What to pack for a trip or extended stay

[KeidjurKirstine]

Hmm I'm going to London the first week of september. I want to bring as LITTLE luggage as possible(preferably only handluggage, but i might just bring one more bag), but at the same time I got several fave-outfits I would like bring(im there for all the castings before LFW, and i kind of want to 'show off' my personal style and look new every day...) +the weather is quite changing in LNDN now, i think.
Tricky =/
I want to bring my boots, and at least two pairs of heels, maybee some flats and sneakers ...
Surely im buying something while im there.. but not to much because im going there again in the middle of sept
I would really appreciate some tips

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I try to keep shoes, or bulky shoes anyway, to an absolute minimum. Your goals seem a bit at odds with each other ... you may want to try packing your initial "list" in the bag you want to use & see how it fits. That should help you get some clarity

I've merged the thread you posted to with another that hopefully has some tips for you ... check out the capsule wardrobe concept.

 

[KeidjurKirstine]

Great thanks!

 

[izzydore]

I will be going to Tokyo this year, late October early November. Any idea what kind of coat/jacket I should pack? And does it rain often during those days? I already have a spring-weight classic cotton trench coat, I don't know if i should go heavier or lighter. Do you think it'll be too cold for shorts?

Any suggestions are most welcome!

 

[mermaidsandcats]

I would like to know: does rolling your clothes really make a huge difference? I heard it's a huge space saver.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ It probably is, but wouldn't everything be horribly wrinkled?

 

[Trista]

I would like to know: does rolling your clothes really make a huge difference? I heard it's a huge space saver.

For me, I find what helps is folding them first (like how a shirt is displayed at a store) and then rolling it up. Some things are better folded, such as anything linen, but rolling works for me most of the time.

 

[dumbfairy]

I've just gotten back from 5 days away and the rolling thing worked for me. I generally put in my bag as many of my clothes as I can normally,i.e folded flat,and then all smaller items I roll up and kind of shove in the side spaces I wouldn't advise that you roll up anything that will be easily creased,like shirts,but you can get away with it if you have a tiny travel iron

 

[aris]

what kind of bags do you usually wear/travel for a ski resort?

also what kind of bag do you wear/travel to a see resort - it has to be comfi - as I'd walk a lot - so something that is worn over the shoulder but with short handles too?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I completely avoid ski resorts as I get altitude sickness And I also burn in the sun, so not much of a beachy girl either ... But I would think a wristlet inside your travel bag might be ideal for either type of resort? You can leave most things inside your room, and just need your key, some cash/credit card, lipstick, and maybe cell phone? Perhaps a straw tote for the beach for your towel & wrap & sunscreen ...

 

[lollicandy]

A microfiber towel. Especially if you are outdoors, and it's so tiny and super convenient indoors as well. They're light, small, dry fast and are really absorbent. It tided me over until I could find some decent places to get towels and other personal things. You can get them at outdoor stores like REI or Eastern Mountain Sports in various sizes and they save a lot of space in your luggage.

And I would say just pack lots of basics in durable fabrics in neutral colors. I never did that before when I packed and ended up with too many things and overweight luggage. This time I only had 1 suitcase and quickly throwing an outfit together has become quick and easy.

 

[Starry-Eyed]

Aaagh in a moment of recession-busting thinking, I declined checking in any bags for my next trip away on Tuesday. Now I'm trying to pack and its not looking so good.. trying the "rolling method" to stuff everything in, but knowing my luck it will all be searched at security and end up totally messed up!

 

[mermaidsandcats]

Let us know how well it worked

 

[sd31392]

hm i like this thread, i'm going to Spain the first week of april for about 10 days, and i really have no idea what i'm going to pack. it's a school(i'm in high school) trip, so i really have no idea if i'll have access to a washer/dryer(and my teacher is being ambiguous about it!) But for carry on this is the list i've complied so far:
-small lotion
-tissues
-passport
-cell phone
-ipod/earphones
-wallet
-water bottle
-snacks
-journal/pen
-2 books
-extra hearing aid batteries (i wear hearing aids, i'm Hard of Hearing)
-facial wipes/lotion
-sunglasses & eyeglasses
-blue scarf
-black jacket
-sweater/hoodie
-extra shirt
-lip balm
-deodorant

anything else that i might be forgetting, or things you would suggest bring on?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I like to travel with lots of underwear myself I'd definitely take more clothes for 10 days with potentially no laundry ...

