WHAT SHOULD I LEAVE OUT OF THE SUITCASE!!???
Jun 27th, 2009, 11:19 PM
#81
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It sounded in an earlier post that you were packing without a packing list...don't do it! Always have a list to go off of or you forget the stupidist things. One year on a camping trip I forgot the sleeping bags. Now I have a personalized list saved on my computer for different travel needs; camping, car trips, air travel and seasonal. I started with a basic packing list from Rick Steves. After a trip I come home and delete things I never used, and so over the years I have honed it down pretty well. I wouldn't worry too much about toiletries, because if you run out some of the fun of the trip is going into a store and finding something that you think looks like deodorant. That's how I found my favorite, can't be found in the U.S., lip gloss. The best thing to pack is your sense of humor and adventure!
Jun 28th, 2009, 04:49 AM
#83
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I take my worst underwear and as I use them I throw them out at the end of the day and thereby lighten my load along the way. Pack light. If you forget some small item you can pick it up there and sometimes that can be fun in itself. You aren't going to the Moon.
Jun 28th, 2009, 05:27 AM
#85
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I have a list but but more for incidentals than clothing as weather and destination will affect clothing choices.
I lay all my initial choices out on my bed and make sure they pass the mix and match test. I run and work out, so always have to take attire for that as well. I limit myself to two sets that I can easily rinse out and that dry quickly. I also have no problem hand washing lingerie (add me to the list of those who do not bring old underwear on a special trip).
As for shoes, I always bring two pair of walking shoes and one pair of shoes for evenings (mid heel boots or sandals, depending on the season). Add to that one pair of running shoes and I wear my heaviest/bulkiets pair of shoes/boots on the plane.
Fabric is really key IME to packing light. Microfiber is a great choice and I like to layer. We avoid Europe in the summer season but when I have traveled during hot weather, I stick to tank dresses and skirts/tops in easy fabrics and bring a nice pair of slacks for evening with a variety of tops.
I lay all my initial choices out on my bed and make sure they pass the mix and match test. I run and work out, so always have to take attire for that as well. I limit myself to two sets that I can easily rinse out and that dry quickly. I also have no problem hand washing lingerie (add me to the list of those who do not bring old underwear on a special trip).
As for shoes, I always bring two pair of walking shoes and one pair of shoes for evenings (mid heel boots or sandals, depending on the season). Add to that one pair of running shoes and I wear my heaviest/bulkiets pair of shoes/boots on the plane.
Fabric is really key IME to packing light. Microfiber is a great choice and I like to layer. We avoid Europe in the summer season but when I have traveled during hot weather, I stick to tank dresses and skirts/tops in easy fabrics and bring a nice pair of slacks for evening with a variety of tops.
Jun 28th, 2009, 06:25 AM
#86
Luisah:: "<i>I'm not being snarky but wonder why you would need two jackets, two cardigans and a pullover</i>"
Precisely because I don't enjoy wearing the same things over and over. Plus I was taking a group and we had events like two posh dinners, theatre, outdoor evening things and daytime country things -- and one jacket was casual the other quite dressy. And it was England where the weather could have been very cool or pretty warm (and was mostly on the cool side). And everything easily fit in 3/4 of my carry-on so why the heck not???
One doesn't have to be a schlubb and wear the same 6 things over and over and over to travel w/ just a carry-on.
Don't fixate on the shoe sizes. You pack large shoes differently than small shoes. See if this makes sense. 2 pair of small shoes would go in like this <B>==</B> along the top and bottom edges of the suitcase. 2 pair of large shoes would go in like this <B>|=|</B> w/ one shoe on each end and one shoe at the top and bottom sort of like a picture frame. Then all the other bits and pieces would be inside the frame. Then the clothing goes in on top of all those sundry items.
Precisely because I don't enjoy wearing the same things over and over. Plus I was taking a group and we had events like two posh dinners, theatre, outdoor evening things and daytime country things -- and one jacket was casual the other quite dressy. And it was England where the weather could have been very cool or pretty warm (and was mostly on the cool side). And everything easily fit in 3/4 of my carry-on so why the heck not???
