I am going to be doing this and did a dry run yesterday. I have a 20" Rick Steves wheeled carryon and the Veloce Bag (personal item that fits underneath the seat). I am just AMAZED at the Rolling Technique. I got in this bag (not extended and measured 9" width)
4 short skirts
1 maxi skirt
2 short dresses
2 maxi dresses
8 different tops
3 shrugs
1 3" wedge heel peep toe shoe, 1 walking sandal, 2 flat sandals, 1 beach shoe
7 pairs underwear, extra bra
1 swimsuit
1 hat
1 scarf
1 sarong
curling iron
And a couple other things I squeezed in…
OMG…I just couldn’t believe it…it camed to 20 lbs total!!!
In my personal item I had my rubber curlers, 3-1-1 bag, other large bag of stuff, travelon purse, jewelry and room to spare (total weight of 5 lbs…will probably be 6 when I’m finished)
Amazing.
I have a question about men’s packing…do your husbands roll their dress shirts? He’s taking 2 and I’ve taken to cleaners to see what it will look like when they package them. I’m afraid rolling those will just make them really wrinkled.
Where and how long are you going for? Sounds like you have too much stuff still. Leave room to bring something back. Make sure you have adapter plugs if needed.
I’m a fan of rolling too–I’ve even done it at home in my dresser drawers. Makes it so easy to find things!
Does your husband really need dress shirts? But yes, you can roll dress shirts. Putting a layer of plastic dry cleaner sheet before folding and rolling will keep out more wrinkles.
I hope the shirts are made of wrinkle-free fabric and are not starched! Do not take the dress shirts out of the drycleaners’ plastic, but shake the hanger out. Roll them like that, and they will need just a touch up ironing.
I roll everything I put into a wheeled carryon or larger piece of luggage. You can fit more in the spaces between the bars that way.
Here’s a video of a man packing everything in one big folded pile (bundle wrapping) and putting it in his carryon. This works for a rectangular shoulder bag, I would still roll for a wheeled bag.
If you are going tropical, pack an additional swimsuit, get rid of one shrug, two shirts and two skirts. More room for last minute additions and souvenirs!
I agree that’s a lot of stuff. I would probably travel with a fourth of that. I always do laundry while traveling so I can travel as light as possible. I either stay at a rental home where I can do the laundry myself or a homestay where someone does it for me, or if I’m in a hotel I drop it off at a wash/fold/dry clean laundry place and pick it up later. Keep in mind you might also want to buy an outfit where you go, to include as a souvenir. But since you managed to get it all packed, congratulations. Hope it goes as well with the men’s clothes.
Men’s clothes are a pain because their shoes take up so much space–one to wear for dress/walking and one sandal pack. That’s it. I know that sounds draconian but it works!
It’s really easy to add extra stuff when rolling clothes that are non-wrinkle fabric to start. But don’t do it!
Keep to one shrug or one multi-purpose sweater (better) that you wear on the plane.
One extra pair of skinny sandals to dress in. Not three.
Wear your walking shoes/sandals. Leave the rest behind. The beach can be done in your regular sandals. Throw cheap flip-flops in if needed.
Leave the curling iron/curlers behind if you can. It’s very liberating.
I would have shorts/pants but if that’s not your style then consider cutting it down–2 skirts, 1 maxi dress–look at cutting it in half.
My packing list:
1 pair of shorts (blue or black)
1 long pants (black).
two dresses (since they are cool) but only super non-wrinkle… I call it wash and wad fabric.
1 sweater (I wear on the plane).ri
Tops–around 5 I know I can rinse them out depending on weather. Again–wash and wad fabric No wrinkles allowed.
Underwear–so easy to wash/dry if you have microfiber. Doesn’t take a lot of room depending on your trip.
Shoes–walking sandals (also for dress) and a pair of super light-weight athletic shoes.
Cosmetics–go to the container store/wal-mart and look for tiny travel size stuff. I’ve been working on this.
