I got the Bagsmart packing cubes from Amazon (I’m sure they are available elsewhere). They are very high quality and compress both easily and a lot. One thing to consider is that if you use packing cubes in medium size checked luggage as a way to fit more items, it will be very easy to exceed the weight limit.
I have mentioned this before but when I pack I always keep in mind that my SIL took her 5 kids to Europe for 3 weeks where they stayed in super nice hotels and they each only brought one backpack. Since I have overpacker tendencies, that is a reminder and motivation for me.
DD and I are going to Croatia and Greece in a few weeks and then I am going on to Italy after she leaves. We will spend 3 nights each in 4 different cities so it occurred to me that my goal should be to try and pack as if I I am going to going on a 3 or 4 day trip (well my clothes anyway. In all reality I’ll probably pack enough shoes for a 3 MONTH extravaganza).
I have found some YouTube videos on different ways to create capsule wardrobes helpful. Thanks @zeebamom for the subreddit suggestion. I’m going to check that out too.
I use compression packing cubes and roll clothing. I also try to have clothing that doesn’t wrinkle. I get cold easily so I have to bring layers. Having scarves helps add a dash of color and make me look different in the photos so it doesn’t look like I only brought very few outfits.
Unfortunately, my required medical gear is bulky and heavy. It makes me work even harder to be a minimalist on my clothing.
I have overpacking tendencies. My trouble is weight not space. If I use compression, checked bags are too heavy on the scale and carry-ons are too heavy for me to manage.
I guess if I ever take a big trip again, I will have to work on my need to take my entire wardrobe! Right now, it is just short trips to either the beach by car, or a plane to my son; both places have w/d. I am going to practice on my upcoming beach trip with D and family, and see if I can pack in a carry on bag, even through we are driving and have plenty of room. In my head, I will need options as the weather can be pool weather and/or need for jeans and jacket for the evening. So, each day might need pool wear, day wear, walking/exercise clothes and evening wear. To me, that is also 3 different pairs of shoes!
Even if I still over pack, but can pack in a smaller bag with compression packing cube, I will feel a victory! Plus now that I have gone down the rabbit hole of searching for a new bag, I have to buy one, right?
In the words of the little engine that could, “I think I can!”
Shoes are the biggest space sucks! I limit myself to three pairs no matter how long the vacation. I tend to use my carry on bag for clothes only and then a travel backpack for my shoes and toiletries. My methodology is that I wear my bulkiest shoes on the plane (usually hiking boots or sneakers depending on the trip), have a pair of dress shoes for the evening and a pair of comfortable walking shoes that aren’t sneakers/boots for the day time. If it’s a beach vacation, the comfortable walking shoes get switched out for beach/pool shoes. I usually plan my capsule wardrobe around the shoes.
I find it harder to be mindful of pairing down if we are driving ; )
I have learned when I pack to pack my most favorite things. Just like at home, what % of our wardrobe do we reach for most often???
My hardest limiting is shoes. Probably because they really do suck up the most room. And I like to have multiple athletic shoes! I don’t do flats which would be thin. I usually do two athletic shoes (one a neutral like white, black or tan) and then one colored), one sandal that can be versatile to walk to the beach or to wear with a sundress. If it’s cold weather I’ll change out an athletic shoe for a boot I will wear, not pack.
I am a reformed overpacker (most of the time). Did three 2-week European trips with just a carryon (although we checked it) and a backpack (on one I had a small extra bag since checked the suitcase). I was kind of shamed into it by a friend who did several long trips with just a carryon. Part of the reason is that it is really hard to drag a larger suitcase around, especially on a train or even in the small cars found in other countries. The trade-off to having fewer clothes is not hurting myself with a heavier suitcase.
Like @abasket, the shoes are the problem! Especially when it may rain, I need at least 3 pairs: one walking shoes/sneakers on the plane, an extra pair in case the first ones get soaked, and then a nicer pair (low boots or maybe sandels). I usually will pack one pair in my personal item backpack.
I have not used packing cubes, but use the roll technique, limit the number of pants, and wear shirts more than once. If no w/d, wash out undies/shirts in the sink. I use the small refillable bottles for shampoo, conditioner and bodywash as my hair and skin are sensitive. I write on them with a sharpie. Easy to refill. And unless you are going somewhere very rural, you can buy things like sunscreen once you get there,
Last year on a 3 week trip to The Netherlands and Northern France I took one carryon and one Foldie. I wore my one pair of black Hokas which are very comfortable for walking. Really no one looks at your shoes. One really good comfortable pair is fine.