One doesn't have to be a schlubb and wear the same 6 things over and over and over to travel w/ just a carry-on.
Don't fixate on the shoe sizes. You pack large shoes differently than small shoes. See if this makes sense. 2 pair of small shoes would go in like this <B>==</B> along the top and bottom edges of the suitcase. 2 pair of large shoes would go in like this <B>|=|</B> w/ one shoe on each end and one shoe at the top and bottom sort of like a picture frame. Then all the other bits and pieces would be inside the frame. Then the clothing goes in on top of all those sundry items.
Jun 28th, 2009, 01:41 PM
#88
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And I'm assuming that janisj's already pointed out that you pack inside the actual shoes. Think of each shoe as it's own little suitcase and cram it full of of things that are impervious too wrinkling: small electronics, underwear (mine come home with me, thank you), personal grooming items (nail file, hair barettes, etc.), dry toiletries, socks/stockings. I routinely travel with high heel knee high boots, and have no trouble fitting a large and varied wardrobe in with them (and typically another pair of shoes as well).
Jun 28th, 2009, 02:19 PM
#90
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My 2 cents Re MEN vs WOMEN
I have no trouble packing 2 weeks' of clothing in my 19" carryon. However, packing 2 weeks' of my husband's clothing in a 21" has always been a challenge.
He is not obese or huge, he wears Mens medium and wears size 10 shoes. However, one pair of his shoes = 2 pairs of mine.
One polo shirt of his = 3 T-shirts of mine
One pair of Khakis of his = 2 pairs of my pants; or 3 pairs of my skirts
And don't get me started on underwear. Basically, to take the same # of pieces of clothing as I do, his clothes take up 2-3 times as much space, no matter how I fold or roll them up.
I have no trouble packing 2 weeks' of clothing in my 19" carryon. However, packing 2 weeks' of my husband's clothing in a 21" has always been a challenge.
He is not obese or huge, he wears Mens medium and wears size 10 shoes. However, one pair of his shoes = 2 pairs of mine.
One polo shirt of his = 3 T-shirts of mine
One pair of Khakis of his = 2 pairs of my pants; or 3 pairs of my skirts
And don't get me started on underwear. Basically, to take the same # of pieces of clothing as I do, his clothes take up 2-3 times as much space, no matter how I fold or roll them up.
Jun 28th, 2009, 02:28 PM
#91
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Wearing underwear with holes and tears or just plain worn out. Didn't your mother ever tell you to always, and I mean always, wear underwear that is clean and in perfect condition just in case you were hit by a bus? Sorry, just couldn't resist, lol.
Jun 28th, 2009, 02:40 PM
#93
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yk - Thank you. I'm not sure what the people who say "man or woman, it doesn't matter" are smoking, but they are smoking something. Men's clothing takes up at least twice the space of a woman's - except for this random couple that lived in my apartment building, where she was a very large 6'2" and he was a very scrawny 5'5". We won't get into the fact that men probably need to bring double the clothing (or wash twice as often) because they sweat more.
For a man, frankly, I don't think it is worth bothering with a carry-on only strategy for more than 4 days or so.
For a man, frankly, I don't think it is worth bothering with a carry-on only strategy for more than 4 days or so.
Jun 28th, 2009, 03:39 PM
#95
"<i>I'm not sure what the people who say "man or woman, it doesn't matter" are smoking, but they are smoking something. Men's clothing takes up at least twice the space of a woman's</i>"
Nope - no smokin' here (of any sort). In the long version of my packing class I pack a woman's 2-3 week wardrobe - AND a man's 2-3 week wardrobe in 21 inch rollaboards.
It honest to goodness <u>makes no difference</u> whatsoever. Yes - most men's clothing/shoes are larger -- but they they tend to need less "stuff". Fewer toiletries, no scarves/accessories/pashminas, flat irons, etc.
