Packing for a business/personal trip

[Kellijo14]

We leave to go to CA on Friday. DH & I are going for pleasure for the weekend, then working for the remainder of the week. We're looking forward to getting away from Iowa for a bit!

Here's my question. What space saving tips do you have when packing your suitcases? I want to carry the least amount of stuff as possible. What do you take to keep yourself occupied during a long layover? I usually take books, but I hate to weigh myself down with all of them. I would love for us to be able to take one 25" upright suitcase and both have a duffle bag for entertainment. I'm trying to coordinate outfits so that I only have to take one pair of dressy shoes and one pair of tennis shoes, but other than that, how do you cram everything into one bag?

Does anyone actually do laundry when they travel for a week trip?

TIA!

[ManteoChik]

I use "space saver bags"...you can usually find them at places like Bed Bath and Beyond. I buy the ones that don't require a vaccume, you just put your stuff in, close it almost all of the way and then start rolling it from the bottom to the top to get all the air out, then you close the bag the rest of the way. (Thing over-sized ziplock bag w/ the sliding thing to close it). I put things like socks, underwear, sweaters, and tee shirts in them. It really helps to save space.

This is one from BBB:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/380/35776106235C.JPG

**When I am staying somewhere with a washer/dryer then I will certainly do laundry, but I won't take it to a lundramat....or I'll send it out through the hotel if it's something that really needs to be done.

[tlew12778]

Stick anything that fits into your shoes... mainly socks and I guess underwear if that doesn't skeeve you out.

[lil_geek]

My favorite pair of shoes are a low wedge.... I wore them walking around Scotland/London/Paris for 8 days... and wear them on a regular basis to work with black dress pants. I find that a HUGE space saver! Shoes take up so much space that I don't like to pack many.

In addition, try to find things that you can wear on many different occasions... ie: I wear sleeveless tops under a suit jacket, and under a cardigan on weekends. Double duty!

[Kellijo14]

I'm going to reevaluate my trip wardrobe and see if I can do some more combo outfits. I think I have my shoe count narrowed down to two - one to wear, one to pack. I'm going to look for those space saver bags at Target tonight. I bought some before but they ripped right after I got them out of the bag. I'm a bit skeptical, but maybe I'll give the smaller ones a try. I'm so sick of the "excess luggage game" that I'll try anything.

[SweetRed]

I typically travel for 6 days at a stretch and am able to fit everything... including work-out gear for the gym... into a 19" carry-on roller.

Combo outfits are key, especially if they are low-wrinkle. When I pack my slacks, I put them all in one pile and then fold the whole pile into two. For whatever reason, less space taken and fewer wrinkles. I also find it best to pack all the big things first and then wedge in between all the smaller items. It may mean separating toiletries into smaller ziploc bags rather than carrying in a nice bag that would take up more room.

And even though they may be pricey, travel-size toiletries are a life-saver. Because I travel so often, I just bought small containers and refill them as needed.

I have used those space saver bags for travel on occasion, but haven't found the need recently. I was pretty abusive with mine and they didn't rip. Maybe worth another shot?

Good luck and have a great trip!

~ Kay

[karlatta]

My mom is a master suitcase packer. She once packed for our entire family of five in a carry-on suitcase for a week! I'll try to remember what I can from her...

Things take up less space if they're rolled instead of folded. So do that with what you can.

Put socks inside your shoes. Save underwear (and undershirts for DH) for stuffing in empty spaces in the suitcase. I always find that my folded clothes don't take up quite the width of the suitcase, and I can stuff several pairs of underwear or socks in the space that's left over.

Don't take full sized bottles of toiletries. If you don't want to use what the hotel has, get some small bottles and put some of your shampoo, conditioner, etc. in those to travel with. Carry these in your purse or carry-on if you have room.

If you want to take a bulky sweater or something, wear that while traveling. I always take a chunky cardigan wherever I go, and I always wear it so that it won't take up room in my bags. (And you can actually just carry it, but if they pester you about carrying too much, you can just slip it on.)

