What's your travelling style philosophy?

[northernsky]

i did a search but i couldn't find any threads about longtime travelling. if this is not the right place feel free to delete, but i wanted to pose this question here after reading all those advises in special travel forums, as for me it's about functionality and personal style. "you're so vain!" i know. but if i'm going to wear the same things for weeks i want them to be me in a way aside from lightweight and easy to clean and dry. i think some people forget that clothes are a form of communication after all.

if you were to hit the road for several months what would you pack into your backpack? (or suitcase, or wardrobe trunk, if you travel on a higher budget.) how much does your style change when you have to live on a bare minimum? and how much does this depend on practical considerations? do you make allowances? for example leaving your beloved jewelry at home, bringing no make-up along although you always wear it, wearing dark clothes although you love lighter shades... even considering trekking sandals and fleece jackets and not caring about this stuff when standing in front of the alhambra or the taj mahal or whatever, or even bringing clothes with you that you wanted to get rid of anyway? or do you buy special clothes for your trip? or do you wear mostly the same as at home? or do you even leave home without much clothes at all as you prefer buying it on the road? do you always regret bringing to much, or do you wish you had more to select from and could dress up more? and do you try to blend in wherever you travel, or only when you could otherwise offend someone, or not at all?

so, experienced and not so experienced travellers, share your opinions.

 

[Little Star]

This is such a great thread idea! I'm going on my first overseas trip at the end of this year and all these sorts of questions have been running through my mind...

I usually take a suitcase, medium sized, not too big or too small. I like to take all my favourite clothes (that are appropriate for the weather) and work out what I still need - then I might go buy a few things, but nothing exaggerated. I always take some of my jewellery (mostly because they make even the most ordinary outfit a little special, and just by putting on a different necklace you can reuse the same outfits over and over and still look different) and with makeup just blush, mascara and lipbalm. All my makeup and jewellery fit into a small pouch and really doesn't take up much room.

Sometimes I don't use all the clothes I bring, but I like to have options and I use most of it anyway. I don't know how much space to leave in my case this time as I've never been overseas before and I don't know what to expect. It'll be winter in europe when I go so I'll need most of that room anyway for coats etc (which I'll need to buy as I have a severe lack of winter clothes, as australia isn't that cold).

Its my last year of school and although I'm only working a fortnightly shift, I'm planning to not worry about how much money I spent on the extras (at least I say that now) because going overseas is a special opportunity.
I don't know what else I can say really... anyone else??

 

[seeing_double]

It seems like no matter where I travel I pack an excessive amount. I usually pack two large trunks and/or suitcases full of clothing, and then carry my shoes and toiletries in a seperate bag, and that is just for a week or two. I usually buy one special outfit for a trip, just so if I go out one night I can look really nice . I usually stuff the top of my suitcase with a pillow, so I am able pack clothes I buy and avoid the VAT tax...and I never regret bringing so much, as I never know what my mood will be like while I am at my destination.

 

[milkbar]

as much as possible, only the essential things i need.

 

[trip]

two years ago my daughter spent 9 months travelling round europe w/a backpack. except for a few stops w/friends of mine, she did eurail/hostels etc. i helped her pack and here's the list.
black leggings
long sleeved white and black t's
ditto short sleeves and tanks
two pairs of jeans (expensive ones) she wore one pair
black sneakers (cool ones)
denim jacket
lycra undies and one bra (black) easily washed and dried overnight
one black bikini (doubled as more undies)
3 pair black socks (nylon wool blend/one pair cotton)
large white men's shirt
sarong (towel, wrap, skirt etc)
black lycra dress, black heels (she thanked me for this!)
bag of earrings, bracelets, necklaces - all costume and/or silver)
minimal cosmetics, toiletries
flip flops
one columbia black jacket w/removable lining
black silk turtleneck
black hoodie (lycra blend)
knit hat and gloves

she says she was fine and always looked great, noone suspected "tourist" and spoke to her in their languages.
keeping it simple and black, white, denim made it easy and she managed to look quite chic at night w/the dress and/or jeand, heels and denim jacket combo w/a little makeup and jewelery!
she also took a smaller, micro fiber bag (black) and camera, phone etc.
sleeping bag too!

 

[TekkaMakki]

I generally pack way too much stuff to take with me, but this year I'm going to Africa in Easter and have to keep it minimal... so what I would suggest are a few chic basics, some favorite clothes that always look good. That way you can layer tops or wear them with different bottoms, and you'll look stylish every day

 

[castorpollux]

Clothing depends on where I'm going (weatherwise) and what the "context" of the trip will be, but I usually try to fit it all in my North Face MG 55... It's easy/comfortable to carry, durable/weatherproof, and holds a lot. If you have access to laundry facilities, you don't really need that much clothing anyway...
(www.thenorthface.com)

 

[SiennaInLondon]

Messy, dry skin and something like that rucksack Castorpollux just posted!

 

[SiennaInLondon]

Is that a Seurat?

 

[tuomas]

I just toss some black rags in a big marine bag, no matter if it's for visiting friends or work...I've become a lazy packer and it's always nice to have room for the shopping

 

[castorpollux]

Is that a Seurat?