The first year or two of my classes 90-95% of those attending were female. But for the last few years it is more like 60%-40% and sometimes 50-50 and the men actually convert easier than many women.
You may not want to do it - and that is perfectly OK. But don't for one minute think others can't do it.
Nope - no smokin' here (of any sort). In the long version of my packing class I pack a woman's 2-3 week wardrobe - AND a man's 2-3 week wardrobe in 21 inch rollaboards.
It honest to goodness <u>makes no difference</u> whatsoever. Yes - most men's clothing/shoes are larger -- but they they tend to need less "stuff". Fewer toiletries, no scarves/accessories/pashminas, flat irons, etc.
The first year or two of my classes 90-95% of those attending were female. But for the last few years it is more like 60%-40% and sometimes 50-50 and the men actually convert easier than many women.
You may not want to do it - and that is perfectly OK. But don't for one minute think others can't do it.
Jun 28th, 2009, 04:36 PM
#96
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I think sometimes the fabric in men's clothes is bulkier, and fabric makes a huge difference. DH's and DS's golf shirts take up much more room than mine, but not much difference from each other. The size difference between DH's shirt (3X) and DS's shirt (men's S/M) is probably greater than that between DS's and mine (women's S/M or child's XL-I have little T-Rex arms and the sleeves are always better). Same thing with shorts and even jeans. Needless to say they don't wear skirts (or even sarongs).
Jun 28th, 2009, 04:42 PM
#97
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OK I'm going with this one....
welch on Jun 22, 09 at 07:16 PM
I never leave anything out!
Why "suffer"?!
Life's too short!
(from one Barbara to another)
or this..........
missmolecule on Jun 28, 09 at 06:30 PM
Honestly - if you can't figure out how to pack a suitcase you probably shouldn't be traveling.
Seriously this has been a fun and interesting discussion. Thanks for all your ideas. Arrivederci!
welch on Jun 22, 09 at 07:16 PM
I never leave anything out!
Why "suffer"?!
Life's too short!
(from one Barbara to another)
or this..........
missmolecule on Jun 28, 09 at 06:30 PM
Honestly - if you can't figure out how to pack a suitcase you probably shouldn't be traveling.
Seriously this has been a fun and interesting discussion. Thanks for all your ideas. Arrivederci!
Jun 28th, 2009, 08:02 PM
#98
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Barb... you could try packing old undies and ditching them as you go.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I'm one who would simply refuse to travel in holey undies. I'm by no means a fashionista, but I do like to be comfortable and I can't imagine holey undies as being comfy. After throwing out the entire trip worth of undies, I think you would only lose a pound of weight and gain a very small amount of space.
Have fun
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I'm one who would simply refuse to travel in holey undies. I'm by no means a fashionista, but I do like to be comfortable and I can't imagine holey undies as being comfy. After throwing out the entire trip worth of undies, I think you would only lose a pound of weight and gain a very small amount of space. Have fun
Jun 29th, 2009, 12:29 AM
#99
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janisj - we will have to agree to disagree, I guess. I just can't get the math to work. I mean, think about it this way:
- We both agree that a man's shoe might take up double the space. You, rightfully, point out that you can stuff things inside the shoes, gaining back some space. The issue I have is with the claim that this makes it even. I mean, you can do the same thing with the woman's shoe, right? Let's assume you stuff the shoe with underwear - woman's underwear takes up half the space of a man's (probably closer to 1/3 or even 1/4, but we will say 1/2), so you are left with the same number of shoes and same amount of underwear in half the space.
- I'm not really getting the toiletries thing. In a carry-on, you can only carry the 1 liter anyway. For a man, the bare essentials of shaving cream, aftershave, and (maybe) cologne and/or face wash would be close enough to filling your liter. Yes, women may have a flat iron and a make-up bag, but that is about the same space as 1 or 2 undershirts.
