What to wear/pack... Part 9
May 29th, 2010, 07:44 AM
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What to wear/pack... Part 9
Ninth in a series of threads about a very high maintenance female who travels very light. Here's a link to the last thread, which dealt with a three week trip around the world (a couple of stops in Europe, then Japan, then Mexico before returning home to the U.S.):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ack-part-8.cfm
These threads tend to be long and pretty detailed, so I'll start out by answering some of the most frequently asked questions so that that info can be easily found.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ack-part-8.cfm
These threads tend to be long and pretty detailed, so I'll start out by answering some of the most frequently asked questions so that that info can be easily found.
May 29th, 2010, 08:04 AM
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FAQ: How big is your suitcase?
My usual suitcase is 19" x 9" x 11". It weighs about 6.5 lbs as per my (not very precise) luggage scale. It's an Eddie Bauer model that was sold at Target about 7 years ago---Target still sells Eddie Bauer but I've not seen this particular model since then. I bought three at the time, as it was my children's first trip to Europe (Venice) and they'd be handling their own luggage (daughter 9 yo at the time, son 12).
I have just recently purchased a new suitcase at eBags (via Delta's SkyMiles Shopping link, so I'll be getting 5 x the purchase price in SkyMiles, in addition to the miles I'll earn on my Delta AmEx) that weighs a bit less:
http://www.ebags.com/product/skyway/...upright/151441
It measures 19.5" x 13" x 7.5" as per eBags and weighs 6 lbs. It's also got a couple of design features that I specifically prefer: wheels and handle that are fully (or largely, in the case of these wheels) recessed into the main body of the bag, and zippers that are not on the bag seams.
No exterior pockets on the sides and no expandable section contribute to this bag's being so lightweight. They'll also keep me from overpacking. I've got a tendency to pack more than I need, I'm afraid.
My usual suitcase is 19" x 9" x 11". It weighs about 6.5 lbs as per my (not very precise) luggage scale. It's an Eddie Bauer model that was sold at Target about 7 years ago---Target still sells Eddie Bauer but I've not seen this particular model since then. I bought three at the time, as it was my children's first trip to Europe (Venice) and they'd be handling their own luggage (daughter 9 yo at the time, son 12).
I have just recently purchased a new suitcase at eBags (via Delta's SkyMiles Shopping link, so I'll be getting 5 x the purchase price in SkyMiles, in addition to the miles I'll earn on my Delta AmEx) that weighs a bit less:
http://www.ebags.com/product/skyway/...upright/151441
It measures 19.5" x 13" x 7.5" as per eBags and weighs 6 lbs. It's also got a couple of design features that I specifically prefer: wheels and handle that are fully (or largely, in the case of these wheels) recessed into the main body of the bag, and zippers that are not on the bag seams.
No exterior pockets on the sides and no expandable section contribute to this bag's being so lightweight. They'll also keep me from overpacking. I've got a tendency to pack more than I need, I'm afraid.
May 29th, 2010, 08:10 AM
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FAQ: How big are you?
Most people assume that it's easier for small people to pack light than it is for big people, and to some extent that's true. But my husband is a little over 6' tall and he manages just fine with a bag of the size I describe above.
For the record, I'm 5'6" and usually wear a U.S. size 6.
Most people assume that it's easier for small people to pack light than it is for big people, and to some extent that's true. But my husband is a little over 6' tall and he manages just fine with a bag of the size I describe above.
For the record, I'm 5'6" and usually wear a U.S. size 6.
May 29th, 2010, 08:22 AM
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Thanks, amsdon. I've gotten a lot of great info here at Fodor's over the years, and am happy to share the wealth. A lot of people who post to these packing threads have some great tips to share, so do please jump in.
May 29th, 2010, 08:39 AM
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FAQ: How big is your "personal item"?
Do I make up for a small suitcase by carrying a very large purse or backpack? No. For short trips just my usual purse (which isn't very big), and for longer trips I sometimes bring a daypack that I leave largely empty. I can use it for side overnight trips for which I only need one change of clothes and toiletries, and it will come in handy for souvenirs and gifts (which I usually buy at the end of my trip). I use it in-flight for food, as I almost never eat airline food: it literally makes me ill, so I pack my own. By the time I get to my destination the bag is nearly empty again.
On this particular trip I won't be bringing a personal item at all. Nothing, nada, not even my purse.
Do I make up for a small suitcase by carrying a very large purse or backpack? No. For short trips just my usual purse (which isn't very big), and for longer trips I sometimes bring a daypack that I leave largely empty. I can use it for side overnight trips for which I only need one change of clothes and toiletries, and it will come in handy for souvenirs and gifts (which I usually buy at the end of my trip). I use it in-flight for food, as I almost never eat airline food: it literally makes me ill, so I pack my own. By the time I get to my destination the bag is nearly empty again.
