Oh geez, socks and sandals. I'll never take advice from s.fowler AGAIN. What's next, an undershirt and ball gown? Or how about chopping off the legs of a pair of chinos to form mid-knee length shorts? No, wait, roll down your nylons to the ankles and wear with orthopedic shoes.<BR><BR>Sorry, Sally, I just could not resist....<BR>

Nema problem elvira!<BR><BR>I just want a good reason why an appropriately-hued pair of socks cannot be worn with fairly covering pair of ecco sandals and long pants? Just looks like another shoe design to me! As for the "slippery slope" you describe -- by that point I will no longer be traveling!<BR><BR>And elvira -- I think I'm the one that gets advice from YOU!

Why are you all packing tips with you. It's not like you can't get tips in Europe.

Has anyone tried Downy Wrinkle Releaser? <BR><BR>I'm not bringing an iron and I'm sure no matter how well I pack and which method I use there will be wrinkles.<BR><BR>I'm hoping this will take care of those suitcase wrinkles.<BR><BR>Donna

I tried Downey and to my surprise it works!

Whoever will listen:<BR>I am what you would call a compulsive overpacker. Compound this with the fact that I'm packing for myself, a husband and four children ranging in age from six to eleven years. My fear is that I will forget, or overlook some possible scenerio. I would love to carry everything on.We do have six tickets, however I cannot imagine my children undertaking the burden of their own luggage, maybe I am underestimating them. We have never been to Europe before, and really don't know what kind of weather to expect in Amsterdam and Duesseldorf the first half of July, so, what to pack?<BR>I would like at least one nice outfit, and am now scarred by that whole "jean" problem. I had planned sneakers for everyone for day walking, this, too, seems shot out of the water. The children are mature, and we are planning on doing muesuems and the likes. Are there any parents out there that could help me out? We don't understand these dress codes. We have considered ourselves somewhat formal, are staying in 5 star hotels. Laundry??? I am desperate, and time is running out, as we leave in two weeks. <BR>An experienced voice would be most appreciated.<BR>Neurotic Mom in Arizona

Dear Neurotic Mom,<BR>Please don't worry too much about things like sneakers! Wear what you feel most comfortable in! Lots of people wear sneakers, and honestly, it's no big deal. You've got enough to look after with 4 kids! The jeans are not a wise idea because they are hot (and the weather will most likely be warm) and never dry. You're better off with a lightweight material that will breathe better. I personally wear skirts and light tops; I don't like wearing long pants during the summer, and shorts just are too casual. So for the summer, lightweight materials in generally light colors. I don't try to pretend I'm local and comfort is primary.

Packing light is the way to go unless you are taking your footman with you to lift the valises. I just got back from 3 weeks in Italy with one Kelty Pangaea wheeled duffle that fit into the overhead rack. In order to have room for things I would buy while traveling, I underpacked. 4 t-shirts (2 coolmax, 2 silk,) 2 pair black pants, a black vest and a black long sleeve tunic top were all I needed besides a long sleeve shirt that worked as a sleepshirt/robe, and my underwear. I took Ecco walking shoes and Acquaitalia sandals. Most of the time I wore the sandals because it was hot. When the skin starting peeling off my toes, I put on lacy black socks. A scarf dressed up the tunic top and pants for dinner (we did not eat anywhere super-fancy, though). The most important thing I found was that the fabrics must dry quickly. Take little packets of Woolite and wash things out at night. Quick-dry fabrics will be dry the next morning. Cotton knits and khakis can take 4 days to dry. My husband took ex-officio microfiber clothes and got by with 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. We had room to bring back lots of goodies!

Where does one buy those little packets of Woolite?

We found the Woolite at the Rand-Mcnally map store in San Francisco-they have a travel accessory department with practically everything you need for packing light.

Thank you for the info on the Woolite packets!

Where are you finding the Downey Wrinkle Releaser? I have looked in my local grocery store, Pubix and Target. Is it in a spray can?

Nancy, <BR>The Downey wrinkle releaser is in a plastic bottle. It has a "trigger spray" that you can switch into the "off" position. I'm not sure where we picked up ours (may have been a grocery here), but I believe I saw it the last time (probably 3 weeks ago) I was in K-Mart. <BR>BC

Both the wrinkle releaser and the woolite packets can be bought from Magellan's (they have a website) <BR>

Me too! I love sandles & socks. We'll be in Itlay in October. No cluncky shoes, comfortable sandels & socks. I think that should work. (It must be a midwest thing).

