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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.