Yes, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte...

 

[castorpollux]

Clothing depends on where I'm going (weatherwise) and what the "context" of the trip will be, but I usually try to fit it all in my North Face MG 55... It's easy/comfortable to carry, durable/weatherproof, and holds a lot. If you have access to laundry facilities, you don't really need that much clothing anyway...
(www.thenorthface.com)

If you need more room ('cuz of shopping or whatever), you can always buy another bag while on your trip... which is what I had to do last summer in SE Asia.

 

[northernsky]

I always take some of my jewellery (mostly because they make even the most ordinary outfit a little special, and just by putting on a different necklace you can reuse the same outfits over and over and still look different)

that's a good thought! you get tired of looking the same for weeks. i think of taking some costume jewellery with me. maybe a necklace and earrings. i just wouldn't take expensive pieces (that i don't own anyway) or heirlooms that mean much to me as i stay in hostels and i more or less 'expect' to be stolen from at least once. so that's something i consider: what i could not live without and what i can never replace stays at home. i just met too many luggage sniffers before. you won't have that problem in hotels i guess.

[...]and I don't know what to expect. It'll be winter in europe when I go so I'll need most of that room anyway for coats etc (which I'll need to buy as I have a severe lack of winter clothes, as australia isn't that cold).

i have a similar problem although i'm from europe but i can never tell from average temperature and rainfall per month diagrams how cold or wet it really feels in the respective country.

but a good coat is essential, yes. maybe it would be more fun to buy the winter clothes (apart from the first set) in the respective clime as they have a wider range and you will be able to see what everyone else wears around you first? just a thought because i like to mix my clothes between clothes i brought and clothes i buy on the way. but maybe that's just me, i can never talk myself into trying on a bikini in winter ("no, it's too cold for that now." brr.)

how long are you going to stay in europe?

 

[northernsky]

two years ago my daughter spent 9 months travelling round europe w/a backpack. except for a few stops w/friends of mine, she did eurail/hostels etc. i helped her pack and here's the list.

9 months. repect to your daughter. she must have seen a bunch. didn't she outwear all her clothes during the trip? i managed to destroy one pair of shoes and a pair of jeans during two weeks, but i guess the jeans were kind of cheap anyway.

i still have to find out what the best material is, i.e. for underwear. i know cotton gets too sweaty and so on but what else that is comfortable, too.. any tips?

 

[northernsky]

my North Face MG 55...

you just reminded me of another "problem" i got a backpack that is kind of a standard model and i have met so many people who had the same, i even switched it once with the girl sitting next to me on the train, we had to check the inside to make sure which one was hers and which one mine. does someone has the same problem or maybe an idea? i met several travellers who wore patches of their national ensign on their packs, mostly people with nice-looking ones as canadians , nothing for me.

 

[trip]

9 months. repect to your daughter. she must have seen a bunch. didn't she outwear all her clothes during the trip? i managed to destroy one pair of shoes and a pair of jeans during two weeks, but i guess the jeans were kind of cheap anyway.

i still have to find out what the best material is, i.e. for underwear. i know cotton gets too sweaty and so on but what else that is comfortable, too.. any tips?

she threw it all away when she got back! LOL
she took lycra undies
easy to wash, quick to dry.
check the list above. she says in paris and london, she wished she had some prints/stripes etc to wear but nevertheless, says the monochrome minimal wardrobe worked brilliantly!

 

[fourboltmain]

If you have access to laundry facilities, you don't really need that much clothing anyway...http://www.

True. We're planning a road trip from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas on dirt bikes, we intend on washing out clothes as we go along by hand when facilities aren't available. Depends on where you go and what you're doing. But I like going as light as possible.

 

[castorpollux]

you just reminded me of another "problem" i got a backpack that is kind of a standard model and i have met so many people who had the same, i even switched it once with the girl sitting next to me on the train, we had to check the inside to make sure which one was hers and which one mine. does someone has the same problem or maybe an idea? i met several travellers who wore patches of their national ensign on their packs, mostly people with nice-looking ones as canadians , nothing for me.

tie a patterned "ribbon" around one of the straps...
or cannibalize another suitcase for the luggage tag...

 

[Little Star]

i just wouldn't take expensive pieces (that i don't own anyway) or heirlooms that mean much to me as i stay in hostels and i more or less 'expect' to be stolen from at least once. so that's something i consider: what i could not live without and what i can never replace stays at home. i just met too many luggage sniffers before. you won't have that problem in hotels i guess.

Costume jewellery is pretty much what I rely on when I'm travelling...nothing over $40 really. Definately don't take irreplacable stuff...but you should invest in some good locks for your backpack/suitcase and keep the keys on your all the time! Big fat padlocks should deter snoops!

how long are you going to stay in europe?

I'm going to be there for 5-6 weeks. I'm going to England first, then France and Italy. I would love to be able to pack only some of my stuff and buy most of it over there however I don't think I'm likely to do that for 2 reasons. One, it would be twice as expensive to buy a coat etc as my currency is worth very little and two, the risk of not finding what I want over there or having the time to go looking for what I want. But it is a good suggestion and I'll definately leave a decent amount of room for shopping!