I've been lurking but your post makes me unlurk long enough to reply! This is one of my favorite topics, since taking on a job with 50% travel about 3 years ago.

My travel takes me everywhere in North America, all different climates. I've also learned how to pack for vacation travel to beach or Europe. And while our house was being renovated, I lived out of two suitcases for 9 months (one packed with business clothes, and one with leisure wear), while traveling non-stop to escape the mess and noise. You can go back in my posting history and see more posts I've made on this topic.

I am not like Angie however in that my primary travel goal is traveling LIGHT. Due to back problems etc I was determined to learn how to pack minimally, and all in carry-on. One blogger I really love for travel capsule tips is Unefemme.net. (I also like her site as she's about my height, similar build, similar age -- so I'm finding her clothing recommendations generally work well for me).

You asked about Eileen Fisher. I have become a huge fan, and some of my key travel pieces are EF. This includes the slim crepe ankle pants. They travel beautifully! And work well even in hot climates. I also like EF skirted leggings, though I wouldn't bring those for a business trip. I like them because they can be easily layered with fleece leggings underneath, and they are dressier/more modest than regular leggings. I also have a couple of EF cardigans that are lightweight, don't pill, pack well, and keep me warm.

I am short however. I wear EF petites. Any brand reco's below, are based on my petite experience, and I know you are tall so your mileage will probably vary. Also realize that because I'm so short, yes I can fit all of the below in my bag, because, well, my clothes are smaller to begin with....

MY METHOD

1. I start with the shoes.
I try and limit myself to just 3 pairs, one on my feet (the bulkiest) and two in the bag. It goes without saying that all shoes must be road-tested and comfortable for hours of walking. I pack two flats (one more casual and one more dressy) and one pair of modest-height heels. That said, sometimes if I pack light elsewhere, I can squeeze in another pair of shoes, if they aren't too bulky. Did that on my last trip. Shoes are THE most important thing you will pack, as they can make or break your trip.

Generally I find packing black shoes is the best strategy as they'll go with anything, but I don't always follow this and will take along one pair of more interesting, non-black shoes. My last trip for example I took white mule loafers. Sometimes I take leopard booties. I stick to "neutrals" and consider white, animal print, and metallic all neutrals. I also often toss in a pair of J Crew metallic thongs, but they take up very little space, so don't really count in my mind. They are great to have even on non-beach vacations as you can wear them to the pool, around the hotel, and if your feet swell you have something you can still wear. Also I bring moleskin and blister packs in my toiletry kit.

2. I pack 2-3 bottoms depending on length of trip.
Almost always, I bring black 5 pocket ponte knit LOFT leggings, and the EF slim crepe ankle pants in black. The 3rd pair could be jeans. Or skirted leggings. I don't pack skirts but I don't wear skirts.

3. I pack tops that go with the pants next.
This can vary depending on the climate and whether business or leisure. I pack one per day, plus 1-2 extra. I find that silky/synthetic blouses take up less room than cotton tees, and also wash out in the sink overnight. But I will take along a tee or two (white or black or striped). I also pack an EF silk camisole for layering.

4. I bring 2-3 toppers.
One I wear one the plane, and two in the bag. This could be a blazer, a denim jacket, an army jacket, a leather jacket, cardigans. This does not include outerwear like a trench or puffer -- I wear that on the plane. I prefer cardigans to pullovers because I find they are more versatile for layering.

5. I pack silk long johns.
They are super light weight and take up little space in the bag. I use them as sleepwear. I also use them to layer under clothes if it's colder than expected. They rinse out in the sink and dry overnight. I also tuck all my jewelry inside them, to protect my jewelry.

6. I bring a couple of scarves.
I wear one on the plane and tuck another in the bag. Scarves not only provide warmth but add interest to my outfits.

7. I bring one dress.
Call it the LBD, but it needn't be black. A simple dress that can be dressed up or down with change of footwear and accessories.

