foolforfrance

Calling all frequent female travelers to tell me what they would pack for 7 days in Paris and 3 days in Burgundy that would fit in a carry on suitcase and tote. Am I crazy for trying this?

We will eat at nice restaurants in Paris, but I am guessing black slacks or a black dress or skirt will suffice. Plan to do a lot of walking or maybe biking in Burgundy. Shoes are going to be the hardest for me to narrow down. I am thinking of wearing a pair of black boots over and back.

Also, it is time to buy a new travel tote w/ zipper and a carry on piece of luggage.........so recommendations are welcome. My husband really likes his Briggs carry on suitcase, but it does not have those wheels that allow you to turn it 360 degrees.

Gretchen

We have Atlantic 22" expandable bags that are just pull, not spin. Have now travelled with them for about 15 years. Yes, if you have good comfortable boots, wear them.
coordinate coordinate coordinate. It isn't that hard. And on the way back, expand to 24" for your souvenirs and check the bag.

denisea

You are not crazy and I think you are right on track. I now only travel with a 21 inch rollerboard and a small tote or something similar. And, I can stay for over a week and even in colder weather. Dealing with overrsize luggage is a total pain and is tough to do on trains, so keep it manageable. My rule, if I can't handle it in my own...I don't take it. I travel for a living, so I have learned how to pack over the years!

Put the heavy stuff on the bottom, roll the flexible stuff up jellyroll style. I use dry cleaning plastic to pack with and in, to keep wrinkles to a minimum. The plastic also helps protect clothes.

You are smart to wear your boots over...they will take the most room in your suit case, so best to wear them. The black boots will work for dining and black pants and black skirt are the most versatile pieces to work from. I think thinner layers that you can add to, if it is cold, are best. I usually wear thinner cashmere sweaters that work for cooler weather. I always travel with a small totes umbrella and a good wrap. Great for chilly airplanes and cool nights. I think you can style up the look with jewelry, belts and scarves.

No one will know if you wear something twice and you will be so glad that you didn't take too much stuff. You will want a raincoat or something versatile for cooler weather and/or showers.

I don't have any real special luggage...I use TravelPro luggage.

mamcalice

I would take boots only if they are comfortable for walking distances. Boots in October in France won't be necessary. As for traveling with a 21" carry on and a tote - we have done it for years even on trips significantly longer than yours.

nubbyrose

My sister travels extensively for business and her latest luggage (she is always trying out new stuff) is Eagle Creek. She also really likes their packing cubes.

We went to Italy for three weeks in Oct/Nov 2012. I took a carry on suitcase and small shoulder purse (Pacsafe 200).

We washed clothes twice. I took clothes I could layer.

Here is my wardrobe:

2 pair of shoes - Steve Madden rhinestone flat sandals, dressy but could wear with everything. J-41 walking shoes, very comfortable and light (wore on the plane)

2 sweaters - cashmere and another. Both could be dressy.
3 pairs of pants - 1 pair of jeans, two pair of black pants (could be dressy or not).
1 t shirt type tank top.
1 sleeveless linen blouse with a pretty collar (looked dressy under the cashmere
1 Nike long sleeve turtle neck (combat gear, lined, very warm)
1 light jacket
1 rain jacket
1 pajamas

The two jackets I wore on the plane. My suitcase also held my down pillow which took up about 1/3 of te space but I can't sleep withou the right pillow.

lateinlifetraveler

I plan on traveling to Amsterdam, Belgium cities, Paris and London for 31 days with a small tote and a 20 inch bag. The key is coordination and not taking more than you need. Bringing layers are important. When choosing clothes, if I can't wear it at least 3 different ways, I don't bring it. Pack all neutral colors, a couple of belts and a couple of scarves. Remember that the people you meet will never see you again and if they do, they will never remember what you were wearing.

HappyTrvlr

We always carry on whether for two weeks or six. It is very liberating and once you land, essy to manage your own luggage. You will pass through passport control and customs quickly while the rest of the passengers on your flight are at the baggage carousel.You have the right idea about your nicer outfits for dinner. Black slacks and several nice tops, a stylish silk jacket. Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane. I being a pair of walking shoes, sandals and simple heels. Always bring a rain jacket and small umbrella.
Enjoy Paris and Burgundy.

DebitNM

http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...ow-to-pack.cfm

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...usinessspecial

eyemom84

Bkmk

jgg

We also always travel carryon only - and have done many 2 week trips and a 3 week trip that way. I use the Eagle Creek rollaboard (it doesn't have the 360 wheels - but I do not find it hard to wheel around). My tote is also Eagle Creek and then I too love the Eagle Creek packing cubes and envelopes. Not that they help me bring more, but that they help me keep everything organized, especially if moving around a few times on the trip.

You are on the right track with the black pants/skirt/dress. To be honest, unless I'm traveling in the summer when skirts/dresses are necessary for warm weather, I've stopped packing dresses in the cooler months. A nice pair of black slacks will be perfectly fine for a nice dinner, and I think are more versatile for siteseeing, etc.

