Ladies!! Chronic overpacker needs some help.
 

Actually I probably need an intervention. LOL. Leaving Sunday for a 7 night/8 day trip to Paris. I've done a preliminary packing job and got every thing to fit in 1- 25 inch bag. problem is the thing weighs a ton!!
I actually thought I was doing well with 1 bag considering travelling with me is like traveling on Cleopatra's barge.

Anyway I've got 5 pairs of slacks, 2 pairs of capris, 1 day dres, various blouses for each, 1 sweater (I'm notoriously cold blooded) and 4 pair of shoes.

How do I pair down? The only thing I won't do is wash undies in the sink. I think it's a mental block from my childhood- I need clean, fresh undergarments.

So all those who can last 2 weeks out of 1 carryon, what would you bring for 8 days in Paris.

Bring 3 pairs of shoes total, including the shoes you will be wearing as you travel.

Bring 4 pairs of slacks total, including the ones you will be wearing as you travel.

Don't worry about the undies--they are small and lightweight. it is the shoes and slacks that take up space and weight.

2 pairs of slacks
1 pair of capris
1 day dress
1 sweater
3 pairs of shoes

That would be a male's list (packing for a lady, not for himself).

5 pairs of slacks is 3 too many - 5 means you change them almost every day - 2 pair of dark coloured slacks - black is best, 1 pair of capris and 2 pair of shoes should be enough. So only one pair of shoes in your luggage with underwear stuffed in them to save a bit of space.

Are the blouses all white? Can't you wear the same top twice a day or so apart?

Too many pairs of slacks and too many shoes.
I only take two pairs of shoes with me and one pair is on my feet but sometimes I purchase a pair on vacation ;) .
In winter I have one pair of boots in addition to the shoes.

3 pairs of slacks is generous for a week away with the rest of your packing list (plus whatever you wear on the plane).

Not sure how many blouses you're taking but I take a maximum of one per day so 8 (-1 because you're taking a dress and minus another 1 if one of those days is your arrival day).

Between the slacks and capris you've got 7 pairs of pants for 7 days - 3 X too many.

2 pairs of slacks
1 pair capris
5 tops (3 short-sleeved, 2 long)
1 dress
2 pairs of slacks
1 sweater
1 light jacket
2 pairs shoes

This includes what you wear on the plane.

Personally, I'd substitute a skirt for one of the slacks, but I love to wear skirts.

Ooops, didn't mean to repeat 2 pairs of slacks.

echaton's list is correct. I don't think you need more than 5 blouses. If you need to wash anything there are laundromats everywhere. Also, don't pack extra shampoo, toothpaste, a whole bottle of aspirin, etc, etc. If you run out you can buy it there. I pack for 3 weeks in a 20 inch, but I wash at the end of each week. I also only pack 2 pair of shoes and the ones on my feet.

3 pairs of pants (or 2 pants/1 capri), 2 pairs of shoes (including the ones you wear on the plane). I think StCirq's list looks spot on. Carry-on travel is not the time to be a fashionista. I know it's tough - you're going to be in Paris and you want to look fabulous! You just have to be savvy about it.

The shoes are probably the heaviest/bulkiest items you are packing, and 4 is way too many. You should have one pair of very comfortable walking shoes that you are comfortable wearing all day every day and one dressier pair to wear out at night.

(I lived in France for 4 months in college and only brought what I could wear on my back, so I could backpack across Europe at the end of my stay. That meant 2 pairs of shoes. For 4 months!!)

My mother (77) and I (47) have been traveling to Europe for well over 30 years. I share our ages because I do think that changes your needs/preferences (pants/capris/skirts). My mom recently went for two months with less than you're suggesting and looked classy (and clean). Packing light allows us to fit in the empty duffle bag to fill with all our purchases on the way home! In June we are off to three weeks in Paris and Provence.

I'm with Morninglory47...Two pairs of shoes MAX. Comfy for all day walking and a nicer pair to dress up day or night. Rewear the shirts(the Tide sticks/Shout wipes save the spills)or layer with one light weight go-with-everything jacket/sweater (I have a flax color linen "jean" jacket that I always take). The key is coordinating everything you take to make a new outfit every couple days with the same pieces. I also throw in a lightweight silk scarf to dress up a basic solid tee shirt at night. I am a skort lover! They go day and night. My mom tends towards capris and one nice pair of black pants to dress up, maybe a skirt. Oh, and this may be too much info...I pack the underwear that should probably be thrown out and throw it away after I wear it. I'm sure I've given a housekeeper or two a good laugh but it opens some luggage space!