8. I bring an interesting flat clutch.
Instead of a handbag, I use flat clutches which can be tucked into my carry-on, so I have only two bags (carry-on and carry-on roller bag). I make this piece interesting - pop of color, animal print, etc -- so that it works for dressing up or down. That said lately I've added a small cross-body to my travel capsule, which is lots more casual but very handy for travel. Still small enough to tuck inside a bag.

9. I bring a reusable shopping bag.
The kind that rolls up small. This can be used for shopping but also makes a handy beach bag.

10. Toiletries: keep them in check.
I find toiletries can take up a lot of room if you aren't careful. I invested in a set of travel sized containers, tiny make-up pots, a small pill box for my meds and vitamins, and a Quip toothbrush. I keep my toiletries permanently packed and ready to go, refilling after each trip. Also I pack them in an Eagle Creek nylon pouch. After trial and error, I find this works best, as the soft sides allow the toiletries to kind of spread out and make use of excess nooks and crannies in the bag, rather than a hard-sided kit which just takes up unnecessary space.

11. I use Eagle Creek Pack-It system.
Highly recommend!! I put my shoes in the shoe bags. My toiletries in a large pouch. Silk long johns & jewelry in a small pouch. Another pouch for undies and bras, and a compression pouch for any tees or leggings (rolled). And use the flat fold-it thing a ma bobby for pants and tops, this goes on top of everything else. I also use a pouch to corral beach wear - bathing suit, hat, cover-up.

12. Undies.
I bring one per day plus 1 extra, and two bras (nude and black). I did invest in some travel undies but I don't like them as much. If I'm traveling for more than a week, then I just bring a week's worth and plan on doing laundry or washing out in the sink. Oh and socks of course! I prefer traveling in shoes I can wear socks with, as it reduces chance of blisters. I also bring socks on beach trips, because my feet get cold at night.

13. Bags
I have a Briggs and Reilly carryon that is non-descript, light-weight black nylon, with a sleeve so it slides on over the luggage. No it's not fashionable but it fits a ton of stuff. I pack my laptop and electronics in it, the clutch, a book to read, and I still have room leftover for a topper or two and scarves. My roller bag is Vitronix and it's been going strong for 3 years despite lots of abuse.

14. I do often end up with a color theme.
Not saying I aim for one, it just tends to work out that way: Black + white + a color. My last trip the color was blue. Prior trips the color was red. Color themes tend to happen naturally when I decide which scarf I'm going to bring. Does this top go with that scarf?

15. Beware items that take up too much room.
Sweatshirts. Sweat pants. Pajamas. Robes. Bulky shoes. Jeans. These are the packing killers, as they take up too much space. Even cotton tops take up a lot of space, compared to blouses. And yes, sneakers. If you want to bring these things, wear them on the plane!! And it is quite okay to wear the same travel outfit to and from.

15. Map it all out, and try everything on.
I use PPT to map it all out visually before I start packing. I walk through my trip and what events and occasions I need to dress for. I watch the weather closely. I audit what kind of underwear, belts, bras, socks I need for each outfit to make sure I don't forget something. I play around with it all on virtual paper first, making outfits. Then when it's time to pack I try everything on to make sure it still fits and I feel excited to wear it. I often wind up making last minute tweaks. When I get home, I go back to my PPT record and note what I actually wore, and what I didn't, for future reference.

16. Account for bloat.
I don't know about you, but traveling makes me bloat. Just being on an airplane, I'll get dehydrated and this leads to water retention. Not to mention eating out. So I value stretchy forgiving clothes, over tight and structured.

17. Warm-weather trips.
... you can pack a lot more because the clothes are lighter weight and skimpier! Always bring 2 bathing suits for beach trips. Do go ahead and pack more, as you will sweat more. Also you're probably more likely to be packing cotton, which as I said is bulky. Bring along a zip-loc pouch, as you may be packing a wet bathing suit on the way home. Don't pack a towel, as you can surely get one wherever you are at. Don't forget a hat and sun bloc, as sunburn is no fun. Often we just buy sunscreen when we arrive, since I go through it like crazy.