On this particular trip I won't be bringing a personal item at all. Nothing, nada, not even my purse.
May 29th, 2010, 08:50 AM
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If you don't have a purse or other personal item to carry on the plane where do you put your money, eticket, identification, keys to your house, eye (sun) glasses (if you need them), etc. I seem to need to carry a lot of stuff with me all the time.
May 29th, 2010, 08:53 AM
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FAQ: Huh? No purse?
Okay, so that's not really an FAQ, but it is sort of strange to think of a self-described high maintenance female as traveling without purse.
And of course I'm not really traveling without a purse, I just happen to be traveling in such a way that I can't bring a separate purse: two legs of this flight are on budget European airlines, Ryanair and Easyjet. Neither permits a personal item in addition to a single carry-on bag, and Ryanair limits the weight of the single bag to 10 kg.
So, obviously, I'll have to check my bag, right?
Nope, no checked bags here.
Okay, so that's not really an FAQ, but it is sort of strange to think of a self-described high maintenance female as traveling without purse.
And of course I'm not really traveling without a purse, I just happen to be traveling in such a way that I can't bring a separate purse: two legs of this flight are on budget European airlines, Ryanair and Easyjet. Neither permits a personal item in addition to a single carry-on bag, and Ryanair limits the weight of the single bag to 10 kg.
So, obviously, I'll have to check my bag, right?
Nope, no checked bags here.
May 29th, 2010, 08:55 AM
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You see the problem immediately, adrienne: what am I going to do with all my gear? You didn't even mention make-up and and phone, two things that I've also pretty much got with me.
So hear's the answer: pockets.
So hear's the answer: pockets.
May 29th, 2010, 09:19 AM
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And now you're thinking "Pockets?" Where am I finding these pockets? Am I stuffing my phone, passport, lipstick, compact, etc. into the pockets of my jeans? Isn't that uncomfortable? And unattractive?
It would probably would be if that's what I were doing, but it's not. Instead I'm equipping myself with extra pockets, in the form of a Scottevest.
Here's the model that I use:
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/N...st_Women.shtml
I discovered this item here at Fodor's, and it's come in very, very handy. I didn't have it the last time I took a trip that involved Ryanair, and that time (described in one of the past packing threads, I'll figure out which one later) I used some deep coat pockets for the same purpose, but the Scottevest makes it much easier, and also more comfortable.
I'll actually be wearing the vest under a lightweight quilted down coat (black, reversible, waterproof, knee length) as part of my trip will be Sweden in September and I'll likely find the extra layer helpful. It will also serve to keep my toiletries and gear-laden Scottevest from being too obvious to Ryanair staff.
I took this same coat on a three week trip to Asia this January and it was terrific: bitter cold in Japan (including snow country), easy to stuff out of the way in boiling hot Singapore and Bangkok, very handy on the chilly planes. I bought it on-line from Lands End. It wasn't very expensive, and it's very, very scrunch-able. It's even reasonably attractive, actually.
It would probably would be if that's what I were doing, but it's not. Instead I'm equipping myself with extra pockets, in the form of a Scottevest.
Here's the model that I use:
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/N...st_Women.shtml
I discovered this item here at Fodor's, and it's come in very, very handy. I didn't have it the last time I took a trip that involved Ryanair, and that time (described in one of the past packing threads, I'll figure out which one later) I used some deep coat pockets for the same purpose, but the Scottevest makes it much easier, and also more comfortable.
I'll actually be wearing the vest under a lightweight quilted down coat (black, reversible, waterproof, knee length) as part of my trip will be Sweden in September and I'll likely find the extra layer helpful. It will also serve to keep my toiletries and gear-laden Scottevest from being too obvious to Ryanair staff.
I took this same coat on a three week trip to Asia this January and it was terrific: bitter cold in Japan (including snow country), easy to stuff out of the way in boiling hot Singapore and Bangkok, very handy on the chilly planes. I bought it on-line from Lands End. It wasn't very expensive, and it's very, very scrunch-able. It's even reasonably attractive, actually.
May 29th, 2010, 09:35 AM
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"So you'll put your food in your pockets? Plus all the other stuff? You won't be a size 6 any more with all those bulging pockets! LOL"
I stop short of cramming grapes and sandwiches into my pockets, Scottevest or other. I'll only pack food for long haul flights, and will just use a shopping bag as my personal item on those routes, either a paper one that I'll have picked up en route, or a very light weight collapsible one. For this trip the only leg that I'll really pack food for will be the return TATL leg, as I eat prior to boarding on the outbound TATL trip so as to maximize my time for (Ambien-aided) sleep.
