I think I've packed too much!!

Are you setting aside the clothes you will wear?

Can you substitute lightweight fabrics for what you have already packed?

Did you pack anything that can only be worn one way rather than mix/match? Those would be the first items to pull out.

One skirt, one pair of capris and a long pants plus what you are wearing would be enough but I know women want more.

I think a second lightweight sweater will be valuable. Five tops isn't bad as long as they can mix and match with your clothes.

As others have said, toiletries and sundries can add a lot of weight

You had better make sure the sweater you are taking is a warm one. Also consider a silk liner( light weight & easy to pack) top to keep warm. We were in Ireland in very late May several years ago and the weather was quite cold and rainy. I so regretted not having proper clothing. Take a turtleneck also. Enjoy your trip!

Wear the Khaki pants with a T and a 3/4 shirt as "jacket" and wear your coat. Take the capris and 1 or 2 other long pants or 1 pants and 1 skirt.Take1 or 2 of the 3/4 shirts and add 2 Ts. Keep the sweater if you must or add 1 Turtleneck or long sleeve T or silk long john top. Leave out the Jeans and dresses and at least 1 skirt. Cut back on hairdryer, curling iron, etc. reduce toilets to absolte min. Plan on layers and take only 1 "dressy" outfit- black pants or skirt with black long sleeve T- and plan on up dressing it up with a scarf, or layer with 3/4 shirt as jacket. Wear black leather walking shoes and if you do without the skirt you skip packing any other shoes.

Hi Christie:

My thoughts: Leave out the 2 dresses, especially if you're going to bringing skirts anyway. I wouldn't bring the khaki skirt. The black skirt should be able to be combined with the dressy tops - or even some of your less dressier tops - to make good going-out outfits.

Consider bringing either the jeans or the khaki pants - not both. And unless you love and live in your jeans or khakis, I'd even consider subbing a pair of black pants for them - black pants are lighter and more versatile - you'd be able to wear them walking around during the day, and dress them up for going out at night.

And some things (lightweight) you might think about adding:If there's a chance it will get cold where you're going, you might think about adding some silk long underwear - a long-sleeved top and long-john bottoms. They fold down to nothing and are featherweight but provide warmth and are good as pj's if needed. And a few acccessories - necklaces/earrings/scarves - provide versatility & can really dress an outfit up.

Have fun!

I'd leave out the dresses, too, and for the same reason. Ditto the khaki skirt. You might want to ditch one of the dressy tops, too (you DO want to shop, right?). But you really don't seem to have too many clothes. If weight is an issue you might look at the other things you are taking. Shoes? Appliances? Books? Those things add a lot of weight and take up a lot of space.

Christie, I don't see that you have so much. But in my experience, it's not the clothes that weigh so much; It's the other thing we bring (hair dryers, electric shavers, cosmetics). What else do you have?

Jeans are heavy. If you have to bring them along, wear them on the plane.

How much does your bag weigh? A roller bag can weigh close to 10# empty. If you really don't have that much, you maybe can get by with a lighter bag.

What you say you are taking looks like less than I take, and I stay under the 8kg carryon limit for Lufthansa. My bag at that weight is not difficult to carry.

Sounds conservative to me but I pack too much sometimes. Shoes and tioletries are something that can weigh a lot. Take the small shapoo etc you can get away with.
Have a great trip and enjoy.
Sylvia

Your choice of clothes isnt much. Keep in mind that there are stores THERE too, so unless you have problems with fit or comfort, very little need come with you

Christie -
IMHO - get rid of the dresses, the khaki skirt, consider getting rid of the capris (dependent on weather - I leave Tue for Dublin/AMS and its going to be rainy and in the 60s for most of the time - if that helps) get rid of one of the dressy tops - who cares if you wear one twice, you'll never see them again!
As far as toiletries go - if you have short-medium length hair, a travel size shampoo should last you almost 2 weeks. Take only one shampoo & conditioner, one small body wash, face wash & cream. That should help cut down on the weight. That being said, ditch the hair dryer/curling iron etc. if you have short hair. I just lopped off 5 inches for travel purposes.

Good luck! Enjoy your trip! Maybe I'll see you there!

I would leave the 2 dresses out aslo.
Take only one dressy top and match it with your khaki pants for going out. Or take a nice pair of black pants for this.
Too many skirts, onless you want to go sighseeing wearing skirts.You you don't, I wouldn't take any skirt.
Also I would take only 2 shirts and maybe 1 t-shirt.
I don't believe you are going to need a sweater.I prefer layering. One or 2 long shirts with a tshirt over.
About that trench: if it's long, I woulg take just a short light jacket type for windy days and an umbrela.
Have a good trip!

Aside from Spain, the other places you are going to will not be that warm this time of year. I spent six weeks in Amsterdam and France last summer and felt like an idiot in my capris because the weather was so rainy (I think it was unusual for mid-summer, but won't be in the spring). The weather where you are going is a lot like Seattle and today was our first nice day (please, God, let it continue).

Also, when you go out at night in each city, you are going to different places where people won't know that you wore the same outfit last time you went out on the town. That's why I think the dresses are unnecessary as you have the skirts.

I would consider adding a black cardigan sweater as you might find the Kelly green one too bright for evening wear. Also, consider trading the khaki pants for black ones - again, more versatile.

I'd absolutely ax the jeans unless they are a very dressy designer pair that you feel great in. Otherwise, they are not worth the weight.

I 'd axe one dress and one dressy shirt. You only need one dressy outfit, you are not going to the same nice place twice anyways right?
I'd also switch khaki pants for black slacks, then you could wear nice top with them for dinner, or casual tops for day time touring.
I too think a black sweater is more versatile .

You need something warm, one sweater and a trench coat is not enough. I always bring a fleece jacket, I get a form fitting plain one in black. Fleece is very lightweight, and I don't get the thick fleece as it can be bulky( though still lightweight).
I would also bring one long sleeved tshirt or a black turtle neck.

Wow, I am a first time traveler, middle aged and...pudgy. I live in Arizona and barely own a pair of shoes. Fashion sandels are the norm. Also, Since it is so hot here, capri's and bright colors. I'm traveling Italy for two weeks in May and am struggling to find appropriate clothes. Not that I want to look European, but as not to attract pick pockets as an easy target. I bought a wrinkle, long,Black skirt to dress up or down, khaki pants, tennis shoes for walking, T-shirts, light weight wind breaker, and big shirts to wear over T's. Debating on jeans (blk or blu). Looking for a sweather and comfy sandles. Saving white capris for Positano...is that ok? I'm not comfortable in shorts. I've been reading posts. Now I will look at RS DVD to see if it shows other tourist and their clothes!!

Barbara I think what you have gotten together sounds just fine. My only problem would be white anything.. I never bring white bottoms (skirts or capris)since I pack light everything must be able to be worn numerous times, and white bottoms get dirty after one wearing, but the capris are fine, everyone wears them.
Number one issue, bring good shoes( comfy).

Thank you, Pat. I liked your suggestions. Will take out the color white! The light-weight, black fleese sweater sounds good. Maybe Black slacks or capris. Everyones ideas really helped me. I'm not quite so anxious about the clothes now! This is a great site.