18. TSA-pre!!! Do it!
You don't have to take off your belt or shoes, and you don't have to pull out a 3-2-1 bag. You breeze right through security. If you travel a lot, it's worth it.

19. Cold weather trips.
A packable puffer is worth it. Bring tall boots, and wear them on your feet. Those silk long johns will be a god-send, as will some fleece leggings, and a warm scarf, hat, and gloves.

20. Rainy weather trips.
Packable umbrella, crushy rain hat, and waterproof trench. Do not bring suede shoes. Bring shoes that won't leak if you step in a puddle. Also, consider packing dresses/skirts, rather than pants, as wet pants or hems are no fun.

Wow, great tips, Shiny! Road warrior deluxe!

"Suz, four pairs of shoes? What type? I agree it's good to switch shoes, but I need to give the ideal number and their functional purpose some careful thought because that's a lot of suitcase real estate. I can imagine, as in your suggestions, the type and number of shoes being different depending on the activities planned, the weather, and even the accommodations."

That's it, precisely -- and your examples were great. It really depends what you're doing, where you're doing it, and how much space you have. I am lucky in that I have relatively small feet, which makes it a bit easier to include more shoes. But typically I try to wear the bulkiest or heaviest pair I'm bringing. Sometimes I don't, though. Recently I had a trip that required hiking boots and I refused to wear them on the plane. It did mean I had to resort to a checked bag, but since I was not concerned with connections, I went ahead with that plan.

I think you are on the right track, Staysfit, to go through your own wardrobe before hitting the shops. The responses In this thread are a good illustration that a must-have for one person is a don't bother for another.

In my experience, I'm happiest when my travel clothes fit MY needs and MY style. I don't wear much makeup and let my curls do more or less as they please, so I'm happy to give over my suitcase space to an extra pair of shoes (I do a LOT of walking!) instead fitting in a hairdryer and a pile of cosmetics. Another woman would recoil at such a trade-off. Same goes for the kind of luggage you prefer, the color palette you'd choose (my sister detests black as much as I endorse its versatility), the number and type of footwear, the need for exercise gear ( I'm with Suz that walking 20km a day, up and down stairs and hills, doesn't leave me enough energy to do anything but fall into bed!), and on and on.

If it helps, here's more or less the thought process I go through when figuring out how to pack for a trip--in order of priority:

What kind of luggage works best for this trip? Is weight a consideration?
What are MY non-negotiable clothing/personal requirements?
What kind of footwear will I need?
What kinds of activities will I be doing? Which are most/least likely? Can I get by for some of least likely situations by making do, borrowing, or, in a pinch, using my credit card if circumstances require me to do so?
What temperatures/weather might I encounter? What is the likelihood I'd encounter this kind of temperature or condition?
What outfits can I put together with my chosen footwear which will work for the activities and weather I'm most likely to encounter? How easily can I swap out items between outfits to provide some variety or adjust to fit different circumstances?

I also weight over if I can I double up, make-do, go without, or purchase on arrival some items to save space or weight. I ask myself if I need to haul an umbrella around for days when I can buy one for a few dollars at my destination. Or is saving a few dollars on sunscreen that important?

You've got some good tips and strategies here to think over, but, for most of us, packing for a trip involves a series of decisions and trade offs. Only you know your personal priorities and what kinds of restrictions you can endure. Personally, I can't look at ANYTHING black for at least a month after I return from an extended trip.

ETA: YES, to everything Shiny says! And to those slim black crepe EF pants!

This is such an interesting and also exciting thread, with so much useful info. I've never travelled without checked luggage, so I'm not the best person to give advice on how to pack light. I'm also not a 'one capsule' type of person.

However, I do know that I feel best when wearing clothes that are to my taste, comfortable and fit well. If you're like me, wearing clothing that doesn't feel right might actally bother you more during travelling than it would in your everyday life. At home you can always pick something more comfortable, if your first choice doesn't work out. On a trip you're stuck with what you have with you. You're also more likely to wear clothes for extended periods of time and on multiple occasions. You'll probably take more photos, too, and wearing outfits that don't look the way you would like might bother you even more.

