Packing a suitcase.

[Smiley Jo]

I don't really travel much, but next week i'll be leaving for a ten day trip to a place i've never been.

My first instinct was to go and find the biggest suitcase possible so that I can take everything I own, but then I thought that probably isn't such a good idea.

Are there any of you who travel often and might have some tips on how to go about packing a suitcase properly? What types of things are essential, and what aren't? Or even some things that I might not think to take?

Like once someone told me that when you're packing, you should try to bring the majority of your clothes in neutral colours so that you can mix and match easily. Is that a good idea?

It's gonna be hard, cuz there weather is gonna be all up and down to, prolly a bit hotter, but it's still spring, yano?

Thanks in advance!

Joanna

 

[MalGlo]

whatever you do..don't take packing tips from cri.

 

[labRat]

You need to bring the required items:

• Two black shirts
• Two pair of black pants
• One pair of heavy black shoes
• Two pair of black socks
• Two pair of plain underwear

 

[Smiley Jo]

Always pack an extra pair...

Originally posted by *labRat*
You need to bring the required items:

• Two pair of plain underwear

Ummm, i'm thinking i'll need more underwear than that.

Thanks tho!

Joanna

 

[*SiLver*RoBoT*]

Depends on what you're doing on that trip. Bringing neutral colours is a good idea. For a 10 day trip, bring 5 pairs - 6 pairs of clothes, unless you plan on getting sweaty and smokey...that's what I do when I generally travel.

*over*and*out*

*SiLver*RoBoT*

 

[MalGlo]

Re: Always pack an extra pair...

Originally posted by Smiley Jo


Ummm, i'm thinking i'll need more underwear than that.

Thanks tho!

Joanna

don't wear any.. makes things easier

(take pics!)

 

[Guest]

I thought this was going to be like the picnic game.

In my suitcase I'm going to pack:
an afgan.

 

[Temper Tantrum]

Best advice when packing for trips (well this only really applies to backpackers, but bear with!) pack everything you need. Place backpack on back. Walk around block. You will then end up taking out half the stuff in the backpack

I used to be one of those hardcore 'bring everything in case I want/need' it backpackers. If yuo think you'll want it, you probably won't. Bring enough outfits, changes of underwear, a nice outfit, one pair of casual and one pair of dressy shoes.

where are you going jo? I hope you have a great trip

~allie~

 

[Rosey]

Originally posted by *labRat*
You need to bring the required items:

• Two black shirts
• Two pair of black pants
• One pair of heavy black shoes
• Two pair of black socks
• Two pair of plain underwear

you forgot:

• burial money

and i thought it was ' heavy black boots'?

 

[Smiley Jo]

Originally posted by Temper Tantrum
Bring enough outfits, changes of underwear, a nice outfit, one pair of casual and one pair of dressy shoes.

where are you going jo? I hope you have a great trip

~allie~

Thanks Allie! Good advice. I always end up forgetting I hafta carry my suitcase after I pack it... Good thing i'm getting stronger!

Destination: Madrid!

Joanna

 

[swenard]

Originally posted by *labRat*
You need to bring the required items:

• Two black shirts
• Two pair of black pants
• One pair of heavy black shoes
• Two pair of black socks
• Two pair of plain underwear

everything above but instead Bring white socks.Not, Black ones.

 

[madnezz]

Originally posted by Temper Tantrum
Best advice when packing for trips (well this only really applies to backpackers, but bear with!) pack everything you need. Place backpack on back. Walk around block. You will then end up taking out half the stuff in the backpack

*LOL* so true

Originally posted by Temper Tantrum
I used to be one of those hardcore 'bring everything in case I want/need' it backpackers. If yuo think you'll want it, you probably won't. Bring enough outfits, changes of underwear, a nice outfit, one pair of casual and one pair of dressy shoes.

again, so true! good tips

the best advice I can give is bring ONLY the essentials- not the things you "think you might want"!!!

