This is the time of year we start to think about what we’ll put into our suitcases when we travel this year. When we pack we know we won’t be home again for 6 or 7 months. This makes for difficult choices. When you go clothes shopping the main question becomes “Am I willing to carry this around in my suitcase for months?”
We both want to look good … no sweats, torn up jeans or sneakers so it can be a challenge. We also have to span a few seasons and prepare for times we are on tour, hiking, traveling, going to nicer restaurants, meeting with business contacts, and going to the beach. And to top it all off we take only a backpack suitcase each for clothes. Besides that Bob takes a small backpack for the laptop, camera, and electronics, and I have another small backpack for the other business stuff. Bob is lucky that he fits into Italian men’s clothes easily. I am a plus size, really difficult to find in southern Europe or Asia so I need to take most of what I will wear for the whole trip. Although I know a few stores in each city where I can find the basics if I need them.

Because of our restrictions we have some guidelines that we’ve developed to help get the most out of the clothes that we take. First we’ll talk about the women’s packing and then the guys.

These guidelines are especially for women:

• The first rule is that things have to go together. If you have to have a particular pair of shoes or undergarment or accessories for a an outfit it stays at home. Separates for women are key. Most of your tops and bottoms should go with each other. For me that means lots of neutrals. When I am in Italy I supplement the neutrals with a couple of scarves I buy on each trip. A big scarf doubles as a wrap at night, a beach coverup.
• Other considerations are that clothes should try quickly since they usually are line dried, and shouldn’t require ironing. I like skirts that you can just twist up and are meant to look wrinkled. They dry easily, are cool on a hot day, are easy to stuff into a bag, and look great. I take one black dressy skirt that doesn’t wrinkle for a night out. I don’t take shorts since I don’t usually feel comfortable in them in Europe but if you are going hiking or to the beach just take one pair you can wash out and let dry overnight.
• Another rule is to take half of what you think you need. Remember that if you are traveling you are not usually seeing the same people every day. We usually don’t have more than a week’s work of clothes in our bags. Try 5 bottoms, 5 tops, 2 t-shirts or tank tops as the base.
• This rule is only 2 or 3 pairs of shoes. I usually have a pair of shoes on my feet, one in my bag, and if I have a third pair it is a pair of sandals or something that takes up almost no room. You must have shoes you can really walk in. If you mess up your feet on a trip you will be miserable. It is one of the most important things you take with you. Don’t take new shoes on a trip.
• Regarding underwear, taking just a few pair of panties and a 2 or 3 bras, you can easily wash them out and have them dry by the next morning if you bring the right kind. Test line drying them in your bathroom before leaving home to see how quickly they dry. Bring a sock made from a blend that dry quickly as well. Remember happy feet are important.

Here are some guidelines for guys:

• This first rule is the same as for women, things should go together. Make sure that all the things you bring go together interchangeably. Neutral pants such as khaki are Bob’s favorite.
• The second rule is that things should dry quickly since you usually have to line dry things in Europe and it gives you the option to dry things overnight and carry less clothes. Bob likes the cargo pants made of lightweight material. Columbia is a good brand. Bob takes a couple of pairs of cargo shorts for hiking or the beach but make sure the fabric is not too heavy.
• Bring the basics in neutral colors. You need enough clothes for about a week no matter how long you are traveling. So bring about 4 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, a couple of T shirts,

a pair of shorts as the basics.  Be sure to bring good walking shoes. Remember that you probably don’t need very dressy clothes or real dress shoes unless you have specific plans such as attending the opera or a very formal event.

• Be sure to bring underwear and socks that wick moisture away from your body as you wear them and dry quickly overnight when you wash them. Underarmor is a good brand for underwear that dries quickly and is not hot to wear. Buy good socks in a blend to keep your feet comfortable.

 

Remember when it comes to toiletries the main things to bring are your contacts, glasses, and the prescriptions for them and your prescription medications. Things like shampoos and toothpaste you can buy almost anywhere so don’t worry about running out. It can be fun to go to the store and see what locals use.

We are lucky to have a friend in Italy who stores some business stuff for us and a we have one box of clothes where we keep swimsuits, sunhats, hiking shoes, etc. so we get to cheat a little. We aim to be presentable, comfortable, and most of all have the lightest bags possible. Here’s to lookin’ good with less.

Happy Travels!

Lori