What's the secret to packing light?

ncmc

Every time I go on holiday, I swear that this time I am going to pack light, and every time, I end up packing all bar the kitchen sink. Last year going to Florida, I packed so much that I wasn’t able to buy anything out there, which killed me as the stuff is dirt-cheap!

This year I am determined not to fall in to the same trap. We are driving around California and Vegas and I want to be able to do some shopping. The thing is by the time I pack my day-wear, evening-wear, runners for hiking, shoes and cosmetics, my bag is full and I’m tipping 23 kilos!

So what is the secret/best advice you can give about packing light?

Curvy Vixen

Buy your cosmetics/wash-stuff/sun-creams etc there (be cheaper anyway!)

1 pair of jeans or shorts

couple t-shirts

1 pair trousers (dark colour) for evening

couple tops

black bra

white or flesh bra

5 pairs knicks and buy wash powder there! (Or no knicks )

1 pair evening shoes

Wear trainers and trackie or combats

Job done! You'll wear what you buy so just think of it as having your own personal wardrobe in the US! You have to be tough on yourself when you're packing. It'll be roasting too so you really won't need much!

Ponster

My wife and I are also driving around CA and Vegas this summer. I sware that I won't have anymore than 2 pairs of shorts and 2 T-shirts in my case. Everything else will probably come from Old Navy which we visit on the very first day

So just bring enough clothes to get you through 2 days and buy the rest, including footware, over there.

Slow Motion

Use a small bag and decide that if it doesn't fit in then it's not going, baring in mind that most countries are cheaper than here, I buy anything else I need abroad!

ncmc

Ponster wrote: »

My wife and I are also driving around CA and Vegas this summer. I sware that I won't have anymore than 2 pairs of shorts and 2 T-shirts in my case. Everything else will probably come from Old Navy which we visit on the very first day

So just bring enough clothes to get you through 2 days and buy the rest, including footware, over there.

Wow, quick replies there peeps! You see, I am actually having heart palpitations at the thought of only having two days clothes with me! I'm the 'be prepared' kinda girl (ie bring everything in my wardrobe!) Okay, i'm gonna have to learn to be brutal.

Good tip on the cosmetics though, first time I went to states, must have brought 5 bottles of sun-cream! Course was gutted when I saw it for half the price out there!

HarryD

Just back from 2months in Asia.
Packed 8kg in a 35L backpack, allowing me to buy loadsa goodies towards the end of the trip to bring back.

A few tips:
Get one of those travel towels - saves lotsa space.
If the Climate is hot don't bring loadsa jeans/jumpers as they take lodsa space.
Footwear is an important consideration - again as they take loadsa space.
Keep in mind most things are cheaper abroad so if you need something you can buy it out there..
I found this site useful (although it's more geared towards backpackers):

http://www.travelindependent.info/whattopack.htm

biko

Ponster wrote: »

My wife and I are also driving around CA and Vegas this summer. I sware that I won't have anymore than 2 pairs of shorts and 2 T-shirts in my case. Everything else will probably come from Old Navy which we visit on the very first day

So just bring enough clothes to get you through 2 days and buy the rest, including footware, over there.

This is what I do too.

Ponster

How about you cut down a little and while in the States if you find yourself running out of space you just buy an extra suitcase?

Four of a kind

Myself and my girlfriend will be also travelling around California and Vegas in August. I promised myself that I will buy what I need out there this time. So that means 2 pairs of shorts, couple t-shirts, pair of smart toursers, one pair of shoes, wearing a pair of trainers over there, washing gear will be bought out there, as will jocks. And apart from this i'll be just bringing my photography gear/adapters etc in another carry on bag for the plane.
So if my suitcase weighs more than 8kg I'll cry.

As ye said, things are so cheap over there that there's no need to worry about pack them here.

Gran Hermano

Everything in the USA is dirt cheap compared to here - especially with the weak dollar.

When I flew over earlier this year I had the clothes I wore on the flight over
and my suitcase contained nothing but another empty suitcase and one
change of clothes to get me to the shops the next morn.

