I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
I pack like an asshole. An over packing asshole.
Seriously. My idea of packing for a trip consists of me throwing my cutest clothes and shoes into a bag, somehow thinking that it’s all going to work out when I get there. It never does.
If I’m only going away for a weekend, I want to bring enough clothes for a whole week. You know, “options”. Yeah, all those “options” are usually always terrible.
I end up getting to my destination with a bunch of clothes that don’t go together, things I don’t want to wear, or things that are too hot/cold for the occasion. I have shoes that aren’t meant for walking, or not dressy enough shoes for going out. Then I end up pissed because I don’t have anything to wear. Poor Johnny is the one who has to deal with my outbursts in the morning as we get ready.
Paris Hilton clearly didn't get the memo.
When I studied abroad in London, I brought 2 huge suitcases. One for shoes (seriously…what the hell was I thinking?), and one for clothes. What ended up happening is that a huge stash of clothes made it to the dreaded “bottom drawer”. You know the one… the one that the clothes you don’t want to wear end up. All of my Florida clothes basically had NO place in London, and I soon felt like a giant walking tourist sign. So I went to Primark and Top Shop and slowly, acquired a new, smaller, made me more comfortable walking in London, wardrobe. And when I came back to the States, I had to leave most of my original clothes and donate them to charity.
After that major gaffe, I still managed to never really learn how to pack. Sad times.
But now, I’m all grown up and I’ve had an epiphany. Maybe packing less is more?
I’ve been looking into getting a new bag for the trip, and all the ones I really like are insanely smaller than I’m used to (aka GIANT freaking suitcase). But maybe. . . just maybe, I can pack. . . less. Well, basically I’m forced to with the checked luggage costs and 20kg (44lbs) limit through most of the airlines we’re flying.
I know all of my LA clothes won’t be suited for Europe. So maybe I’ll just bring things I know I won’t be able to find in Europe: pants for girls with big butts, my favorite tweed blazer and some dresses. Then I’ll just buy the rest when I get there. A few sweaters, blouses, leggings…basics. I know I’m going to end up going shopping anyways, so I might as well bring less and just add as I go.
And this time, for some reason, I just can’t imagine myself lugging a giant suitcase through cobblestone streets and up 6 flights of stairs. I don’t want to deal with doing laundry for 6 hours a day. I just want less.
I’m also pretty sure this is this first time in history I’ve ever said that about packing. Mark it down in your calenders! History has been made.
image courtesy flickr, Shangai Daddy
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG that is so me. I am in Oregon for a couple of weeks, then heading out to DC, NYC (maybe) and I brought two HUGE suitcases. One suitase for my nice, going out clothes and the other suitcase for everyday, hiking etc clothes. I am so bad. Oh yeah I brought a backpack and another bag for toiletries. I give myself options on top of options when it comes to packing
HAHAHAHHA! I knew we were soul sisters. I’ve normally traveled the same way. Now I’m looking into getting just a big weekender bag. HOT MESS!
Growing up my parents had a rule: “If you pack it you’re carrying it.” It was their way of saying “look chick, you’re carrying your own shit, don’t pack your entire freaking wardrobe”. I have used this as my basic rule of thumb throughout my travels and it seems to help me pretty well. It’s funny because I tend to pack the same amount of clothing for a weekend getaway that I do for an extended trip.
Johnny has seriously told me, “Sheryll, I’m not carrying your shit this time.” And girl, I know he means it. I have to make my packing list carefully now!
Good luck! I’m fine packing for a week, but it’s always hard to cut stuff if it’s just a couple days – what if it’s cold? Or hot? Or something gets spilled on? I pretty much pack the same for 2 days or 7 days.
Exactly! And since I’ll be gone for….a long time, I just don’t know what to do!
Bring less, buy things there: YES. You’ll be in Paris girl!
yayayayaaaaaay! I knew you’d understand!
Good for you, girl!
I’ve also been worrying about what to pack! It’s one thing to think about beach wear for where I’ll be living for a month but once that month’s up, I’ll be heading into proper winter weather and I haven’t even thought about those clothes. Eek.
I have a 20kg limit on my bag too so I guess, like you, I’m going to have to start thinking, ‘Less is more.’
That’s what I’m dealing with too! If I end up going to Thailand, I’ll have to get a whole new wardrobe. How do I pack for 2 completely different climates!? ahhhh!
