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Packing!

Ele

(website)

I'm running around like a headless chicken today, trying to get everything done for my holiday tomorrow. I'm packing right now, and it's got me thinking- what's everyone's "packing philosophy"? Do you try to be prepared for every occasion, and overpack? Underpack? Make lists, use capsules?

I've always been quite a good packer, and err on the side of underpacking (I *hate* lugging around heavy suitcases). This trip is a bit difficult for me because I've got a formal occasion to attend, and I'm hoping to take my running gear, as well.

Oh- One thing I always do is take a fold-up nylon bag inside my suitcase on the outward journey, which I can fill up and check coming back (I always seem to accumulate stuff when I go home).

Over to you! I'm interested to hear everyone's packing styles.

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from yublocka

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I tend to overpack, and what I take really depends on the occasion and where I'm headed. I definitely pack in capsules.

But I'm really interested in where you are going on holiday! Will you tell us? (I wish I were going on holiday right now, so I'm living vicariously through you and Shiny, hee).

Maya

Veteran

As someone who:

-hates packing
-hates unpacking
-hates toting around huge and heavy suitcases

I always pack as light as I can. Depending on the length of the trip and where I am going, I start out by packing just one of everything that I will need (one pair of jeans, one dress, one jacket, one cardi)...and if I look at my selections and realize it won't be enough, I gradually add more. I don't organize by capsules but by mix-and-match, dress-up-or-down options.

Overpacking is a big inconvenience for me as I like to go crazy bringing things back with me when I travel.

shiny

Veteran

Timely thread, as I'm also packing... errrr... or procrastinating about packing... Where are you going? I wish you a happy holiday!

For the past 24 hours I've had Angie's voice in my head, telling me to cram in as much as my luggage will allow; when in doubt, bring it. I totally understand this philosophy, and honestly, it's usually what I end up doing, despite intentions otherwise. And then DH, my pack mule, curses me because my luggage is too heavy.

However, I'm finding I have this little conflicting voice in my head... it is weird. It is saying, "Are you SURE you want to pack ALL your best clothes? What if your luggage gets stolen??? Shouldn't you keep some of your best, most beloved, irreplaceable items at home, just in case??"

So I am finding myself evaluating what I can live with losing!!! And yet I fear this is a really bad road to go down... because when, if not on vacation, should one wear their best clothing?

Am I the only one who frets like this?? I know insurance would reimburse me, but for example, how would I ever find another Paris jacket? What about those shoes that have been long discontinued? Etc.

Maya

Veteran

That's another good thing about packing light--and I realize this isn't an option for you Shiny--but just generally speaking: I love not having to check in luggage. This only works on short trips to close locations, but when I get the chance, I bask in the glory of a check-free trip. No fears of losing luggage. Last time I packed poorly but not because I didn't have enough stuff, I just bought the WRONG stuff. I expected Boston to be warmer in May.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I always worry about losing my luggage, Shiny. Our car was broken into in New York many years ago on a trip, and the thieves took our bags. We lost everything we brought -- and we were there for my 10-year high school reunion so I had brought the good stuff! Traumatic in the extreme.

BUT -- I still bring favorites with me when I travel. I learned from the New York incident that everything really CAN be replaced, and it's easier than you think it will be. Plus, the insurance check afterwards soothes many wounds...

So take what you want and don't worry. You can always buy more if you have to!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh Kristen, that sounds horrible, my mother and father in law travelled back to the main land for their wedding 35 years ago and their luggage went missing (wedding dress, suit the lot), they also had their wedding presents stolen from their hotel room yet are such a happily married couple who bear no grudges.

I try to pack lightly, in colour co ordinated capsules, one for day time and one for the evening, although the two do overlap. I leave all (relatively) expensive jewellery at home and take fantastic costume jewellery instead.

I limit the number of shoes I'm taking to a sensible flat, a dressy flat and a heel.

I take minimal make up, usually tinted moisturiser, mascara plus a lip and cheek gel. I decant my usual shampoo and conditioner into travel size bottles.

The one area I always over pack is underwear, why I believe I will need 20 pairs of pants on a week long trip is beyond me.

With regards to your concerns about your luggage going missing I always find it prudent to pack half of mine and half of my husbands clothes in one case and then repeat with the second case. Therefore if I'm unlucky enough to watching an empty carousel I should at least have half of my belongings.