 

[Starry-Eyed]

Boots! Spaniards are obsessed with them at this time of year! Maybe check the weather too to see if you should take a brolly.. if you are staying very far north rain may not be unheard of..
Nice thinking with the undies fashionista-ta I almost forgot to pack any for my trip! Think I have everything squished in..just have to find a way to take contact lens solution without going over the limit of liquids allowed in hand baggage!

 

[Melisande]

All right, I'm going to be living traveling and working out of a suitcase...a SINGLE suitcase, Holly Golightly style, for approximately a year, maybe more... Has anyone ever done this?? Any advice?? Unfortunately I'm not going to be in warm climates, so that limits me...I don't know what I'll do without my shoes and books...

Strangely, I just found out that my best friend will also be setting off to live out of a single suitcase for a year, from exactly the same day as me......going in opposite directions of the globe.

TIA!

 

[CaitlinC]

When I go somewhere, I try to pack 3 or 4 outfits that can be interchangeable.
Usually three shirts, two pairs of jeans, skirt, a dress and a blazer. A few earrings and necklaces. Two bras and two pairs of underwear I can easily wash in a sink.

One pair of sneakers, boots and one pair of nice black heels.

Pajamas.

Trial size shampoo and conditioner.

Make up bag: Mascara, eyeshadow palette, eyeliner, mineral makeup and lipgloss. Compact mirror. I usually travel with make up brushes that have two brushes on each side, that way they don't take too much space.

I pack a moisturizer with spf 15.

A daily cleanser and a toner with me. I usually put them in small trial size bottles I save from little mouthwash bottles you get from hotels.

My mini tooth brush and mini tooth paste.

As for my bag,:
Water
Cd Player or MP3
Cellphone
Nintendo DS
Ibprophen
Pack of tissues
Spare tampons
Pen
Magazine
Chapstick
Dramimine
Sunglasses if it is spring/summer or really sunny out where I'm going.
Small wallet to carry my ID, Cash and Debit. I always take debit instead. It's protected by my bank, so if it gets stolen, they just shut it down.
Small brush
Small hairspray
Mini Burt's Bees Milk Almond HandCream
Gum or mints
I usually take a piece a fruit and a pack of trailmix in case of delays or if I get hungry on board.

Outfit on board: I usually wear a t-shirt, zip up hoodie, jeans and boots or sneakers I can easily slip on or off. Where I am from, you have to take off your shoes, so I want to wear something easily slipped on and off.

I always leave information on where I'm going and where I will be staying at. That way if something happens, someone will call on my behalf.

 

[fashionista-ta]

All right, I'm going to be living traveling and working out of a suitcase...a SINGLE suitcase, Holly Golightly style, for approximately a year, maybe more... Has anyone ever done this?? Any advice?? Unfortunately I'm not going to be in warm climates, so that limits me...I don't know what I'll do without my shoes and books...

Strangely, I just found out that my best friend will also be setting off to live out of a single suitcase for a year, from exactly the same day as me......going in opposite directions of the globe.

TIA!

I have resisted so far, but if I were going to be doing this, I'd promptly get a Kindle

I wonder if you could pack say 4 suitcases for the year, and trade them out each quarter? The other 3 could be boxes that you could have someone ship you ... You could ship back if necessary. (You will probably wear some things out since you're going to be wearing them intensively.)

I'd definitely pick a color scheme ... or rather, do key pieces in black and have an accent color or two. In my case I would probably do red or purple.

I don't wear scarves anymore, but this situation might convince me to do it.

Whatever your favorite item of jewelry is (ring? earrings? watch? ...), you might buy a new one before you leave. I'm thinking the challenge will be to keep yourself from getting bored.

So you want each item to be exquisite, and then you want to have some punches of color to accent with, I'm thinking ... that's what I would do anyway.

 

[Melisande]

Ta-ta, that is such excellent advice...thank you so much!
Packing a few boxes to be sent to me before I leave is a brilliant idea.
I'll do that.

I do have a lot of scarves, and the majority of my accessories are in the red/purple ranges, so that would work for me!

I guess now it's down to choosing a base color. I have items in all sorts of colors...
I always wish I could stick to black (least staining, best matching) but it's not the best for my complexion...and I've got shoes and bags in both black and brown..not to mention my boyfriend just surprised me with a gorgeous plum LV handbag as a going-away gift, which both elevates and complicates things...

A big challenge, but it's a great opportunity to get my wardrobe act together. I wish I didn't have such limited funds to do it. If my first base for the next few months weren't Paris of all places, it wouldn't be so bad! It's times like these I wish I didn't love fashion so much.

Okay, I'm rambling.

I looked up Kindle...wow, never knew such a thing existed. It's def. a great space-saver. It looks like they have some version for iPhone, I'll look into that.