Infamous overpacker
 

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..:D

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.

Being a not-reformed-enough overpacker who is continuously challenged by the task, I do agree with making a list and then forcing yourself to cut it down. But I always carry a couple of the Space Saver bags for the return trip, so I have extra room for the goodies. They're great--add no extra weight, and take up no room! By the way, you can get the Coleman brand in a box of 3 sizes at WalMart or similar for $10, rather than the same thing from the travel specialty stores for $25.

GlamGrrl..are you going to be in Milan the entire 7 night? Are you staying with your friend or will you be staying in a hotel? If you are going to be in Milan the entire time (except maybe for daytrips) you can give your passport and extra cash to your friend. You don't need to walk around Milan with your passport and extra money. That is what I do when I am in one city where friends live. You can put a photocopy of your passport in your shoulder bag so you have some ID with you at all times.

I love this forum. I no longer buy souvenirs. I buy PRIZES! Gosh, I love it. Thanks Daisy58.

There are two types of packable empty suitcases I have used.

The first may no no longer be available as I bought mine many years ago. It is totally soft/unconstructed and is made of ripstop nylon (like a parka shell) and strips of canvas that restrict it to a suitcase shape and provide a handle. A zipper lets it open and close. Empty, it fits into a very small zippered packet, which is actually the external small zippered pocket when the suitcase is expanded into a suitcase. This case holds the dirty clothing for the return trip. Soft inside soft means no problems.

The second type is readily available. It is a cheap rolling carryon that collapses flat (well, sort of flat as it is about 2 inches thick when collapsed). In its flat configuration, it fits inside the regular suitcase, and also takes up enough space to prevent serious overpacking. Fully opened, it will carry half a case of wine and enough clothes to prevent the bottles from clinking. Your milage may vary.

So, by taking one or both of them, I get enough carryhome capacity no matter how rediculous my carryback level is.

sorry I didn't back sooner...had to take a break from posting here to
work and make $$ for Italy! And yes,
I have been nesting a bag inside a
larger one for about 12 years now.
So on the way over, I am checking
one bag, on the way back, checking
two bags, so my airline baggage limit
is okay. I bring as my carryon to and
fro a small wheeled suitcase..not tiny
but conforms to the airlines carry on
size dimensions (I'm still at work so
I can't measure it, will get back to
you on this). notwithstanding size
retraints, I use this carryon to bring
my prizes :) home with me, and pack all
my other stuff in my two carryons. What, you ask, do I only buy a few
prizes??? Well, of course not!! I pack
hubbys the same way, and then commandeer his carry on!

almost forgot...reminds me of a little
story...When we went to China is 2001,
which, if any one of you has ever been,
it is a prize shopping orgy..As I was
single handedly supporting the Chinese
tourist industry, and overall economy,
my husband, gently, but believably,said, "Hun, just so you know, you cannot buy another suitcase here to haul home all this stuff!:-(
...party pooper....

...BTW, I meant to say previously
"I pack all my other stuff in my
two CHECKED bags"!

WOW!! Thanks so much for all the great info!!! The bag inside a bag idea is superb! And I will definitely have my friend hold my passport for me. I am staying in a hotel as he lives with family. And actually, I am kind of afraid of the whole shopping experience in Milan because I am a plus size in the states and find it difficult here, I can only imagine what it would be like in Italy! I think I can actually manage to get my things into one checked bag, with an empty gym bag inside and one carry-on. Would love to be able to do just the carry-on..we'll see how that works out for me. Thanks again for all the great tips! So very happy I found this forum as I wasn't able to get any "real" information on the millions of websites I've visited in regard to my trip

I live and work in New York City but have traveled quite a bit so feel I have some sense of city life. Don't carry any handbag that can be ripped off your arm unless you don't have any valuables in it. You may want to look for a purse with a long strap you can adjust for across your body. Also you need a money belt or something like it. Personally I find the ones that hang around your neck look ridiculous unless you are wearing a turtlneck and often wind up weighing too much to be comfortable. I like Rick Steves' advice on these topics.
Ask for help - they have wonderful toiletries in Europe; perhaps your friend could pick some up for you before you arrive. (The down side is you may fall in love with them and won't be able to find them in any local stores when you get home.)

I have assigned the task (burden) of
neck pouch wearing to my dear DH, who
likes to wear loose (comfortable, not
baggy) shirts. He will bear the responsibility of not allowing anyone
near my treasure shopping $$. I will be
wearing a coach bag that fits over my head, across my chest, hangs at my waist, and has a top zipper, so I can hold it close with my arm if need be for security. purse snatchers..move on to an easier target..I bite back!8-|)

Thanks for explaining, daisy58. I'm thinking of the Russian nested dolls - one inside the other.

When you get a chance, can you tell us the luggage you are nesting and the dimensions? I have Samsonite soft-sided luggage (wheeled carry-on and 26 inch suitcase - would this work?), but I am wondering if the weight limit will be a problem going to our destination. My husband and I only check in one bag each (the 26 inch) which we try not to over pack and I take a small bag carry-on for items I want on the plane with me. I always take a thin, foldable. nylon bag which we use as a beach bag, shopping tote, etc while on our vacation and then, on the way home we fill it with laundry items, shoes or "prizes" , depending on what is the best way to transport the newly purchased items.

I can't try the nesting idea right now because I can't even see my luggage since all our furniture has been moved around for some home renovations.

marianna-when I get home this evening
(it's 10 am here now) I will be happy
to get you the info.:)

Several years ago I purchased an inexpensive "set" of luggage - a large suitcase (I'd venture to guess it stands some 28" - 30" tall), with a smaller suitcase (both had pull-out handles and wheels), and a third which was just a suitcase sized bag. They are constructed of some type nylon fabric, so not very heavy. When purchased, they were all nested.

This past August we went to Mexico, and for that trip, I finally used the large suitcase (first time after all these years) for the same reason as Daisy - the large one held the medium one, and my clothes for the week were inside it.

Prices for prizes are *very* economical in Mexico, and I filled that large bag with everything from paintings on soft leather to woven hammocks, tequila, statues, blankets - just truly MANY prizes.

I have to admit, it was a bit of a burden lugging the two suitcases home, but for the prizes within, it was well worth it. On the other end of the spectrum, we went to Japan in November and I just returned from Paris last week - on those two trips, no *way* was I going to lug that extra baggage!

:)

Ooops! Correction - the third bag was not a "suitcase-sized" bag - it was a briefcase-sized bag.

As far as bringing things back into the US from an overseas trip, is there anything I should know about when going through customs? Do you have to claim certain things?

They will be sure to tell you the things you need to know for customs. The airline will pass out a card when you are still on the flight for you to fill out for customs, and it will give you the rules.

Buy one 24" wheeled suitcase... when it is full stop packing (easy as that)! In addition take a large soft-sided tote or oversized pocketbook for your carry-on on the plane. 7 days and staying with a friend you truly do not need very much clothing.