Ele, are you travelling back to Canada for your friends wedding? If you are I hope you have a fantastic time. Please post pictures of your finished outfit and your boyfriend in his Sherman Suit.

Shiny, I can just know that you will have a fabulous time. Are you having a custom suit made while you're out there?

taylor

Veteran

I pack as light as possible, and take anything I don't want to lose (cosmetics, anything of any value) on board, and try to mix and match as many items as possible. Shoes seem to take up alot of space so I try to bring perhaps 2 pair to wear with everything.

I have actually spent 10 days in Maui with just a carry on...I *rolled* all my skirts tops and shorts and wore flip flops with everything..we skipped luggage check altogether and were out of the airport lickity split

Ele

(website)

Ana/Shiny, my trip really isn't that exciting. I'm going home to Canada for ten days to see my family (it's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend) and then heading to Toronto for my friends wedding. Not a real "holiday", but I'm looking forward to it just the same.

Maya, it sounds like we're similar in our packing thoughts, then. I love "I bask in the glory of a check-free trip"- so true! I don't often get to though, as most of the time I'm going away for long enough that I really need a check-sized bag (but I still like a very small suitcase, one size up from cabin baggage).

I prefer to underpack than over. If I pack something but don't end up wearing it, I get so mad at myself- "Why did you bring that, you didn't even wear it! Think how much lighter your bag would have been if you had left it at home!" Even if it's only one top, lol! I've never lost luggage but my boyfriend has, and boy did it scar him. He eventually got it back so it's all good, but now he is obsessed with security, locks and carrying-on!

Julie, I always overpack underwear, too! The only thing- I wonder why? I always hear my Mum saying "Take some extra underwear, just in case". Lol, just in case what!?

I'll definitely take loads of pictures at the wedding, and any other times that I look marginally fab.

medusa

Veteran

I definitely pack light. I don't like to check luggage, and I can always do laundry during the trip. I once took a 3-week trip to Europe that included work, a hiking trip, and a yoga mat, all in a carry-on bag. I was proud of that one.

Louise

Veteran

I'm a bit af an overpacker usually- though only usually camping so i just have to manage to stuff it in the car then listen to the other half moaning he can't see out the rear view mirror cause of all my stuff i keep telling him i need a trailer!
However during a recent long weekend i packed really light 1 dress, 1 pair of clams 2 tops 2 shoes and happily came home with nothing unworn. However i still ended up with 2 bags cause i like to take my own pillow and blanket and 10 pairs of knickers, well you never know when you might need extras! x

shiny

Veteran

Regarding carry on luggage, with the new regulations, how do you do this? Do you buy all your cosmetics and toiletries when you land?

I actually prefer to check my luggage. For one thing, I threw out my back once on a business trip, trying to lift my carry-on up to stow it in the overhead compartment. For another, I just like minimal stuff to lug through the airport. The sooner I can check, the better!

But I feel sorry for DH... my pack mule: when we went to his reunion we ended up in a 4th floor dorm room... with no elevators. And I had packed my stuff and the girls' stuff in one enormous bag (instead of three small ones), thinking I was being clever. After that experience, my DH will no longer let me use that bag. So I must manage with my medium-sized one!

marianna

Veteran

I always overpack because I feel like I'll never know what mood I'm in when I'm getting dressed. I pretty much only fly with Southwest Airlines these days, so as long as my suitcase is under 50 pounds, I'm satisfied. I've had "accidents" where my suitcase was over 50 pounds and they wanted me to pay some crazy amount, so I frantically asked them to hunt down a box for me and I transferred a few items into a box to avoid the heavy luggage fee. Now I carry an extra empty foldable bag with me, just in case my suitcase is too heavy. Other than that, I have no packing philosophy...

shana

Veteran

I'm definitely an over-packer most of the time. I like to be prepared for every scenario and like Marianna, I can be a mood dresser too. Since most of my travel is abroad & I usually travel with at least two others in tow, checking in luggage is a must. This past trip to Europe, I didn't have any hand baggage other than my backpack which was important since I was traveling alone with two kids.

Some of my packing rules:

I always like to wear my heaviest shoes and my bulkiest coat/jacket so that I don't have to worry about packing them and taking up loads of space in my luggage.

Like Julie, I like to spread out my stuff among a couple of different suitcases so I'll have something in case one goes missing.

Extra underwear is a must!

