Don't any of you wear shoes?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We once packed for 6 weeks in carry ons. This was for a trip to Paris and the Alps in the summer, and what took up the most space was the hiking boots. We carried our fleece and rainjackets with us on the flight. We knew we had laundry facilities available, and just packed minimally. No electronics for the kids either - they watched movies on the plane, and had books at their destinations. Just capsule wardrobes, shared toiletries and important medications (Epipen and Synthroid: you can't get Synthroid in France). We had an Embassy event to go to and had one nice outfit for that, that we rewore for nights out.

My parents are like you. They cannot travel without several suitcases for every short trip. I have no idea what they put in there.

Thank you for a help-free, whimsical answer that served no useful purpose, but one which you wanted to get out there. This is completely unhelpful to the OP (and anyone, like me, who similarly overpacks and would be interested in reality-based answers). But really good to know you hike in the Alps with your severely allergic children, have important embassy functions for which you can wear a dress you can squeeze into your suitcase and which - importantly - pulls double-duty (Yay for you!) for that one night out on the town with hubby during your otherwise rustic, high-altitude “vacances.” And also very good to know about your doltish parents who overpack with God-knows-what they need and apparently don’t use. You charmed me with your sincerity.

NP. Wow, this post was so uncalled for. I found PP’s post very interesting and informative. Might you be a bit jealous?

We just did 2 months in Europe with carry ons. Two adults, two kids and each of us only brought a carry on suitcase. Packed approximately 10 days worth of outfits. Wore sneakers on plane, packed sandals. Planned to do laundry at our airbnb. As others have said, we researched weather in advance, laid out outfits in advance, wore jean shorts more than once with a different top, etc. It is very doable but you do need to pack about one week in advance of departure. I always think of things I forgot to pack during the week coming up to our departure and I add as I remember. Each child brings a backpack as their personal item and they carry their own ipad, headphones, pencils, book, coloring/sudoku/word puzzles book.

I lay out every single outfit that I'm going to wear. It's hard but it makes me slim down what I pack. I will say that it's easier for (thin) women to pack less just because our clothes are smaller. Shoes too- Dh's shoes are massive.

I also try to have a color scheme- either black or brown so that I'm not bringing black purses and brown/tan purses too. This maybe makes more of a difference with business travel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I feel some of you have irrational shame about being seen wearing the same clothes or swimsuits. No, they don't need to be reversible, for goodness' sakes! You don't need a different outfit every single day!

No one cares. We assume your stuff is cleaned in between wearings. We're not even looking at you that closely!

No that's not true. If you go to a resort on a package (air, accommodations), odds are you will see the same 50 people for at least part of your stay. You do notice if someone is wearing the same black one piece swimsuit everyday if you're hanging around the beach or pool all day.

I'm the PP with reversible swim tops and bottoms. After trying a lot of brands, I'm a fan of Carve Designs. Every season they come out with a color scheme and patterns so you can mix and match. Bikini top, halter, tankini, etc etc. Different cuts for bottoms, bikini, high waist retro, shorts, skirts. They hold everything in well if you're not 20 years old anymore.

The pieces are functional and it doesn't cost more to get bottoms that reverse so why not? I'm a pretty minimalist packer, usually can get by with a 28 L day pack to Europe but for a resort where I will be kind of living for 3 weeks, I'd feel more comfortable having enough different outfits for a week and then repeating x 2 or mixing and matching.

My question is why do you care? Even if I do notice someone else is wearing the same one piece black swimsuit - all I think about is - wow they must have packed light. If I'm going to a resort I will back 2 swimsuits, so one can dry - and maybe I bring 2 cover ups. What I love about a resort experience is the simplicity of packing - you don't need much - if people judge me for my clothes then I have gone to the wrong resort and don't want to get you know you anyway.

I don't know if "judge" is the right word - but clothes are partly about practicality and partly about expression. That might be expressing your individual personality, expressing your sense of belonging in a certain place or with certain people, your expression of wealth, your expression of all sorts of things.

It sounds like you fall hard on the practicality side of that - but for many of us, it's a balance of those two things.

Stay in the same color family and limit shoes that match that color as much as you can. Having access to laundry also helps. I'm usually able to pack for a family of four in one carry-on but only if I can do laundry in between.

What's wrong with checking a bag? I check a bag for every trip. I want choices and I want to be comfortable.

I've checked TWO bags for some international trips -- I have to fly with camera and video equipment so it leaves me no choice but to check my bags as the electronics are my carry on.

Quit shaming people for checking a bag.