I always build my travel wardrobe according to planned activities and anticipated weather conditions, and really try to pick items (outfits) that make me feel good or are at least very comfortable. That means I usually take with me my favourite clothes. Comfortable footwear is a neccessity, too.
Weather can be unpredictable, so packing options for sunny, windy or rainy weather, and for colder or warmer temperatures is always a smart choice. Even if it means packing a sweater or a rain coat that you won't get a chance to wear.

I wish you pleasant travels and hope you have a great time exploring the world .

Shiny, thank you for sharing so much about what you have learned from your travel experiences. I have TSA pre-check and would definitely recommend it for anyone who travels frequently.

The suggestion to bring silk long johns strikes me as particularly useful. DD seems to have "borrowed" mine, permanently. I need to add some to a shopping list.

A denim alternative is going to be tricky. Skirted leggings are a definite possibility. It's been a while since I had any. I phased them out of my gear capsule because they were getting caught in my Pilates reformer. I wonder about a tube skirt worn with yoga pants underneath?

One additional thought I had is to bring bring a slip dress, a couple wrap dresses and yoga pants. I wear slip dresses under wrap dresses all the time, add yoga pants, and it's super comfortable and warm if it's cold outside. Everything is light and takes up very little space. I think silk long johns could also work under a wrap dress now that I am thinking about it.....

Agree with Suz -- I had a business trip that also involved hiking as a team exercise. I didn't want to wear the hiking boots on the plane, so I had to sacrifice something else. I took only 1 topper, which I did wear on the plane.

I rarely bring exercise gear anymore on trips because I find I walk so much, and also never really have the time to exercise. That said, I do have a mini-"gear" capsule at the ready for more active vacations, and a mini-beach capsule as well which includes cute cover-ups and a crushable hat.

Yes, the silk long johns are great -- keeps you warm OR cool, too. I invested in a set after I realized my sleepwear was just taking up too much valuable real estate. Double bonus is that they come in handy for layering. One trip this year I was flying from cold Boston to warm Mexico. I figured I'd only be in the airport a short amount of time so why not go ahead and wear a maxi dress on the plane, with a denim jacket and scarf? Well, we got stuck in the airport for a few hours, but I didn't freeze because I just slipped my long johns underneath.

By the way -- maxi dresses are GREAT for traveling! Keeps your legs covered.

You can definitely take denim. If you are the type who can wear denim on a long plane ride and be comfortable, go for it. I'm not. I find denim incredibly uncomfortable. I do sometimes bring jeans but not wear them on the plane. One frustration is that jeans often stretch out, so I can't always get more than one wear out of them. If you don't have that problem, go for it, but you probably only want to bring 1 or 2 pairs max, because jeans do take up a lot of room.

I forgot tube skirts! I do wear these to travel, but I lost my black ruched one, so now only have one striped tube skirt, which is more memorable.

I do think about memorability... neutral non-descript basic clothes can be worn over and over and re-mixed and nobody notices. That said, if I'm going on a trip where I won't be seeing the same people day after day, then I'm more open to bringing highly memorable favorites and wearing them frequently. And no, I don't worry about photos because usually I'm the one behind the camera taking them.

Gaylene mentioned hair: I do travel with a big round brush, I once forgot it and had to go buy another one, it's that essential to me. I wrap it up in a turbie-towel to protect it. I used to also bring my flat iron but I gave up flat ironing a year ago and my hair thanks me. I don't bother with a hair dryer since the hotel or my hosts always have one, but for european travel I have a small travel dryer. I just can't do the air-dry natural look, unfortunately!

A slip dress might also work as a nightgown?

One other item I've found highly useful -- my SIL bought me for my birthday a cashmere poncho in a beautiful color.

Another thought: I don't go by the "can always buy it when I get there" idea, at least as far as it pertains to clothes.

