Emphasizing what PP said about everything being smaller in Europe - cars, rooms, elevators!
Laundry delivery is great idea as long as everything is wash/dry - I air dry most of my dresses or going to a laundromat for a break 5 days into your trip is fine. Spouse and kids can relax or go somewhere low key while other spouse does two laundry loads and reads a book. Yes, you have a lot you want to see, but after several days you will want a break.

Check out this podcast - manager tools packing for business part 2. Host talks specifically about packing sundresses on a multi-week European trip.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manager-tools/id74198801?i=1000621393681


Use a dry cleaners bag. Each dress must be touching the bag, so you put 1 bag in and fold dress on top, fold bag over dress 1 and add another dress, fold bag over dress 2 and add another etc.

Anonymous wrote:Pay for hotel laundry once during your trip, ideally at a place that charges by the bag, not by the item. I did this in Ireland with DH and 2 kids and it was very nice to have clean underwear, socks, pajamas, and whatever else I could fit in the bag.

This was lifechanging when I gave into this. Was a frugal traveler on my own but with family, a wash n. go deliveroo place that delivers your clothes right to your hotel- they are quite easy to find these days. (I'm still too frugal for hotel laundry but would if it were by the bag!)

I don't believe you'll want to rewear anything without cleaning in hot weather so I disagree about the fabric recommendations. Luckily had been advised to forget the cotton and pack lightweight performance fabrics. I did sink wash of clothes every night and by morning they were dried including socks.

Pack in as small bags as possible. Europe is smaller cars especially the hybrids so trunk space is limited compared to the USA. Hotel rooms also can be limited in drawer and closet space, or even floor space to lay out luggage. I'll never take anything larger than a medium bag now for checked luggage. For summer travel, ideally I would aim for carry on for two weeks, especially if I'm moving around a lot and don't require any special occasion clothing.

Also try to let go needing to look perfect. Travel is to see the sites, not to impress people or post perfect photos on social media. Embrace some wrinkles, seize the day.

Pay for hotel laundry once during your trip, ideally at a place that charges by the bag, not by the item. I did this in Ireland with DH and 2 kids and it was very nice to have clean underwear, socks, pajamas, and whatever else I could fit in the bag.

I agree with a pp about being cautious about the fabric of your clothes. You definitely want fabrics that breathe. Since you won't have an individual washer/dryer, I would see if there is a nearby laundromat that you can go to mid-way during your trip. Along with Febreze, I've taken Lysol and spray my clothes at night and shoes. Be sure to take some laundry sheets so you can wash out underwear, bras, socks, nightgown regularly.

For maxi dresses, rolling is the key, though it does take up a bit more luggage space on the way there. I use packing cubes a lot for smaller items that can get more wrinkly, but I roll my dresses into bundles and pack them outside the packing cubes. I also take little travel-size spray bottles of Febreze, Downy wrinkle release, and the individual packets of Tide for sink-washing (but that may not be feasible if you don't have space or schedule to allow air-drying).

OP- did you say where you are going?

Anonymous wrote:I tend to fold my maxi dresses lengthwise and then roll them. They stay less wrinkled that way.

This is the way.

If you're going somewhere hot, I'd definitely pack some febreeze (the kind that gets rid of odors, not with fragrance) or just budget for some hotel laundry. To be honest, I sweated so much when we were in Italy and Greece there was just no way I could rewear anything. I had a washer, but if not, I would have done the febreeze thing.

Take dresses that can be hand washed and will dry quickly. Laundry detergent sheets are good, and take a small microfiber towel & roll the wet clothing up in it and squeeze the moisture out as much as possible.

It may be tempting to take "performance" fabrics, but man made fibers hold smells much longer than natural fibers -- you can hang up a light cotton dress and it will "air" out much better than a polyester one.

I tend to fold my maxi dresses lengthwise and then roll them. They stay less wrinkled that way.

I packed for a 10 days in Europe in a carry on with no laundry access, but it was in March so I wasn’t sweating in my clothes. In the hot summer, I’d assume you’ll need to pack in a checked bag. Luckily, your clothes will be light and won’t take up much room! I don’t think you’ll have any trouble packing 2 weeks of clothes into a checked bag so I wouldn’t sweat finding tips/techniques. Have fun!

We are doing our first overseas trip this summer for two weeks. This is the first time we won’t have access to washer/dryer/steamer so wondering if anyone has tips outside of the normal things like packing cubes for making dresses less wrinkly as possible, best way to pack them in general. Majority of my wardrobe will be sundresses/maxi dresses. Thanks in advance. I know this is a total rookie question.