Most people forget there are washing machines and dryers at their destination... :)

Moni

For years, I have traveled with a roller or single medium suitcase - for both business and leisure.
Spent a week at Disney World a couple months ago with the smaller suitcase.
The idea of wearing the same clothes every day doesn't appeal to me.
I usually carry 2 or 3 slacks/shorts, some tops and 2 pr shoes,and a skirt or dress for eating in a nice dining room.
Plus underwear and deodorant. Been using hotel soap for years, and they are good enough for me.
I don't wear any makeup, except lipstick. It's in my handbag.

When we travel for a week away we usually have a suitcase and then each have a carry-on. My carry-on is my laptop. We usually leave the resort for local shopping and/or sightseeing and we take a change of clothes for each day or evening. I can't imagine being able to pack everything I need for a week away into a carry-on but I applaud those who can do so. My boss has always done it, the only time he needs more is when he goes to the west coast for 7 weeks each year. Then we ship via Fed Ex.

Most of the all inclusive resorts don't have washers and dryers available for guest use, Moni. And I have to say, even if they did, I don't think I would be willing to sacrifice my vacation time doing laundry. If I had kids to take I would probably change my mind!

The only thing I bring in my carryon is my prescriptions, a toothbrush (no paste),hairbrush, and one change of clothes,no shoes. (In case I get stuck somewhere overnight.) I pack everything else in my checked bag, mostly clothing and shoes. I wear my jewelry. When I arrive at my destination, i buy sample size bottles of toothpaste,shampoo, hair conditioner, chapstick. I pack them in my return checked bag. Assume your checked bag will be lost or rifled thru, don't leave anything of value in it. I once brought a gardening knife thru in my checked nag. No problem.I hid it in the li9ning. Xrays didn't notice it.

OK I'll fess up. I'm one of those people who always over packs. I take both a 25" wheeled suitcase and a small carry on. In October I spent 10 days in Ireland and I used most of everything I had packed. There's a big difference in what's needed for a swimsuit vacation as opposed to a trip to a colder climate where you need a coat, trousers, sweaters etc.

Remember I go bicycle touring. Then I carry everything on my bike. Even tent and sleeping bag. Here is a picture of "all my stuff".
{{!gwi}}
and here are all my clothes I brought:
{{!gwi}}

These trips taught me how little I can manage with. I usually take clothes I can wash out in the shower or sink. Personally I don't like to spend time doing laundry either, and going to where a washer and dryer are, and using them takes way more time than to wash something out in the sink.

I can do with minimal.

Moni

I can do with minimal too Moni. I always save up my old underwear and when I travel I just though them out, saves space LOL. I also don't mind wearing the same outfit more than once, when travelling I am not tying to make a fashion statement.

I don't typically go on beach vacations so I need more of other clothes besides swimwear which take up more space. I also inevitably slop on myself when I'm traveling and have limited clothes. So I bring multiple of everything - never just one pair of capris or shorts. I don't usually stay at a place where I could do laundry nor do I want to spend time doing laundry when I'm traveling. Depending on what kind of activities I might be involved in at the destination, I probably need a few different types of shoes - good for walking/hiking, maybe sandals, tennis shoes, maybe one other pair of shoes. When I travel on business I sometimes need black shoes, brown shoes, etc. to go with whatever I'm wearing. I try to minimize that but sometimes not possible. DH runs so he always brings running shoes and some running clothes. When you wear size 11 a couple pairs of shoes take up a lot of space. I bring a bunch of toiletries and my own hair dryer that isn't what you find in a hotel. I also bring a pair of collapsible crutches for use at night since I'm an amputee.

When I go on vacation it's usually some kind of "adventure" meaning I'll be exploring a new area and not sure exactly what I'll be doing or what kind of clothes I might need so I bring a variety. Sometimes the climate is variable and I need warm and cool clothes - colder climate clothes and shoes are much bulkier than a swimsuit. Sometimes I bring things I don't need or use but I'm prepared for whatever opportunities might arise.

If I'm traveling for 2-3 days I bring a carry on size bag but I don't carry on unless I'm really traveling light which is an overnight trip. If I'm going somewhere for a week I bring a larger suitcase. My carry on is either my briefcase or a very small bag that includes things I need on the plane (reading material) or can't risk having lost in my luggage (laptop or recharging device for my prosthetic leg).

As long as people don't try to lug all their bags on the plane and cram them into already overstuffed overheads or under the seat in front of ME (yes they do try to do that) then it doesn't matter to me how much stuff people bring along.

We've never done the all inclusive resorts. We usually pack for two or three days worth of stuff when we are flying. That usually includes a swimsuit, three pairs of jeans/shorts, shirts and maybe a pair of sandels if we are going someplace warm. I pack all of my and the kids sample size toiletries together so I can pull them all out at one time. I pack at least one book, a baggie of allowable snacks, and a pad of paper and a pen per person to keep everyone occupied. DH brings his work computer.We have bought smaller rollon suitcases that work as carry on. The kids and dh wear a backpack. I carry a large tote and stick my purse in there and anything else I want. If we need clean clothes, we wash at the hotel.

Flying all carry-on isn't foolproof either. We had a stewdardess for Amerian Airlines take away ds #2's luggage on our flight to DC. She said there was no room overhead and wouldn't let him put it under the seat. He didn't need the extra legroom.

For trips to the all-inclusive, warm-weather destinations, I imagine that there are lots of folks who fall into the "What if...?" category?

"What if we took an excursion here or there? What if I spill something on the dress (I'm in Gibby's camp here!)? What if I just don't feel like wearing that outfit, so I'll need options!"

I'm getting better at making sure that everything goes with the same pair of shoes or the same navy pants and trying to limit clothes, but I still have work to do.