- And there, to me, is the rub. Assuming you are not auditioning for the Sopranos, a man is likely to wear undershirts. This is like doubling your "nice" tops. Socks would be another area where men would need to pack more. I struggle to think what stuff a woman would bring that can make up for, say 4 undershirts. Which brings us back to the differential in size for everything else. This is exactly what happens when I travel with the wife. She brings obscene amounts of toiletries (we usually check, so no liter limit), yet it never takes up any more space than my undershirts. For all of the rest of the clothing, she can fit double the number of garments that I can.
- Finally, there is the perspiration issue. Men sweat more than women, on average. Indeed, most men I know would need to wash their clothes after spending an entire day walking around sight-seeing. So, double-up the socks and double-up the underwear. Even assuming that men and women can fit the same amount of clothing, I would think the man would have to wash more frequently. You end up with the issue that a man needs more clothes, but can fit fewer in the bag.
I agree that anyone can do it, I just don't see the point. There is not enough benefit to justify having to do laundry or wash things out in the sink. The benefit for the man is even less than it is for a woman, since they are (on average) less likely to be bothered by lifting 50 lbs, rather than 20. To me, it is a cost-benefit issue, and the benefits simply aren't there.
- We both agree that a man's shoe might take up double the space. You, rightfully, point out that you can stuff things inside the shoes, gaining back some space. The issue I have is with the claim that this makes it even. I mean, you can do the same thing with the woman's shoe, right? Let's assume you stuff the shoe with underwear - woman's underwear takes up half the space of a man's (probably closer to 1/3 or even 1/4, but we will say 1/2), so you are left with the same number of shoes and same amount of underwear in half the space.
- I'm not really getting the toiletries thing. In a carry-on, you can only carry the 1 liter anyway. For a man, the bare essentials of shaving cream, aftershave, and (maybe) cologne and/or face wash would be close enough to filling your liter. Yes, women may have a flat iron and a make-up bag, but that is about the same space as 1 or 2 undershirts.
- And there, to me, is the rub. Assuming you are not auditioning for the Sopranos, a man is likely to wear undershirts. This is like doubling your "nice" tops. Socks would be another area where men would need to pack more. I struggle to think what stuff a woman would bring that can make up for, say 4 undershirts. Which brings us back to the differential in size for everything else. This is exactly what happens when I travel with the wife. She brings obscene amounts of toiletries (we usually check, so no liter limit), yet it never takes up any more space than my undershirts. For all of the rest of the clothing, she can fit double the number of garments that I can.
- Finally, there is the perspiration issue. Men sweat more than women, on average. Indeed, most men I know would need to wash their clothes after spending an entire day walking around sight-seeing. So, double-up the socks and double-up the underwear. Even assuming that men and women can fit the same amount of clothing, I would think the man would have to wash more frequently. You end up with the issue that a man needs more clothes, but can fit fewer in the bag.
I agree that anyone can do it, I just don't see the point. There is not enough benefit to justify having to do laundry or wash things out in the sink. The benefit for the man is even less than it is for a woman, since they are (on average) less likely to be bothered by lifting 50 lbs, rather than 20. To me, it is a cost-benefit issue, and the benefits simply aren't there.
Jun 29th, 2009, 12:39 AM
#100
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Im currently spending 3 weeks in Aix-en-Provence, and I'm so glad that I discovered Target's super-lightweight, cheap t-shirts. They come in many different colors and degrees of looseness (one is as loose as a smock). I bought a bunch, and have been wearing them alone or layered with the two pairs of black pants and one flowered skirt I brought, I also brought a cotton-spandex little black dress, raincoat, and yoga workout gear in addition to sleeping stuff and a swimsuit. The t-shirts are easy to wash in a tiny sink and dry very, very quickly. This is the least amount of clothing I've ever brought to Europe.
I usually start packing about a week before my trip, putting what I want to take in a pike. Then I do, as others have recommended, simply take half of it away. This is a great thread~!
I usually start packing about a week before my trip, putting what I want to take in a pike. Then I do, as others have recommended, simply take half of it away. This is a great thread~!