Both cases and hand luggage were full on the way home

Pack less clothes and more cash is my packing tip.

Ponster

Errr...why do I get the feeling that we're all going to NV and CA this summer?

ncmc

Ponster wrote: »

Errr...why do I get the feeling that we're all going to NV and CA this summer?

That's a good point!

Okay, I think i'm gonna be strict with myself and just bring enough to last the first week, that should bring me to Las Vegas where I intend to hit the Premium Outlet Mall.

I'm gonna bring skirts instead of shorts as they are probably a bit more flexable for day/night wear. And also buy washing powder and rinse my vest-tops out every evening.

This all sounds very easy in theory, not sure about putting it in to practise!

Four of a kind

Viva las vegas!

H2G2

The secret is simple - laundry service

Last month we did a 10 day trip with 2 small kids and just one average sized suitcase - very liberating only have one bag to transit in Heathrow. All you need is 3 sets of clothes, one to wear, one spare and one in the wash.

bills

there's no way i would manage with a couple of tops!! plus who wants to be washing on holiday-you do enough of that at home:(. maybe laundry service but that could add up. Pack light things, most summer stuff rolls up nice & neatly. Just try & stick to a few pieces that you can mix & match colour wise also. Enjoy:D

Electric

Check out http://www.onebag.com/ it gives some good tips on how to pack light.

What he says about wheeled bags is true. I went looking around Dublin last week for the lightest wheeled suitcase I could find and all I could come up with were ones that weighed 4kg and above. Given that for European flights you can only bring 20kgs to give up 4kg for nothing is a big waste.

ncmc

Electric wrote: »

Check out http://www.onebag.com/ it gives some good tips on how to pack light.

What he says about wheeled bags is true. I went looking around Dublin last week for the lightest wheeled suitcase I could find and all I could come up with were ones that weighed 4kg and above. Given that for European flights you can only bring 20kgs to give up 4kg for nothing is a big waste.

That's a good point electric, I think my case weighs something like 6-7 kgs, so it doesn't give much leeway. My sister swears by the rucksack on wheels type thing, but they look to me like everything would get very crushed... and i'm not big on ironing.

NinjaTruncs

ncmc wrote: »

This year I am determined not to fall in to the same trap. We are driving around California and Vegas and I want to be able to do some shopping. The thing is by the time I pack my day-wear, evening-wear, runners for hiking, shoes and cosmetics, my bag is full and I’m tipping 23 kilos!

Isn't the baggage allowence for trans-atlantic flights 32Kg, I think the 23Kg is the max weight of one bag.

That still gives 9Kg for shopping.

Gran Hermano

NinjaTruncs wrote: »

Isn't the baggage allowence for trans-atlantic flights 32Kg, I think the 23Kg is the max weight of one bag.

That still gives 9Kg for shopping.

Check the website for the airline for specific luggage allowances.

I've found certain US carriers operate a 2 bags of 20 kg each policy.
I believe the 32 kg limit is on health & safety grounds for the baggage staff
(think it was 36 kg in the past).

Petrolium Hat

Roll your individual clothes up like a tight little snug sleeping bag, saves and amazing amount of space, and if you do it right, doesn't leave them creased(even if it doesn't, show me a hotel without ironing facilities).

Put socks inside shoes.

Aurora Borealis

Petrolium Hat wrote: »

Roll your individual clothes up like a tight little snug sleeping bag, saves and amazing amount of space, and if you do it right, doesn't leave them creased(even if it doesn't, show me a hotel without ironing facilities).

Put socks inside shoes.

Snap!
That's exactly how I do it. Spent 3 weeks in the states with just hand luggage and had loads.
Just bear in mind laundry facilities are available in even the smallest backwater.

Bon Voyage.

A.B.