Also, judging by all the folks at the baggage claim on recent trips, traveling carry on only isn't as prevalent as you might think

Im' going to the beach next week. Although we are driving we will have beach stuff, so everyone gets a carryon size and that's it (and personal item for the car . I will bring 3 bathing suits; one beach/pool cover up; flip flops, tennis shoes (for the gym) and one pair of sandals; 2-3 lightweight rollable dresses for dinner, one cardigan (for a/c); three pairs of shorts and 3-4 tshirts or tanks, one set of pjs, sock and underwear. I will be able to wear these to work out in and will also plan on laundry there. For toiletries I have mini bottles for my own products, and travel size for everythign else including tylenol, toothpaste, etc. I will bring 2 pairs of sunglasses, one cap and one hat; and sunscreen for everyone but figure we can buy more/anything else we need there. My guess is that I'll spend most of the time in suit/cover up or shorts and a tee, and wear the sundresses at night. I''ll wear shorts, tee shirt and flipflops for the drive.

Packing for Paris (I go yearly for work) is harder. I always bring stuff I think looks good and then I get there and am look around, nah. I end up usually wearing simple, well cut black and white clothes with pops of color maybe in a top. . Last year I got the most use out of really nice black pants, cream trousers, a black/off white cashmere pull over, a black cardigan and two blouses, a green silk shirt and a hot pink blouse. I ended up wearing various combinations of those, along with plain black and white t shirts, the entire trip. I had other things but I wore 2 pants, two sweaters and two shirts, plus three pairs of shoes (chelsea boots, closed toe wedges and trainers, which I wear on the plane). Plus a black jacket. I'll probably just bring those clothes again this year and make it easy. I usually throw in a dress just in case that can work with the wedges or boots if possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I feel some of you have irrational shame about being seen wearing the same clothes or swimsuits. No, they don't need to be reversible, for goodness' sakes! You don't need a different outfit every single day!

No one cares. We assume your stuff is cleaned in between wearings. We're not even looking at you that closely!

No that's not true. If you go to a resort on a package (air, accommodations), odds are you will see the same 50 people for at least part of your stay. You do notice if someone is wearing the same black one piece swimsuit everyday if you're hanging around the beach or pool all day.

I'm the PP with reversible swim tops and bottoms. After trying a lot of brands, I'm a fan of Carve Designs. Every season they come out with a color scheme and patterns so you can mix and match. Bikini top, halter, tankini, etc etc. Different cuts for bottoms, bikini, high waist retro, shorts, skirts. They hold everything in well if you're not 20 years old anymore.

The pieces are functional and it doesn't cost more to get bottoms that reverse so why not? I'm a pretty minimalist packer, usually can get by with a 28 L day pack to Europe but for a resort where I will be kind of living for 3 weeks, I'd feel more comfortable having enough different outfits for a week and then repeating x 2 or mixing and matching.

No one cares if someone is wearing the same bathing suit. If someone is noticing and judging, they are sad people. If all your bathing suits have the same mix and match color scheme, people are still going to think you're wearing the same thing. If anything is remembered it's the colors, not whether it was a tankini or a one piece.

And frankly, wearing the outside of your suit on the inside sounds gross and having the parts that were inside the day before, now sitting on the chair at the bar the next day is also gross.

You should handwash after being in chlorinated pool or sea to protect the material. If you’re not doing that, you’re the gross one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I feel some of you have irrational shame about being seen wearing the same clothes or swimsuits. No, they don't need to be reversible, for goodness' sakes! You don't need a different outfit every single day!

No one cares. We assume your stuff is cleaned in between wearings. We're not even looking at you that closely!

No that's not true. If you go to a resort on a package (air, accommodations), odds are you will see the same 50 people for at least part of your stay. You do notice if someone is wearing the same black one piece swimsuit everyday if you're hanging around the beach or pool all day.

I'm the PP with reversible swim tops and bottoms. After trying a lot of brands, I'm a fan of Carve Designs. Every season they come out with a color scheme and patterns so you can mix and match. Bikini top, halter, tankini, etc etc. Different cuts for bottoms, bikini, high waist retro, shorts, skirts. They hold everything in well if you're not 20 years old anymore.

The pieces are functional and it doesn't cost more to get bottoms that reverse so why not? I'm a pretty minimalist packer, usually can get by with a 28 L day pack to Europe but for a resort where I will be kind of living for 3 weeks, I'd feel more comfortable having enough different outfits for a week and then repeating x 2 or mixing and matching.

No one cares if someone is wearing the same bathing suit. If someone is noticing and judging, they are sad people. If all your bathing suits have the same mix and match color scheme, people are still going to think you're wearing the same thing. If anything is remembered it's the colors, not whether it was a tankini or a one piece.

And frankly, wearing the outside of your suit on the inside sounds gross and having the parts that were inside the day before, now sitting on the chair at the bar the next day is also gross.

Anonymous wrote:I have read on here about people who can travel for 2 weeks in a carry on. I always have a large checked bag. What are some good tips for finally stopping this. I don’t use 1/2 of what I take, but I get stressed out trying to decide what to pack. I am also a very last minute packer. Any help would be appreciated.

