Packing Light for Ladies - My packing list. Room for improvement?

It looks good to me in terms of the pieces chosen---tasteful and practical. But I would want another pair of pants ( I actually take 3, one of which might be capris, plus a skirt and a dress). Are you wearing another outfit on the plane? Also, I would tire of all that black. My pants and skirt are dark, but the tops I take are mostly in colors like medium blue and dark red. I take two scarves that coordinate with the top colors. And no vests, but I do take a denim jacket in addition to rain jacket and velour or fleece jacket. (This is for October in Italy.)

You also might want another top to wear with the leggings to trade off with the Tencel denim one.

Swimsuit depends. The Mediterranean was pretty cold for swimming when we were in Manarola in late June! but I went in and loved it. Presumably it would warm up over summer, but whether it holds that temperature until late September I do not know.

That's the time of year I usually travel, and I would not bring a trench coat. For chill/rain, I bring a lightweight cardigan or lightweight fleece zip-up, plus a waterproof rain shell. The rain shell is a great insulator on dry, windy days. I've never gotten much use out of a lightweight coat at that time of the year, and I really hate cold.

Beyond that, packing lists are pretty individual. I usually travel for 3 to 4 weeks, and I'm fine with 5 shirts (mix of ss and ls), two pairs of slacks, a pair of black walking shoes that are ok for a restaurant or concert, and a pair of flip-flops for around the hotel. That includes what I'm wearing on the plane. However, I am fine with doing a little hand laundry every night or two, and I travel by train so I have to truck my own luggage around. Therefore, carrying as little as possible is a priority.

I also tend to buy scarves/shawls in Europe as souvenirs, rather than bringing them from home.

If the My Way 14 day goes thru the Alps I recommend putting a pair of thin gloves and perhaps even a knitted cap (if you wear them) in your bag. You just never know what weather you'll have in the shoulder season. Also add a packable umbrella. Good travels!

Make sure you can lift and carry your suitcase with ease. You will be in a tour bus, which will minimize luggage handling, but the biggest (pun intended) mistake I have seen on our trip is people trying to manage massive bags on and off of trains and failing. If you can easily carry your bag, you will b.e happier.

I agree with Sherry about different outerwear choices. The tunic length sweatshirt sounds bulky to pack. The trenchcoat might be OK for Paris if it's rainy and for Switzerland but will be too much for Italy. I was on the Village Italy tour starting Sept 29 or so last fall and it was hot to me but I used a waterproof layer frequently. I'm more casual than you so a Marmot Precip works for me.

I would probably cut the 2 vests. If you take one it might be useful as a layer for warmth. Would you be able to wear the cardie over them? I'm guessing neither will work with the sweatshirt.

After an 8week trip last Fall where I overpacked, I think I am down to 2 pr pants. (No dresses or skirts because that's not me). 4 or 5 shortsleeve Land's End cotton/modal tees. 1 long sleeve Tee. 2 cardies that go with all the tops and pants. 1 Marmot Precip. 1 pr Smartwool glove liners. 2 pr shoes.

Not a math whiz but 1 pr pants + 1 cardie X 4 shirts =4 outfits so 8 outfits including the other cardie doubled with the other pants so 16 basic outfits with 8 pieces. Scarves ramp that up.

You might get out all your potential traveling clothes snd see how many outfits you can make.

Have a wonderful time! I find the wardrobe concept endlessly fascinating! Are you familiar with the Vivienne files blog? She does fabulous capsule wardrobes.

I agree with the suggestion of an additional pair of pants, and think the pencil skirt would be impractical and should stay home - restricts movement too much.

Liz,

I noticed that you're only packing 4 tops? I prefer to pack more tops than bottoms because you can wear pants/skirt more than once.

Most of my trips have taken place in mid-late September/early October.

I usually pack enough clothes for one week, then I do laundry or get laundry service on day 6 or 7.

I pack all my clothes into a 20" roller carry-on suitcase:

• 6-7 tops

• 2 pairs of pants

• one skirt

• one cardigan for layering

• one light waterproof jacket

• 7-8 underwear bottoms & 3 bras

• 2-3 camisoles (for extra layer if needed)

• 7 pair of socks

• 1 extra pair of comfortable walking shoes

• 1-2 scarves & then buy more in Europe

• 2-3 lightweight pj's.

plus the outfit I wear on the plane consisting of pants, camisole/v- neck tee or button down blouse, light jacket & comfortable walking shoes.

Have a wonderful trip!

The two things that jump out at me are the pencil skirt and the trench coat.
I don't think you'll be comfortable in the pencil skirt and the trench coat will take up too much room in your suitcase.
I usually pack a flared, knee length skirt...it's cute, comfortable and good for warm weather. Instead of a trench coat, layer and bring a rain shell.

