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Suze is correct. A packing list is critical to packing light. But it is also a learning experience. In the past we always our packing on paper first. Constantly reworking what we thought we NEEDED to take. Then we pack exactly to the list -- no more, no less. We take a copy of the list with us. Important if your luggage is lost so you can id what you had. After returning home we evaluate each item on the list as to use, need, etc. That list then becomes our list of the next trip.
After a half dozen trips, the list is pretty standard. We boast that we can pack for our trips in less than hour -- pretty close. And every item on our list is critical and well used. Also, for PinceDee and others, packing light is very mental. You have to believe (or learn) that it can be done. You would not believe how stuff we took on our first trip 15 years ago. |
There are some great online resources for packing light. Here are a few:
http://www.onebag.com/home.html http://www.travelite.org/ http://www.packinglite.com/ Previous Fodor's threads are also quite useful: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34795253 http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34689133 http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34415078 This thread has some great lists that I copied onto my computer and adapted to my needs: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34819224 |
I was kind of thinking about British Air when talking about carry on. Last time I flew them I weighed my bag on my scale at home. My bag empty only weighed five pounds but I had to reshuffle stuff to get it to the 13 pound limit and it wasn't full. I had an additional 21" that I took and checked. I checked both on the way home because I had bought stuff, had room to pack it but no way were they going to make weight. British Air did weigh carry ons at SFO but didn't seem to be weighing them all in Stockholm. I wanted to check them both anyway. It's kind of a "crap shoot" these days isn't it. Air France was allowing 20 something pounds for carry on when I went to Paris. I only had the one 22" case but went ahead and checked it anyway. Just didn't want to mess with it waiting around the airport.
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thanks for all your help. I am determined to cut back on stuff! My husband will be much happier too!!!!
He can pack fast and light! |
Suze,
I bought the Delsey Helium lite personal bag and 21" suiter trolley. Both together weigh about 11 lbs. empty, leaving me 15 lbs for contents. Don't know if that will work, but I do plan to wear my heavier clothes and shoes on the plane as someone mentioned earlier. |
Does lipstick and stick deodorant have to go in the 1-qt ziplock for carryon inspection nowadays, or can that get packed in the bag?
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Stick deodorant and lipSTICK is ok, but not liquid lip color. (Or at least, that was so in October.)
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marking.
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If travelling within Europe, lipstick and stick deodorant should go in the ziplock.
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I use the Delsey bags, too, and they are indeed featherlight but sturdy. Nice to know others like them as much.
Lush sells delightful little cakes of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, etc. so you don't have to fret about cramming these liquids into that ridiculously-small Ziploc. You can use the cakes until you get around to buying more stuff but they are lightweight and last a surprisingly long time. My husband's sensitive skin even likes them! I've had my luggage lost but I still check as I've never understood how to get formalwear into a carry-on and have it look even remotely presentable at destination... |
You can even order Lush products in North America. The last time we ordered, they were shipped from Canada.
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Very good link lawchick. |
I am a light packer 21" size bag. When I was preparing to leave for Germany, in February-someone on the Travel channel said pack your suitcase so you can comfortably lift it in one hand!
I did this and I still found I brought a few things that I could have left at home. It was Feb 17-22, 2007 and I called the Hotel before I left from the USA. The Manager told me it would be 60 degrees and to leave the boots and heavy coat at home--which I did. I wore a raincoatover slacks and a sweater top brought gloves and a pashmina--(which just about everyone else had in Munich) and I wore comfortable black loafers. I usually use black as my "core color" and use scarves, jewelry, and a sweater or a jacket for complimentary colors. A pashmina is great for this ladies and looks elegant at night--they come in all fabrics and weights in Europe I noticed. I mix and match to make up new outfits and it can be fun. I wear one pair of slacks and bring an extra pair as well maybe in a lighter or heavier weight depending on the season. All items can be washed easily and usually dry overnight. I buy all season fabrics whenever possible. I brought a skirt in black which went with all the other items. I noticed that Europeans wear a LOT of black. It worked out GREAT! I had purchased silk (black red, purple) turtle neck tops (light and warm if needed at night) and packed them too--plus a pair of dressy shoes for the opera. Underwear, gown for sleeping socks 2 pr and knee-hi s and one pair of pantyhose. I bought my shampoo n Munich in a Rite Aid type of store called Muller as well as Rei soap which coems in a tube for sink washing and German toothpaste. The cetaphyl facial wash I use and face cream (sensitive skin here too), I brought from home and packed in small 4ox containers in zip locks in my checked bag with the deoderant. Brushes and combs in another ziplock. In fact I packed most items in the suitcase in Ziplocks! I also brought empty ones. I bought the gallon size for the larger items. I also had a collapsable small canvas zip bag to bring home items purchased in Germany on the return trip. I got a TSA approved lock (Rick Steves website) and checked the bag. I carried my makeup-small perfume and lipstick, mascara, eye pencils in the ziplock in my large purse with my money and travel documents and a change purse. It was great to travel light and I bought a book of crossword puzzles to work while waiting. The checked bag arrived safely and I could indeed pick it up in one hand with no problem and carry it. I had purchased a velcro handle cover in bright green so as to be able to easily identify it among all the other bags. I will gladly help anyone who wants to take the challenge and try this method. The freedom one feels is worth it. If I am so afraid of losing any one item of clothing then I leave it at home. I always purchase travel insurance from Travel Guard as well...just in case. I pack the same way no matter how long the trip may be...the duration does not matter so much (the season does). If I have to, I can purchase items in europe...when on sale they can be almost what we pay. Jennifer |
Jennifer - I would love to hear what items you "could have left at home." I am researching packing lightly for my first big trip in April and reading all the threads I can fin...thank you!!! |
I had taken an extra short jacket wiht a hood and an extra, albeit, light weight sweater, and a cotton shirt and those items I could have left at home.For this trip in February the silk turtlenecks were more than adequate.
