Pack light, have more freedom
 

Small travel bags/suitcases are the best (and only) way to travel. I do the following:
1. Pack alot of old clothes I wear once or twice & throw out or give away.
2. Bring a portable "washing machine" for smaller items.

What's this? A very large ziplock bag, filled with water, some liquid detergent and a few items of clothing. Shake around, and voila! Clean clothes!

Works for me. The way I travel too. The less you take with you the less you have to carry around and worry about.

Not my style, but I'm glad it works for you.

I don't enjoy wearing almost ready for the garbage clothes on vacation, although I do this with underwear, which no one else sees.

I don't want to spend time on vacation washing clothes and worrying about whether they'll be dry the next day.

I certainly agree with packing light. But not with taking old clothes and throwing them out instead of washing them - that would only work for quite short trips, or you'd be packing heavy again!

I am a very light packer too, but I take my best traveling clothes, ones that I love, that pack well, colors coordinate, look nice, appropriaet for the climate I'm going to.

No way would I wear clothes old enough to be tossed out when I'm on a trip!!

For doing the wash, I simply use the tiny bottle of Woolite I pack with my toiletries or hotel provided shampoo and do things in the room sink. I always pack a couple plastic hangers in the bottom of my suitcase.

I guess my idea of old clothes is different than most folks.....not worn with holes & stains, they are simply a few items I have not worn in a while, colors I don't like & probably would end up donating them to charity. Beleive it or not, many folks in 3rd world countries treasure the items I have given them, so I don't feel that this is frivolous. It also leaves room in my suitcase for items I buy.

I like to pack light too, but I am not enough of a shopper or have a large enough wardrobe to leave clothing behind. I am the type to buy clothing that will last and is a more or less classic style so that I don't get tired of them and need to buy new before they have outlived their usefulness.

I think if I were more of a shopper, then that scheme might work.

I pack light by bringing items that can be mixed and matched and then I send close out to be washed as we go along. Sending laundry out is a travel splurge. We like coming back to the hotel to find a closet full of clean clothes :)

Everybody has some clothing items in the closet - they look good, but for some reason you don't wear them - maybe just tired of that old thing, but can't just toss it?

Vacations is the best time to do that :) Take with you, wash if/when needed, then toss at the end of the trip to make room for souvenirs!

And I do a quick sink wash on the road, then at home everything goes either in the laundry or dry-cleaning.

My problem with this is that if I don't like a piece of clothing, I don't wear it. Either it doesn't look good on me or it is uncomfortable - neither of which gives me any desire to wear it out in public while traveling (especially several times during that trip). If it's simply old to the point of getting rid of it, then it's passed the point of being worn in public (and has moved into the "painting clothes" category).

Personally, I'd rather take a 24" suitcase and check it. That gives me space to add a 3rd pair of pants and a 5th/6th top for a 2 week trip. I have room to bring home souvenirs, it allows me to take enough undies for the trip, and MOST IMPORTANTLY it frees up my carry-on allowance for my camera gear.

The only time I have to do laundry on my trip is if I spill something (or sit in something or fall in the mud, etc.) at the beginning of the trip.

My wardrobe is completely diverse, and I get tired of some things one year, but like them the next. So I always have a few items I enjoy wearing, but won't miss if I end up giving them to some Jamaican teenager.

To each his own, & that is what makes this such a wonderful world!

I’m one of those persons that don’t care how much I try and plan; I just can’t seem to pack light. I take everything, but the “kitchen sink”. However, my upcoming trip to France/Italy, I keep telling myself that I will make it a “pack light” trip. I’m going to have one color scheme and I’m hoping that this will work since I’ll be moving around quite a bit by train and don’t want to be “lugging” too much. Wish me luck.

jdc

""1. Pack alot of old clothes I wear once or twice & throw out or give away.""

Not happening.

Instead, I buy multi functional clothing in neutral colors that can be mixed and matched.

I've done both Italy and BVIs for a week with carryon only and didn't sacrifice my attire.

I try to have a selection of travel friendly clothes at hand. When I pack I lay out a few shirts and a couple of pants, make sure they all mix and match and I'm done.

Travel friendly for me are non-cotton button up shirts, t-shirts, pants, underwear and socks.

Here's an example:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268

As long as I can manage my luggage by myself, I'll take as much as I want. Also, if there is something in my cupboard that I'm not wearing - well I'm not about to wear it on vacation either!

I tend to neutral bottoms (blue, brown, olive) with more colorful tops. With all the shades available, I can bring 3 pairs of olive pants that all look different but yet coordinate with the same coloful tops. I bring tops of different styles (tank, dressier blouse style, pullover, etc.). While everything is mix and match, I don't find myself looking the same everytime I walk out of the hotel and I take no more than I would if I were bringing the standard "travel uniform" of black slacks, black jacket, red or cream t-shirt.