My son gave me this "how not to have to iropn" tip: mist your clothes with plain water, let them hang to dry, and voilà! No wrinkles. So now I travel with an empty 2 oz. spray bottle that I simply fill with water when I'm ready to use it. (A 1 oz. one would be even better but I haven't come across one yet.) I also use it to mist (then spot-blow dry) my hair when I don't need to shampoo it but have awakened with a few cowlicks. <BR> <BR>Liz

I noticed this year that women are more dressed up for dinner in France, maybe because we stayed at nicer places. A light weight dress, or jacket for pants will make you feel better, less like a tourist. I love my Merrill Jungle mocs for city and off road walking, and sandals for dinner, and more dressy days. A shawl really dresses up any outfit too, better than a jacket on a hot summer night, (it was REALLY hot last week). We do the zip-lock technique, you can get twice as much stuff in your suitcase and things don't get messed up when living out of a suitcase. One last word on carryon- don't forget if you have a long layover somewhere, you are burdened by that heavy carryon for hours, which speaks well for roll aboards, but they have less space than a backpack the same size.

OK ladies obviously you need a mediator...hehehe <BR> <BR>This is a true story. The other day at the grocery I saw a woman wearing TEVA sandals and nylon knee highs and she actually had the toes cut out of the nylons AND she was wearing shorts!!!! <BR> <BR>How's that for compromise? Will that work for you MsFowler?

Corrie: Women don't have the market cornered on dorky dress. On Monday morning (6AM) at SMF I saw a 45ish year old man, nice looking, good hair cut - BUT wearing a tourquoise teeshirt, mustard (actually baby sh*t yellow) walking shorts, black calf high dress socks, and brown sandals, carrying a louis vuiton shoulder bag. He really turned heads!

Dear Neurotic Mom: <BR> <BR>Don't know if you will have time to read emails at this stage, but here goes! <BR>Don't worry! Have fun! That's rule #1! <BR>Rule #2 is to pack ONLY enough clothing for four or five days (assuming you are on a two week trip)- since you are living in a five star hotel, I'm assuming that you can afford to have the hotel do some of the laundry for you. Usually takes a day. It's a great luxury, but well worth it. <BR>Pack for hot summer, the more cotton things the better. Take along a lightweight plastic jacket with a hood for the occasional rainshower and also to double as a kind of sweater. <BR>Wear the most comfortable shoes you have - no matter if they are sneakers, hiking boots, whatever. And wear them onto the airplane - saves a lot of packing space! You are going to have a lot of sore feet if you are going to see the number of museums you plan to see! <BR>Use a lot of ziploc baggies. Get some of those sandwich baggies with the foldover tops, they take up less space for the smaller bottles. Put anything that will leak into a baggie - lotion, toothpaste, etc. And as others have suggested, use the bigger baggies for underclothes, socks, t-shirts, etc. <BR> <BR>Pack a few individual packages of alka seltzer (doubles as aspirin and works much faster)and imodium. Get some good sunblock, good sun glasses, and not only deet-laden bug preventative, but also something for after the bug has already bitten. <BR>Skip the pajamas. The shirt the kid wore during the day doubles as his/her nightshirt. (After 24 hours of wear, you can give that shirt to the hotel laundry to wash!) <BR>Go back to rule #1 - have fun! <BR>Hope this helps a bit!

Janis, I'm having visions of Saturday Night Live's "Mango".....and it's not a pretty sight. LMBO

Most importantly - don't forget to throw in a largelight weight vinyl bag (like a duffle gym bag) in your suitcase. As your trip progresses, you stuff all your dirty clothes in it and save your carryon luggage to bring back your treasures in. check the extra bag and hope they lose it if you hate to face dirty laundry when you get home.

You go Margo :)

Would you believe ... <BR> <BR>Hanes & JC Penney have both come out with "Toeless Pantyhose". They are perfect for those open-toed shoes. They stay on your feet with this little loop between the big & second toe.

Ziplocs are a great idea...the best way to get the air out of them is to seal them almost all the way, leaving enough room for a drinking straw. Then, suck the air out. My brother almost keeled over laughing at his sister's "vacuumed packed" bags the first time he saw me doing this until he realised how well it works! <BR>Somewhere on this site I read an article on the various schools of packing. I personally find laying clothes as flat as possible then stuffing underwear in the odd places the best method for me. Don't forget shoes are great for small items. <BR>Now my question....I'm thinking a long black skirt and black top (like a t-shirt), might be acceptable for dinner? Or will I be hopelessly outdated blah blah? It's so hard to find a balance between travelling light/being comfie. <BR>Thanks in advance!

Are you sure ?

Am I sure about what? <BR>

I'm a "packing light" fanatic and wanted to share my latest find: Boots stores in England (there's one in Terminal 4 Heathrow) sell little clear plastic cylinders with three compartments each. I put shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, makeup, deodorant, everything, in these compartments, and threw out my "travel size" bottles. I had enough of everything to last me three weeks, and shaved a surprising amount of weight and space from my already little carry-on. (Someday, I will travel with nothing but a purse...my dream.)