I stop short of cramming grapes and sandwiches into my pockets, Scottevest or other. I'll only pack food for long haul flights, and will just use a shopping bag as my personal item on those routes, either a paper one that I'll have picked up en route, or a very light weight collapsible one. For this trip the only leg that I'll really pack food for will be the return TATL leg, as I eat prior to boarding on the outbound TATL trip so as to maximize my time for (Ambien-aided) sleep.
May 29th, 2010, 09:43 AM
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Here's the coat from Lands End:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/Reversibl...2&origin=index
It's on sale for $49.99 right now, and the link probably won't work for too much longer. I got an XS in black. The quilted side zips up the front (be careful not to get the fabric caught in the zipper) and the non-quilted side buttons snaps up the front (so you can just do up a couple of snaps if you prefer). Zip pockets on both quilted and non-quilted sides, so a total of four pockets. Very handy.
Hmm, do I need one in white? If it came in brown I'd order it for sure.
http://www.landsend.com/pp/Reversibl...2&origin=index
It's on sale for $49.99 right now, and the link probably won't work for too much longer. I got an XS in black. The quilted side zips up the front (be careful not to get the fabric caught in the zipper) and the non-quilted side buttons snaps up the front (so you can just do up a couple of snaps if you prefer). Zip pockets on both quilted and non-quilted sides, so a total of four pockets. Very handy.
Hmm, do I need one in white? If it came in brown I'd order it for sure.
May 29th, 2010, 10:34 AM
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FAQ: Do you do laundry en route?
Depends. This trip is 18 days, three different destinations (Valencia, Uppsala, and Houston), all work but with some touring and fun worked in around the edges. So, yes, I'll do some laundry at some point. A lot of my dresses are very suitable for hand-washing and will easily dry overnight.
FAQ: Do you purchase special clothes for traveling?
Nope. I don't have any trousers that convert to shorts, or super-duper quick drying underwear or anything like that. I also wear exactly the same shoes that I usually wear. I tend to wear dresses for both work and leisure, and tend to choose fabrics that don't wrinkle because I don't want to iron more than necessary (at home as well as while traveling). If I'm traveling in a very warm climate (like Singapore and Bangkok last January) then I will use very light-weight woven cotton items, and those I do typically iron.
Depends. This trip is 18 days, three different destinations (Valencia, Uppsala, and Houston), all work but with some touring and fun worked in around the edges. So, yes, I'll do some laundry at some point. A lot of my dresses are very suitable for hand-washing and will easily dry overnight.
FAQ: Do you purchase special clothes for traveling?
Nope. I don't have any trousers that convert to shorts, or super-duper quick drying underwear or anything like that. I also wear exactly the same shoes that I usually wear. I tend to wear dresses for both work and leisure, and tend to choose fabrics that don't wrinkle because I don't want to iron more than necessary (at home as well as while traveling). If I'm traveling in a very warm climate (like Singapore and Bangkok last January) then I will use very light-weight woven cotton items, and those I do typically iron.
May 29th, 2010, 10:43 AM
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FAQ: What if I don't want to wash my clothes by hand?
Lots of options. In Valencia I'm staying at a very upmarket property, so there almost certain won't be a self-service laundry in the hotel. But I'm right in the middle of town, so if I wanted I could drop my clothes at a laundry and pick them up the next day for a decent price.
But I likely won't, as my next stop is Uppsala, where I've booked cheap lodgings that feature a 24-hour self-service laundry room. So I can do laundry when I get there, and again right before I leave if I want to arrive in Houston with all clean clothes.
Lots of options. In Valencia I'm staying at a very upmarket property, so there almost certain won't be a self-service laundry in the hotel. But I'm right in the middle of town, so if I wanted I could drop my clothes at a laundry and pick them up the next day for a decent price.
But I likely won't, as my next stop is Uppsala, where I've booked cheap lodgings that feature a 24-hour self-service laundry room. So I can do laundry when I get there, and again right before I leave if I want to arrive in Houston with all clean clothes.
May 29th, 2010, 11:08 AM
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Okay, so I'm a doodlehead: my usual suitcase measures 19" (tall) by 14" (wide) by 9" (deep). So the new suitcase is a little bit skinnier at 13" and a little bit shallower (at 7.5").
So the volume of the bag (including the bag itself) is 2397 cubic inches. The volume of the new bag is 1901 cubic inches, considerably less, only 79% as much.
Boy, this is really going to be tight, isn't it?
So the volume of the bag (including the bag itself) is 2397 cubic inches. The volume of the new bag is 1901 cubic inches, considerably less, only 79% as much.
Boy, this is really going to be tight, isn't it?
May 30th, 2010, 11:22 AM
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I'm a high-maintenance light packer myself. I do fine on recreational trips (10 days in northern Europe with a normal purse and a 17" pilot case), but find it a bit more challenging when I have to dress for business. I'm looking forward to the development of your latest packing thread, Therese.