For one, I'm such a finicky size, needing petites. For two, I do enough shopping at home. I don't want to spend my vacation at the mall. Now if I'm going to Paris that is a different story. But, for the most part, I find the exact same shops here and there, so why bother? I can do that at home. Plus if it's a business trip when will I have the time to shop? And if it's vacation, my hubby's with me and he can only tolerate about an hour.

I once was on a trip to NYC and had major problems with my feet due to swelling, necessitating an emergency shoe shopping excursion. I felt like I had to "settle" for anything, rather than take my time and think through my purchase. (I wound up with a pair of cheap flip flops, which did make me realize they are handy to have in your bag, as if you get blisters or swollen feet, they will work in a pinch). I'd like to avoid that so I don't pack with a plan to buy stuff at my destination.

I do sometimes wind up bringing something home... but it's usually a scarf or jewelry or some other accessory, rarely clothes.

Unless you are on a strict training program for a specific event, cut yourself some slack on exercise during travel time. However, depending on your sport(s) some workout wear can easily fit the carry on and do double duty for other things. No matter what, I ALWAYS pack a bathing suit, goggles and swim cap. I roll them and stick them in a shoe! Running shorts or tights, a sports bra, and a T don't take up much room either if rolled tight. (I've rotated through 2 sets for daily runsx8 during a 10 day vacation. Washed in sink after use.) Though I don't like to wear my running shoes for anything BUT running, I have used them as back up walking shoes. A pair of loose capri length yoga pants have become a favourite travel item - great as a cover-up when getting to the pool, beach, gym. I've pressed them into service for a dressy pm occaision with a tunic over and sandals!

Like Gaylene, I let my hair do what it likes. Some kind of hat is a travel necessity though - for warmth or vs sun. Bring what works for you at home. I favour a beret for cold, and a fedora style for sun. I bring minimal toiletries (what can go in a carry on). If it is a longer trip (1 month) I will do a shop (which can be fun) and share with DH. I like to use the vacation as an opportunity to treat myself and will buy smaller containers of high end products - things I might not necessarily get for myself on a regular basis at home. We like to stay in B&B's and inns, and they often provide some very nice products that I will collect and use along the way.

I do monthly short stints (3-5 days) out of a suitcase, and 1-2 long trips (10-28 days) per year. My next international trip is this September, when I WILL be bringing gear, including my BICYCLE!

Shiny, carrying a credit card instead of a loaded suitcase is actually my preference under certain circumstances.

I rarely shop for clothes while traveling, but using my credit card to buy a couple of cotton T-shirts during an unexpected heat wave in the U.K., skin care in French pharmacy, or a pair of espadrilles for an unexpected invitation to use a beach villa in the south of France works for me. Almost all of my purchases have been inexpensive items which are easily found at my destination and which I often donate to a charity before leaving. Instead of thinking how to cover every possible eventuality, I prefer to just chalk some situations up to being unlikely and go for a smaller, lighter bag. Carrying a credit card is much lighter than an extra suitcase.

Actually my travel epiphany came back in my twenties when an airline lost my checked bag. This was way back in the days before computers and manual searching was the only way to locate a missing bag. I had my crossbody handbag and a small tote with a just airplane necessities. The airline gave me the equivalent of about $50 in today's dollars to cover "necessities". I spend a week in Rome before my bag was finally found and delivered to my hotel.

By the time I got my stuff back, I had decided I didn't need any of it anymore. I did take out a few items (a nightshirt, a windshell, and a few pairs of socks-- to replace the loaners Mr. G had given me), but 95% of my clothes stayed in the suitcase which I stashed into a locker. I spent a glorious three weeks traveling around Italy in my airplane travel outfit with my new purchases stuffed in my tote--a skirt, a pair of sandals, a set of undies, and a silky T-shirt--all bought in Rome at the airline's expense with the help of a friendly desk clerk who steered me to places where she bought her clothes. A beach hat and a bikini were my only other purchases during those three weeks--both items which didn't seem important enough to pack when I was back in Canada! The realization how little I actually needed to be suitably dressed was a revelation. As a European, Mr. G had always been a light packer but, on that trip, HE was the one with the bigger bag!