Anne ,, black skirt great but add some colors in your tops, you don't wnat to look like Lady dracula, do you. Black is great but it does get a little old after a few days

I prefer sweater bags (Target) to Zip Locks. Underwear in one; sweatshirt and silk underwear,turtleneck (cold weather clothes) in another bag, swimsuit, long tee shirt (coverup)in another. etc. I always use the liquid bathgel or soap available in every hotel to wash my clothes. No need to bring Woolite or anything from home. Works perfectly. When I go shopping in clothing stores I grab the material and scrunch it tightly in my fist. If the wrinkles stay I know the outfit will not be a travelsmart item. On the contrary if the wrinkles release easily and the color is right it's a BUY. <BR> <BR>

To Jody: Thanks for the colour tip!...Yes, Dracula was not the impression I wanted to make. I am going in August, will I need a wrap at night?

Topping for Caitlin.

This is a wonderful topic. We are leaving next Saturday for our seventh trip to Europe. I remember my first trip. I took everything except the kitchen sink. We could hardly get the bags into the rental car! <BR>I have learned from experience and take far less these days. I have learned a trick that might help others. We like to stay in small little family run places in the country (it is so nice to have your windows open at night without having to deal with traffic noise). We often end up on second or third floor (stairs and all). When I pack, I pack three sets of underwear, socks, etc. for my husband and myself per ziplock bag. Usually we have four or five bags with the air squeezed out. I use roller type suitcases and one small roller toiletry bag. At the first stop on our journey, I pack one bag with a bag of the underwear and three days worth of clothes. When we stop the next three days, all I have to take in to the hotel is the toiletry bag and the one suitcase. Usually I collect underwear and socks during the year that are ready to be discarded. I use these for our trip and throw them out. After the third day, I repack. Your clothes stay neater, you have fewer dirty clothes in your bags, and you have less to carry in each night. Hope this helps.

Go without underwear. It saves you packing and it's more comfortable.

I remember doing a few tricks during my bachelor days to help with this packing problem:<BR><BR>- Hotels will typically have hairdryers and irons for those last minute touchups - so at least you have a last resort. Otherwise, you probably will not need to be dressed impeccably so no need to worry about wrinkles and stuff.<BR><BR>- Less outerwear = more underwear. The underwear can act as layers and will take up less space. T-shirts should be heavier-duty as they can do double duty as under- and outerwear and even sleepwear. Thicker, darker outerwear can cover up layers much better than lighter. <BR><BR>- Ziplock bags are great if you need to really bring tons of stuff, but just remember that same space + more stuff = denser and heavier loads, which may not be what you're looking for. (BTW, ziplock bags are GREAT for waterproofing valuables for a trip involving water - I actually take my wallet with me when I snorkel - it also will float a bit if there's air in it so I can't really lose it either!)<BR><BR>- Hang your day's clothes on the bathroom door when you shower in the morning (or the night before) - the humidity and steam of the shower will help "unwrinkle" you clothes. Works to a degree for my dress shirts.<BR><BR>- For carry-ons, make sure the luggage is as soft and "crushable" as possible, so you are able to STUFF them into the overhead compartments. This also means no heavy-duty stiffeners or those vacuum bags, as they may not be manageable in this way. The roll-on-roll-offs are just smaller in general so they will hold less, but are better for the vacuum bag cramming.<BR><BR>- Another way to pack is to pack the exact outfits you wore the last three days (laundered, of course), as long as the weather is fairly compatible. Then bring a jacket and a few extra sets of underwear. At least you'll know you will be comfortable wearing them more than once.<BR><BR>- You can also put tomorrow's clothes between the matresses before you go to sleep (laid flat in a dry cleaner bag) to perform a slow press/smoothing job without actually ironing.<BR><BR>- For dirty laundry and separation, I have brought and used plastic supermarket shopping bags - same concept as dry cleaner bags (which I did not do often enough to have a collection . . .)<BR><BR>Obviously, these shortcuts are just that - shortcuts, and may not give you the final touches you may need, but should work well enough up to the business casual level of dress code.<BR><BR>Hope these are helpful, as I know females may have more/different requirements than men.

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for our first European vacation for 6 days, we have decided to pack ALL our stuff in carry-on bags so that we assure no lost or stolen items.<BR>By rolling up my clothes, tucking underwear and socks inside shoes and wearing my big boots and heavy items the day we fly, we can easily pack everything we need. Also, consider wearing some pieces more than once.<BR>