Comments on: Who Needs Baggage? Pack Lightly Instead

By: BeachBum

BeachBum — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 11:50:53 +0000

Packing light is a freeing experience!
You can also add “you know your luggage will be at your destination” to your list of reasons to pack light.
I always save my “free gift” cosmetics for travel. I have mini under eye cream, makeup remover, blush and eye shadow quads that are just the right size.
Instead of taking the guidebooks, I tear out the pages that apply and slip them into my travel file. It also makes it easier to keep in my purse for day trips.
There is a website, http://www.onebag.com with lots of great packing tips.

By: Peppy

Peppy — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:18:49 +0000

I absolutely hate checking baggage, so I do whatever I can to pack light (if I am driving somewhere, I will take a trunk full of clothing and shoes). I just returned from a 17 day trip to Europe, where I traveled with one carry-on and one large purse. (I even managed to buy a winter coat and fit that in my carry-on for the plane ride home.)

I did it by basically following the same recommendations that Rosebud has. I think wearing your bulkiest items on the plane is absolutely key. I always wear a pair of jeans because they take up so much suitcase room and my biggest pair of shoes.

As for toiletries, I pour my shampoo and conditioner into smaller bottles. Kalogrias, I use Aosept as well, and have never seen it in a smaller bottle. When traveling I just get a small bottle of multipurpose solution and use that instead.

Also, I am not a list maker, but like Rosebud, I always make one before packing. It really helps. Actually, I was surprised to notice that there were things in my bag that I didn’t wear while I was on vacation. So I overpacked!

By: MsPeachy

MsPeachy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:51:37 +0000

I always used to go carry-on only and it was so easy. I loved deplaning and getting to leave the airport immediately instead of standing around at baggage claim. However, the new TSA rules about liquid and gels completely screwed me over for being able to do carry-on only for anything more than 3 or 4 days. I’m not spending time on vacation trying to find a place to buy my toiletries nor do I wish to overpay for them at a hotel. I wish they’d relax those rules - at least give us a gallon size bag instead of quart. Sheesh.

By: SiValleySteph

SiValleySteph — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:44:37 +0000

I’m in the opposite camp as far as carryons. We check almost everything. This way we can juggle ourselves, our toddler and our essential carryons more easily. Essential carryons being camera, laptop, and toys/clothes/food/etc for our son, as well as his carseat.

We do to tend to pack on the light side, though.

By: emmjay

emmjay — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:36:20 +0000

Good article! I too am a light packer. I normally get by with just a carry-on*, and DH and I spent 19 months traveling with only 1 backpack each (plus a day bag). The best thing is that if you forget something, it’s a perfect excuse to buy something new!

*when I’m traveling without DS - if he’s there, my baggage load goes up quite a bit!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:43:24 +0000

I need to make copies of this article and put it in all my suitcases to help resist the urge to pack sweaters when I’m going to vacation (and yes, I did that once).

By: ysolde

ysolde — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:37:59 +0000

I went to Paris for ten days in 1999 with nothing but a carry-on. Shopped till I dropped, and still came home with my carry-on. The secret was exactly what Rosebud described: wear the heaviest clothes on the plane, make sure everything coordinates with everything else, and take pieces that layer. My secret weapon: a few silk scarves, which transformed my turtlenecks and sweaters into much dressier evening pieces with a twist and a knot, and took up no room at all in my bag.

The other trick Rosebud has already mentioned: keep make-up simple: one set of colors for day and night, and as for toiletries, buy shampoo and conditioner at your destination, or treat yourself to a wash and blow-out in a new city. Use an all-in-one cleanser/toner, if possible (Laura Mercier makes a pretty good one), and buy a travel sized shower gel. Use just your day moisturizer as a night cream as well, and bring a small amount of eye cream in a tiny container.

It’s doable, with a bit of planning.

By: chefker

chefker — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:02:54 +0000

This is so timely, we’re going on our first family vacation in less than a month - and I am the queen of overpacking! It’s going to be hard packing light while traveling with a toddler, but I’m going to give it my best shot!

By: TracieB

TracieB — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:58:15 +0000

kalogrias - could you buy a carry-on size empty bottle and fill it with your solution? I would just label the bottle with “contact solution” to avoid any issues.

By: TXSweetheart

TXSweetheart — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:29:27 +0000

Thank you for this!! I always way way over pack… will definitely be using these tips next time I go visit my mother (even with instant access to a washer and dryer I still always over pack when I go visit her LOL)