adios
Laura

 

[Cheeka]

I always over pack... which is so annoying esp if you are backpacking!!
I seriously wanted to punch myself for bringing all that stuff by the end

- try not to bring things that wrinkle easily - they only have a one wear lifespan without touch ups. and ironing is huge hassle.
- bring things that you can dress up and down - black/camel pants are great for that. cute skirts too... and they take up hardly any room.
- little t's are great... low maintenance high return
- if you are only going for a week then bring enough socks, underwear etc to last you - laundry is a hassle so if you can avoid it you should.
- unless you buy an adaptor don't bring anything that plugs in - you probably won't be able to use it where you are going
- and don't bring 5 pairs of shoes (that may be obvious to some but it wasn't to me - bloody hell!?!?)

have a great trip smiley jo !!

 

[mcbee]

i'm the packing queen Jo!

my tips...

lay everythign you THINK you want to bring.
see how everything goes togehter...
i like to take things that ALL coordinate. like one pair of pants can go with 3 different tops for example. that way you bring less and still have lots of options.

go to the drugstore and get those little travel bottles for your shampoo, moisturizer etc...no need to waste space taking all the full size bottles.

i usually put all my toiletires in a plastic bag. nothing worse than having your shampoo spill all over your clothes!

pack a few extra plastic bags in case you have wet things to pack on the way home.

ROLL ROLL ROLL. this is KEY to space saving! roll your tshirts etc and you'll have lots more room in your suitcase!!

usually what makes my FINAL descision about what to bring is the type of travel it is...if i'm getting a ride to the airport, getting picked up, and staying in one place for the whole trip, then i bring whatever the hell i want....not too much luggage carrying!
but if its a trip where i'm lugging my stuff on my back a bunch of different places, then i definatley pack lighter!!

don't forget to leave a little room for stuff you pick up while shopping!! shopping on vacation rocks!!

have fun!!
sarah

 

[Smiley Jo]

Taking notes...

Oh wow, thanks everyone, this is gold!

Joanna

 

[Subsonic Chronic]

If you roll up your clothes instead of folding them they take up less space.

Pete

 

[BigBadBaldy]

Previously, on Hill Street Blues:

Originally posted by mcbee
ROLL ROLL ROLL. this is KEY to space saving!

BBB.

Bad dead horsey!

 

[Leblank]

Agreed rollin' clothes is the best space saving idea. But only ROLL ROLL ROLL if you'l be able to IRON IRON IRON. If you can't iron rollin' isn't the best idea.

 

[BigBadBaldy]

Originally posted by Leblank
Agreed rollin' clothes is the best space saving idea. But only ROLL ROLL ROLL if you'l be able to IRON IRON IRON. If you can't iron rollin' isn't the best idea.

Fuck ironing, invest in a handheld clothes steamer, THEY RAWK! About the same size as a crimping iron, very portable and fast. Hang clothes, steam clothes.

BBB.

Easy peasy.

..yes, I did used to crimp my hair. It was the '80's, and I was a freak.

Yes, I had hair. Only on top.

 

[Jeffsus]

If you're going to a resort or a type of vacation where you are visiting or whatever, and not really moving around much, then it doesn't matter. Bring 40kilos of whatever ya got. You wont end up using half of it but who cares since you'll plop it in your hotel and forget about it anyways.

If your moving around, and only going for ten days, then you will hardly need anything. See TT's post.

If you're backpacking, then in 10 days, you could get by with 2 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of underwear, 4 T shirts, one sweater, one pair of shoes, one stick of deodorant and a toothbrush.

That will fit easily into anything.

If you NEED anything else then just buy it there.

-jM
A&D

 

[teknikal]

I always seem to overpack or underpack. I still haven't figured out the perfect formula!

teknikal

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Rosey

you forgot:

• burial money

and i thought it was ' heavy black boots'?

• $300 personal burial money