Packing - overthinking it?

Posted by Jean (Idaho, USA) on 05/04/25 05:30 AM

Hi everyone, I spend a lot of time thinking through which clothes I will take on a trip. Just wanted to share a quick real-time comment while I’m here in Italy. I brought the very minimum I would feel comfortable with for this 3-week trip - 2 dresses, 2 shirts, 1 micro-layer black top. One of the dresses is a navy Royal Robbins dress that dries very quickly.

I always wear pants while traveling by train since my passport is in my money belt & then often change into a dress after I arrive at the next city. I put on this navy dress yesterday with a gold inexpensive necklace & earrings to go out and photograph this beautiful little harbor city. My B&B host remarked that I looked very nice! With every city on this trip being a 1-2 night stay, this dress is being worn in almost every city. I am remembering this for my next trip’s packing. Keep it simple. ; )

Posted by CWsocial

near San Francisco

05/04/25 08:09 AM

5720 posts

Your post is exactly what I was scratching my head about today as I was contemplating the logistics of lighter (not necessarily ultralight) packing.

On my recent tour, my trusty quick dry tees and long sleeve layers were not drying overnight in the damp climate. With our early morning departures, I couldn't wash something I wore today during our 1 night stays.

Suddenly, my packing was itinerary dependent... hypothetically, if I strung together enough damp 1 night stays, I could need a lot more clothes, rather than fewer.

When you're changing hotels frequently, as you do Jean, how do you adjust if your clothing suddenly doesn't dry overnight? Or does that not happen when and where you travel?

This isn't an issue for my independent travels because I'm usually booking 4 night minimums, with very rare 1 night stays. Then it's a question of variety.

Posted by Sandancisco

Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden

05/04/25 09:08 AM

1193 posts

Jean you are one of my Packing Gurus! Nope, not over-thinking it. I really don't think you can think too much about packing light, rather the opposite, when people start ADDING things just before they leave, 'just in case'. Geez, now I need a dress and some nice jewelry, LOL?? Where did you buy your navy blue dress?

Hey CWS, have you tried using a hair dryer on damp clothing in the mornings? (Be careful if they're synthetic!)

Posted by Jean OP

Idaho, USA

05/04/25 11:54 AM

8329 posts

Taking a break for my feet, so I’ll reply. First CWSocial, I’m growing the list for you of perfect places to stay that have beautiful rooftop areas. : ). This place is another stunning one.

The only thing that hasn’t typically been dry in the morning is my pair of pants I like to wear on planes & also colder evenings. Those always get washed on Day 1 of a 2-day stop, if needed

The dresses, shirts & underwear are very rarely not dry. If not, the piece gets folded into a gallon Ziploc bag and is hung up at the next location to finish. I only remember that happening twice. I do run the blow dryer down the body & sleeves of clothes if needing a 30/second help.

Posted by Jean OP

Idaho, USA

05/04/25 11:56 AM

8329 posts

Sandsncisco, I either bought it through their website or through Amazon. I’ve had that one since 2023.