Take your largest purse. They allow you one carry-on and one purse. So pick a big one and fill it if you need. You can always pack the smaller purse in your suitcase if that's the one you want to carry once you get there. Fill it with clothes so that it will keep its shape.

[karlatta]

As far as entertainment for airports, I always take one book and two or three magazines. I find that I'm so excited about wherever I'm going that I can't really concentrate enough to get into the book, but magazines are great. It takes me two hours solid to read every single thing in an issue of People or Newsweek. If you're traveling with your DH, chances are you'll also be talking and stuff while waiting, which means you don't need as much stuff to entertain yourselves with.

[kalogrias]

I am proud of my packing skills -- I never check luggage (unless I buy a bunch of stuff on my trips) -- and I've managed to fit clothes for 2 weeks (without needing to do laundry) into a 20-inch carry-on.

Shoes are the biggest waste of space, so make sure you travel in your bulkiest (sneakers or boots, usually). That way you don't need to pack them. As a PP said, stuff remaining shoes with socks and underwear. Whatever doesn't fit in there, save to stuff inbetween items (like heels, if you take high heels). T-shirts can be folded up to be very tiny, or else take camisoles for layering under sweaters so that you can change your shirt every day -- they roll up to be small, too. Wear your jeans/casual pants and your bulkiest sweater and outerwear on the plane. A pain, yes, but easier not to pack them. Toiletries can be easily stuffed into a large purse -- I usually take a tote bag into which I put all "personal items" -- my smaller purse, my toiletries (usually travel size), my books, my mP3 player, camera, etc. Easily accesible for the flight, but large enough to fit everything. Plus, then my suitcase is only needed for my clothing. Suit jackets should always be packed across the top of the clothing -- makes for less wrinkling and is also space-saving.

[Leia]

Zip locks, zip locks, zip locks! I use tons of zip locks - I fell into the habit post 9/11 when I was getting searched at the airport every week. I find it much easier to pack when I use them vs the bulky toiletry cases.

Wear the bulkiest shoes on the plane (although I carry flip flops in my carry on to wear through security in the airport).

I'm sure you are doing this based on shoe description, but I only wear one base color, almost always black. However, I NEVER recommend bringing just one of any necessary item. E.g. if you a one night overnight trip, don't just count on the slacks you are wearing. Because it's an absolute nightmare if some disaster befalls them, and you need to replace them late at night in a strange city. Believe me, I speak from experience!

Leave books behind as you finish them (i.e. at your hotel for other travelers)

If it's a long personal trip, I bring things that I might throw away vs. bring back - toiletries I expect to use up, old sneakers, older clothing.

This doesn't apply in your case, but I own many duplicates of all items. If it's a business trip and I am going back to the place, I just check my bag at the hotel each week and come and go with minimal luggage. :D

[eponymous]

Does anyone actually do laundry when they travel for a week trip?

Not if I'm staying in a hotel. (Staying with friends who have a washer, yes.) My "deadline" is usually over 10 days, I'll try to do laundry. I've only travelled for more than ten days a couple of times in my life, so it's usually not an issue.

[laura]

We travel pretty frequently, but I don't have much else to add. To echo what others have said:

I never do laundry when I'm traveling, unless I'm staying w/ my mom and then traveling on to someplace else, b/c she insists on doing it. :p I always check luggage b/c I hate schlepping it, but I am able to fit a fairly large amount of stuff into a fairly small bag if/when I need to. For anything a week or less, my husband and I each take our smallest roller suitcase (I'm not sure what size they are?). He carrys on his laptop and I carry on a tote bag w/ 1 book each, and magazines for me + my purse. We both carry our own iPods. From Chicago to SF (~4 hours), I can read 1 entire book (like James Patterson size); it takes me 1 hour to read People magazine, and another hour to read In Style. Magazines are great b/c you can buy them at the airport after you've gone through security, and you can leave them behind wherever you finish them.