Gaylene your story reminds me of my 20's when a college friend and I spent over a month living out of a backpack while in Europe. I didn't lose my bag, but I didn't have much with me either. Two skirts, three tops, a swimsuit, two pairs of shoes, a sweater and a raincoat. I may have had a nightgown too, I can't recall, and I'm sure I had undies! No jeans, no shorts and no sneakers. I'm certain I didn't wear a sun hat either. Such happy memories. I kept a mini journal of the trip in a tiny spiral notepad. I keep it in my desk drawer because it's fun to read periodically

That reminds me, I know most people use their cell phones to take pictures, but does anyone pack additional photo equipment? Lenses, cameras? Laptop with editing software? DH and I are considering the option of taking some photography classes.

Just coming back to the thread to ask a question, why the resistance to packed luggage for longer trips? I do understand for overnighters or two to three night trips but if heading away for a longer period the extra cost is not significant nor is the wait at the carousel?

Is it US based airlines losing luggage, the waiting around, or the cost? I personally get frustrated by the airlines charging extra for checked luggage and many people pushing the carry on to the absolute limit - but this is what the current model encourages.

I travel with one wheeled suitcase, a small daypack and a clutch (inside the backpack). The suitcase is larger than carry on but not very large (usually around 11-12 kg).

For gear I mostly take a swimsuit, goggles, one pair shorts or tights, and one pair of capri harems or similar that can be worn to the gym/light run or also for casual sightseeing.

I will wash clothes as I go, either in a sink, laundromat or in the apartment. I do consider this when packing though.

Some of my friends who have done trips recently have been very happy with their merino skirts - cool, comfortable and dressy enough. I don't have one myself but would definitely consider one seriously if/when I do more travel.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have had luggage arrive late or not at all on more than one occasion when it is checked. I am not completely opposed to checking luggage for a longer trip. In fact, chances are good that I will need to check luggage when I travel for longer than a week because I have to bring a significant volume of medical related items to manage my health. My personal preference is to pack as lightly as possible when I travel because I have learned from experience that I rarely wear everything I bring with me when I have a lot, and I hate lugging around large bags.

The less I have, the lighter it is, the happier I am.

I like the idea of a merino skirt. I may look for one.

Sal, if I check my roller I still have to carry my carry on laptop bag, and maybe a handbag as well. I have a long history of back problems so I baby my back. I often wear high heels on the plane, and lopsided-heavy carry-on plus heels can do a number on my back quickly. Then again so can raising the bag up to put it in the overhead compartment -- but almost always there is some tall person who takes pity on me and helps with that.

I don't mind checking at the gate so much, but I do like to be able to roll my bag with carry-on on top of it through the airport. I've got one of those spinner bags which I don't know how I ever lived without. If I still had a regular roller that had to be dragged behind me, yes, I'd probably check it, because that's hard on the back.

I will check if the hubby is traveling with me, because then he carries my bag for me once we're through security.

During the renovation I was traveling around for weeks on end, staying with family and friends, using their houses as home base while I traveled to and fro for business. So I did take two rollers + carry-on, checked one, carried on the rest. One roller had leisure wear, one had professional wear. I lived out of those two bags for 9 months.

I will say that experience did teach me I don't need that much clothes. Yet, I was really happy when I could finally unpack all my clothes in storage, as I was getting tired of living out of luggage.

Sal, I feel as you do -- I don't mind checking a bag at all -- and often I have to. For a short trip of up to 5 days I would not....but when I'm going to be away for 2 weeks to a month, I see no reason to deprive myself of things that might be happiness inducing! It's still important to be thoughtful about the packing, of course.

I love Gaylene's set of questions. For me, every trip is a bit different and has different requirements. The trip I take with my daughter and brother to the east coast in August to see relatives, hike, play on the beach, and eat lobster is a different trip than the trip to London and Granada with my husband in October or the writing retreat in the mountains in May, or the business trip in Toronto in July. There is no possible way one set of clothing could do for all of those or even one type or size of suitcase!

