The Packing Dilema

There's what to pack and then there's how to pack.  And both are an art.  I'll start with the "what to pack" question.  It's all about the art of mixing and matching.  Whether male or female you want to plan your travel wardrobe around which pieces can go with which other pieces.  It's also important to have clothing that is lightweight and wrinkle resistant.  I always watch for "Travel Smith's" sales online.  Their clothing is too expensive to buy it full price, but they have great sales throughout the year and if you travel often, it's worth the extra expense to have clothes that will look good after spending weeks stuffed in a suitcase.  They also sell items that are reversible - one side is a solid color and the other is a print - that makes mixing and matching so much easier.  Look for items that have double uses.  Here's what I pack for a 2 week trip:  A week's supply of underwear (these can be washed out in your room - be sure to take a small container of laundry detergent and maybe a portable clothes drying line - AAA sells these),  2 pairs of slacks (not jeans as they are too heavy and bulky), 2 pairs of capris (if it's colder weather I'll take 4 pairs of slacks instead of the 2 and 2), 2 skirts, 1 dress (that can be dressed up or worn casual), 4 short sleeved tops, 1-2 3/4 or long sleeved tops, (all of  these should be able to be worn with any of your slacks, capris, or skirts), don't bother with shorts unless you'll be on the beach  (European women NEVER wear shorts! also you won't be allowed in any churches in Italy in shorts or sleeveless shirts - true for both men and women),  one pair of comfortable and already broken-in walking shoes (Clarks makes the best in my opinion - look for them on sale at Penney's or QVC),  a pair of dressier shoes/sandals, swimsuit if you'll be near a pool or beach,  my swimsuit cover-up is also what I sleep in (make sure it's light-weight and "breathable"), a cardigan sweater, a light-weight windbreaker/water-resistant jacket that fits in your purse or a pouch (I have one with a hood so I don't have to mess with bringing an umbrella), all your extra toiletries that didn't fit in your carry-on  (NEVER take full-sized products, always put them in smaller containers and in plastic bags in case they leak!), the purse that I plan to carry in Europe (should be able to be worn cross-body,  I like them with outside zippered sections along with a well organized interior and large enough to hold a few souvenirs/postcards, etc so I'm not juggling numerous bags, make sure the top zips shut for security reasons), don't forget accessories! - scarves, jewelry, etc. (stick a scarf in your purse to cover shoulders at churches).   All the colors should be complimentary so everything will go with everything else.   And don't forget any cords you might need for charging phone, ipod, ereader, etc.  Also good to keep copies of your itinerary and passport in your luggage.  OK, now for the "how" to pack.  Invest in packing cubes!  I have 4 medium sized cubes made by "Eagle Creek".  I use each cube for a different type of clothing - slacks/capris, skirts/dress, tops, swimsuit/cover-up/accessories.  The reason clothes get wrinkled in your suitcase is because they shift and slide around.  Packing cubes prevent this from happening and you always know where your clothes are.  So pack the cubes, place in your suitcase, then stuff underwear, shoes, jacket, cords in the cubbyholes.  You'll be able to fit more in your suitcase this way.  In my opinion, don't bother with the so-called "space-saver" bags.  They don't work.  The cubes are amazing.  My son, and others, are firm believers in rolling everything.  This works well if your suitcase is jam-packed to keep things from shifting, otherwise you still end up with lots of wrinkles.  But you can fit more items in rolled than folded.  Must be a physics thing!  Happy packing.  Next time - handy gadgets. A bientôt!