maryann

I read an idea somewhere a long time ago about mix & match clothes for packing for a trip.

The article said to have a black top, long pants and shorts - and - a grey top, long pants and shorts - then - another color like Mauve top, lp and shorts. Some scarves, jewelry, etc. The posibilities are amazing.

Well, I made the black 3 piece outfit, and have the fabric for the grey, I'll be looking for the Mauve.

I sew but alot of people don't- I'm pretty sure that with some looking around, you could purchase the same items.

Once I get it all made, I'll HAVE to go on a trip to try it out !!!LOL

palmettoprincess

For all the posters who don't plan to pack light. It is your choice. Please practice hefting your bags up a flight of stairs befoe you finalize your decision, but it is your choice.

For the few out there who plan on taking everything but the kitchen sink. If you take the whole house with you are you really leaving?

Carrybean

"Please practice hefting your bags up a flight of stairs befoe you finalize your decision, but it is your choice."

Well, that's rather obvious. How do you think I get my bags in my car for the ride to the airport & get them from the car in (in my case, London) into the flat? I just wonder at the air of superiority by a few to those of us who choose not to spend our time in a room draped with dripping laundry?

CarolA

"Well, that's rather obvious. How do you think I get my bags in my car for the ride to the airport & get them from the car in (in my case, London) into the flat? I just wonder at the air of superiority by a few to those of us who choose not to spend our time in a room draped with dripping laundry?"

I guess this would be the "air of superiority" by you??? Rather rude response don't you think. I figure if you have to respond this way you KNOW you have overpacked and feel that you need to justify it to someone. Why? We don't care if you overpack.

While this may seem "obvious" head to your local airport and WATCH... it's NOT!
Folks routinely assume that there will be a "herd" of folks to assist them with thier steamer trunks... (My personal fav people who can barely walk trying to haul thier life possessions thur the airport and then assuming that a fellow traveler wants to heave that case into the overhead)

I also agree with the poster that those who pack everything they own tend to look much more like "Americans"


One thing I have noted in Europe and other places is that in most cultures the locals don't have near as many clothes as Americans. (Does you London flat have the GIANT walk in closet common here?) Well dressed European women tend to buy good clothes that stay in style and wear them a lot.

BTilke

I prefer to travel with one 24" suitcase and one carryon, plus my purse. I can (and do) manage that very easily around airports, train stations, buses, etc.

However, when I worked for several weeks in Basel, I went shopping mad in the few days before I left (not knowing when I'd be back again plus Basel is a GREAT shopping town). I bought set of 6 big bath towels, bed linens, some kitchen supplies, schnapps glasses (each needing careful wrapping), Swiss schnapps, some clothes, shoes, etc. I left with four bags, one of which was a 27" suitcase, and three others weren't small. Sure, it was a pain getting them onto the train from Basel to Brussels (no changes), but I got to the train early, traveled first class, and managed to heave everything up and stow the luggage out of everyone's way. I don't regret those few moments of inconvenience...we use the towels every day and they look and feel good as new, I still use the bedlinens, the schapps glasses get regular use in winter, my husband and I happily wear all the clothes I bought (in winter, they were cold weather clothes). Plus every time I use one of the items, I get fond memories of my time in Basel.

I wouldn't recommend traveling like that regularly, but if someone is willing and able to haul a heavy load for special reasons, go for it!

Holly_uncasdewar

For some of us, the dripping laundry draping adds to the experience of feeling more like a local. To each his own.

rickmav

Thanks blh for your advice re: zip lock bags, medications and stapling info. onto bag. Very helpful.

loisco

I go lighter eah time...but I still find it's my toiletries that overwhelm me...so this next trip I will try and cut down more.Our trips are usually 6 or 7 weeks.

I just take too many things...like bath gel, body lotion.etc. and I hate to use the shampoo we get in hotels. Any help?

LoveItaly

Hi loisco, just buy the small travel size toilletries. When you run out in Europe just go shopping and replace it. I always throw away whatever I have before I fly home..which gives me more room for things I have purchased while on my trip.

dsm22

I am leaving Friday for my trip and I saw some things today that I could use while shopping at Walmart.