DH will often check (he hates to wear a top more than one day, so packs lots) also, he sometimes schleps his golf clubs. I let him use my checking credit for his clubs and it keeps the cost down. I do find that we spend a lot of time waiting for the bags to get sorted, when I'm usually anxious to get moving.

However, on the return flight home, when I know that I have plenty of clothes in my closet, I'll sometimes check my bag, even if it would fit the overhead cabinet.

The deal with one small bag is the mobility around taking urban transit and moving from place to place. Also, we like to stay in unconventional accommodations and sometimes have to walk up several flights of stairs to reach our room or apartment. If you are going to park in one place for an extended period of time, or have a car, by all means do a bigger bag.

I want the smallest, lightest carry-on because I need to carry it and I am 70 years old. My husband is usually with me but also travels light. He has a bad heart and can't deal with a bunch of luggage either. We so far have always used local trains and walking, so that means lots of carrying whatever we packed. It also makes running to catch a connecting flight possible if you got in late.
Staysfit, this is a link to what I packed for 2 weeks in Ireland for an early spring vacation. We traveled in Ireland by train and walking. I took too much. 3 pairs of pants was 1 too many. I wore the heaviest things on the plane.
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....t-is-in-it

Thanks for the answers to why people choose carry on. I do totally understand the moving between locations and the heaviness of luggage, it can be exhausting hauling bags up stairs and into buses etc. And packing light is freeing!!

In thinking about it the waits here in NZ are probably much shorter for luggage to arrive than in the US (usually 5-10 minutes) so the time is really short (long enough to pop to the bathroom usually!).

I suspect I pack heavier than most in the shoes area which means carry on becomes a real challenge. On the plane I have a jacket, a large camera and a small backpack.

Sal, My local airport is a secondary one, meaning I typically have two or three fights to connect if I'm traveling somewhere. Tight connections and using public transportation at my destnation make carryon luggage-only really helpful. I admit to feeling very superior arriving in a major train station in London last year, being able to hop on the Tube with my luggage, after watching other travelers surrounded by a sea of bags. But they may have looked nicer for more occasions than I did, as there are big tradeoffs.

Joy, thank you for providing the link. I found your post helpful.

Karen13, I completely forgot to mention that annoying issue of connecting flights and catching trains, etc. I am also at a secondary airport city and not a major hub. Technically, luggage should still be sent from start to finish when you fly without having to retrieve it between flights, but I have lugged my bags through the train stations in many cities. Ugh! I much prefer when DH travels with me because he is so much stronger than me, and can help me haul things, but when he isn't, light weight is key.

Sal, the baggage mostly arrives quickly here also, within 5-10 minutes I would say is also the norm. It varies. I don't want you to think that we have big luggage problems here in the US. I don't think we do. It seems like there are inconveniences in lugging it around. Perhaps there are some time constraints in managing it also.

Staysfit, I have done a lot of trips with my camera gear. Are you shopping for that too? If I were starting fresh, I'd be looking at mirrorless systems (Fuji, Lumix, Panasonic are all good), to keep the weight down. At peak my bag hit 30 lbs of glass and my back just can't do it any more. And then I needed a laptop...and a tripod matched to the weight of my lens package...my regular carryon stuff. It made photography not so much fun for travel.

Rambling Ann, thanks for the great suggestion about cameras. Yes, it is time to upgrade and replace mine. DH and I enjoy the wonderful pictures my mother has taken on her world travel adventures and we would like to take some of our own. Hopefully taking pictures while traveling will not take away from the experiences we have at the time. I have been on trips where people are so intent at looking through their camera lense that they forget the people around them.

