how much to pack for 10 days

Sandra what kind and size of luggage are you proposing to take?

I typically take 3 or 4 pairs of slacks 4 or 5 tops, and 5 changes of underwear plus whatever extra layers I need for warmth at the planned destination. I do not go to laundromats, though; I do sink washing, which has sometimes been an issue in London because things don't dry rapidly. (Or at all, it sometimes seems.)

I assume there will be at least one pair of slacks (or skirt) that will not need to be washed on your laundromat day, so you'd only need to have one extra top to wear on your laundry excursion, which you should be able to fit in your suitcase pretty readily.

If you're staying 10 days, could you pack the same amount as last time. Plan to wash your pants each once and each top twice. If you're staying in the same hotel all trip, then it's easy to just sink wash each top at night and let it hang for two days to dry. Personally, I avoid the laundromat because I want to be out seeing places but don't mind doing 10 minutes of washing at night. If you're fine with a "laundromat day", you'll be fine. Maybe throw in a casual dress for Day 5? : )

@stan--I have a TravelPro Maxlite spinner, 21".

I suppose I could try washing tops and pants in the shower. It seems like a huge task, especially the drying part. Luckily, if I don't want to spend time in the laundromat (which I estimate will only be about 2 hours), the place near my B&B has a service where they will do it for me for about 8 pounds.

An 8-pound service wash sounds much better than a shower-washing debacle.

Sometimes I've gone to the laundromat in my best travel dress (whatever least needs washing). And frankly, with a few more underpants and maybe one more shirt, I wouldn't need to do laundry at all over 10 days.

Thanks, Laura. Sometimes I think I do laundry too frequently at home. In summer, I wash clothes more frequently. Typically, I'll get two wearings out of each item. In winter I try to go to three or even four.

Follow RIck Steves' packing list--with minor changes for your personal style.
That list will take you 10 days or 10 weeks anywhere in the world..

My best trick is to get jeans and khaki pants heavy starched at the laundry. They still look good 10 days later if you don't get any dirt on them.

I don't go to the laundromat. I take two pairs of pants including what I'm wearing. I take 3 or 4 tee shirts that dry quickly (Landsend modal tees). Each or every other night, I wash underwear, socks and tee and wrap in a microfiber towel while I have dinner, then I hang them later. By morning they are dry on the line. I take 2 NYDJeans, which I have the hotel wash most of the time although I hand washed once and they were dry the next morning. For 10 days, I'd wash one pair of pants once by having the hotel do it, and the other by hand if I needed to do so, that way I have an absolutely clean outfit for the flight home. I always like a clean outfit for the flight.

I like taking a part of an afternoon to do laundry at a laundromat. I get to sit and relax and read my book while the laundry cycles. And it's a good way to meed locals! Hand-washing in the sink is a good temporary treatment but nothing beats a good industrial cleaning.

I just try very hard not to spill anything on my pants, and spot-clean when I do. Laundromat every 7-10 days (or have an apartment with washer and drying rack.) Sink wash quick-drying underpants and shirts as needed between full wash days.

I like to wear a skirt on the plane, mainly because of the icky toilet floors. That's also what I wear to the laundromat. You could wear any top. Or maybe opaque tights and a long cardigan

I buy black travel pants from travel smith.com. You only need two pairs. They wash and dry easily in the sink. I wear one and pack one. Then I usually have 4 or 5 lightweight tops with long or 3/4 sleeves (old arms). Wear one of those and pack the others. One set of silk long underwear and camisole top which I use for pj's or I can wear under my clothes if it is chilly. I always have at least one black top. I find that black pants and top, with a colorful scarf, makes an acceptable evening outfit for pretty much everywhere. I take maybe 3 pairs of ex-office travel underwear. Couple of bras. All this stuff is easily hand wash and all of it will dry overnight.

SandraL, if you don't mind sink washing, take a "washing machine" with you!

A 2.5 gallon ziplock bag. Put in water, laundry soap, add clothing (leave some room, but you will be surprised how much fits in the bag). Get all the air out of the bag, zip it up, agitate the contents by "kneading" the bag, you can let it soak for a bit, then rinse the clothing and hang it to dry.

The bag also makes a good laundry bag.

I do this every 4-5 days on my trips, so I pack as much for 13 weeks as I would for one/two weeks (7 outfits plus what I wear on the plane, so total of four bottoms, eight tops, etc.).

Fingers into shape, which Travelsmith pants do you like best?

I like the Travelsmith .Jet Set knit black travel pants. They look very classic and can work as casual or dressy, and are super comfy.