Oh, that SO used to be me! I would take an ENORMOUS suitcase, even on a weekend away, “just in case”
And now, I have my 44l backpack and surprisingly I’m managing fine… Ish. I only have 3 pairs of shorts, and 5 t shirts… And I miss variety and hate that I’m wearing the same clothes in every single photo! BUT… If I had any bigger I would be toppling over every 5 minutes from the weight of it.
I wouldn’t have taken more if I had the option, but now I’m in Asia and the clothes are super cheap I’m having fun replacing my whole wardrobe
Yeaaa! That’s another thing re: backpacks. I’m barely 5’0 feet tall, so even a small backpack is like..half of my body. I’d prefer a bigger weekender bag, but..*sigh* I just don’t know what to do anymore!
How is the shopping in Asia? I’ve heard it’s fucking awesome!
Yeaaa! That’s another thing re: backpacks. I’m barely 5’0 feet tall, so even a small backpack is like..half of my body. I’d prefer a bigger weekender bag, but..*sigh* I just don’t know what to do anymore!
How
I actually JUST wrote a post about tips for traveling and packing less was #1… I just got back from Europe 2 weeks ago and learned that lesson the hard way. Because lugging 50 pounds of luggage up stairs was NOT fun, let me tell you. Less really is more!!
That’s exactly what I’m worried about! I learned the hard way when I went to London that lugging luggage up many, MANY flights of stairs is not fun. Especially because Johnny will probably end up doing it, which means he’d end up mad at me….which isn’t fun for anyone! LOL!
I’m glad you’re the kind of girl you can admit it and recognize the disease
LOL!!!!
I’m right there with you! I’ll look at an item of clothing and say, “But what if I happen to run into Anderson Cooper or Prince Harry and I don’t have these 6 inch heels”?! Sure, they’re not good for backpacking around Europe, but WHAT IF?! I’m slowly learning my lesson. 4 pairs of shoes may be pretty, but damn, they are hard to carry around in my backpack for months. Less is more, and rolling up your clothes will save you even more space
Good luck on your travels- I’m sure you’ll be stylish no matter how much you pack!
LOL Anderson Cooper or Prince Harry!! hhahahahaha! I love it. Anderson Cooper is so freaking hot!
If you ever come to Australia, that is NOT a good way to go. I had a 20kg suitcase limit for my move, and so I figured I’d buy stuff out here… but ZOMFG expensive. Target is basically all I can afford in this country. Sadness.
That’s what I’ve heard! Everyone tells me that Australia is crazy expensive.
The best lesson my friend gave me was when we walked around all of downtown Montreal and I had way too much shit in my bag. There was a lot of moaning. When I left for 3 months in Europe, I packed my bag and then walked around my block. Then I unpacked half of it. (I was also lucky to have a friend who was meeting me take half of my stuff and bring over a jacket for weather change…I’m a smartie!). For shoes, bring three pairs MAX. One pair of flats, one pair of runners/converse (which you’ll probably be wearing the MOST); and one pair of heels. You’ll buy others when in Paris. As for getting rid of stuff, your local Salvation army//thrift shop is good; books you can barter at used bookstores or give to your local library; clothes you can try to sell on craigslist//ebay (not that you have time to do this!). You can do this. All I remember was when I was in Amsterdam, my friend had this big ass suitcase which did not bode well in train stations (Europe is old school with the stairs); I had no problem swiftly getting my way around cities with my backpack. Hope it works out for you! And if you have any great books, mail them to me.
You are just the best.
I totally have to get a pair of converse. I have my Toms, and they’re super comfy, but I get the feeling people will be giving me strange looks hahahaaha! At least I know that converse are fashionable in Europe!
I use to overpack but that was BEFORE I started moving all over the place. I moved to France for a year (two times!), then to Mexico for a year, then to Hong Kong for two years, and now I am moving to London, UK for what seems to be an indefinite amount of time. When I overpacked I was always STRESSED and ended up putting a lot of stuff in the bottom drawer anyway. Now I try to bring the basics with the understanding that I’ll just buy a whole bunch of stuff while there. I also make a lot of short-term trips and scaling down on the packing has been soooo liberating. I’m just finishing up a month in Guatemala and was pleased to see when they weighed my bags at the airport that my pack was actually lighter than my boyfriend’s!!!
I feel like once I finally get the hang of taking less, everything will fall into place. I haven’t even left yet and I’m freaking out about what I’m going to take….*sigh* What makes it worse is that I’m going to Europe in the Winter, so I’ll need tons of layers and sweaters, which automatically take up more space. Eeek!
What bag in particular did you buy for your trip? I’m looking for a backpack for international travel myself.