Have you tried space bags? That would compact everything fairly tight.

I actually have some of those, Joann! Why didn't I think of that? *slapping forehead*

Rita, make sure everything can be worn with EVERYTHING! All matched up. ;)

I usually take less clothes than Jerry. Way less.

Take two or three light weight tops and layer them when cold, rather than one heavy weight top. That way, you have three, cept when it is cold.. :)

Besides, wash and wear stuff as needed. Motel shampoo does an awesome good job and washing stuff out in the sink.

I never take more than three days worth of clothes anymore.

Moni

Plastic garbage bags work great for space savers.
Put your shirts etc. in, twist the top, lay your chest and arms over the bag, to press out all the air, and tie with those ties. Flat as a flitter!

AND pantie liners is a MUST!

These are EXCELLENT tips. I'm going to bump this in case anyone has other suggestions.

I'd never make it on Survivor. It is impossible for me to travel light. I like all my conveniences.

Enjoy!

Gayle

Very useful info....and timely. We leave for Tokyo on Saturday for ten days.

I'm really interested in this subject because I want to take the kids to Germany and France next year and want to go very light. I'm already thinking of all of us taking a small backpack instead of suitcases and a fanny pack for my money and our id, instead of a purse.

I think Alex and I won't have any problems with taking a few clothes, but Lauren took way too much on our trip out West last year. 90% of the stuff we took was her's.

I've mentioned this before, but when my DD went to Australia some of the chaperons said they went thrift store/garage sales shopping for clothing...then they would leave them behind at the hotels freeing up their luggage for souvenirs. The hotel workers would be pleased to get American clothing as well! Knowing me I'd like the clothes too much to leave them behind, but it's an idea.

I always safe up my old underwear for trips and then throw them away. Who likes to carry dirty underwear around. LOL

Kath, when Lori and I spent two weeks in Washington DC and New York city we took a large, and a small back pack each. I posted this picture before, but here it is again. :)

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Depending on your travelling arrangements, you can ship stuff ahead to a specific destination ...
Shop as you go -- thrift stores are in lots of countries..
buy/take small sample bottles & pitch as you use up..
But do think in layering for warmth, things & mix & Match only - washable drip dry stuff.. T-shirts to trade for the kids?
(I recommend if I can do this - checking out places like - travel smith that deal in quality travel accessories/clothes - if nothing else to get some good ideas about what's available to purchase]

Last year,we took a three week cruise to Hawaii. I took more tops than bottoms, and all worked for mix-and-match. Two sweaters, which I could layer for cool evenings. Hawaii is very windy,I wore those sweaters a lot. Be prepared to wash undies out in your bathroom sink. Some motels/my cruise ship had laundry facilities available. I only brought two pairs of shoes, and I pack all my toiletries in a big zip lock bag. Be aware of airline-TSA rules on "carryon". Anything you don't pack in your checked bag is subject to the 3=1-1 rule. All liquids(includeds stuff like chapstick) must be in three ounce or less bottles and you must carry them in a clear plastic bag. I packed as much as I could in my checked baggage. Airlines allow one checked bag-you may have to pay $20 for any extra suitcases. Bring minimal amount of jewelry. Keep your eyeglasses and medications with you.

I like to pack shampoos and stuff in ziplock bags. Less bulk than "cosmetic bags" and work better too. My son is going to Spain next month. Washing clothes in Europe I've been told is troublesome. Someone suggested to bring enough of the athletics socks for whole trip and leave behind to make room for things to be brought back. I have purchased button down shirts (usually wears polos/knit shirts) light cotton weave dries faster if you have to sink wash...also found some underwear w/lycra that dries really fast..

We just got back from 10 days in France. I carry a backpack, totally packed that weighs between 15-18 lbs. I think mine actually weighs less than my DH's pack! LOL

My backpack isn't standard. It is GoLite. It weighs practically nothing. I use the feather weight stuff sacks from REI to sort my belongings. I roll my clothes. I take clothes that are a blend of cotton with a touch of spandex for stretch and wrinkle-resistance. They also dry faster. Most of my clothes are from Chico's, Soma and REI. I don't purchase the "travel clothes", just the ones with the right fabric blend. I get the Vanity Fair microfiber undies and they dry quickly, roll up into a tiny size, so you can take a sufficient supply. I do like the Soma traveler's bras without the underwire. Roll up small and wash/dry quickly.

Here's what I took to France for temps in the mid 60s & 70s and I could have carried less. I washed out my jeans a couple of times and hung them on the drying rack outside at the apartment (dried in one day while we were out and about). All of the black items were matching coodinates.

2 pairs of Chico platinum jeans (light and dark indigo)
2 pairs of black slacks
1 pair of Gramicci quick-dry pants (we went hiking)
1 black skirt
PJs
1 pair of grey yoga pants for hanging out at the apartment

1 long sleeve blue top
1 short sleeve hiking T
1 3/4 sleeve turquoise top
1 3/4 sleeve lime green top
1 long sleeve black top
1 short sleeve black T
1 sleeveless black tunic with 2/4 sleeve tie front jacket
1 3/4 sleeve floral top

1 b&w lightweight checked jacket
1 multicolor knit jacket (went with all tops except the floral)
1 Royal Robbins lightweight black rain jacket

1 pair of tan NB Country Walkers for hiking (wore those on the plane as they weighed the most)
1 pair of black Keen strap mules

1 pair of TravelSox (for the plane)
3 pairs of Coolmax casual socks
2 pairs of Coolmax tan hiking socks
5 sets of lingerie

1 pack towel (for hiking/beach)
1 Sudoku book
1 novel
Bose headphones (DH had the iPod for music with a shared connector)
2 books on France
2 roadmaps

Toiletries:
toothbrush
Listerine strips (bought mouthwash in France)
travel toothpaste
travel size floss
Neutrogena tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 (in lieu of foundation and moisturizer)
Sample size of Lancome mascara from dept store
Lipstick
Travel size bottles filled with shampoo and condition
Travel size bottle filled with facial cleanser
bought lotion in France

I also carried a small Eagle Creek black purse, my Canon Elph camera with charger and extra memory cards.

Everything I just mentioned is in this photo! We were on our way from our hotel in Nice to the train station to pick up our rental car. I walked about 2 miles with no problems. Easy to get through airports and customs...no checked bags to wait on; no lost luggage. Totally portable. I'm 54, not some young thing! LOL

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I roll my clothes. I take clothes that are a blend of cotton with a touch of spandex for stretch and wrinkle-resistance.

I'm a roller, too. Stuff just seems to look better! And that cotton/spandex blend does travel well.

By driving, the airline regs won't be a factor. I just don't want the entire back seat full of luggage. I asked DH, and he's going to insist on taking his long-sleeved, ironed shirts *sigh* versus something that will pack. Having made this trek before, I know that he'll wish he'd done it differently but whatever...

When we get to Maine, we may ship some of our stuff home. That's a great idea. :-)

the travel guy on gma (i think it was ) said ships his luggage all the time...the airlines havn't raised rates for gas as much as sur charges...for instance $400 for the ticket to london, then another whopping $400 for sur charges!

rolling is a great way to pack, if you can't hang clothes...we're lucky have a mini van so dh and i pretty much hang and then a tiny bag for undies and sundries...