First thing is - do what works for you! If you want to check a bag, check a bag (I would make sure you have meds, valuables, and a change of clothes in your carry on though).

If you want to reduce - think about your reasons. Is it to reduce the weight you are carrying, to lower stress on vacation by having fewer choices to make, worry about your luggage making it to your destination, make it easier to move from place to place (trains, smaller planes, etc). Some people get caught up in "packing light" and make it a competitive sport! Figuring out your reasons will help you determine where to cut back.

I prefer to travel with a wheeled carry on and a personal item (tote or backpack).

My normal smallish purse and meds, electronics, toiletries, and one change of clothes go in my smaller personal item (plus something like one bathing suit if it's a beach vacation - basically whatever I'll need for the first 24 hours or whatever is hardest to replace). This is just in case my wheeled carry on gets gate checked.

It all depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing, but my basic rule of thumb is 3-4 bottoms, 5-6 tops, a jacket, maybe a dress, 2-3 shoes (this includes my plane outfit - wearing the bulkiest stuff on the plane). I don't necessarily make sure everything matches everything else, but everything must be able to be worn with at least two things. I usually have a plan for doing laundry during a trip, but a lot of my clothes can be sink washed in a pinch. I also buy things that are lighter weight and dry quickly and fold up small. You can do this without looking like you're going on safari or running a marathon. Athleta, Title 9, Eddie Bauer, REI, prana, etc all have normal looking clothes. I usually only take jeans for cold travel, I have decided I don't like them or wear them if it's warm.

There are so many websites, forums, youtube videos etc dedicated to packing light. Sarah Murdoch has some good YouTube videos.

And if you decide it isn't for you - that's fine too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I feel some of you have irrational shame about being seen wearing the same clothes or swimsuits. No, they don't need to be reversible, for goodness' sakes! You don't need a different outfit every single day!

No one cares. We assume your stuff is cleaned in between wearings. We're not even looking at you that closely!

No that's not true. If you go to a resort on a package (air, accommodations), odds are you will see the same 50 people for at least part of your stay. You do notice if someone is wearing the same black one piece swimsuit everyday if you're hanging around the beach or pool all day.

I'm the PP with reversible swim tops and bottoms. After trying a lot of brands, I'm a fan of Carve Designs. Every season they come out with a color scheme and patterns so you can mix and match. Bikini top, halter, tankini, etc etc. Different cuts for bottoms, bikini, high waist retro, shorts, skirts. They hold everything in well if you're not 20 years old anymore.

The pieces are functional and it doesn't cost more to get bottoms that reverse so why not? I'm a pretty minimalist packer, usually can get by with a 28 L day pack to Europe but for a resort where I will be kind of living for 3 weeks, I'd feel more comfortable having enough different outfits for a week and then repeating x 2 or mixing and matching.

My question is why do you care? Even if I do notice someone else is wearing the same one piece black swimsuit - all I think about is - wow they must have packed light. If I'm going to a resort I will back 2 swimsuits, so one can dry - and maybe I bring 2 cover ups. What I love about a resort experience is the simplicity of packing - you don't need much - if people judge me for my clothes then I have gone to the wrong resort and don't want to get you know you anyway.

Anonymous wrote:
I feel some of you have irrational shame about being seen wearing the same clothes or swimsuits. No, they don't need to be reversible, for goodness' sakes! You don't need a different outfit every single day!

No one cares. We assume your stuff is cleaned in between wearings. We're not even looking at you that closely!

No that's not true. If you go to a resort on a package (air, accommodations), odds are you will see the same 50 people for at least part of your stay. You do notice if someone is wearing the same black one piece swimsuit everyday if you're hanging around the beach or pool all day.

I'm the PP with reversible swim tops and bottoms. After trying a lot of brands, I'm a fan of Carve Designs. Every season they come out with a color scheme and patterns so you can mix and match. Bikini top, halter, tankini, etc etc. Different cuts for bottoms, bikini, high waist retro, shorts, skirts. They hold everything in well if you're not 20 years old anymore.

The pieces are functional and it doesn't cost more to get bottoms that reverse so why not? I'm a pretty minimalist packer, usually can get by with a 28 L day pack to Europe but for a resort where I will be kind of living for 3 weeks, I'd feel more comfortable having enough different outfits for a week and then repeating x 2 or mixing and matching.

Compression cubes

PP Here: I meant to mention that for a recent 3-week trip - I took photos of the clothes and outfits I planned to bring - seeing them on me and laid out of the bed - I very quickly reduced how many outfits and a few looks that couldn't be mixed and matched. When I feel anxious about the packing process - I start a day-by-day list of what I plan to wear/activities - pretty quickly you can see what you will need or won't need. An active hiking trip is very different than a business trip or a wedding. Summer vs Winter changes what you need. Clothing will get worn multiple times and doing laundry is part of the equation.