Then there are all the electronics people can't do without (some for good reason): phones, iPads, Kindles, laptops, cameras and all the chargers that go with them.

Also, many times people have to pack a week or so worth of meds, and for some that can take a lot of space in a carry-on (like diabetics, who have to carry insulin in a bag with an ice pack, or maybe those who have the c-pap overnight breathing machines, which are more compact than they used to be, but still...), so some stuff that'd normally go in their carry-on instead has to go in a suitcase. (I should've prefaced this by saying I'm a one-personal carry-on person myself. One backpack or small tote. But that's mostly because in the past few years, when I fly I'm with an under-the-seat crate holding my small dog. No extra hands to handle more!)

Another point: Some people just don't know how to truly relax on vacation, perhaps, and just live minimally? I would love to just be able to sit by the ocean for a week and read and feel the breeze and watch the waves and wave for the waiter that I need a refill, but that's not generally how I head into those vacations! I'm always looking for other things to do there!

Anything other than going to the beach (which I rarely do) and I have to pack for the "unexpected" -- maybe a sweater, maybe an additional pair of shoes, a sweater, throw in an umbrella, maybe extra tops of different thicknesses, an extra book if I just am not in the mood for the one I have on the plane (e-readers are great for that, but I'm just not there yet!).

So, EnjoyingSpring, it looks like you have the right attitude on that kind of vacation -- simplicity and just enjoying the time with your husband instead of fretting over the clothes and other stuff!

Some clothing is bulkier than others and takes up more space. Some people like to take a robe, and they are bulky for sure. I also take flipflops because I don't like to walk barefoot in hotel rooms, and extra reading material too. Some underwear (cotton vs. nylon) take up more space. How do you keep your lotions etc. in your carry on with TSA's 3 oz rule?

The idea of traveling light is terrific, I love it. But I also want to feel comfortable with the clothing and cosmetics I am used to.

Last comment--Even if I could get everything in a carry-on, I'm afraid of hurting myself or someone else lifting it into the overhead.

Socks, I buy the small travel size lotions at the drugstore. I don't bring cosmetics with me when travelling, I am on vacation and not worried about what I look like. As long as I am clean that is all that matters, being on vacation means getting away from worrying about what others think of you.

I will say when I'm on vacation I still wear makeup and look like any other time. Not that I care what others think - I just look better to me which I appreciate. I think it may be different if you're on a beachy vacation where you're in the water or hot and sweaty or windblown. Then time spent on hair or make up is kind of pointless. I know when we go to our lake cabin in the summer I rarely wear makeup and seldom blow dry my hair unless I'm doing something "special". When you go into town to the grocery store you can tell most everyone has the same approach. Of course in the summer I'm tan and look better to myself with out makeup ;-)

My husband and I went to Europe twice, in 1978 and 1985. Both times I managed with just one carryon bag. I washed my underwear out every night with hotel soaps. And I wore one pair of sneakers the entire time. And I carried all my souvenirs in my bag.

We went to Germany and France for three weeks and each took a backpack and still brought too much stuff, stuff we didn't use. We did come home with more than we left with, though. Had to check that stuff through, including a little suitcase we bought at a flea market in Germany to carry the extra stuff we bought.

On recent 10-day trip to one of northernmost capitals in the world, Edmonton, son lent me a wheeled bag with collapsible handle to replace the two that I'd prepared, holding two slacks, suspenders, four shirts, two sweaters, about four briefs and tops (fresh ones, not the saggy kind that require the extra elastic - so brought 'em all home), four pair regular socks, heavy parka, tuque, no extra shoes.

Two pair squeezy socks, rubber gloves to shift 'em, two kinds pills and paper to record taking them, papers with itinerary, prices, etc., razors, extra glasses, lined gloves. Plus address book - that I forgot to pack at brother's home. No lunch on 4.5 hour flight out, but PB, bread, cookies, muffins, utensils packed by friends for about 50 hour (stretched to 55 hour) trip home on bus, added egg nog, in carry-on. Picked up magazines, newspapers en route.

Boarding passes, money, bank books, wallet, keys, list of phone nos. in addition to other stuff in pants, jacket and shirt, plus wore sweater, overshirt, jacket and topcoat.

Plus the "Did you remember my SENIOR DISCOUNT" ball cap that was part of the boodle when daughter flew me to AZ for my 80th, about 2 years ago: told SIL that I would find it hard to part with it ... but would be willing to lend it to her for a while. It was her 80th birthday celebration that was the main reason for the trip.

Some of the underwear and a shirt came home unused.

Can't think of anything that I'd wished that I'd had, but didn't.

ole joyful

Every year I go to CA for a week or 10 days. The only suitcase I own is a carry on. I stay with friends and I do laundry once while I am there. When I was there last month, I did laundry the day I was leaving because I didn't want to come home with dirty clothes.

In October we went to Turks & Caicos....diving, hiking, touring the island. We each check one large bag and carry on one small bag.

In one large suitcase we carry our wet suits, fins, BCD's. In one suitcase, all our clothes & hiking boots. Then in our carry on bags are the computer consoles, regulators/octo, masks and camera equipment/strobes/underwater housing/charging equipment, laptop computer, toiletries and swim suits.

No matter how long I'm gone, I make it fit in one carry-on and one "personal item" (my man-purse, which is a very small zippered bag for my camera, various chargers, notebooks, etc.). Nothing gets checked, so nothing gets lost or delayed. Here is a very useful link below to a packing list on the Rick Steves Travel Site. It's all the things you need that should be able to fit in your carry-on luggage. It will help you prevent being a slave to your luggage.

Here is a link that might be useful: Packing llist for women