Packing for one month

I have a rule of thumb of 10 clothing items (tops/bottoms/dresses, not underwear, swimsuit, or jackets). Usually 5-6 tops, 3-4 bottoms, and maybe 1 dress. More dresses in summer, none in winter. All mix and match.

Then one cardigan, one rain jacket, 7 underwear, a swimsuit, and socks if I’m not wearing sandals. 2 pairs shoes (comfy walking shoe or sandal and ballet flat or ankle boot that is comfortable but a little dressier for dinner/evenings). A scarf or 2, a necklace or bracelet, and that’s it as far as clothes. We stay in apartments a lot so I just make sure I’m at one that has a washer a few times, and do laundry the first day at that apartment. Most have washers but dryers are rare so I need time for the clothes to dry. I will hand wash stuff if needed but prefer to either have a washer or find a laundry service. Not hard to do in most cities.

There is a packing forum here on the RS site where this is discussed ad nauseam.

Fasteddie,l have read it.l like to read how other travelers pack.

Wear one top, bottom, shoe, cardigan or light fleece jacket on plane.
Pack 3-4 tops, 2 bottoms (capris?), waterproof rain jacket, extra pair shoes. Add 4-5 pr underwear and 1 bra, pjs, light slippers. Pack a swimsuit if your hotel has a pool.

I always start by deciding how often I'll have access to a washng machine or am willing to go to a laundry, then I pack accordingly. Sometimes I pack a little more, sometimes a bit less. For me, it varies from trip to trip. If your apartments have a washer, you can wash often and take fewer changes of clothes. It's easy to do a load of laundry in the morning, hang it out and have dry (or nearly dry) clothes when you return later in the day. The deciding factor may be how many days you'll be at hotels in Tuscany, Venice and Rome.

You'll be in 3 different apartments so will have time to either do laundry there or have it sent out.

Pack enough for a week. I pack about 10 different tops (some can be layered) and 5 bottoms. You really don't need any more as long as everything you pack coordinates.

Donna

I have to say right off that I love shopping for linen shirts in Sorrento, suits in Rome, and sometimes leather in Venice (unless I'm going to Florence). So, I need room in my suitcase. I've learned that most people will not notice if I wear the same clothes week after week. Consequently, laundry machines in apartments or close by laundramats are high on my list. Also, clothes that I don't mind leaving behind are the first things I pack! Underwear, socks, older shirts and pants. It's amazing how much new stuff I can find room for!

What Donna said.

Same for a week to 10 days as for two weeks or four.

Just like home take advantage of the washing machine in the apartments. They sound well timed for that. Just be sure to put the clothes out to dry before the last day in each apartment as you will almost certainly be using the power of nature to dry the clothes.

See how non-temporary locals do it. Cultural growth. (extra bonus points for working out the washing machines without looking in the book or looking for the detailed instructions furnished with the information book by the apartment owner).

If you pack much more than that you will find that the weight and bulk are unbearable after a while. Pack light - your arms and legs and fellow travelers will thank you.

Whether for a week or two months, I pack the same items.

• 3 bottoms: Jeans, dressier black pants (I like Eileen Fisher as they are comfy and easy care), and either a second pair of jeans or my black Columbia hiking pants if we are doing a lot of hiking. Substitute a dress if it will truly be warm weather
• 5 tops: 3 tee shirts and 2 blouses that are a little dressier for city or dinner, etc.
• A cardigan: One in fall/spring/winter plus a light fleece; 2 cardigans in warmer weather
• A jacket suitable for the season, water resistant, breathable. I make it a down coat for true winter weather
• 2 pairs of shoes, one being boots for winter. I might sneak in a pair of sandals in true summer weather, but so often I have taken them and not worn enough to justify
• Pajamas, robe, slippers (very light-weight slippers)
• Enough socks and underwear for 5-to-7 days (I do not mind hand washing these items if needed)

I wear my jeans for three days before washing unless they get muddy or something. Everything must mix and match, for example, cardigans in red and black, tee shirts in white and black, blouses in prints or solids that work with the cardigans.

I limit jewelry to two pairs of earrings, two necklaces. (I might buy new ones as we travel.)

If you have an unexpected situation, go shopping! I had to buy a base layer in Switzerland one Sept when early-for-the-season 35 degree temps made the mountains a bit chilly for my hiking pants or jeans without the added layer. Had to buy a fleece in Munich last September when it was too cold for the fall layers I had with me, and I've replaced a blouse or two in France when I had a travel mishap.