I know that several of you pack light on a regular basis and that some of you even give programs on packing. Six women are planning a two week trip to England and we need some tips on packing light. We will have laundry facilities for a portion of the trip.

Two ladies pack fairly light on a regular basis but two take sooooo much stuff.

We will be visiting London, The Cotswolds and the The Lake District. June 4 - 20th. I have been to London but I am somewhat unsure of the weather for this time of year.

I have read through many packing threads. But I would appreciate any tips or ideas.

Thank you
loveyblue

One word: layer.

Pick one or two colors and stick too them.

Don't take ANYTHING that only goes with one other thing. In other words, yes that outfit is "cute" but if the top and bottom don't work with at least two other things in the suitcase leave it at home.

Now that I've said that, how are you planning to travel? I'm guessing not a car, since there will be six of you and probably 6 suitcases and 6 day packs.

First, retrain the women who pack too much stuff. If you're planning on taking the train, the bag can only be so wide. my rule of thumb is pack only so much as you can personally carry 1/2 mile and up two flights of stairs. Because both often happen.

Second, find clothing that mixes and matches well, and can be layered without looking horrible.

Third, remember when at home, how many different outfits do you wear in a week? Most people have a couple of favorite shirts, trousers, dresses and wear them to death. The same will happen while on holiday -- you'll never wear the just in case stuff -- all you'll be doing is drag it around and get a back pain from the lifting. If you're going to be in one place for 2 days, have two different outfits. The next place you go, they won't have seen the same outfit, so you can wear them again. Besides, who really cares?

Fourth: there's no longer a need to bring a variety of things, like hair dryers and shampoo. My motto is, you can buy it there, why drag it over the pond?

also, lay everything out on the bed before you put any of it in the suitcase. Match up the tops and bottoms,, find one or two belts and accessories and pairs of shoes that go with everything. When you've got it down to a minimum, remove one more item, add an extra pair of socks. If you truly run out of clean clothes, you can always purchase something. Add in a sweater (wear that on the plane), light jacket and umbrella. Pack an extra, weightless, folding tote if you think you will need it to bring home purchases. Agree to share some basics like toothpaste and skin lotion.
And I hate toting around used underwear, so I pack my oldest ones and toss all or most of them during the trip. As for laundry detergent shampoo works.

never take more than you can carry yourself.

I bring 3 pants and 4 shirts, maybe one skirt or dress,
for 3 weeks in Europe.
Everything matches everything.
i many have the same clothes on in alot of photos but it doesnt break my back.

make sure you can lift your suitcase over your head if you plan to be on trains.

My rule is that I need to wear everything I pack at least 3 times during the trip so that eliminates that special top or slacks that I might wear once, if that. Limit yourselves to 2 pairs of shoes as they take up a lot of space.

In addition to Elaine's tip on tossing out old underware, I bring old tee shirts to sleep in. Wear each several times and maybe rinse out once during the trip. The get tossed along the way. Same with old socks.

I have to disagree with not bringing toiletries just because you can buy them there. That means that the first thing you must do is find a place to buy whatever you did not bring and then you're still carrying it around with you during the trip. This only works if you're in one place for a while and not moving around. Also I have difficult hair and need particular hair products so I bring whatever I need for the trip with me. It may be ok to buy what I need in an English speaking country but I would have a hard time describing shampoo for dry and color treated hair, defrizzing products, and leave-in conditioners in other countries. Plus I always need my own kilo of skin lotion! LOL

I say let the overpackers struggle with their stuff.

www.onebag.com is an excellent resource for learning or brushing up on your packing light skills.

Pack socks/underwear/accessories into shoes. Roll your clothes, don't lay them flat on top of each other. (Rolling takes up less space and keeps wrinkles at bay.)

Take a bag of assorted balloons and use them to air-dry clothes faster. (Big round ones get blown up and tucked underneath the body of a shirt. Long ones go in sleeves and pants legs.) (I learned this tip here!)

One "shawl" or wrap works well for lots of things. Dresses up a plain dress, keeps your shoulders warm, can wrap around as skirt if you are wearing shorts and are going into a church or building where more modesty is required. Can sit on it if you find a seat too cold or not quite clean enough.

Have a wonderful trip. I did 2 weeks in Europe with a carry-on 22"-er and a backpack. You all can too!

My trick is to pick a reasonable sized suitcase, and when it is full... your packing is complete! To pack light you really need to be willing to wear the same clothes more than once without laundering (outer pieces). Just air stuff out between wearings. Make sure you have at least 2 good pair of very comfortable shoes. Everything else can work itself out.

If you are renting an apartment or house, you should be aware that washers and dryers abroad are usually much smaller than US-Canadian equivalents and usually take much, much longer, especially if they combine the washer and dryer in one unit.

