<i>I don't think you need to be rude MmePerdu. I thought it was worth a try on a site of experienced travellers that one might have a good idea for me.</i>

Here's the thing: even amongst "experienced" travelers, there is still quite a bit of variance. Some people only take one pair of shoes, while others can't leave without at least five plus a pair of slippers. Some folks pack 7-10 days worth fo clothes and others pack three days plus an extra pair of underwear and do their laundry every 2-3 days in their hotel room. Some people take special quick-drying ultra lightweight fabrics and others take what they normally wear.

Lay out what you want to take, weigh it and make sure it weighs 27lbs or less, and buy a bag that fits what you laid out and whose weight plus your clothes does not exceed 33lbs.

You didn't say where you are going or how long you will be there. That factors into the equation.

We switched from a regular suitcase to a rolling duffle on our last trip.
First thing I did was put a piece of cardboard in the bottom to provide a "base".
I used gallon sized zip lock bags for rolled clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc. which also provided stability in a soft sided duffle.
If you think your duffle will shift your clothes, add some bubble wrap which weights little but can stabilize your contents if placed correctly.

<Lay out what you want to take, weigh it and make sure it weighs 27lbs or less, and buy a bag that fits what you laid out and whose weight plus your clothes does not exceed 33lbs.>

sparkchaser hit the nail on the head. This is the only way to answer the question, but the OP does not want to do that on the grounds that it's too much trouble.

The only alternative is to assume that suze's stuff weighs the same as the OP's stuff, and is the same volume when packed. Which is nonsensical, but undeniably the lazy way out.

It is NOT "nonsensical" or "undeniably the lazy way out". It's easy and it would work.

Go take a pile of any fabrics, I don't care what... clothes, towels, blankets, whatever... enough to fill the volume of a typical light-weight (w/out wheels or frame) 24" duffle bag loosely. You WILL have a bag weighing between 23-33 lbs.

ecm, with all due respect, you're over-thinking it. It's really not hard to find a duffel to carry 33 lbs. The hard part is restricting your packing to that amount!

Wouldn't it be great if we "experienced travellers" were paid for our correct answers, paid double when the correct answers are obvious but we answer anyway, paid 3x when the correct answer was obvious and the OP still resisted or refused to accept that it's the correct obvious answer, 4x when all that is true AND we're told how rude we are for our audacity in pointing it out AND offering ideas anyway?

And have to pay a fine to Fodor's for being so rude?

Never.

I may pack less for two weeks in Europe in winter than I do for a Caribbean island, mostly because I wear the same pants and sweaters day after day in winter, and one pair of walking shoes. In the heat of the Caribbean, I need to change more often and require a wider range from evening stuff to resort casual to hiking, from water shoes to dress to hiking shoes, plus all the books to read while lounging by the pool.

So, ecm5000,
Where is the wedding?
How long is your trip?
What else will you be doing on the trip?

Weight is easy. 30 lbs is a lot, unless you have a lot of books (or bricks).

BTW, just curious, but why does it have to be soft sided with no wheels?
Unless it is a little carryon, I dislike anything without wheels, especially duffle style. I like bags that look kind of like a duffle, but unzip on one side (or top) completely like a little trunk, and have wheels and a pull out handle.

Now, the answer: If you do not travel much, just borrow something and make it work.
Also, a month away is not so far off. Pack everything you do not absolutely need to be using, except the dress. You don't have to put things back. Stay packed

>>BTW, just curious, but why does it have to be soft sided with no wheels? <<

Some tours/charters do require soft side and no wheeled bags. Don't know if that is the OP's reason though . . .

Try this: Either med or large should work.I use the large frequently and it will hold 30 lbs.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63913...e-duffle-large

First of all, purchase a luggage scale! For $10-20, it is the accessory I use most for any trip!! Then take it luggage shopping, and do the math! Check your weight before you leave so there are no surprises. I can pack my 21" Lucas spinner to 29 lbs for 3 weeks travel and I have alot w/ me and 3 packed pr shoes. I would put the wedding garment in a drycleaning bag and rollit up tightly, or use a packing cube as suggested above. You should have no problem for 33 lbs. I wonder too about the 'no wheels, all soft sided' restriction, what airline is it?