I agree with others that the trench and pencil skirt might be the outliers. I did a Village Italy in 2011 during your time-frame of September - October. I started out pre-tour in Innsbruck and went to a cow parade in a small town outside of Innsbruck. I did not need any special clothes to keep me warm. I usually have a light wool pullover plus some kind of rain jacket. I find layers to be key. Oh, and I travel extensively with Eileen Fisher pants. The crepe ones are very easy to wash and dry in the room.

As I recall, that autumn was very warm. It was the year of the flooding in the Cinque Terre. My tour ended about a week before the heavy rains. That year, I DID go swimming, both at an agriturismo we stopped at and in Levanto, near Cinque Terre. In terms of bathing suit, perhaps the best thing to do is keep an eye on Accuweather up until you leave. Relaxing on the beach in the early autumn sun is one of my fond memories of that trip. Of course, you could do that without a swimsuit - just throw in a lightweight pair of shorts you might otherwise wear in your hotel room.

I hope the weather is fine for you. Debbie

I am also getting ready for a Aug 2 trip, 21 days and had a question. Do the rooms have bath products in them, soap, shampoo and conditioner?
BOE how many opportunities do you have to swim, just asking because is it worth taking space for a bathing suit?

I say always carry your own smaller (but bigger than travel size) bottles of body wash, shampoo & conditioner (if you use conditioner) in your checked baggage. Or leave the body wash at home and just take shampoo or combined shampoo/conditioner. Shampoo is multi-purpose--it can be used as body wash/soap and as detergent for sink washing. Also pack a washcloth if you use one and want one. Put your bottles in a ziploc bag(s). Take an extra ziploc or two (note: your washcloth won't have time to dry out if you shower in the morning and need to jump on the bus.) Yes, many hotels have the liquid soap and shampoo but some may not. Rick's hotels seem to have gotten fancier over the years, but in the more remote locations/smaller establishments, you don't know.

Rick's packing lists are good lists to use as your foundation. And if you have a roommate who's a spouse, friend, family member, you can split the three bottles (body wash, shampoo, conditioner) between you. No need to pack six bottles!

I agree with the other comments so far- I think one pencil skirt instead of two. This still leaves you with three bottoms and a dress. I would leave home the denim vest because I don't really think that adds anything other than changing up the outfit. The Ralph Lauren vest seems like it would be a good extra later in cooler weather. And I would also add another t shirt.

Other considerations- add a pair of cheap flip flops for the hotel room or if you do choose to swim.

You haven't mentioned toiletries at all. For me, this was the trickiest thing to condense and what kept me from carrying on for a long time. I use Dove bar soap and Lush bar shampoo and conditioner so they don't count as liquids. I get sample size containers from make up counters at Ulta or Sephora for things like face wash/moisturizer/foundation. I find that the 3 oz bottles are more than I need for a lot of things. I use an atomizer for perfume. The only 3 oz bottles in my liquids bag are contact solution and and body lotion. But it all fits in the bag easily.

Thank you all so much for your feedback and suggestions! I should have stated in my original post that my husband and I are only taking a carry on bag each (on wheels.) He'll have a daypack and I'll have a sturdy cross-body bag with a strap too thick to cut. We will both be wearing our Rick Steves money belts.

I appreciate your suggestions regarding leaving the trench coat at home. Since we will be in Amsterdam and Bayeux before we join our tour in Paris I thought it was practical - I will look at Accuweather before we leave and make a decision then. In the meantime I will look for something more packable. The J. Jill pencil skirt is made of ponte knit that stretches and is so comfortable that I own six of them - I wear them year round, even when playing golf - that's actually how I found them. When I reached my fifties I had a difficult time finding a golf skirt that wasn't mid-thigh so I tried one of these last year and rolled the waist band inward. It took two inches off the length to a dignified above knee length - perfect for me! My husband likes the red so much he wants me to take it to Europe - I'd have to really think about that one.

I will be wearing the leggings and tunic sweatshirt (it is french terry, not fleece) on the plane. I may pack a second pair of leggings since these will also double as pj bottoms. As suggested, I will add another long sleeved shirt, long sleeved t, perhaps a lightweight cardi in another color, gloves, knit hat, swimsuit and flip flops. It's great to hear that the Eileen Fischer crepe pants wash and dry so beautifully - glad I made the investment. I will rethink the vests and perhaps leave the denim one home and take my denim jacket instead. I intend on doing laundry at least once, probably twice. For the reader who commented on toiletries: thank you for the tip on the bar soap and shampoo! Hubby can carry the bar soap - Dove is all we use. I intend to take a few small bottles of shampoo/conditioner and then buy just enough for our stay when we get to Paris. The Clinique staff at Macy's here is terrific and I intend to ask them for a few small traveling jars for moisturizer, foundation, etc.

