I forgot to say, I don't pack Febreeze. I do pack Downy Wrinkle Release. Smells good, and I don't have to iron.

dsm, are you bringing two pair of black shoes, one you are wearing on the plane and another for the concert? The reason I ask is you are bringing gray pants and I wondered what shoes you intended to wear with them?

Also curious about the swimsuit; will you be staying somewhere with a pool or beach?Do you then need a cover-up? Deborah

Do you need a slip for under your skirts?

The Downy Wrinkle Release is a great idea, dsm22. It does smelll good, but does it "lift" odors as well as Febreze does? It's the old cigarette smoke smell that really gets to me.

Clearly these two items should simply be combined and sold as one.

I love all of the information you all share about packing and although I have been traveling for quite some time and feel like I do a pretty good job of packing light I obviously need HELP!

I have a 22 inch travelpro that weighs 10 pounds. It is the bag that I prefer to use but there is NO WAY I can get the amount of clothing, shoes, etc in that bag that you all seem to be able to do. What is your method? Do you use eagle creek folders? Do you roll all of your clothes in tight little rolls? Please advise. I have a trip coming up this summer and would love to just take my roll on.

And...I have tried several different packing methods for make-up and tolitries...what is your favorite way to take these necessary items with you? Do you use hang up type carriers with many little pockets, ziploc baggies, or what?

Thank you for sharing such great information.
1jan1

1. ziplocs for toiletries: take only small volumes (anticipate throwing them away at the end of the trip) and whenever possible use the "dry" rather than "wet" version of something, as the water in wet items is heavy; the bags that use a slider to lock are (in my experience) much more likely to open in transit, so I use the sort without a slider

2. stuff shoes tightly with underwear and socks and tights (and I use microfiber versions of all of these, the ones I normally use anyways)

3. no special packing folders or cubes or whatever for me; in fact, I fold as little as possible, just laying items directly into the suitcase and folding them in place

A long-sleeved shirt or sweater, for instance, is folded in half cross-wise (so right below where my breasts would be were I wearing it) and laid directly into the suitcase such it's "sideways" relative to the upright long axis of the rolling bag. Sleeves are folded over and crossed neatly, and that's it. Note that you can tuck the shoulders/edges/collar back into the space between the interior wall of the suitcase and the stack of clothes. You can put a sheet of plastic (dry cleaning bags work great) anywhere you want to avoid a wrinkle, so if I'm being especially careful I've got plastic in front and back of every garment and in every fold, but I'm rarely that worried about it.

When I unpack at my destination I simply lift my stack of tops out of the suitcase and put the ones that I don't want (or can't, because there aren't enough of them) to put on hangars directly in a drawer or on a shelf. I never, ever, live directly out of my suitcase. I unpack even if it's only for one night.

I roll my clothes, which really helps them to fit, and I think it helps with wrinkles also.

dsm, your plane travel outfit sounds lovely.

Just some thoughts about what you are packing.

Can you wear the camel and gray slacks with each of the shirts you are bringing? Would you have more flexibility if you brought along a pair of solid black pants rather than the gray? I am considering gray pants for a trip in August but I would want lighter colored tops to wear with them. Are you bringing anything short sleeve if the weather is warmer but too cool for the cami? Will you wear your white shirt only for the concerts?
Your idea for quick dry underwear is good as I imagine you will not be staying at any hotel for more than a couple of nights.
I have gone on dance tours with my daughter in Europe so I know what a pain it can be to pack. I hope you are lucky enough NOT to be riding on buses for most of the time as we did. Have a great trip.

I hope you don't mind my comments, it helps me to wade through packing possibilities when I see what others consider packing, Thanks, Deborah

Deborah: Bringing only one pair of black shoes. I will not need a cover up, I will have the two pashminas. They have been life savers for me. I don't travel without them. I will have a pool, and a hot tub type thing at another hotel.

Therese: The Downy Wrinkle Release seems to be okay for me. I am an ex-smoker, hate that smell now. I think that it works. You are right, they should combine the two. Yep, I forgot to mention the slip!

Also I forgot I will have my travel journal, a book, and a magazine or two.

1jan1: I use a combination of packing methods. I use zip lock bags as well, and always pack extras. They have been life savers too.

For business clothes, I do the interlock method. I also roll more casual clothes. I have also used the plastic bags that you sqeeze the air out of. They are great for sweaters and for dirty clothes, and my bras and underwear. DO NOT PACK anything you don't want to wrinkle in them, however.

Deb: All the clothes can be combined to make outfits. Everything goes with everything else. The sleevs are all 3/4. I may throw in one short sleeve t shirt. I would probably pick my peach top. I will wear brown shoes with my grey pants. I don't normally wear black shoes with grey. Just my preference.

The white shirt will only be for concerts. I may be hot. But I doubt it. When I went to England in May a couple years ago. Every one was running around in shorts because they were having a "heat wave". Not me I had pants, long sleeves and a jacket on. :D On the bus, I about froze to death. Thank God for my pashminas. My best friend always makes fun of me. He said that it was like my "woobbie", always with me. He said, it was a blanket, a pillow, a head wrap, a sarong, a diaper..... He was exagerrating on that last one, just because he thinks he's funny.

And yes I will be on a tour bus, a lot.

I don't mind the comments at all. Helps me think my things through more carefully, and help me catch if I would forget something. Thank you.

A bit off topic, as my destination is not Europe, but I've just finished packing for a trip here in the U.S. and realize that I may have carried the "everything has to match everything else" principle a little too far: every last item is black, white, or black and white. Except for one of the scarves, which features some very pretty red poppies.

I tend to run "hot" rather than cold, dsm22, and you should count yourself lucky: it's much harder to strip down than to bundle up.

I used to match everything. Now I have learned to mix and match. I know that things just have to "go" with one another.

I check the serious fashionista part of me home when I travel. I have 9 million pairs of shoes, and a ton of bags. Yeah, it bugs me that I cannot take a ton of cute shoes bags, and a new out fit for everyday. But, I know that will be too much. I have to carry it. After much travel, I know that lighter is better. I am the queen of mix and match from day to day. Never wearing the same out fit the same way twice. I use that in packing, and I am able to carry my own luggage with no problem.

I have even streamlined from the last trip to Europe. I know that I can buy anything I need. And I do want to shop for clothes while I am there. I hope to anyway. Schedule may dictate otherwise. But it will be fine.

Let's hope that I stay running on the chilly side. 'Cause you're right. There is nothing worse than being too hot, and as you said you can only peel so much off.

Layering is the kay. Peel off or pile on as necessary.