I studied Angie's packing list to Japan, as well as some YLFers' travel capsules, but I could really use some advice on what to pack. Last time I went, I took too little in terms of variety (jeans+t-shirts+1 skirt), but I don't want to take too much! I I'll be there for a few months in the summer. Since my last trip, my style has changed, in that I wear blouses and rarely t-shirts (time to give away t-shirts???).

I'd also like to use the opportunity to weed out clothes and shoes that I don't wear often enough to justify being in my closet. I'd *love* to have a tiny wardrobe where I treasure most pieces that is fashionable (despite foot/shoe problems) and that is easy to travel with! Moreover, I want to get out of the habit of "saving" my best pieces. If I have few garments, I'll be forced to wear the dressier.

So questions when you're traveling for a few months at a time when you are guaranteed sunny hot weather daily...(I'm not going to go into the politics of clothing, but let's just say that wear a long skirt in one city means one thing, and wearing it in another city means something else. You have to know where you're going in the morning and dress accordingly):

a) What size purse do you bring? Small, medium or large? And if small, do you also carry around a separate tote to carry your laptop/tech toys?
b) How much make-up/facial cleansers?
c) Do you bring a hair dryer/straightener/curling iron?
d) Do you pack a lot and wash little or pack a little and wash often?
e) Exercise gear--how many pants/sports bras/shirts?
f) Shoes--how many pairs?
g) When you're done packing, what do you remove?
h) What do you pack for dates?

Thanks!