How to Avoid Overpacking

By eHow Travel Editor

Rate: (8 Ratings)

Moderation is key when packing for any trip. A good rule of thumb is to pack approximately half of what you initially think you're going to need.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Luggage Locks
Luggage Sets
Local Guidebooks
Maps
Airline Tickets
Credit Cards And Loans
Travelers' Checks
Backpacks
Fanny Packs

Step1

Know your itinerary. If you know about the dressy events, casual evenings and business days you have in store, you can plan accordingly and avoid bringing unnecessary outfits.

Step2

Research the weather at your destination. If summer days are notoriously dry, take a risk and skip the umbrella; if nighttime temperatures are known to plummet, pack layers for warmth.

Step3

Plan your clothes around one main coordinating color. Black and khaki are good, neutral 'foundation' colors that you can dress up, down, add color to and accessorize for different events and different days. Consider bringing dark colors and prints that don't show dirt.

Step4

Choose clothes for lightness and washability. Select several light layers that pack down easily and dry quickly, should you need to do hotel-room washing on the fly. Avoid bulky items like sweaters and heavy coats if you can be comfortable in two to three interchangeable layers.

Step5

Pack a couple of favorite scarves or belts for variety.

Step6

Pack a fanny pack or small backpack for day trips. If you're planning to shop, pack a lightweight duffel bag.

Step7

Wear your bulkiest outfit while traveling to save space in your luggage.

Tips & Warnings

Even if traveling for several months, you should never need more than five or six days' worth of clothing.
Check with your airline regarding restrictions on size, weight and number of luggage pieces allowed. Most major U.S. airlines allow three pieces of luggage, two of which may be carried onboard.
For more comfortable traveling, each bag should weigh no more than 20 lbs. when fully packed.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Before you go, buy some small plastic bottles, (available in bigger chemists & some supermarkets) and decant your shampoo, conditioner, shower-gel, cleanser etc into them. This drastically reduces both the size and weight of your toiletries. You could also look in advance for mini size versions of your usual brands and take these instead. Look well in advance though. Don't leave it until the last minute as not everything comes in a mini version and you may need to do some decanting after all.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Buy a big bottle of Suave - or some other cheap and gentle shampoo - and use it as shampoo and shower gel. Cheap and effective. When I go on weekend trips, I put some in a much smaller bottle.

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 I used to buy clothing or something breakable, and had the problem of packing it in a full suitcase to get it home. Now I buy a piece of jewelry and wear it home. Even if you have to pack it, it doesn't take up much room. And I've got some beautiful silver jewelry from my trips.

Anonymous said

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on 2/2/2006 If you really want to save space, don't bring any luggage. You'll never lose anything in the airport and your arms will never tire from the weight. Just wear multiple layers of many different types of clothing. For the legs, a 12-day trip for me comprises 6 pairs of undies - you can flip each one over once - under bathing suit bottoms, under miniskirt, under kimono, under sweat pants, under dress pant, under cargo pants, under ski pants, under extra-large windbreaker pants. For the top, three bras - each one size larger than the last - under two tank tops - one black, one white - under bathing suit top, under a T-shirt, under a polo shirt, under a V-neck sweater, under a vest, under a woolen pullover (for warmth), under a large windbreaker. You may wish to carry your money in the windbreaker pocket. This helps you avoid carrying a purse and you won't have as hard a time retrieving it as if you had stuffed it in your bra. Shoes are a little more difficult, but I have perfected the tactic: pantyhose under four pair of toe socks, under a pair of flip flops, under slippers, under running shoes (I prefer to wear my husband's as his are much larger than my own), under winter boots.

Also, if you get too warm, you can pull out a lightweight grocery bag and start pulling off layers. This tends not to be too heavy to drag around as suitcases are totally inefficient in this manner.

I hope it works for you as it has for me for so many years. Bon Voyage!

Anonymous said

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on 2/2/2006 When traveling, I find it easier to bring a few key items with coordinating colors and styles that can be easily re-worn. My three main colors are teal, mauve, and orange. I have a teal windbreaker which I use a lot, as it doesn't need washing (has armpit vents) and goes with my other clothing. Also, I prefer to bring about half the socks and underwear needed for a given trip; just turn them inside out!

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