Can you pack a suitcase?

Are any of you super suitcase packers? Can you get an incredable amt of stuff into a sc? Will you share your secrets?

I used to pack an enormous suitcase for my travels, but as the years went by my arms got weaker, and so my suitcase got smaller and smaller. Now I take only a carry-on size case for a 2-week trip! The secret is to buy really light clothing - silk, rayon, and cashmere weigh practically nothing and pack flat - and reversible skirts. Make sure each piece of clothing can be worn with at least two other items. Pack a small quantity of detergent and a travel clothesline, and wash your underwear in the hotel bathroom, so you don't need to take so many pairs of panties, pantyhose, socks, etc. Take only 2 pairs of shoes, one for rain, one for sunshine, and they must be smart-looking, but comfortable enough to wear all day walking, and look good with either skirts or pants, e.g. loafers and sandals. Minimize your cosmetics, and take only travel-size toothpaste, deodorant, skin cream, etc. Carry a large tote bag containing a change of clothes in case your super-well-packed suiitcase gets misdirected by the airline. I hope this helps!

I've packed for one month of motorcycle travel; the use of one one side saddle suitcase.
as June says, things must have multiple uses; having things that can be layered. A set of sweats that look good enough to go out in; but also can become jama's. Everything should be rolled in the suitcase, it really does take less room. I also put my 3 pair of undies and one extra bra and two pair of socks in a zip lock so they're easy to find. One extra pair of jeans, 3 T-shirts; 2 tanks, 2 long sleeve T's. A small size brush, no rollers, little makeup. Zero items that ya don't Need. Washing stuff out every night!

Thank you ladies. the idea of light fabric makes great. I am getting a carry-on w/ wheels tomorrow. I too do not have the arm strength to haul anything much anymore.

Great suggestions! One other thing that I do is to try to have no wasted space. I'll stuff socks and other small items in my shoes. I pack larger items first and then fit smaller items around them. One thing that a friend does is to put things in zip-loc bags then sit on them and seal them to get all the air out. That's a bit too much for me, I'd rather just pack lighter to begin with.

Zip locks are great for packing all sorts of things.

I loved using big ziplocs now because you can move clumps of things around without them getting unrolled, and helps keep things sorted.
Dittto stuff in shoes== I bought a small statuette and if I had brought it home in my shoe in the case, it probably wouldn't have broken.
Travel aisle of the store had a pack of five individual Shout stain wipes--might be handy.

Yep I used to overpack to. Now I pack "just enough" with clothes that are all interchangable (this shirt can go with 2 pairs of pants and vice versa) and resist wrinkles, only travel size toiletries (in plastic baggies OF COURSE for leaks), I try to keep shoes to a minimum with no more than 2 pair, choose clothes and shoes that while nice are not your favorites because it could get lost---if you are going to some special event consider buying a nice outfit once there instead, use every pocket.

You can even get one of those plastic bags that have a hole for your vaccuum nozel to shrink your luggage inside the suitcase.

And if you want reading material (and can afford the 300+$) Amazon's got a product out that is lightweight and small called a Kindle, which will upload most ANY world newspapers, book in-print, or magazine in under 60 seconds for a small fee----all in this one compact item.

Hope those help and your trip goes well!

fun re: Kindle

Wear your bulkiest clothing on the way to/from your destination. That helps me out alot. I'd rather pack a pair of flip flops and wear my tennis shoes than vice versa.

Many hotels have a laundry facility somewhere, or have a nearby dry cleaner at a decent price. If you build around a basic pair of pants and a skirt, and a jacket, and perhaps do a load of laundry, you can reduce what you take.

The key to packing the bag is to roll the clothes up like a jelly roll instead of folding them square.

I absolutely refuse to check a bag if I don't have to, and this helps a lot.

It's much cheaper to ship your stuff back home than to pay baggage fees. You can usually go to the front desk with a box and just tell them to ship to you. You can also ship your stuff to the hotel before your trip. Just advise the hotel in advance.

really, cheaper to ship a box then to check a bag?

Absolutely. Esp . when you consider the lost bag likelihood. And here I am referring to the excess bag fee, not the carry-on that comes with your ticket at no extra charge. And then the cost of losing a bag versus checking it. I'd rather just ship it.

Even under standard terms, I would rather pay to ship a bag than check it. It's cheaper and easier. That's actually quite common.

This message was edited Feb 26, 2009 9:52 PM

This message was edited Feb 26, 2009 10:07 PM