Good luck, Eliza61, you'll do great and will have a wonderful time, too! And if you think you underpacked...you can always buy a special piece or two in Paris!! Oh, and a few simple, inexpensive pieces of jewelery to change a look at night will make you feel a bit more dressy. You'll be tired of your clothes but other than your travel companion, no one else even knows or cares!

One last question, ok if I get rid of some slacks, do you guys change for dinner. We have 3 nights at 3 different restaurants including one at the Eiffel Tower. I just can't imagine rolling into Jules Vernes in a pair of capris.

I will be the lone dissenter about having at least 3 pairs of shoes. Depending on how much walking you plan to do, you might need those shoes. I am notorious for getting blisters no matter how broken in/comfortable my shoes are. I took 3 pairs last month for 8 days in Spain: 1 pair on my feet on the plane, 2 in my bag. I rotated them everyday after miles of walking.

I agree that you have too many slacks and blouses though. We rarely changed for dinner, but if you are dining somewhere more upscale, I would bring a lightweight dress to wear.

I would reduce the shoes and pants. Do you really need clean pants every day ? Hang them up at night and a little fresh air and they are fine. Same goes for a shirt... the first day wearing is only breaking it in, so it fits better the second day! Unless I'm totally wedded to shoes, I have a hard time with more than 2 pair.

Ditch some shoes! :) Wear one pair and pack one or <i>maybe</i> two more at the most. Wear your sweater on the plane.

As a general rule, plan on wearing each pair of pants twice and adjust the pairs you take accordingly. You said that you have various blouses for each... what does that mean? Did you pack two or three blouse options for each pair of pants? You don't need very many. Plan one for each day and take things that can be layered and mixed and matched. Don't think of outfits so much as think of coordinating pieces that can be mixed at will.

What else do you have packed? Use trial size bottles (I pour stuff into 3oz bottles from Walmart) for shampoo, conditioner and lotions. Do you have a hair dryer packed? If yes, do you need to bring one or is there one where you're staying?

Look at everything you have packed, not just clothes, and decide if you need that item or if something else you have can do double duty. Can you easily put anything into a smaller container so you take 3 oz instead of an 8 oz bottle?

For your follow up question about dressing for dinner, one of your pairs of slacks can be dressy. For example, take a pair of black dressy sandals, black slacks and then vary the top by adding a different color scarf or different jewelry. Take one or two dressy tops that can be matched with those dress slacks. I often take a pair of black slacks, a white t shirt that I can wear during the day and then dress it up with a scarf or my cardigan sweater. Instead of slacks you could wear a dress. A simple dress can be turned into three different outfits by wearing different jewelry or adding a belt or scarf.

I feel your pain times 6.
I need to pack for 8 weeks and I only have a backpack for it.
The upside is that my daughter is also bringing a backpack so I will give her the light blouses and dresses to carry and I will carry shoes, pants, jackets.

I can't compromise too much on shoes because I need my running shoes, hiking boots for Italy and Switzerland and 2 pair of sandals, with and without heels. I'm debating on a number of pants and blouses. Right now I have 4 slacks, brown, white, black, jeans, brown capris. Dresses that I can wear with leggings at night and a couple of skirts.

I still have 2 weeks so everything I think of taking is on a chair in the room, pile that will go down as I start to sort out stuff before I pack.... I also pack on those vacuum bags to minimize space.

I recently returned from a 21 day trip in Europe, and I packed:
2 pairs of slacks (one casual, one dressy)
1 skirt (skirt/shorts combo)
2 pairs of shoes (you need at least two pairs, one for walking and one for dressier occasions)
4 tops
jammies

I sent my stuff out for cleaning when needed, I'd rather do that then haul all that stuff around with me!

As a male...I would never bring one pair of pants for every (or almost every) day. Underwear fine, but since pants are the heaviest, for one week I would bring 2-3 pairs of pants. Unless you are climbing around ruins everyday, the pants will not get dirty :)
I would assume also some washing of clothes while there (sink/tub)

Wear your dress when you roll into Jules Verne.

And don't underestimate the power of nice accessories. They can totally transform an outfit, and aren't heavy and don't take up space.

Just as an extra note for packing light, you often don't need to wash the full pair of pants in the sink and can just rinse out the waistband. If I get really hot I might rinse just the waistband and very top of a pair of pants in the hotel sink that night. They can dry overnight and the next day and they feel/smell fine the second day.

It's a happy medium between wearing a new pair of pants each day and having a very heavy bag, doing laundry constantly and feeling a bit grungy.

I sometimes do change for dinner, especially with as much walking as I do on vacation. I save a nice outfit such as the dress or dress pants with a nice top/jacket and repeatedly wear them in the evening only.