nytraveller:
- 4 slacks(as opposed to 6) including the one I'm wearing. Wear each twice (sometimes thrice) and do laundry every week.
- About 6 tops (same deal as the slacks).
- No changing before dinner - my day clothes are good enough. Maybe freshen up, but I rarely return to my room till its time to sleep.
- 1 sweater (not 2)
- a couple of silk night shirts rinse out and dry easily.
- Underwear and socks(about 10 sets) is where I splurge, but it doesn't take much room.
+toiletries + extra pair of shoes + first aid + guide books + camera, etc

All the above will easily fit into a 21" with room to spare.

Mamarosa, you are excused from all packing light guidelines since you have a wedding to attend! That means special shoes, the wedding clothes, the rehearsal dinner clothes/shoes, etc.! I am amazed that you are able to pack in as few suitcases as you are taking---but as you say, you will be able to wash.

My packing list is almost identical to Janis'. I try never to check luggage since Iberia lost ALL my luggage some years ago. Obviously, packing light depends on your age, interests, and stage of life. I wouldn't be packing hiking boots, which gives me room for an extra pair of shoes and opera glasses. But I stand by the Clothing Law for Women that a nice pair of side-zip, cotton-rayon blend capris (wrinkle less than linen)in black or cream, a pretty twinset, a string of pearls, good earrings and dressy sandals will get you through almost any event or situation. In the winter, change the capris to slacks or a knee-length black skirt, low-heeled pumps and a coat with a beautiful scarf.

There is no way that "packing light" is the ONLY way. Everyone has their own needs, desires and interests and will pack accordingly.

This thread is intended to show HOW it CAN be done. Try it, if you wish. Otherwise, be my guest to pack however and whatever your little heart desires.

Scarlett, I am still debating with myself on the coat decision. I am leaning towards "that coat" though, I hate to be cold.

Deciding what to take is always the worse part of traveling to me!

22" for me. What helps me is packing everything in Ziploc freezer bags Keeps the suitcase in order and I'm able to pack more items and still stay within the weight range.

Last May I went to London and Paris for 2 weeks and managed with the 22" Every night I would take a few minutes to do some hand washing.

Also, I have to admit I am so paranoid that if I check my luggage it will be lost. This way I have peace of mind that it won't be.

To xxxx:
One discipline required when packing light is 1)purchase clothing that can air dry overnight without suffering from wrinkles; & 2) be willing to washout your garments nightly (especially tops & undergarments).

When I shop now, I tend to gravitate to clothing that travels well (given the above parameters). Only business suit purchases fall outside this rquirement.

The trick of train travel is hauling the luggage around, up and down escalators or stairs in the stations, along the platforms, changing platforms, up and down the very narrow stairs onto the train cars, storing it once aboard (in an overhead rack, behind the seats, or in a place at the end of each car if available).

I personally could/would not do a 26"... if you need that much gear, I'd split it between a 22" rolling suitcase and a second tote like a small backpack or duffle bag.

Delvino--I get what you're saying and I, too, look for clothes that will travel well. I am one of those who have a specific travel wardrobe. But, I've found very, very few shirts that will completely dry overnight.

My question was half serious and half joking. I wear pants and skirts more than once, but not shirts. I will hand wash if I have to but will not hand wash an item more than once. There is no way that hand washed undies are as clean as those from a wash and spin cycle--again, too much info :)

NYtraveler,
For going out to dinner, I take one black skirt, various tops, and one Travel Smith black dress. The tops go with 4 pairs of black pants, black socks, and one pair of black dress shoes. I also carry a black turtle neck sweater and 2 thin, black cotton sweaters. I wear a pair of ECCO walking shoes and carry a pair of dressy flats. It's not easy to fit all of that into one 22 in. suitcase, but once I do, it's ever so much easier. When we get to CDG, we don't have to wait around for our luggage or worry that it's been lost. We just go! It's not easy, but it's possible.

Sandy

well - I guess one difference is a lot of people here seem to handwash laundry in the hotel. I'm not comfy with this - except for bras - first - I don;t think it gets things really clean - second - how can you be sure things dry - and what about thngs that need to be ironed? (I do own an iron - but haven;t used it for probably 10 years - although the board is handy for cooling X-mas cookies).

Also - I certainly don;t wash things at home - why should I be spending my limited vacation time this way? I'm on vacation for fun - not chores!

And while the hotels seem to be reliable in their laundry/clening (I think its SO funny that they iron the beau's boxers) - they're not alwys perfect - or available on weekends. So you do need some back-ups.

Also - we always shower/change before going out to dinner. I'm not about to go to a nice place in the icky, often sweaty clothes we've been wearing all day!

NY Traveler - Sometimes we need to make compromises when traveling.

Since you're going to have more than one change of clothing, just wash something out the night before and by next day it will be dry, if not just wear something else.

Hotels have irons and ironing boards. Not always in the rooms but call down to the front desk and someone will deliver one to you.

I, too, like to shower before dinner. It makes a break in the day and I feel so much better in fresh clothes in the evening, then I get a new lease on life and I am ready to rumble.

XXXX, Liz Claiborne has a very nice tailored blouse that is a 100% cotton, NON WRINKLING traveler's dream. It comes in the usual white, chambray blue, pink, and various oxford-type pinstripes. You can wash and dry it overnight in almost any weather. It's very reasonable, about $56. Some travel catalogs carry something very similar in price, but sent it back when when I ordered it because the L.C. quality was superior. Waiting now to see if she has summer-weight camp shirts in the same fabric for our month of language school in Mexico.

I believe most Americans are obsessed with cleaning their clothing. My friends in Europe simply hang outer clothing to air and wear them multiple times. I do the same when traveling. No I don't go out to dinner in sweaty clothing but after a shower am perfectly comfortable wearing something I've worn out to dinner a few days earlier.

Honestly, how dirty do your clothes really get, for heaven's sake?

And back to the original question for stillhouse... I want to reiterate because I think my suggestion may be lost in this thread... 2 smaller bags are easier for train travel than 1 large one IMO and experience.

Sorry, NY Traveler, but if you want to pack light, then you'll either have to do laundry at some point on your trip or wear soiled clothes the whole time.

suze--yes, anyone who has traveled in Europe very much does soon become well aware that many Europeans do not wash their clothing as often as Americans do.

Rufus~ I believe what you are referring to has more to do with washing yourSELF less often... not your clothes. Clean personal hygiene and clean clothes are two very different things!

But unwashed bodies and unwashed clothes both smell unpleasant at some point.

That siad, the body goes first by a country mile... think about it... clothing doesn't just start smelling all on its own!