I just don't have those kind of clothes in my closet... things I don't like, or colors that don't look good on me.

I have worked very hard to buy good quality, classic styled clothes, nothing a Jamaican teenager would want, even if I was ready to give something away
;-)

I don't get this discarding business. I don't have enough old clothes; besides I prefer to wear things that I like and enjoy. I'm the same on vacation or at home.

The ultimate "packing light" story is from the "readers' tips" section of a wonderful, useful, must-have Europe travel guide of many many years ago called "Europe on 5 dollars a day". That book took every college student of the 1960's and 70's all over Europe. It was based on the principle of spending $5 a day ($10 for two of you) for bed and food. I suppose the equivalent hotels and restaurants today would run about $100 a day. In addition to info on cheap hotels and eats, the book had tips from readers. One woman I will never forget. She went to Europe for three months every year, in the summer, and took only a large purse.

She said (in capital letters) that she NEVER SET THE PURSE DOWN ANYWHERE. In it she had a comb and a toothbrush, her passport and travelers checks, and money. She wore a dark colored dress which didn't show dirt and which she said made her fit right in with the Europeans. Every night she washed all her undies in her hotel room sink. I guess she slept au naturel, because she didn't mention carrying jammies in that big purse.

Personally, I'll stick with my suitcase.

good grief! What about the dress?!

I think the issue of packing light depends a lot on the make up of the trip.

This summer we went to Singapore and Bali - packing light wasn't much of a necesity since we had to check bags anyway due to Singapore's strict hand luggage allowances and we weren't tavelling anywhere by train with the luggage. In Singapore, once our luggage got to the hotel (in a taxi), there it stayed. In Bali, we moved a couple times, but we always had a driver, so our luggage just went into the car.

Next year, we are thinking of going to Europe and will be taking trains between several cities - packing light will be key because otherwise it will be a pain to haul a bunch of luggage around on trains and public transport.

I would never pack clothes that I don't wear at home. I get rid of clothes that are getting worn out or were a mistake to buy (that seldom happens thankfully). Casual clothes I like but that are getting older I wear when doing housework or gardening. I try to pack as light as possible but I always pack my favorite clothes and make sure they mix match. Even at home I handwash my lingerie in Woolite and do the same away from home. If I need anything washed or drycleaned when away from home I take them to a drycleaners unless it is an easy to wash top for example. I do like your idea of using a large ziplock bag as a portable "washing machine" lollylo, that is a clever idea and one I never thought of.

I agree with the thought that the necessity to "pack light" depends on the kind of trip.

I take a very different approach for a beach vacation when I am going to stay in one place, and only have to get from the airport to the hotel one time...

to if I am going to Europe and moving around solo on trains, going to various cities, in and out of hotels, using public transportation with my suitcase, etc.

If you equate "last time" clothing with "clean the garage" - you will never subscribe to this theory. But "last time" can mean a lovely silk blouse with a sad blemish -- what better send-off to give it than one last trip to Paris?

I'll never forget when I decided to do this -- a well-loved, well-used garment tore in Berlin and as I placed it in the wastebasket, that proverbial light-bulb (much like Ira's) lit up overhead.

Nyse:
I think you got it.

If I know that a lovely silk blouse has a sad blemish, I wouldn't be comfortable wearing it. Now, if something becomes stained or torn on vacation and can't be cleaned or repaired, of course, I'll toss it.

I always pack light too. Just one carry on but it's filled to the brim when I arrive.. but not when I come home.
Of course it depends on where you are traveling but the last couple of years I have been traveling to Central America for adventure travel. Lot's of hiking, horseback riding ect.. On trips like these I always pack throw away clothes.. or clothes to leave for the locals. No, they aren't stained ect.. but often just summer shirts I just bought at a decent price and don't mind leaving for someone who will enjoy them.. I also pack some of my son's clothing from the previous summer for the same reason.. just to pass them on for someone to enjoy. My friends do this as well and it feels great to empty out your suitcase for someone else to enjoy. This isn't my whole wardrobe, I also bring good hiking pants, shirts ect that I bring home for the next trip.

If it's got a blemish on it that won't come out (or a torn seam that can't be repaired, etc.), then I'm not going to wear it, except maybe to clean out the garage.

I guess there are two different types of people: 1) those that will wear a "slightly blemished" piece of clothing on vacation because no one they know will see them; and 2) those that won't wear a "slightly blemished" piece of clothing because they will know it's blemished. Nothing wrong either way, but I doubt one can convince the other to do things their way - even for the sake of an empty suitcase on the trip home.

ttraveler,
That is kind of my theory about giving clothes to those needing them. It of course depends on your style of travel, and what you deem most important: the experience of travel or if you are outfitted in the most "fashionable ensemble". The experience of travel is by far more important to me than looking like I stepped out of the pages of Vogue.

