25" is a fairly large suitcase. You might want to do a "practice pack" and weigh it. It's not just the size that's a concern, it's you having to lift it and haul the weight around.

<<if I pack and there's a lot of room left, I may yet switch it out for the 22".<<

I would use the reserve approach. I'd pack hoping to fit into the 22" and only move up if you really have to have the extra room.

You don't have to keep meds in their original bottles. Why do you think that? Just a copy of the label into a ziplock snack bag is OK.

"<i>Meds (have to pack them in original bottles which takes up a lot more space than putting them in one container!) </i>"

I agree w/ suze. Did someone tell you to bring original bottles? Even the labels aren't totally necessary (but it might be a good idea for Morocco).

If you look at the TSA website? They don't say original packaging, only that >><i><blue>We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to assist with the screening process.</blue><<

Also aren't meds and med devices separate from the other travel allowances?

"<i>Also aren't meds and med devices separate from the other travel allowances?</i>"

Yes, but the 'allowances' only apply to liquids.

I assumed TravelinFeet was was talking about pill-type meds, but in any case, one does not need the original containers.

If you're going when it's going to be hot to a hot country, go with the skirt. I live in So Calif and it gets hot here. A skirt is much cooler than any pants you can bring.

A 25 incher is a large suitcase. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on this website recommend a suitcase that large. 22 inch is fine, really.

There's a couple of problems with a 25". Number 1, if you cant figure out how to get your stuff into a 22, you're bringing too much. That's how you run into weight problems. If money is no object and you don't mind extra charges when you get to the airport go ahead.

The 2nd problem is hauling it around. Fill it up and lift it over your head. How does it feel? Drag it around the block a few times. Still okay?

3rd problem, that may not be a problem. Are you renting a car? What kind of hotel rooms will you be staying in? Top of the line? 25 incher not a prob. Smaller hotels could be a problem. You may be walking over it. Do all of your hotels have elevators?

Regardless of what exactly you are going to be doing, you'll need to be able to handle your own suitcase often. Even just getting it on and off the carousel at an airport and into a taxi. Pack the 25" and walk around the block a few times with it, seriously. You'll rethink things.

When I travel I always end up wearing the same few things over and over again. The trick is figuring out what those 'perfect pieces' are in advance.

Some people take clothes that they plan to discard while they travel. That's fine, I don't do it because vacation is the time my husband has a camera on hand and will snap pictures. I don't want to be wearing something that doesn't suit me. By the time I'm ready to give up the clothes that I love, there's something wrong with them.

If you start with a neutral top and bottom then it's easy to find the other clothes that work with them.

The OP bought the reversible skirt so already, she has 2 bottoms. A nice pair of black pants and a top that can be dressed for evening and some day tops.

Someone mentioned bringing the LBD. That's fine as long as it can be worn in the day as well. Versatile is the key to one suitcase traveling. That doesn't mean you have to look frumpy either.

2 FYI's

#1 - You can buy Chico's Travelers pieces [and I guess the other brands mentioned above] on ebay for some really good prices.

#2 - After a 25 day trip last spring [where the temps varied greatly] to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Paris with just a carry-on, I now only travel that way. Packing made a huge difference. In case you have never seen this; check it out. It works!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/business/06PACK.html

This is the actual packing link:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...l?ref=business

Wow she takes a lot more clothes than I do.

Me too, but it is a great way to get a lot of stuff in that bag!

It's not actually a suitcase, it's a rolling backpack, way smaller than a 25" suitcase which I agree is too big. But of course I'm going to put it on and go around the block a few times. What I take isn't going to change tho, it's just a question of how much extra room I have and whether I want it enough to give up having the carryon ability. (three pants, one of which I'm wearing and several tops. Pjs are actually shorts and t-shirt Can't get much less than that. Tho I am bringing a comfy pair of keds and a hiddeous Tilley hat for the same reason -- comfort)

I am bringing gifts for Berber hosts and their children (Ideas still needed tho please -- these people are so poor and yet of course proud) and, of course, am leaving room for bringing things home. Otherwise I find myself scrambling my last day trying to buy another bag to pack in lol.

I'm actually not going to have to handle my bags most of the time, but enough that I do want to be careful about weight.

The problem isn't the planes or the TSA it's the other countries with the meds. One of my doctors had a patient detained for over four hours at customs somewhere because she didn't have her meds in its own bottle. They actually insisted on talking to the doctor. The state dept says to do it that way, and to have a doctor's note explaining why you have pain killers.