NinjaTruncs

I always thought that rolling clothes up stopped them from creasing, but i don't think it saved space, if anything a cylindar will waste space. also this will do nothing for the OP's issue where she packs too much, she will still pack too much just in a different way.

the best way to pack is first think of what you will need. then what you have that will fullfil your requirements. Don't pack anything for the sake of having a spare, with the prices in the states you can buy a spare over there is you need it.

If you plan on shopping, put and empty holdall into your case and that will provide the additional space you need for coming back. also only bring 2 or 3 days worth of casual clothes with you, the rest can be bought over there. for evening clothes you may want to bring a few more bits as you may not find anything you like.

Shoes and runners take up the most space and weight per item you can pack so one pair of each should be all that's packed. Forget about boots.

Like a previous poster has said buy all or most of your toiletries over there, only bring things that would be expensive to buy.

Curvy Vixen

I have to say that I love going to the States. The day before I come home I use up my quarters and do all my washing and drying in the hotel! They always have fab laundry rooms! I know, I know, I sound very sad now

ibh

When i go on hols i bring 1 pair of jeans, wear a pair of trackies on the plane, 2 pairs of shorts of which at least 1 is suitable for swimming, usually bring a tshirt for each day of the week and 1 or 2 pairs of boxers and socks. Who wants to wear underwear or socks when on holiday ffs...!

I usually wear those canvas shoes and they can be used for daytime and evening wear. Usually buy flip-flops wherever i go and leave them behind.

Don't bring a towel with you. Just buy one in the first cheap shop u see..

Small bag, small bundle of clothes. If it don't fit it stays home.

clicli

I'm going to vegas tomorrow, have only packed the essentials, plan on shopping till i drop at the outlet malls!:p

Four of a kind

clicli wrote: »

I'm going to vegas tomorrow, have only packed the essentials, plan on shopping till i drop at the outlet malls!:p

off topic.....you playing in the wsop dude?

Oracle

I'd agree clothes and lots of other stuff are cheaper in the States and elsewhere in Europe, but I don't want to spend my time on holiday clothes shopping. Then I've also got to haul it all back again, and golden rule of travel is (well for me anyway) I'm always more tired coming back than going. It's not easy shopping abroad either sizes can be different, sometimes there's no fitting rooms and usually using public transport, so it's no picnic. I never understood the attraction of shopping abroad, a lot of hassle for little return. Don't get me wrong I love abargain when I see it on holidays and have bought clothes, gifts etc... I just think the advantages are exaggerated.

clicli

Four of a kind wrote: »

off topic.....you playing in the wsop dude?

Emmm, think you have the wrong person? I ain't a dude or playing in the wsop??

Four of a kind

clicli wrote: »

Emmm, think you have the wrong person? I ain't a dude or playing in the wsop??

Sorry, thought maybe you were playing poker out there thats all. woops!

ncmc

This is a tip for the ladies, if you buy any of the cosmetic brands like Lancome, Estee Lauder, Clarins etc, you often get a free gift which includes tester sized moisturiser, face wash, toner etc. So I either save them or else keep the container and fill from my big bottle, it saves so much weight and space. I find that a full tester size should keep you going for two weeks!

Also, empty out your make up case of all but the essentials that you will need for the holiday. Honestly, I used to end up carting 12 lipsticks and ten eyeshadows with me because I was too lazy to sort through my make up bag!

Keep em coming folks, I am learning here!

Electric

That's a good point about the travel sized testers of moisturiser etc. If you haven't got any then you can buy a travel set on strawberrynet.

I bought one for my hols this year and it's really cut down on what I'm bringing with me. Plus if anything happens to it I won't care cos all my good stuff will be safe and sound at home

Oracle

No need to buy bottles to fill, if you keep any eye out when you're staying in a hotel. Hold on to the containers from the hotel toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, lotion) you use. Then rinse and refill them with your favourite product at home, ready to take on your next holiday. It's thrifty and green at the same time, plus you'll be under the new 100ml size limit. Some hotel toiletry product bottles can't be refilled, but those with simple screw or snap tops can be. Also grab a few extra hotel soaps, very handy size for the holiday wash bag.