Again, thank you ladies for your helpful suggestions and comments. I don't think I've ever looked so forward to "playing with my suitcase." I hope this thread helps others seeking information on packing light. Best, Liz

While it's on your mind, do a trial pack this weekend. See how that sweatshirt works to pack if you are not wearing it, say in Italy.

You all will have a wonderful time!

Hi, I agree with the others ( I did the BOE 14 days beginning of Sept last year), need to layer but the pencil skirt is really not needed. Very casual tour, you would only wear a skirt if you go out to dinner on your own with husband and is it worth taking when you have to carry your suitcase every two days. I would bring an extra shirt than a skirt. I would not take a trench coat, but a short rain jacket with a hood. Great for the hike in the Swiss Alps and I needed it as it rained in Munich during the walking tour in the morning. Again, just a suggestion, I would drop the denim vest and opt for another top, you will wear lots of tops, and a few leggings and pants, but the denim vest is not practical (nice looking, I'm sure) but better to have more tops. It will be warm in Italy so Is stay away from denim shirts and vests, too warm, but do take the cardigan to layer with for warmth in any place should it be cool. If you have the cardigan then drop the hooded sweatshirt. It should only be cool in Swiss Alps and Munich. You need to wear a lot of these clothes more than once and just wearing it once is not enough to carry it. I would bring sneakers rather than booties. Again sure it's pretty, but need to be super comfortable. Lots of cobblestone streets, rain is possible. But that is your call. Have a great time.

Hi Liz--are those Eileen Fisher pants the straight-leg crepe pants or the slim-leg ankle pant? I think I need a pair!

Including what you are wearing on the plane, I wouldn't take more than 3 bottoms, whether skirt or slacks. I would take 4 tops. Take one vest and an item that will layer under it, but over a top, and a jacket that will layer over the vest. I recently returned from a 17 day trip to Northern Europe and took 2 pairs of Nordstrom black Jeans (NYDJ) (including the one I wore) and 3 tops plus a tank (I don't go out in public with just a tank, LOL). Next time I would consider one more pant and one more top. I washed at night regularly and sent the heavier pair of slacks to the hotel laundry once, washed the other and it dried overnight. I like to come home on the plane in all freshly laundered clothes, and I managed that. It would have involved less timing with one more top and bottom. I wore one top more than the others because it happened to be on the line overnight, dry, so I'd just put it back on. Two scarves also went with me, and I bought one scarf and a pashmina while I was there. Underwear and socks, not discussed here, but went with me obviously. I took one pair of shoes and flip flops for the room/bathroom. Your Sept/Oct weather would be similar to my May/June weather, IMO, except for the extremes. I too would be apt to take a light trench coat, but that's just me. It can dress up a casual outfit. Packing is addictive. The challenge is finding the middle road that is right for you. Have fun and lift your bag over your head for exercise! Pack light in a carryon, but check it for ease of travel…IMO. Wray

Your description of your pencil skirt and how it works for you shows it in a completely different light. You should definitely take it, it sounds like a real workhorse (and a stylish one at that) for you.

Liz,
This is off topic but very important... Make sure your passports are current & are valid for at least 6 months of your travel dates.

Have a wondeful trip!

Thanks, Kim. The skirt is indeed the workhorse of my wardrobe, washes and air dries like a dream with no wrinkling and rolls up very small. I wear the skirt and tights like other gals wear jeans - it's not that I don't like jeans, I do, but I have yet to find a pair that is really comfortable. If anyone here has found their "dream jeans" I would love to know what they are!

Lola - mine are the Eileen Fisher straight leg crepe pants - I didn't think I'd like the wider leg but I do and find them very slimming. They are expensive but well worth it. Ann, since our tour is the BOE "Your Way" my husband and I will be dining out quite a bit by ourselves, particularly since we'll have two days in Amsterdam, two days in Bayeux and one night in Paris on our own before the tour begins. I am simply more comfortable in a skirt when going out.

Wray, I can appreciate your comment about not going out in public in a tank top anymore - I don't either, at least not without a vest. I also wear a vest or linen cardi over my summer tank dresses. If I go out in a t-shirt I always throw a scarf on to divert attention away from my bust. Now I'm wondering if I should pack a summer-weight shorter cotton/linen shirt in a light color for Italy that I can throw on over a tank.

Thanks again, ladies. After hearing your experiences with rain I started looking around for a substitute for the trench and found a cute mid-thigh accordion-hood raincoat at TravelSmith that packs into its own tiny pouch - I'll give it a try!

A lot of the jackets at Travel Smith are nice looking but are water repellent rather than water proof. If you are going to buy something new, water proof is more functional. The water repellent ones will keep you dry for about 5mins in an Italian downpour. Of course you can try to stay dry with an umbrella.