I still don’t understand how packing cubes work, can anybody explain? It seems to me they’ll leave a lot of empty room in the suitcase.
I do this every year in early June.
Wear on the plane
Sweater /light weight jacket
walking shoes
knit/tshirt type top
comfortable pants
In suitcase
2 pairs of pants - one dressier than the other
6 tops - one or two that can be worn to a nicer restaurant
maybe a knit dress and tights
6 pairs of socks
1 ballet flat type shoe
8 pairs of underwear
1 or 2 bras
yoga pants and t-shirt for the gym
another dressy-ish sweater/scarf or jacket
Toiletries - I am fine with hotel shampoo and soap and wear very little make up. In addition to travel size toothpaste and brush, hair brush and lip gloss, maybe eye shadow, I also bring a fingernail clipper, some bandaids, Neosporine, Zantac and ibuprofin. Oh and a few pairs of earrings and one necklace.
I bring a backpack for under the seat which has toiletries, Kindle, small purse and maybe some clothes.
Then I have another bigger roll-on bag for over head.
Even in August I’ve run into 50 degree foggy weather, so being able to layer up is critical. You may want a windbreaker/raincoat depending on the time of year.
@bunsenburner, I have one. It’s just so bulky and adds more weight when it’s all rolled. I used it for years. My necklaces just got larger, longer and itbdufnt work as well. But thanks, though.
@yucca, packing cubes are very useful if you roll your clothes. It’s kenos them from unrolling as they are tightly next to each other. You can also stack in them, as the sides give. When your suitcase is moving around, Django throne, etc. your clothing won’t be moving with it… It is nice and secure. If there is space between the cubes, you can tuck stuff in there that you don’t want to put In the cube.
You put your undies in one cube, socks in another, etc. then you take the cubes out and put them in the dresser in your hotel room, unzip the top, and use the stuff. 
No rummaging around in plastic bags.
" 6 day trip to San Francisco. How many and what types of pants, tops, shoes, accessories, makeup, toiletries, etc. should I take? "
Not much.
A lighter weight packable down jacket that keeps you warm but is not bulky. Attach to outer bag or wear onto plane.
A thin sweater or shawl. Wear or trade out with jacket.
One dress made of non-wrinkle fabric you can wad up–that matches sweater. Throw stockings in if cold.
One pair of comfortable walking shoes you wear on the plane.
One pair of flat sandals for dress up or another pair of non-bulky flats that do the same job. Black.
One pair black pants you wear on plane.
Pack one pair black pants in case something happens to first pair. Different weights in the two.
3 tops made of polyester or other non-wrinkle fabric. One long sleeve for layering. 2 short sleeve.
Necklace that you’ll wear for everything. Leave all good jewelry at home.
Underwear is pretty minimal space taking. Fold small.
2 pair socks–your choice. Either wash or get over it.
Toiletries–tiny travel sizes. All make-up is in a small bag. Make up like foundation is transferred into a tiny bottle.
I like packing cubes but have discovered if I “Kondo” fold my clothes it’s actually easier to pack than in cubes.
Electronics (all those chargers) go in a small bag.
Then the extras–kindle, phone,
All boarding passes etc, get on your phone.
More microfiber the better.
And this is too much for just 6 days. You can do three weeks.
I appreciate the thoughts on the chilly 50s and do expect that by the end of the month, I will think the 50s, especially if foggy/wet, are chilly and require a sweater/jacket/coat.
If I were there today and it was 50, however, I guarantee you I would be in short sleeves and capris and spinning in circles with my face up toward the sun or rain or fog or whatever thanking my lucky stars for the beautiful weather!! LOL
I own packing cubes but rarely use—just as easy or easier to just do without. I try to be sure I can wear each thing I pack a minimum of 3 days and that everything goes with everything else. I do use mesh drawstring bags to keep me electronic cords in. I have another one for my Rx. We put supplements & vitamins in snack ziplock bags that we label—2 labeled snack bags will hold all our supplements for pretty much any trip.
I like traveling light—it’s much more relaxing not worrying about or wrangling luggage. I pack ribbon lei jewelry that compressed to nothing and is very inexpensive if lost or stolen. Scarves are also nice for changing things up and add warmth, especially if warm with a jacket.