Lolly - It's not a choice of the "experience of travel" versus "stepping out of Vogue".

As can be seen by this thread (and others like it), there are many who are able to experience traveling without wearing unwanted clothing.

While I think it's great that you have found a packing system that works for you, I think it's unfair to suggest that it's "the best (and only) way to travel" and to imply that those that don't agree are too busy trying to look like fashion plates that they are unable to truly experience their travels.

The fact of the matter is, there are as many ways to pack as there are places to go. There is no "best and only way" any more than there is a "best and only place". Everybody is different and has different ideas on what is best. The important thing is to do what works for YOU and let others do what works for THEM.

Not what I meant at all. Isn't this Forum "Smart Travel Tips?"
Read the heading of the post:
"Pack light, have more freedom".
I was relating the way I do this.I was not suggesting the entire traveling population must do it my way.

In your first post, you state:

"Small travel bags/suitcases are the best (and only) way to travel."

When folks explained why your system doesn't work for you, you reply in your 11:23 p.m. post with:

&quot;It of course depends on your style of travel, and <b>what you deem most important: the experience of travel or if you are outfitted in the most &quot;fashionable ensemble&quot;.</b>&quot;

and then

&quot;The experience of travel is by far more important to me than looking like I stepped out of the pages of Vogue.&quot;

I'm simply pointing out that those who don't wish to wear old clothing while traveling are not more concerned with fashion over travel as you suggest. They just don't think it's necessary to do so in order to have the experience of travel.

Exactly. There are a lot of ways to travel and a lot of ways to pack. No way is universally superior, just different. People need to find what works for them.

Exactly right, toedtoes. I found the statement: &quot;The experience of travel is by far more important to me than looking like I stepped out of the pages of Vogue&quot; insulting. And so, so far off base - I have no interest in throwing away clothes as I travel, but anyone who knows me would have hysterics at the idea that I look like I stepped out of Vogue - or that I cared whether I did.

No one would confuse me with a Vogue model, but I do like to wear clothes that are clean, in good repair, and well-fitting. I donate things to charity--but only if the reason I'm done with them is because I've been stupid enough to outgrow them.

&lt;&lt;When folks explained why your system doesn't work for you, you reply in your 11:23 p.m. post with:&gt;&gt;

That should read:

When folks explained why your system doesn't work for THEM, you reply in your 11:23 p.m. post with:

don't take it personally, lollylo25.

when you start a post here people *will* chime in with their ideas on the subject.

while i don't throw out clothes along the way i certainly won't be mistaken for a vogue model either! but i like to think i look nice, i certainly work hard enough planning clothes for travel, and i don't have anything with me appropriate to be leaving behind or giving to other people.

one exception is if shoes break down or get ruined, i do toss them (soaked in a monsoon, strap or buckle breaks, etc.)

Hello lollylo25, I like using a zip lock bag as a little washing machine. You can let things soak a bit without taking over the use of the sink.

When I travel I take my favorite things with me which suit the place I am visiting, weather, events I plan to attend, etc. I would not take things I plan to throw away - but that's just me since I would not wear those items going out and about at home either.

When packing for a trip, I spend time coordinating the pieces I plan to use and will throw in an extra item or two just in case. I don't really pack light but I do pack with care.

The only item I have thrown out while on a trip was a towel I took with me from home for hair coloring purposes so I wouldn't stain hotel, apartment or villa towels while coloring my hair.

To each his/her own as far as packing is concerned. You have to do what is best for you and take what makes you comfortable.

The &quot;old clothes&quot; I talk about taking and throwing out are clothes that are good but not my favorites. I even buy t-shirts at the end of season for $2 or $3 and take them along and leave them. You could buy an entire wardrobe at some of the clearance racks and not spend as much money as you would on a good dinner.

As for &quot;looking good&quot; I am too busy when I travel to look good for other people. The clothes have to look clean and appropriate but I am not looking for the fashion model look.
This trip coming up I have 4 pair of slacks that look good but I wouldn't wear for work or casual dress anymore - at home I live in jeans - but like to wear slacks while traveling. The clothes I take to wear at a dressy event while traveling do come home with me.

And as I leave clothes behind I have room for some purchases. It has worked out well for me for many years. Try it sometime - you may be surprised at how much nicer it is to lighten the suitcase as you travel.

Packing for multiple situations in Italy. coordinated and multi function, but too big for carry on. How big is the risk of losing luggage (US Air, Alitalia)?

I don't know how big the risk is for losing luggage, but I have had mine delayed on occasion - the luggage didn't make a connection and caught the next flight to my destination.

When I have to check luggage, I pack a couple changes of clothes in my carry on so that if it takes a couple days for my checked bags to catch up to me, I have clean clothes to wear in the mean time.