not have wheels and drop handles to fit inside eachother? otherwise, no way!!!

I am a reformed overpacker. Last summer I managed to stuff all belongings for a 16 day trip into a 22" rolling carryon. I was quite proud myself.

I have two "secrets".

1) Roll your clothes.

2) Bring a small plastic bottle of Woolite to wash delicates. Hang on heated towel rack, and viola!

Bon voyage and happy packing.

liz

That's what I was wondering about , Mimi. My 21 inch carry-on has small wheels and a drop-in handle. I'll have to try this out tomorrow, but I do hope that daisy58 clarifies her idea.

yes, please Daisy, tell us the secret.

The key to cutting back on how much stuff you bring with you is not compressor bags. Just don't take as much stuff. Clothes usually make up the most size and weight of the things you bring, so that's where to cut.

For a 7 day trip to Milan, I'd take 2 day's worth of clothes and then buy some new stuff on the trip. Think of the horror of having to buy clothes in Milan!

Another tip is to forget the blow drier. Most hotel rooms will have one.

I also endorse the neck pouch/money belt advice.

I pack what I need for the trip in a 22-inch rolling bag. In that, I also pack a folded-up nylon gym-type bag -- it hardly takes up any space when folded flat. Then, on the way home, I pack the gym bag with shoes (bulky) and dirty clothes and check it through. Nothing inside is breakable, or anything anyone would want to steal, for that matter! That gives me lots of room for goodies I buy on the trip. Also, as others have said, I bring along several jumbo and gallon zip-lock bags and pack clothes in there on the way home. No need to worry about wrinkles then and it gives lots more room when the air is compressed out.