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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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