how to pack when you can't pack light

We have had similar situations in the past when we had to attend a birthday/anniversary party in London. Obviously the tradition packing light has to be modified. It was a formal event (long gown and white tie specified on the invitation) at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Her long and very full gown and shoes filled one carry-on. A second carry-on had all of my formal wear plus some causal wear and a little black dress for everything else. Third carry-on had most of our routine touristy, sightseeing clothes, and very light fourth carry-on contain some misc. items. Two carry-ons were rolling and the other two were back pack style. We checked the two rolling bags. We would wear the two back packs and pulled the two bags. A little awkward but it worked and the walking distances we traveled were not that great. We do not using hanging or garment bags since they are hard to handle and the clothes really get beat up in a hanging bag.

We still maintained the discipline of making sure that everything cross matched. I didn't carry a second suit but had a black sport coat that can be dress up or down depending on pants, shirt, and tie. The required black shoes were very light weight that nearly folded flat.

Years ago we also encounter similar requirements when cruising was far more formal. While I know it is against the female creed to wear the same thing twice in six months. My wife was very adept at taking one basic cocktail dress and making it look very different with the accessories. For cruises we got by with three carry on size bags.

It can be done. Just have to start early, pack on paper, and experiment. Do not use large suitcases that can weight 50 lbs or more. Four little ones are far easier to handle than two big ones.

PS -- Just had another thought. Depending on where the formal event is, there is always option of local renting of formal attire.

An exquisite little black dress will help your wife, especially if you get it in a wrinkle free blend.
Accessorize different ways. One night with a statement necklace. The next night could have a chiffon shrug, lace jacket, or chiffon kimono. The next night a sparkly shawl. All these toppers are light, packable, and in general wrinkle resistant.

In the same way, heels can be accessorized for different looks. You can use shoe clips or even clip on earrings or clip hair barrettes.

I would suggest that one night have a colored shrug and colored shoe clips (royal blue?). That leaves the impression of color in people’s mind even though the base is a little black dress.

The formal event is harder. Sequin apparel is very very heavy (but the sequins cover wrinkles). I’d suggest a slinky knit if your wife has the body for it.

As far as luggage goes: I would look for something that has soft sides or is collapsible. That way you can collapse it in your hotel room. A set of larger non collapsing suitcases can take up half the room!

We shipped those clothes ahead in Intl Priority Msil boxes. We were combining a formal wedding with an outdoor adventure prior to the big event.

I like Cindy's suggestion of one little black dress, plus accessories, for the cocktail dress.

For the formal gown, many are actually made of packable polyester or other travel-friendly fabric. I would not consider sequins, but lace is very popular right now ( I know because I have been shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress) and quite light to pack. Keep it in a plastic bag ( helps prevent wrinkles) and pack flat in a packing envelope. If it comes out wrinkled, see the suggestion below about hanging in a steamy shower room.

We have done several trips where my husband has packed his tuxedo and/or dress suit. The shirt goes in a small packing envelope and the suit or tux in a large size one. He unpacks it upon arrival and hangs in a steamy shower room to remove wrinkles. Or takes it to a dry cleaner to be pressed f necessary. That cost €20 million n Milan some years ago, but they did it right away, in time for the evening event.

A basic black dress (thank you, Coco Chanel) could be the answer. Change the accessories! Scarf, or a light sweater, or a belt, or a shawl, and different necklaces or chains all can be interchanged to make it look like a new outfit every night.

I find the more formal dresses take up less room. I packed for my daughter's wedding in Liverpool in a carryon. This included a week of dressing up and looking nice all. the. time while meeting all her new relatives, as well as rehearsal dinner, morning wedding and lunch, and evening reception/party. Pack the formal dresses in their own clear plastic bags from the laundry and they won't wrinkle when folded. Other than the tux jacket, I think you will find it all fits well in a 21" wheelie. My husband did wear his jacket on the plane. I didn't purchase my hat until we were in England. Shoes: One casual/walking shoe and one dressy shoe (or two)...as they take up the most space. Just make sure your choice for a dress shoe matches it all. My bag was on the heavier side as I recall, 25lbs, but still quite manageable. Just hang the dresses out when you arrive, and if necessary in the bathroom when you shower. I have found most of the expensive dress materials hang out very well. Returning home, the flight attendant immediately took my hat, knew I'd been to a wedding and found a safe place for it...rather than on my head. There were some Americans that just laughed at me wearing a hat...the attendants know better and try to help.

Another problem with sequins is that they have a thin metallic base. They will block the scanner signal at security. TSA gets upset, and you take a LOT longer getting cleared.

Well at least flying first class will give you free checked bags. If you're getting new luggage, I agree that soft sider luggage is easier to store if space is an issue. Smaller bags can be nested into the larger ones. To keep under the weight restrictions, I wouldn't get anything larger than a 26 inch suitcase.

DH found packing all his formal wear too difficult in carry on sized bags, so he uses a 26" for that. I use a 24". If we have to bring formal wear on a trip, we can usually get by with 3 checked bags for the 2 of us, plus a messenger bag or day bag to carry our valuables with us.

I would also advise your wife to leave the sequins at home- they add too much weight (unless it's a small shrug or bolero). Like a PP, I try to minimize the number of dresses, and change the look with accessories. And I'm ruthless in limiting myself to only 1 pair of shoes for formal nights and one evening bag.

Each of our formal wear pieces goes into the suitcase in a drycleaner plastic bag (I hoard them over the year). This seems to really help prevent wrinkles. And while I avoid over packing each suitcase, having the suitcase full, and using the internal tie down straps keeps the contents from shifting around, which is a big culprit in causing wrinkles. The steamy shower trick seems to work well for us.

My wife and I have quite the 10 trip ahead of us.

10 day or 10 city? Traveling light is mainly for ease of travel, especially by train and bus. If it just a 10 day trip within a local area, and you'll have a car, pack as heavy as you like.

On the other hand, if it is a 10 city trip with train and bus transport, then a little planning is in order. Wife and I took a 5 city trip a couple of years ago, and since a 6 day opera festival was in the middle, we packed several suits and dresses for that. One day, we had a train trip with 5 changes, which turned into 8 changes when we got on a wrong train. Solution was to pack all the fancy clothes in one 25 inch wheeled suitcase, and the rest in a 20 inch roller board and a couple of light back packs. We managed fine. Then on the next to the last stop, a Black Forest wood carving meant picking up another inexpensive 28 inch suitcase at Cologne Hbf luggage shop to haul it home.

... I've been told that you can't assume that there will be hanger space on the plane for your suits/garment bag.

During my travel work days of traveling with suit bags, I had one that would tri-fold and fit in the overhead.

Who are you flying with? I know with BA, First Class allows 3 x 23kg suitcases with no additional charge (although I'm not sure many people would want to lug so many cases about). There is also sufficient hanging storage in First Class for everyone (within reason).

Beaded dresses are bad too. They are heavy and bulky. They’re lumpy to pack too.

We shipped those clothes ahead in Intl Priority Msil boxes.

Call the hotel and ask if they accept shipment. Some do, some do for a fee, some don’t. Also ask how it will be stored. Some hotels are very casual. Some are very good with keeping things under lock and key. It makes a difference. A good tip shows appreciation when they’ve stored it and guarded it.