If you have a combined unit, you can put in a load when you leave in the morning and find it dry when you get back at lunch to start the next load.

If you all have a fair bit of laundry to do, you may want to find a wash and fold in your neighborhood or in one of the market towns in the Cotswolds.

My rule is "you pack, you carry." Don't expect elevators or escalators to be available everywhere and in service.

I can travel for 1 week or 8 in a 22" suitcase, assuming I will occasionally need to do some minor washing. My rule is 2-3X more tops than bottoms, so I'll take, e.g., two pairs of pants, two skirts, and a dress, plus 10 tops of varying weight. Never more than a week's worth of underwear. Two pairs of shoes. That includes what I wear on the plane, which is usually the heaviest stuff. I do bring my own toiletries, in small containers, and plan to re-supply as I travel. Camera, guidebooks, and all the daily practical stuff are in my purse.Remember: No one in Europe has ever seen you before or will likely ever see you again. That said, I always aim to be nicely dressed.

A couple of trips with a lot of train and Tube travel (and rooms on top floors with no elevators) have made me a light packing convert!

Jeans take up lots of space and, if you wash them, take forever to dry. Take one pair if you really want to, but focus on lighter weight trousers and maybe skirts.

If your group needs hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, etc., just buy a cheap one to share when you get there (Boots will have whatever you need). Much easier than hauling US versions along with adapters and converters, plus you know they'll work. The 3oz you're allowed to carry on the plane should be more than enough shampoo, conditioner, face/body wash for two weeks. Look into solid products too - I use solid shampoo and face cleanser, and they're easier to pack. You can just shove them wherever instead of worrying about the quart bag, plus less leakage.

If you have laundry and a few days at one of your stops in the middle, you are good to go on clothes. I find that it's the "other stuff" that takes up lots of my space - all the books I think I'll read, all my gadgets (phone, iPod, camera stuff and respective chargers), that sort of thing. Pick out what you'll really need and leave the rest home!

Do take an extra bag for the return trip - one of those collapsible duffels or something similar that you can just stick in the bottom of your suitcase. That way you can check one bag and have room for souvenirs.

excellent advice all around.
It is not only the number of "items" you take with you, but also how HEAVY they are ( do you really need to take a 500 page book and every gadget you own?).
I often decide which top or pair of shoes to take depending on their wight.

Unfortunately, some people just cannot do it - they end up dragging a ton of luggage around, asking their friends ( with less luggage) to" help" or depending on the "kindness of strangers". Not the best way to travel IMO.

good luck loveyblue, I think it would be so nice to have a Fodors Packing Light Emergency Help Line contact number like Butterball offers on Thanksgiving for Turkey problems as they happen!!

I know I always start out intending to pack light but on the day before my trip, rather than weed out items, I always seem to put in those last minute --maybe I will REALLY need this-- and sabotage my good intentions----I know, I know, more self control!!

Deborah

I usually pack 3 bottoms, 6 tops of various weights and sleeve lengths, 2 pairs shoes, underwear for a week. Per other's suggestions, everything mixes and matches, wear the heaviest items when changing location, small toiletries, tops and undergarments all dry quickly if hand-washed.

My biggest hint: After you have assembled all this and packed it, DO NOT add more items if there is still room in your suitcase. Every time I've thought, "Oh, there's a bit more room. I'll throw in that other top" and then added it, I've never worn that last minute addition.

The first time my college-aged niece traveled to Europe with me, I assured her she could fit everything she would need for our 8-day trip in her 22-inch roller and the shoulder bag. She was concerned at the idea. I gave her my packing list and and stressed not to add anything if there was still room. She arrived at the airport, dumbfounded that my listed items fit with room to spare. As we traveled around she was glad for the lightness of her suitcase. When returning home, she was pleased to have plenty of room to add all her purchases.

Hello-just a couple of things to add-large zip-lock freezer bags are great for packing socks and other non-wrinkling items. Stuff them in the bag and sit on it to compress before zipping up. I also ask my hairdresser for samples of shampoo and conditioner to take with me. Also a few scarves take up little room and can help stretch out your wardrobe a bit. Enjoy your trip!!

An old saying says something like "think about what you want to pack and how much cash you think you'll need. Then pack half as much and take twice as much cash." hahaha It is REALLY TRUE!

"never take more than you can carry yourself." and "My rule is "you pack, you carry." I agree. When my family travels our rule is if you can't carry it yourself, don't bring it. No one carries anyone's luggage but that person. The only time we touch other luggage is when we're getting on a train. One on the platform hands it to another on the train and vise versa. We stick to it. You would be amazed what everyone has learned not to pack. We have another rule. It all has to be packed in carry-on. At times it may go in luggage depending on liquids, but ... carry-on size or nothing. We travel this way no matter how long the trip is.