I do the same thing with taking an extra bag - I sometimes even pack one suitcase inside of another so that I have enough room to bring stuff back.

I always take lots of ziplocs and plastic bags to help pack things for my return trip (we usually bring back lots of food-type items). This past time, I even packed some bubble wrap which I used for some alcohol that we bought in Germany.

I try to stick with as few pairs of shoes as possible so really my outfits are all coordinated around my shoes. I try to stick with just one or two capsules so that everything can mix and match.

I also wear all my expensive jewelry that I am taking with me (or have it in an inside zippered compartment in my bag so that no one can easily access it). I always bring my makeup in my carry-on I bring minimal toiletries because it's just as easy to buy that kind of stuff wherever you go. Plus, I sort of like trying out new things and this gives me an excuse.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow! So interesting! Great tips and formulas :0)

So I’m the odd one out. I do not believe in packing light at all. Why would you do such a thing? I think it’s counter intuitive. Pack whatever you think you will need within your weight allowance, and make sure you can bring back a few extras within your weight allowance as well. That’s my packing philosophy. Use up the 22 kilos!

Alecia

Veteran

I focus my packing around my shoes. I try to take as few as possible. So I guess I build my capsules around them. For our last trip to Europe, I took three pairs. Two for walking and one for dress up. Then I move onto lower body garments. All of these must go with at least two tops that I'm bringing - often times more. So I think I end up packing pretty lightly but not overly so. I'm pretty middle of the road. And a lot of this does stem from the desire not to have lug a lot around. If I can't carry it by myself, I don't want to bring it.

trix

I'm one of the packing-light crew because I don't like checking bags (you have to check in earlier and wait on the other end to pick it up, and I hate even thinking about the possibility that I could lose my bag) and because I tend to be fairly mobile when I travel, visiting multiple cities and taking public transportation a lot. Fortunately, I'm a pretty boring dresser who doesn't know how to accessorize :-), which simplifies the packing. Like Maya and Taylor, I go with the mix-and-match approach. In my case, that means a couple of neutral bottoms (usually either black or khaki; jeans feel too heavy and bulky) and coordinating tops, and lots of layers. Now that I'm trying to learn to accessorize, I suppose I'd add scarves and necklaces to spice things up.

Shiny, I have a whole set of toiletries in <3oz sizes that will take me through most trips. Contact lens solution would be the one exception, but because it counts under "medicines," you're allowed to bring a larger container as a carry-on.

Medusa, I'm impressed by your example! So far my best packing job was fitting enough clothes into a carry-on suitcase for a 10-day trip to Spain in the winter without wearing any of the tops twice. In my old age, I'm finding it harder and harder to travel light...

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

As a result of no frills, have to pay for checking in luggage airlines in Europe, I have learnt to pack light.

Last weekend we went to Krakow for 2 nights (amazing, beautiful city btw). I took a backpack. On the plane I wore jeans, boots, shirt and trench. In my bag I had cons, a dress, a warmer knit top, two lighter cotton tops, underwear and my cosmetics. Enough for sightseeing and two nice dinners out.

I find in spring and autumn I take less than I do in summer and Winter as in summer you need more changes of clothing and in winter clothes can take up more room. We have just booked a weekend trip to Budapest for mid-December so no doubt will take a slightly bigger bag, but still carry on probably, even though we are flying BA and don't have to pay for luggage.

I have enough bottles to decant all my cosmetics etc into. For weekends you hardly need anything so my bottles are all smaller than 100ml anyway.

Since I always take public transport to and from airports I need to be carry my luggage so I never take what I can't easily carry up a flight of stairs by myself.

Smaller feet make the job easier too!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I (try to) pack light, because most of the time I am travelling with a backpack I need to carry. Invaraibly its always pretty full though, and at 65L capacity, that can get heavy.

I don't take my favourite clothes, because I worry about wearing them out with bad laundry practices or just getting them wrecked because I tend to be outdoors "roughing it" more when travelling. I really hate packing and tend to do it last minute, which is not very wise either. But I never learn!

I'm going to China next week so packing is on my mind at the moment. The first week will be in the countryside doing hiking and cycling, so I'm planning on taking my backpack and packing as light as possbily. Then when I get to Beijing or Singapore I'm going to buy a suitcase since I don't own one myself, and put shopping in there. Of course this will backfire totally if I can't find enough clothes in my size. There's a H&M in Beijing - I'm so excited!!!!