I've gotten a lot of questions over the years, and packing-related issues are my #1. So much that I've given several presentations on the topic and been featured in the media for my position on it!
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| Two weeks? Just these two bags! |
Here are a few actual questions I've heard:
QUESTION: So I'm going to France for 10 days. The airline says I can check two full-size suitcases - for free! Should I? (No.)
QUESTION: Can I really live with only 3 pairs of shoes for one week? (Yes - see tip #5 below.)
QUESTION: The cruise / tour has no limit on luggage. What should I pack? (Minimally!)
QUESTION: My personal porter is joining my trip. Do you think he'll mind if I use his checked bag allowance for myself? (Yes, he will mind. What will he wear on the trip if he has no luggage?)
QUESTION: Can I really look fabulous with only one carryon bag? (Yes!)
The last one is the easiest -- and the hardest for people to truly believe. But YES, you can look fabulous AND bring only one carryon bag! |
| Fine dining in Budapest |
Three quick anecdotes to prove my point:
First, I went to Europe with a full-on Marie Antoinette costume -- including a hat! -- for a masquerade ball at the Palace of Versailles, plus 9 other days of clothes, using only a standard-sized carryon bag. True Story!
Second, I spent five nights in NYC with only a school-sized backpack -- including a Beetlejuice costume to attend the Broadway production of Beetlejuice on Halloween night! (Beetleju--- shhh! Don't say it three times!)
Third, some friends went to Venice when it was flooding, as happens several times each year. Their heavy full-size roller bags had to be carried over precarious elevated walkways to keep them out of the water -- those heavy bags PLUS their standard carryons! Ack!!
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| Karla & Drew at the Versailles Masquerade Ball |
So what steps can you take to pack a little lighter on your next trip? Try employing one or two of the following on your next trip. If that goes well, try another on your next trip. And the next. Until you too are packing for a week in Europe with only a backpack!
Seven Basic Tips:
1.) Pack only what you need. No, really - you don't need a French horn on a cruise or 12 pairs of pants for a 5-night adventure. The old adage "pack half the clothes and twice the money" still holds true.
2.) Think thin! Winter or summer, thin layers pack more easily, take less room, and are better at temp-tolerance than any thicker or heavier pieces you might choose at home.
3.) Stick to a color pattern. With a similar color scheme for all your outfits, you can mix & match for a variety of outfits. My standard is black, but any color would work!
4.) Pack scarves for a splash of color! A silk scarf in hot pink or lime green adds a pop of color at the neck, when used as a belt or pocket square, or attached to a hat. Bright colors not your thing? Try a patterned fabric to add depth and texture.
5.) Classic shoes: With a simple color scheme, packing one pair of comfortable but classy shoes for when you need to dress up plus one pair of cute slip-on shoes for walking around the hotel or easy sightseeing is all you need. Add the cute comfy walking shoes you wear on the plane, and you are set for almost any occasion.
6.) Personal items can be petite! Sure, at home you might use multiple hair and skin products, but you can probably make do with a lesser amount for the few days you are away. To maximize space, repack your full-size items into smaller containers -- this is my current set of carryon containers. One small container holds more than enough hair product for a week, another holds the special sunscreen I use on my face, and a third is sufficient for all the shampoo-conditioner I need.
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| My current set of liquids containers. |
7.) If you really need something else, you can buy it there. Unless you are going on a to the wilderness - which requires a completely different set of packing tips! - you can generally buy whatever you need on site. And how much fun would it be to bring home a special souvenir?
Try packing light(er) and let me know how it goes!
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