Sue_xx_yy

PLM

It does not matter what your bag weighs before you travel. No known law of gravity applies to objects in the hands of a traveller. That 2 pound camera you packed before you left? Weighs 5 pounds after you've carried it all day. That guidebook? Weighs 10 pounds. And so on. I have come to realize that the mass of the earth actually increases during the period of our travels. And you read it here first.....

If you can carry your stuff at least a couple hundred yards without stopping, or sling it up onto the overhead railway carriage rack, it is the correct weight.

Robsespierre

That is why one always has the lightweight jacket tucked in one's daybag. Stuffed in aforesaid bag, no taxis will appear. Whip it out and voila! the cab.

flygirl

PLMN - I still think you should leave the umbrella home! you can always buy one there if you need it.

one thing I do to cut down on weight is try to take any cosmetics of any sort, which are nearly empty anyway (shampoo, deodorant, makeup, etc etc) and chuck it before I pack to go home.

also try not to take too many books. I used to have this awful habit of not only taking every guidebook I had... I'd also take a few reading books, and while I was there of course I had to buy more books! (don't get me going on Waterstone's, Stanford's, or any other bookstores in the Charing Cross/Covent Garden areas) and I'd likely have enough books to kill a horse if I were so inclined.

if you can get away with just your black raincoat, and can layer for warmth if you need to - I would leave the other coat at home, beautiful as it is. when you are there, unless you are going to be on stage - no ones cares (but you) that you have 5 belts to match each purse and shoes and several coats and trousers for every day, etc.

comfort and convenience. take a few nice outfits for special occasions, but don't go nuts.

I have a packing list and start putting things I need in the guest bedroom before I go, and don't actaully pack until the night before the trip, sometimes right before the taxi comes even (oops).

PLMN

What is this about another coat?

Ya'll keep talking about another coat. My original post says "jacket", that's okay though I love hearing all the helpful suggestions anyway.

I plan on dressing comfortably, yet stylishly for the trip over. (When I was little and flew with my grandmother she always dressed us nicely, no sloppy jeans, etc.) The jacket is black & white small checked pattern blazer. It will keep the chill off during the flight.

Among the items I have packed are a sandstone/brownish denimy material jacket, a navy blue short peacoat style jacket in a sort of fleece lined sweatshirt material, a long duster length brown light-weight "sweater" thingy, a REALLY pretty multi colored loose weave sweater.

I figured I could use these to layer with my short sleeve shirts, pants, skirts.

I was going to take only two pair of shoes, a black and a brown pair of Clarks I just bought. Thanks to tips from this board I have been wearing them since I bought them so I don't get blisters. Good thing too, because I got blisters.

The shoe department lady gave me a great suggestion that she learned from Heloise years ago. You know the shoe stretch spray that is sold in stores? Well it seems it is made up laregely of Alchohol. She said soak a sock with rubbing alchohol and rub the inside of the shoe with it. (Needs to be real leather!) The roll the socks up and stuff them into the shoe. Holy moly this works GREAT!

However, I made try to put my tried and true sneakers in, have not decided yet.

AND I'm not going to bring an umbrella

Tallulah

AAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! I can't believe that so many of you are still taking this seriously! I am in NO way 'nasty' and I am more than happy to offer advice where I can, but I fail to see why I shouldn't point out that if you lack the common sense to work out how to pack your suitcase, then I'm not entirely sure that you should go through your own front door..!

PLMN

Arrrrgggggh, right back at you.

Stop reading this thread if it offends you so much.

Glad to know you possess superior common sense in all you do, including being the world authority on what to pack and what not to pack for an individuals very first European trip.

What you call a lack of common sense in this instance is really a case of someone trying to conserve space in luggage and looking for advice from experienced European travelers.

Let me know when you are about to do something for the first time and need a little help, then we will see who lacks common sense.

Common sense comes in many forms. You need common sense to survice out there in the world.

Let me see...attacked in my sleep, used my wits to survice....and should I take an umbrella? Which one shows a decent level of survivial skills? I know, but we will let your common sense help you choose.

Tallulah

Your question is about packing a suitcase and what you should wear on the plane - it's not about Europe or even, for that matter, really about travel generally.

I apologise if my reaction has offended you but I didn't find the posting relevant to this Forum. That, however, is clearly just my opinion.

PLMN

Excuse me, but I know I have not gone blind in the past few months. And I have always scored very high on reading tests.

This forum is packed (pun intended) with packing tips and clothing suggestions. Mine is just one more.

Have a good day oh sanctimonius one.

flygirl

I think to sum it up, your question was really about: should I take an umbrella or not?

you have 100+ answers, you decided against taking it, problem solved! hooray! fodors saves the day again.