I also brought a lightweight small umbrella but I would not have left that at home--one never knows--I use them in snow and rain.) You have to consider the time of year, the season and then try to get the most out of the mix and match game. I like to plan six or seven different outfits plus one dressier type item for evening maybe a lightweight dress or skirt that matches or compliments a top since it would be a core item it would be black. |
Have you seen the new rulethat you can only have ONE carry on for flights to all EU countries...no purse or briefcase no tote! I have a laptop that I love to take and found a suitcase at overstock.com with a special sleeve for the laptop. I think I may be able to just use this and not have to check a bag...maybe this will make me not shop as much as I normally do!
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One tip that I read recently suggests if you are having problems with the weight limit for your carry on, take all the 'heavy' things from your carry on and put them into your coat pocket -- battery chargers, cameras, etc. Obviously works best with a coat with many zippered pockets (I usually only take my Columbia shell which has ouside zippered and inside zippered pockets.
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I just broke down and spent more money than usual on some clothes for my upcoming Italy trip. I hate clothes shopping and hate spending a lot of money on clothes even more, but my mother who has traveled extensively, convinced me to try a line of clothes from Chico's called Travelers. They cost way more than I ever spend, but they are extremely light weight, can easily be washed in the sink and dried overnight, and they mix and match very well. Use black as a base and you can come up with multiple outfits with just 6-8 pieces, which includes a jacket and/or overshirt.
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Deb15July, I have some of the Chico's Travelers pieces. Took them on our trip last summer, but they spent most of the time in the suitcase when the temperatures went up. They do NOT breathe and do not absorb wetness (sweat). I love them when the weather is comfortable or maybe heat doesn't bother you (yet), but I will never travel with them in the summer again. Cotton and silks for me!
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Lady,
Thanks for the input. I bought some of the Travelers pieces, but have not worn them yet. I will be traveling in the next several weeks, so I think they will be perfect based on the projected temps in Italy at that time. Actually, I do tend to run on the warm side. Are there any specific lines or pieces of clothing that you recommend in the silk and cotton genre that are also very light weight? |
Deb, I wish. I'm still searching. Looking at most 'travel clothing' lines the word that comes to my mind is 'tacky'. I usually just pick up individual pieces as I find them and put them with neutral bottoms, throw on a sweater for cool evenings. I'd be grateful if someone else out there has found something 'cool' in both senses of the word.
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when I travel to Europe I either print out my boarding pass from home or when I go to the airport at one of the self serve machines.
Here is my question. How would they know how much my carryon weighs? Where would it be weighed, when going through Security? One more question, I am flying KLM LAX to Amsterdam then on to Rome will I beable to have both my carryon and small tote bag with me or will one have to be checked. |
Madison, Good question. My carry-on was weighed (when it was in question) at the ticketing counter. Security doesn't care, so I'm not sure where they would check it if you are proceeding directly to your gate.
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In the warm weather I like cotton sheeting or unlined linen.
Its all easily washed in the sink and if you hang it up to dry where lots of air can flow thru it..not in the bathroom....I find that it always dries over nite and doesnt wrinkle. I look fresh and ready to go by morning. Plus both fabrics are light weight and when I pack them in my zip locks.....they dont wrinkle there either. |
thanks Suze
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Last spring, before the liquid limitation, I was able to carryon a 22 inch from the U.S. On my return trip, Lufthasa at Milan airport did not let me carryon the same bag.