In fact some countries in Asia are way more strict than that, and you have to file forms ahead of time in order to bring medicine in. After I read all the rules they have in Thailand, not to mention that they actually enforce them, I knew I wasn't going there in a hurry.

I am also taking very small containers of topicals, and bandaids and moleskin and so forth, as I really WILL be in the middle of nowhere sometimes, and don't want a burn or blister or infection to louse up the trip. (As recommended by Rough Guide and/or Lonely Planet).

Interesting -- I never heard that medicine was an additional allotment? All I know is that I pack so that if they take my carryon away, I can grab the meds out anyway and keep them with me.

OH yeah... the back pack has a zip-away backpack which can be used as a carryon, but then, when you're rolling or carrying it zips back on so you don't have two items. Not sure it's as handy as it sounds, but we'll see.

Re: meds - some don't stay stable unless in a light proof bottle. Get your pharmacist to review them and if possible put them in the smallest bottle possible or perhaps blister pack -they pack flat and are labelled appropriately. Or get them put in several bottles and throw out the empty ones as you go along.

I've traveled solo in Egypt and Italy. My long Tilley skirts were great for both- easy to rinse out and very comfy. Hot weather and trousers don't work well with me. I had trousers as well, but was more comfy in the skirt. Jeans are very heavy and hot to wear.

If you can afford it- get an e-reader - I love my iPad- I have been able to get e-guidebooks for my upcoming trip to Europe. Also - Evernote which allows me to clip articles from the web and make tagged notes to cover many aspects of my trip. Trip it to keep my Itinerary notes. As the new iPad is out- iPad 2 has been discounted and there are probably iPad-1 even cheaper.

When I was in Italy I bought some lovely things- so picked up a cheap tote bag to carry them and checked my suitcase - small carry on coming home.

Oh, by the way- I planned to buy a hat in Egypt- but wasn't able to find one- so take one with you. The consumer products are not as available in Egypt as in other countries- mind you things may have changed since I was there in the late 80's.

You can just take whatever you want to take with you as the countries which are open to tourism are having no offense for the clothes but still you can take something at-least to cover half legs and also the skirt type wrap-ons will also make it for you.

Okay since I am a blonde, I need to plan a trip to Italy pronto! I wouldn't mind the attention! LOL

One year, we were traveling with family from place to place around Austria, Germany and France. Trying to stay in a carry on sized luggage (22 inch rollaboard), I packed lots of underwear that was easily rinsed out in the sink, socks, and many tshirt type tops that were neutral in color that would go with shorts, pants or skirts. The tops I bought at Target on sale for about 8 dollars each. They were short sleeved either v neck or round neck plain ts. I bought 10, several in black white and some colors. I figured at 8 dollars, I could throw them out if I wanted to buy something in europe that was pretty to bring home with me. They worked out great and were cheap and easy to pack. I added a few different tops to offset my constant t shirts in all the pics.

I agree that the chicos travelers brand does not wrinkle and can be heavy weight. I also have the black pants.
I think cotton pants or skirts would be best. I am more of a pants person myself. The churches just want your shoulders covered and I don't think long skirts are necessary anywhere.

For the person traveling to morocco, my friend's daughter traveled there with a group and had to have closed shoes that covered her feet and long pants or skirts. No sandals No open arms or legs for the females anyway.

"For the person traveling to morocco, my friend's daughter traveled there with a group and had to have closed shoes that covered her feet and long pants or skirts. No sandals No open arms or legs for the females anyway."

When was that? And what group? Absolutely not my experience - I do cover shoulders and knees, but for Morocco I didn't cover all of my arms and feet. Sounds more like restrictions for the Middle East.

Don't stress too much about Egypt. There were women there wearing all kinds of things so just dressing conservatively like you would back home and you'll look fine. Nobody is worried about wrinkled clothing when you on hols so long as they don't look like they have come out of the rag bag! I saw quite a few pairs of hot pants! eew

Since I moved to the Poconos almost 5 years ago, local shopping with minimal stores about 40 min away, malls about 1 hour away in Scranton, I have been shopping at the Salvation Army in the closest local town. Left most of the clothes I wore to Africa there. I have gotten Chico's, Coldwater Creek, Talbot's etc.there, also a brand of traveling clothes called Citiknits and all my friends now check it out after complimenting me on my outfits and I told them I got it at the "SA boutique"! So if you want inexpensive clothes and have a SA or Goodwill shop nearby, try it, you'll like it.

Karen

I am looking for a pair of women Wrinkle free pull on comfortable pants for the plane trip, good looking, preferably multicolor,full length for I need to wear special ugly travel socks , thank you for all your tips and sites recommendation.
CDR