I don't limit myself to a list of things, but just start packing (usually pack my favorite clothes I have that season), frankly I'm always surprised how much I can actually fit in the rollaboard. Shoes really are the biggest issue. I agree - wear the boots but only if they will be a very comfortable walking shoe. In the cooler months I usually wear one pair and just pack one more (maybe two if I can slip in another pair of cute flats). I have also stopped bringing high heels. Too uncomfortable to walk in even if just for dinner, and a pretty pair of flats will also do the trick for a nice dinner.

Agree with the suggestion of packing different scarves - can help change the outfit easily!!

One last tip - be sure your purse can fit inside the rollaboard or the tote. You are only allowed two items on the plane and some are more sticklers about it than others. I use a a flatter style crossbody bag - There are lots to choose from in varying styles and price ranges.

A link with a quick post about packing with the Eagle Creek luggage/cubes/envelopes:
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/0...carry-on-only/

janisj

>>One last tip - be sure your purse can fit inside the rollaboard or the tote. You are only allowed two items on the plane . . .<<

I use a 21 inch roll aboard and instead of a luggage-type tote, a large Steve Madden satchel/handbag for the flight, and pack a smaller cross body handbag in my suitcase. I use the small hand bag in the evenings and days I don't need to schlepp stuff.

I have this one in three different colors (but apparently it is now only offered in Black. It holds everything well organized, and looks fine as a day to day handbag. I just figure everything I take needs to be double/triple duty - even my 'carry on'

janisj

Oops - here is the link http://www.stevemadden.com/Item.aspx?id=102482&np=158

november_moon

"I use a 21 inch roll aboard and instead of a luggage-type tote, a large Steve Madden satchel/handbag for the flight, and pack a smaller cross body handbag in my suitcase. I use the small hand bag in the evenings and days I don't need to schlepp stuff."

That is exactly what I do. It works great.

Christina

Sure, you can do it if you don't mind alternating just a few things. I can't ever do that for over a week, but I agree that a pair of black slacks or one skirt will be fine for "evening" occasions. YOur challenge is the mix of regular tourism with the walking/biking, if you need special clothes (at least, you'll have to be washing thing a lot of you are really active, and you'll need heavy duty walking shoes).

You'd have to hold me at gunpoint to wear boots for 8-10 hours each way on a plane. If that is just to save luggage space, I'd have a simple pair of thin Chinese slippers or something you can slip into during the flight. I've been to both those places in October and never wore boots, either. Are these knee length or just ankle boots? Knee length may be more than you need.

janisj

>>Sure, you can do it if you don't mind alternating just a few things. I can't ever do that for over a week,<<

It sounds like you haven't tried it. Folks say 'I don't want to wear the same thing every day', or 'I that's fine if you don't care how you look'.

I hardly ever wear the same 'outfit' more than once on a trip of two weeks or less. I start w/ 'bottoms' (Skirts/slacks/jeans/capris depending on the trip). 3-4 bottoms (including what I wear on the flight) leaves room for TONS of tops/blouses/jackets/sweaters/whatever. I've done cruises, hiking trips, formal events, you name it . . .

In fact I usually end up not even wearing every top I take.

StCirq

What Janis says is exactly what I do. And I hardly ever wear the same "outfit" twice on even a 3-week or longer trip. And I wouldn't wear boots unless it was winter (though pretty much every single woman/girl I saw in Paris last September was wearing them). Too bulky for me.

artfan

Leggings are also are popular - with the boots. If you are comfortable wearing them, they can be great for travel and layer well.

DebitNM

Very few women look good in leggings. Just an observation. And wearing a long top to cover legging "sins" isn't fooling anyone. Just saying...

flpab

I finally bought the four wheel spinner and love it. I found a 22 inch heys at Marshalls for under 40.00. It is hard on the sides but has a nice pocket in the front that I can actually fit my small laptop in. I have a Longchamps zip bag that I like because it is lightweight and can use it as a purse. My kindle fits and anything else I need on a flight. We wash the lighter stuff out in the sink but usually get an apartment and do laundry or find a laundromat. One of the nicest mornings I had was doing laundry in a small Normandy village. I got there at 7 am and watched all the shops come alive and everyone going for their bread. We had a fifth floor apartment in Florence. I packed light! Getting on and off trains is not easy with big heavy luggage.

trotters

What StCirq says about boots being too bulky--I'd leave them at home. On our last trip to Paris in late October 2012, I took 3 pairs of black slacks (wore 1), good walking shoes for the plane plus 1 pair flats for evenings, 2 jackets, lots of tops, 5 scarves & 1 black WinterSilks top for layering in cooler weather. Our trip was 17 days, and I returned home with 2 tops I hadn't worn.

A few years ago we replaced our packing cubes with lighter-weight ziploc bags. Cleaner bags work great for keeping our dressy evening clothes wrinkle-free. To conserve space we use compression bags for our black all-weather coats.

My packed roll aboard weighed 18 lbs. & my tote with purse & electronics inside weighed about 8 lbs. After years of traveling light, I can't imagine dragging around a big, heavy bag....