R2daO2daZ

The weeding out process has officially begun! (3) outfits for the London/Paris portion already tossed overboard. Looking at cruise portion of the luggage tomorrow. I'm getting there. SLowwwwLY.

janisj

Maybe this will help -- don't think in terms of 'outfits'. That will almost guarantee you overpack. Sorry - not sure if you're male or female.

Start w/ your 'bottoms' - slacks/jeans (plus skirts/dresses if applicable). you'll need 3 or 4 total - maybe a skirt for captain's night. That number includes what you wear on the plane. Then picks tops (T's, shirts, blouses, sweaters/cardigans) - Each of which should go w/ most if not all of the bottoms. That way everything goes w/ almost everything else and you can layer as needed. You can pack LOTS of tops in a very small suitcase (more than you need really) if you limit the number of 'bottoms'

sparkchaser

I think OP's a dude and as a guy he can get away with packing less.

R2daO2daZ

I really am trying janis. I have been doing as you suggest. I just wanna be "cute"(as possible o whilst abroad. And if you can't tell from the "struggle", I am Woman Hear me ROARRRRR.
I've got a bum knee that wants to re-introduce itself just in time for the trip so that may trump my desire to be "flyy". (-;

janisj

If you have a bum knee --- all the MORE reason to pack less. On the cruise - it doesn't matter since they do all the schlepping. But everywhere else you will have to handle it yourself.

For the cruise - dressy nights think separates. Take a black skirt. Short if your have killer legs Long if not so much Then take a couple of glitzy tops. easy peasy. Then if you go out on the town you can wear one of the tops w a jacket or cardigan and dark slacks or the skirt so no need for special 'cruise' clothes.

R2daO2daZ

Hay janis Your concern for keeping down the potential for gauche'ness *gasp* on display is bringing a much needed smile as I head down the home stretch planning-wise
I really Feel your concern for me and appreciate it BUT the reason for my desire for separate cruise wear was more because of the differences in climate between my London/Paris leg and the Mediterranean leg (Low 70s/High40s) vs (mid80s/70s) Just so you know ... Now trust, I do know what's coming next ... Thats what the layers are for you BiG DummY! ((-;

janisj

To quote someone from somewhere . . . Thats what the layers are for you BiG DummY! . . .

Yep. Throw in a pair of capris, a pair of sandals and make sure some of your tops are tanks or short sleeved (they would still be layering pieces). Also when going to warm destinations I like to toss in (literally) either a broomstick or other 'floaty' / peasant-y skirt. They are cooler than slacks/capris and need to be wrinkled so tossing in is the way to go.

R2daO2daZ

janisj- You had me going at "Broomstick" ... I didn't KNOW where you were heading with that Lol
But ahhhh it's a skirt I feel a lil better now And smarter Had not heard the term before
They don't let me out much o-;
Suffice it to say ... I will do my very best Milady

R2daO2daZ

I will summit a Trip Report later I have been in London since Monday I must say the people have responded quite kindly to me Nothing but love on this my last night here
But I stall the real reason I'm on here is to confess to JanisJ that after all your urging I realized immediately upon landing that I failed miserably at the packing game
Que the music ... Dun Dun DUNNNN ... *walk of shame*

sparkchaser

Did you forget to pack underwear and had to go to Harrods and spend 250GBP on designer lacey blacks?

mgnapoli

Because you haven't travelled to the UK, you think that the exchange rate compared to the Euro exchange rate is unfavorable, but it is all relative. A few years ago I was in England when the Pound exchange rate was $2.00 per U.S. dollar. $1.55 to the dollar sounds a lot better.

janisj

>>I realized immediately upon landing that I failed miserably at the packing game <<

Think of it a learning experience (isn't that what your mother always said )

hollywoodsc

I always saw "lay out everything you plan to take on the bed...put half the clothes back and double your money!"

I've done 3 weeks in Italy with a rolling carry-on and a shoulder bag. They have water and soap in Europe...you can rinse out undies and sock as you go.

Hope you're having fun!