Getting my shoes down to 2-3 pairs is usually my biggest challenge, but I agree w/ the PP who said if you pack all "black" or all "brown" outfits, that makes things a lot easier. I usually take 2-3 sweaters/cardigans + 7-8 shirts that will go underneath them for a week. Those undershirts are usually Tshirts, camis, and/or button down shirts. I don't carry on my toiletries, but I have recently switched to 'travel size' products and it helps. I bought small bottles of my Aveda stuff (shampoo, face cleanser, toner) and then I just re-fill them as needed from my regular bottles. If you don't travel regularly, this might not be worthwhile to you, however. Depending on where you are traveling to in CA, you may not need more than a light jacket or heavy sweater - definitely pay attention to the weather b/c you don't want to bring a bulky coat if you don't need it.

[looch]

I have done laundry while on vacation...and the reasoning behind it is that i inevitably have clothes that i haven't worn, and i don't like to mix clean and dirty clothes. to this end, i always have a sample of detergent in my suitcase.
I travelled every other week for 2 years for 3- 5 days at a time. here was the strategy:
i have a 14 inch expandable wheeled bag that i can pack for a week in.
In the front pocket: toiletries: toothbrush and paste, brush, hair gel and spray, facial moisurizer. i pack 5 of those disposable face wash clothes in a sandwich bag. that's all i bring, everything else, i use from the hotel.
in the main compartment: underwear per day, 2 bras, 1 tshirt for nighttime. i save a lot of space here, because i pack a small t, and sleep in that and panties. 2 pair trouser socks, 1 pair hose. i handwash these at night.
2 pantsuits, 3 shells to mix and match, 1 skirt, 1 twinset. 1 pair of shoes to change, flip flops for the hotel room.

In my carryon tote, makeup and vitamins/pills. every once in a while i would toss in a swimsuit. Then to extend it for personal time, add one pair of jeans, a sexy tank, a thin cashmere sweater and you are pretty much good to go for any occasion that arises!

[Leia]

I bought small bottles of my Aveda stuff (shampoo, face cleanser, toner) and then I just re-fill them as needed from my regular bottles.

Do you have you the Aveda travel set, or do you mean the regular travel size bottles? I have been eyeing their travel bottle set, but I was thinking they are probably no better that the regular drugstore ones.

looch - sounds like we have (or you had) a similar travel schedule. Do you ever bring gym clothes? That/sneakers are where I get tripped up in my routine. Love the list though.

[looch]

The sneakers were always what tripped me up until i found the adidas "mei" slip ons. I can pack those in relatively little space, and at that point, i would bring a tshirt and shorts to work out. After about 3 trips where I didn't hit the gym once, I stopped packing the workout gear!

[Rosebud]

bumping up this thread

I wrote an article for the CC blog about packing light. Link to article (http://www.constantchatter.com/2007/09/04/who-needs-baggage-pack-lightly-instead/327) There are some good general tips here for planning out what you need to pack and how to travel with just one bag (something I swear by). Hope it's helpful!

[Adaya]

bumping up this thread

I wrote an article for the CC blog about packing light. Link to article (http://www.constantchatter.com/2007/09/04/who-needs-baggage-pack-lightly-instead/327) There are some good general tips here for planning out what you need to pack and how to travel with just one bag (something I swear by). Hope it's helpful!

Great blog!!

[looch]

I was just in Europe for two weeks, travelling to Switzerland, Italy and France. The climate was all over the place and I decided to make a packing list. It was the single best thing I have ever done, this way I was certain that I wasn't going to end up with all shirts and no pants.

Considering it's summer, I was able to get away with enough clothes for an outfit a day, plus bathing suits, lingere and a few extra outfits.

I don't carry on, I can't ever get the bag in the overhead, and I prefer not to have to worry about it, especially if I am alone. The big mistake I made though, was shoes. I simply didn't have the right pair for walking around Paris. I ended up wearing the same pair of metallic bronze slides with a stone detail so much that I scuffed the kitten heels to the bare plastic. I tossed them on the last day of my trip. Next time around, in the summer, I am bringing a pair of leather thongs and some espadrilles.