I got small packs of Tide. They are real thin and won't take up any room. I also carry Downy Wrinkle Release. I know some people carry Febreeze. I do not want to carry both, so I choose the wrinkle releaser. Today I found a very tiny travel size of an odor neutralizer.

When I pack I bring only things that mix and match well. Each and every piece goes with every other piece. I love to wear cute outfits at home, and I am known for being very stylish, but I leave that fashionista part of me home when I go away. I just do not want to deal with dragging around all of the luggage. I also like room for souvieners.

I will be taking my 22", one tote bag, and my small purse/back pack. That will be for two weeks.

I do feel like I have a ton of toiletries. I use the tiny travel sizes. I look for products that do double duty. Like shampoo, plus conditioner. Oil of Olay body wash that leaves your skin clean and very moisturized so that I don't need lotion.

I can deal with that for two weeks. Some people can't, that is fine.

josephina

I read a long time ago that powdered Tide was the best thing to pack. No mess if it spilled and seemed to do the job more quickly. I skipped the recommended Woolite for one trip and never went back. My Tide, my blow-up hangers (although some wise person here once recommended simple balloons) and twist clothes line are always "ready-packed" in my suitcase.

janisj

And the new Tide sticks are a Godsend. Remove stains better than anything I've tried before.

Carrybean

Those Tide sticks are good!

I don't mind looking like an American because I am & certainly not ashamed of it. Actually, the London flat has 2 big closets (one large enough to have a chest of drawers in it) plus another utility closet.

It's not my problem that Europeans don't have as many clothes. Mine are all excellent quality & I only take what I love and wear. I don't come home with anything that wasn't worn.

I hardly think that one carry-on & one medium checked bag is overpacking for a 3 week trip.

travelbunny

..re undies even at home I had wash my nice ones (the cotton jockies go into the washing machine) with a product called forever new..so I use the same thing when travelling. I often travel with my company on a lear and can take only the equivalent of a bag which fits on top of my 24" roll ons. We often are faced with huge variations in weather. I bring pr black pants, 1 more casual pant and in the spring/summer may throw in a little silky skirt (and these include what I wear!). All tops, a cashmire sweater, and jacket coordinate. 2 pr shoes, all shampoos ect in mini containers. I use the Olay face clothes to limit cleaners toners. I buy my make=up products when they have give=away samples and pack those samples.I also pack scarves and costume jewlry..take up no room but can really change the look..I can by away for almost 2 weeks. The irony is that when I travel for pleasure I tend to over pack probably in reaction to having to be so diciplined when I am on a work flight.

suze

for loisco- i always take my own shampoo and conditioner. experiment at home for exact quantities. it's surprising how little you actually need even for a nice long trip like yours.

for other items like body lotion, i take only the smallest possible one to get started, then purchase local brands. i've gotten some very nice products that way. i usually do bring what's left home with me, because when you use it later on the scent(s) will remind you of your trip.

cwj

I just read through these postings. Good advice, but there are two points I didn't see anywhere. (1) If you pack a big bag, you can very easily run into the airline weight limitations both in the U.S. and overseas--very easily. (2) To make washing in the hotel room easier, avoid wool and cotton. They take forever to dry. Dacron, nylon, etc. easily dry overnight and with fewer wrinkles.

FainaAgain

Loisco, there are 2 ways to downsize the toiletries. Maybe more, I don't know.

Toothpaste - buy travel size and toss when used.

Shampoo you can either buy small bottles or poor some of that you're using at home into a small empty bottle - you can buy those anywhere or check at home if you have anything suitable.

I use hotel-provided shampoo for a quick laundry.

Luisah

"It's not my problem that Europeans don't have as many clothes"

LOL. Thanks Carrybean.

I love this site.

plafield

bookmark

emmalee_71

wow loved that post and totally agree. I have a 4 rule. Which is 4 of everything, 4 socks, undies, t's, and a mix of things for the bottom half. Now I have a child the same goes and you can rinse stuff out in the sink with soap. As for souveniers just don't buy them. I've spent the past few yrs trying to resell most of my souveniers but remember thinking I HAD to have them at the time