packing

The same holds true for both men and women[INVALID]two pairs of dark pants, wear one; one mid-weight cotton sweater; 4 shirts/blouses,wear one, pack 3; 5 undies, pack 4, 5 socks, pack 4, 2-3 T shirts for sleeping, one pair shorts for sleeping, two prs shoes, wear one, pack one; one dark water repellent jacket, several hankies, two 15-packs of wet wipes for toileting etc, two wash cloths, travel sizes of liquid body wash/soap/shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deoderant. Take along some ziplock bags and 2 larger lawn bags. Women can take along or buy colorful scarves. One water repellent hat and a small umbrella. Easy to pack into a carry-on suitcase. We do laundry in the bath at our hotels and pack along a length of nylon clothes line[INVALID]the wet clothes won't slip off and will dry overnight. Worked for us for years and[INVALID]we can hop on earlier planes and trains without the worry of checked luggage. Lighter is better and really, so easy.

This subject was recently beat to death. Just do a search. Our key to packing light is to pack on paper first - make a list and stick to it. Most of it is learned behavior. We can tell you what to do, you will not believe, and probably not try. Easiest way to think of it is - Carry two changes of clothes and wear one. Cross match so that the three changes can look like six or eight. Take nothing that cannot be used or worn several different ways.

You can read what I wrote from my experiences at www.germantravel-info.com/packing.htm. My only bag, a carryon, now weighs less than 12#.

Check out Rick's suggestions on this site for packing light. And I would say take only one pair of shoes- the ones you are wearing. I take three different "outfits"- wear one, pack the other two, and they all mix and match- I am a woman and have no trouble limiting myself to this.

Lee, I visited your website and found your tips even better than Rick's. I agree about making your packing list now. I have made mine two months in advance- thought I was done with it, then found I edited it constantly right up until the night I packed my bag. I never could have done as well had I composed the list even two nights before traveling.

Clothing for sleeping is not addressed much here. What you sleep in can double for real clothing if you wear some sort of long pants in bed. I wear light-weight knit cotton pants (solid color) and a t-shirt for sleeping. I can roll out of bed, put on my sandals and jacket, and head out for a newspaper and breakfast. .....On laundry day I wear my cleanest outfit to the laundromat and wash everything else. I take a super-light silk shirt to wear to the laundromat so I can throw all my other shirts into the wash......I'm tempted to wear sweatpants on the plane and to sleep in during cooler weather. Some sweatpants look ok for regular wear. I don't want to look like I'm headed to the gym!

The other rule we have (besides the iteration of a printed packing list) is to have the bags finished, packed and closed three days before we leave. It takes an amazing amount of stress or hassle out of leaving.

Barbara, Here's my visual list. It works perfectly for September in Germany and fits into a carry-on easily. Hopefully you can get some ideas from it: http://www.polyvore.com/mens_travel_pack_list/set?id=1440268

Lee. Great link! I never thought of using a pencil case for a toiletry bag.. great idea!

Thanks to everyone for all of you very helpful suggestions! You all pretty much gave me very similar info so I'll go with it. Much appreciated.