Hubbie–
Lord a mighty!
Something new in super light-weight fabrics. My best new finds were some shorts in good fabric with zipper pockets.
TRY to pare down the heavy and bulky snhoes.
You will be happier as a traveler–which is part of the Rick Steve’s philosophy if you follow his guidelines.
Rolling your clothing is THE only way to go. I routinely pack for internat’l business trips of 1 - 2 weeks in a carry-on. I don’t wear business suits, but I do have to be nice-business-casual in front of clients.
Having said that, I think you have a LOT of duplication. You’ve got 5 skirts and 4 dresses - so 9 bottoms - do you really need 9 bottoms for a trip? 3 shrugs also seems like a lot. You’re better off with (say) 1 shrug and 1 cardigan.
To wear a pair of shoes and then have 5 more pairs also seems like a lot. I would do your heel, 1 walking sandal, 1 flat sandal and make that sandal be your beach shoe.
How many dress shirts does he really need? Unless they are an absolute must, leave them at home.
If they are a must, consider using a cleaner that will fold them neatly with pins, then hang them up on arrival. Or pack them with something like the Eagle Creek packing folder: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packitgarmentfoldermedium/d/1325_c_460 Happydad’s conference wear traveled to Australia in one, and had no visible wrinkles on arrival.
I don’t remember the last time I checked a bag and it all goes in my backpack along with my laptop.
I do it by bringing very few things. Max of one additional pair of shoes in addition to what I’m wearing on the flight. I will generally bring a short for each day as they’re easy to fit along with a few pairs of pants and/or shorts. Depending on where I’m going I’ll usually just buy the travel size when I get there. Saves the hassle.
second too much. also leave room for purchases. have packed suit and shirt for a wedding for H put the shirt and arms into the suit and folded the arms and suit- did not roll. worked very well. it is harder to roll dress shirts and ties.
I use dry cleaning plastic and tissue between the layers - can’t bring myself to roll nicer things. I mostly struggle with the liquid issue - I need a lot of products and have a hard time fitting them into the required bag.
I just bought an Osprey Farpoint backpack with the goal of only traveling with what I can carry on my back. My packing list looks like gouf78 for an upcoming 7 day trip to Chile. I’m excited that after years of searching, I just acquired the perfect travel/go anywhere dress. I’m anxious to see if I can pack without using all the space in the 40 L pack. I plan to take public transportation everywhere and not rent a car. We’ll see what happens!
Ok,ok,.,I’ll take a second look at what I’m taking, but I’m not promising anything…haha. Actually, no shorts as I will be in Italy and I read it’s just a bit more fashionable to wear skirts/ dresses. I bringing 3 for days to alternate…10 days. They are lightweight and more travel type skirts. The 4th one is for evening. I purchased water shoes as we will be in Positano for 3 days and the beach is not sand but rocks. I was afraid if I go in the water, my rubber flip flops would fall off…but maybe not. It would be nice to leave them behind. I will rethink the two flat sandals…but they are so flat!
I am taking the Rick Steves “don’t tell Rick” bag…just a few ounces and folds into 4 by 4 inches for travel. I will expand my suitcase coming home and check that. This other bag expands to 22 inches x 14 and I will use that as carryon for all my purchases!!
I will take your suggestions to go lighter…it was my first real dry run.
Are you planning on rewearing anything? I am leaving in a week for a 9 day trip to France and Belgium. I spend 4 days with clients and the last 3 days by myself touring. Honestly there’s no reason I can’t rewear the dresses I’m wearing in front of my clients when I go touring a few days later - just with more comfortable walking shoes. It’s not like I am sweating or getting them dirty or smelly when I’m in an air conditioned conference room. The only thing that really gets a little dirty is what I wear on the plane ride. I typically wear the same outfit coming and going because then it has the time in between to air out. I also bring scrubs to use as pjs - they pack super flat.