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Madison,
Check the KLM site...I think they will have the same rules as Air France and you would be able to have your carryon and tote bag (depending on weight)as long as you are traveling before the middle of April (that is the approximate date I seem to remember) when new rules go into affect for all European flights. |
A few replies to assorted comments in this column, including Curt:
Disclaimers: I always check a bag. I hate having schlepping it around ladies' rooms, etc. I've only had a lost bag twice (both times returned in tact a few days later) in 25 years of travel. I supposed that when I have a disaster, I'll change my mind, but so far so good. (I should mention that the most recent problem was coming home from Bermuda through JFK, when the new liquids-bag policy was only a few days old, and creating chaos in the airports.) Since then, still a good record. I usually need at 22-24" bag, depending on how long I wil be away and the range of climates and acitivites I need to plan for (up to 3-4 weeks a few times a year.) If I plan the mix-and-match wisely, this keeps me happy and gives me plenty of options. I want to be able to easily manage the bag myself through the various transit points, e.g. if I need to catch a train. For a clotheshorse, this is packing light. My carry-on has the liquids (complying with new regs,) makeup that won't cause security problems, spare eyeglasses, anything that looks valuable (even costume jewelry looks good to thieves -- they worry about being choosy later,) and a change of clothes (tops) and underwear for the next day, in case, and nightwear (yes, the clotheshorse insists on nice nightwear.) I don't need meds, but they'll be there when I do. Also: some things I probably won't wear that I've packed, but this depends more on how the weather may or may not change while I'm traveling, e.g. the evenings may be warmer than usual. I just try to cover the most likely needs with a limited number of options. To Curt: I usually pack some formal wear when I travel (not for cruises, but for special places and overall joie de vivre.) One trick is to focus on ONE pair of dress shoes and a little clutch bag to match with a varety of dresses or outfits. Lower heels are more space-friendly than tall heels. When I need to conserve space, I usually pack silk jersey-type things (or heavier knits in winter) that take up little space, and a few dress tops that match a dressy skirt. This means leaving some of my favorite dresses behind, but such is life. Pashmina or other wraps may not be as fashionable as they once were, but they do the trick and save a lot of space. When I need more professional dress wear, a black cocktail suit with an assortment of tops and a good LBD has to suffice. Re: shipping from France: I've done this a few times with no problem, but usually only stuff that is lower value or not as attractive to thieves. The French post offices now have various sizes of fold-and-seal boxes that make life easier. I'd never send jewelry or anything that even seems valuable; I would only put this in a carry-on. (My dear naive sister recently put an old video camera in checked baggage with no lock on the suitcase, on a domestic flight. The camera was gone when the bag got home. While a lock will not prevent a determined thief, it at least slows them down or encourages them to choose another bag, and I'm not sure what possessed her to put the camera in a checked bag in the first place. Re: cleaning clothes on the road. 'Great if you can find a convenient place to drop them off and pick up a day or so later, and are reasonably priced. I'd rather spend my time touring, etc. than sitting in a laundromat. |
To Deb:
You want Eileen Fisher! The washable silk crepe is light as a feather and really breathes and best of all it folds to nothing and is great for the mixing and matching....yes it costs more but you save money in the long run and I wash the tops in the sink and they are dry by morning. I, too, run on the warm side now that I am in my mid forties (I hate to tell my age LOL). Jennifer |
EJ,
I'm in a dilemma...looked up your suggestion and it appears that there are no actual Eileen Fisher stores in Georgia, US. I'm running out of time before I leave. Do you know if the following stores normally stock these items: Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomies? |
I don't know if you are in Atlanta, but I can tell you that the Parisian store in Phipps has a large Eileen Fisher department. Also, Bloomingdales also has an Eileen Fisher department and, I believe, a petite Eileen Fisher department as well. I've never checked, but I'd bet that all the other major department stores carry the brand as well.
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I haven't come across this in any other discussions, but to let you know, if you pack one of the those popular Tide stain remover sticks in your zip lock bag, you can expect it to be confiscated because it contains bleach.
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I have given up trying to go anywhere without checking my bag. Even if it's a carry-on size.
Last time I tried to, Northwest made me check it and that was Missoula to Mpls. |
I felt a great sense of freedom checking my one bag lightly packed--easy to pick up with one hand is the rule--and I am sure lots of you will too.
Eileen Fisher items in the washable silk crepe can be purchased online--but yes Nordstom, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus also carry some of her fashions. Eileen Fisher directly carries more of an assortment, but these stores hopefully will have what you want. I am very picky about the styles--I like the basics as described above--one core color and accent pieces to add color. |
Thanks for the info on Parisian and Eileen Fisher--I'm in Birmingham, the home of Parisian! I'll check this weekend.
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