Well I definitely need help packing since I typed up a packing list last night and just now realized I forgot to list underwear and socks. I doubt I would have forgotten them since I usually pack those first, but I would be a wreck without my specific style/size of Jockey underwear. Nothing, literally nothing else fits me correctly.
And jewelry makes a great souvenir! Easy to pack and bring back!
Packing cubes–if you have a lot of something that goes in one category (underwear for example) then they also double in compressing your clothes. Just keep cramming them in until you can’t zip it up any more.
If you roll clothes it works fine too.
They are also great when traveling over seas (especially) when TSA tears your suitcase apart. All your stuff is compartmentalized and so it’s easy to put everything back in place very quickly.
I just feel the need to confess that I can’t pack everything in a carry-on, even for a week long trip to the Carribean (bathing suits and shorts, plus a couple sundresses are all that’s needed). I’ve gotten better, but I’m not there yet. If we go with our 3 kids, we sometimes make them pack carry-on only, but we take extra stuff in our luggage. It is a goal though… really.
^ My H said no way he can pack in a carry-on. I guess we’ll see.
@1214mom, the only time I used a carryon was when we went to Italy for 10 nights. I read so much about needing to be able to pick up your own suitcase quickly on the fast trains, etc. I decided to give it a try. I stared at that 19” x 14” Rick Steve’s suitcase for a week and thought “no effin’ way”. But I did it by following lots of advice and I really had enough. We were in 3 cities, so wore things 3 times. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without rolling my clothes.
My 30” suitcase usually was 50 lbs. on all my prior trips anywhere.
After that Italy trip, I now do checked luggage (because why not, I love clothes), but depending on how long I go, I take a 26” or 28”, and it usually comes in at 35 lbs now.
Buy I know I can do checked if I have to.
You all are inspiring me; going to try to pack 12 days Spain in a carry-on. A friend is lending me her cubes. Wish me luck!
@mominva, it really helps to take a backpack, too. I bought this along with the rolling bag. It’s not near this fat, it looks like they’ve shown how it would look expanded and filled to the gills. It fits very nicely under your seat, and has lots of pockets. It also slides securely on your luggage handle. I love it.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/veloce-shoulder-bag
I also took this and used it as my carryon and checked my suitcase. There was no room to bring back stuff we bought, but I planned on that. It used to be called the ‘Don’t tell Rick’ bag. It’s lightweight nylon that comes to you folded all inside itself in a little soft square.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/nylon-tote-bag
I found that it was important to map out my days and decide what I would wear. Then take some pieces out. It’s also important to do a dry run to see what fits and what doesn’t. I actually found I could get more in my carryon not using cubes, and I love cubes. I was packing every inch of my bag.
They say to take only 2 pairs of shoes, one you would be wearing, but there was no way. We went in good weather, so I packed one extra walking sandal (so glad I did), 1 really flat sandal and a pair of wedge peep-toe black patent shoes for evenings. Had 17 articles of clothing, not counting my bathing suit, curling iron, makeup, jewelry, cords, etc. my bag weighed 23 lbs and it was a 19”.
My velocity bag contained my iPad, magazines, big plastic curlers (yep, I put those in there) inflatable neck roll, itenenaray, travel docs, etc. I was packed to the gill, but it was easy to lift on my own wherever.
Just plan to wear things 3 or 4 times. I don’t usually like to do that on vacation, but I found it necessary in Europe. Rick Steve’s forums has a lot of support for this.
Some airlines really do weigh your carry-ons, so be aware of the stated weight limits. I see people repacking bags at check-in every time I fly my Asian carrier. If you have any type of status, this seems to be waived or at least less stringent. I’ve also seen carry-ons weighed to European destinations. Never noticed it being done domestically, but I’ve seen many legal carry-ons grabbed for gate check when the planes are full. This has happened to me even when I am among the first boarders.
Also, if you will be flying within Europe, their carryon sizes are smaller than ours, so double check.
@conmama - yes, I have a NorthFace backpack I was planning to bring, as well.
On my most recent trip to Europe, I did ‘carry-on only’ going over but checked it on the way home. Carried on a foldable tote that was contained my purchases! Didn’t care if my checked bag didn’t arrive on time since I was going home. That foldable tote has come in handy multiple times!
As a follow-up-- ordered Lewis N Clark and also the Eagle Creek compression packing cubes. AM about to try both out, but the Lewis N Clark ones are slightly bigger.