The biggest space problem are jackets. I had a lightweight rain jacket and a puffy.
I have a black, white, tan color palette. Everything goes with everything. Wash out panties, bras and socks.
I don’t want to be lugging heavy bags around on European trains, or across cobbled streets.
I posted a pic of what I packed for an 11-day trip on the Does Packing Stress You Out? thread. I learned from DH’s 17 years of 100% travel that if it doesn’t comfortably fit in a carry-on roller bag and personal/cosmetics bag, it doesn’t go. We did 47 nights in Dublin with one roller bag each and one shared larger checked bag.
Totally agree with leaning on the fact that there are stores everywhere on the planet, you don’t need to take everything you own, and designing a coordinated travel wardrobe like @TatinG noted above is a smart travel move. I’m like @abasket about jewelry, too. Basically, just the jewelry I’m wearing (gold) and a silver equivalent set, and I travel with quality costume jewelry, not my good stuff. I left my wedding ring with my mom when we went to Ireland and wore my travel ring instead.
Lots of good tips on this thread, but learning to pack less rather than cram more is the key.
A few thoughts: I am returning home today from a yoga retreat in Mexico and then a few days in SoCal at my sisters house. I WAY overpacked. At least 2 sundresses and 3 tops were never worn. Took 3 swimsuits and should have taken one. Etc.
Re: shoes. For a non beach trip I typically wear a pair of comfortable sneakers on the plane. I pack a pair of black ballet flats for “dressier “ dinners, as well as a pair of waterproof sneakers ( mine are Vessi).
I went for 2 weeks to Netherlands and Belgium last fall. Used a 13 liter backpack carryon with packing cubes. Wore one pair of black sneakers. Brought one extra pair of pants. Enough underwear for 14 days. About 5 shirts. Wore my puffy coat and a sweater on the plane. Toiletries in a quart baggie and put it in the top of back pack. It was very minimalist. No shampoo, conditioner, etc- just use hotels and AIR b&b. No checked luggage. Easy.
Try to limit to 2 pairs of shoes, 3 max. Wear heavier pair on the plane. If a single day on your trip is going to result in you “needing” 4 different pairs of shoes, rethink your footwear for the trip.
Before you put everything into your luggage, lay everything out on your bed. Then stand back and look at it all and think…do you REALLY need it all? If you pack ALL of it, will you have any room for souvenirs that you might want to bring home?
Pick what clothes you bring in such a way that you can put together multiple outfits between the pieces you bring. Mix and match. For example, bring 3 pairs of bottoms (pants, shorts, whatever) that are equally interchangeable with all of the shirts/tops you’re bringing.
Don’t bring multiple sweatshirts & jackets if it’s a warmer-weather trip. Bring 1 (2 max, if you must). Pick 1 that goes well with ALL of the tops & bottoms you’re bringing. If you get cold on the plane, wear it on the plane. This saves room in your luggage for something else. For example, for me, this means that I bring ONE sweatshirt. Not 2 or 3. ONE. If you’re prone to getting cold, bring a scarf, too. If doing that, bring ONE, not 4. ONE scarf that you can pair with all the tops & bottoms you’re bringing. This gives you more versatility + more room in your luggage for souvenirs on the way home.
if your goal is to rely on 1 roller carryon bag + 1 ‘under the seat in front of you’ bag, is the roller bag so heavy that you can’t lift it above your head? If yes, then remove some stuff from that bag.
Rethink what you REALLY need in terms of toiletries. Switch to powder-based toothpaste (I use Ecodent when traveling)…that saves room in your 3-1-1 liquids bag.
if traveling to Europe, bring your own deoderant because most deoderants in Europe are not antipersperants, too.
If you’re traveling with a partner (spouse, significant other), consider whether you’d be willing to share certain toiletries. For example, ONE person brings the toothpaste and the 2 of you share it.
Another thing to consider: if you are willing to wear your carry-on as a backpack, a non-wheeled backpack is lighter and has more interior volume than a wheeled suitcase of the same outside size.
I use my packing cubes in suitcases but find I get more clothes in my softsided carry’ons if I just roll them and stuff them in the bags. On a river cruise, the packing cubes were perfect since you just slide them in the dresser drawers and if you have to switch ships, just pull them out and put them back in your suitcase.