Shiny, how I miss your wonderfully useful posts!
About footwear...in the past couple of years I have been searching out light weight footwear and it is available. I have metallic sneakers from Ecco with the elastic laces so that they can function as slip ons. A big plus. I also have light weight off-white AGL perforated sneakers that tie and are light weight.
I have Aquatalia black small wedges that are perfect for travel. They can look dressy enough, the slight wedge gives my feet a break from flats, and they are weatherproof; plus they work with skirts, pants, and are walk all day comfortable. I have Taryn Rose pewter metallic ballet flats with rubber soles that are like wearing slippers. I still need light weight booties but have a couple pair of weatherproof ones from Blondo and Aquatalia plus classic black Blondo riding boots, also weatherproof. The boots/booties could be worn during actual travel days to save space and weight. OH, and Croc ballet shoes in leopard for the beach or rain. Very light weight.
I'll add more of these in Finds from my iPad.

Joy, your suggestions for footwear are welcome. I recently purchased some Ecco soft cap 7? Maybe 5? They seem promising. I am testing them by wearing them at work first and next I will try a day with more walking.

I think finding good shows is tricky!

Hi, Staysfit! Congrats on the opportunities to travel more. You are getting some great advice here. I am late in replying to this because I was - you guessed it, traveling!

I was where you are a few years ago - just entering a more travel heavy phase of life - and definitely found that choosing pieces slowly, and based on specific trips is the best approach. You will learn by trial and error what works for you and is appropriate for the destinations you prefer. (Which may be different than the destinations you now have in mind. Once the travel bug hits, no telling where you may decide to visit!) In the last year I have twice travelled with women who had invested in building a specific color-coordinated "travel wardrobe", and seeing them confirmed for me that I wouldn't be happy with that. A wardrobe of iconic EF pieces chosen on the assumption that one will be vacationing in European cities doesn't translate very well to SE Asia or the Oregon Coast, y'know?

Things that work well for me for vacation trips: 1) Liquid toiletries decanted to 1 oz. Nalgene bottles. You can fit at least a dozen in a quart-size bag. An oz. is enough of virtually anything for a two week trip (sunscreen and insect repellant excepted). 2) A pair of supportive sandals that in a "foot emergency" could be worn with color-matched merino socks. I learned the wisdom of this when my husband's PF recurred during a vacation. They take up no more room than flip-flops, serve that function and I find it helps with foot fatigue to wear truly supportive sandals while padding around the hotel or apartment. 4) No single duty shoes or clothing. So all shoes must be reasonably comfortable for walking - depending on destination, that might be colorful Bernardo sandals or a pair of low-heeled pumps. For a nice restaurant dinner, instead of a delicate georgette dress or top I'll choose something like silk crepe in a simple style - because if the need arises, it could be worn for a day at a museum, too. My beach coverup is a tunic or dress than can be worn in other situations. Even sleepwear is leggings or featherweight track pants and a nice looking tee. 5) For trips longer than 4 or 5 days, we plan on laundering and re-wearing most items. Inevitably, we find that weather and/or activities change, and the items worn one day turn out to be perfect for re-wearing on some other day. We prefer giving some luggage space to a clothes line and travel steamer and packing fewer clothes.

The only rule I can think of is be open and don't worry about "rules". Think denim and light colors are not good for travel? I did, too - but then realized that white jeans are perfect for me for coastal trips. I wear them to dinner with a silk or linen top and cute sandals, then the same tops can be re-worn the next day with shorts or chinos. Leather jacket perfect for fall vacation? I find them too heavy to carry when the day warms up, and could be damaged if I get caught in a rainstorm. So now I prefer primaloft or a taupe coated denim moto-style jacket that "reads" like a leather jacket, but can be tied around my waist or stuffed in a tote bag, if need be. Those EF washable wool crepe pants that Shiny loves? They were a godsend on a 3-week trip I took five years ago, and I haven't worn them once since. But for the next trip of that length, they may earn a place in my bag again.

When it comes to traveling for "events" like a wedding, I tend to throw my own travel guidelines out the window and just pack what I would wear if the event were local. If that means a bigger suitcase, I don't fret about it. Another person might choose to create a dressy easy-to-pack capsule for such occasions. As with everything else, there's no one-size-fits-all solution!