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What to Pack

Information Worth Noting Before You Pack

Fashion vs Comfort:   In the continuing conflict of image versus comfort, most experienced travelers choose comfort.
 
Jewelry:   The more you leave at home, the less you will have at risk. Think about what you will need and what you will be heartbroken over if it is lost or stolen.
 
Footwear:   The most important item in your luggage will be your shoes. Make sure your footwear is in good condition, waterproofed (or oiled with mink oil) and well broken in. Select shoes that are sturdy, with non-slip soles. Bring along some lambs wool or bandages to prevent blisters. Plan on wearing shoes at all times since protozoa, fungi, and worms enter the body through the skin, and often through your feet. Open toed shoes and sandals aren't very functional in some areas. Bring slippers or shower shoes, etc. Some foreign homes won't allow street shoes in the house and going barefoot is really taboo! Be prepared. Bring along wool or cotton socks. Chances are you'll be doing some walking and you might find yourself changing your socks more often.
 
Laundry:   Most natural fabrics (cotton, denim, etc.), stand up to laundry methods around the world - but not delicate items and knits. Pack some fine washable detergent and hangers and wash some items yourself. Don't bring clothes that require dry cleaning. Choose items for their lightness and washability.
 
General:   Coordinate your wardrobe around one main color. Choose separates that can be mixed and matched. Scarves, belts, and costume jewelry can change your look. You may notice that women in other countries dress up more than they do in the U.S., especially for dinner in a restaurant. Although pants are acceptable the world over, you may want to bring along at least one skirt if you expect to be eating frequently in restaurants. Dressing with dignity is key in many foreign cultures.

If you'll be traveling to a country that has altitude fluctuations or temperature extremes, plan on layering clothes (i.e. turtleneck, flannel shirt, nylon wind breaker, light t-shirt, shirt/blouse, sweater combinations). You can peel off layer-by-layer as the day warms - replacing each layer in the evening. Most countries do not have central air/heat, so you'll feel the temperature changes more.

Items the streamlined traveler often does without include pajamas and nightgowns (a t-shirt will do); bathrobe (a raincoat will serve just fine); fancy clothes and expensive jewelry.

The ideal raincoat is crushable, dark in color so that it never shows dirt and looks great on you at any given time. Raincoats that can be folded, rolled and stuffed into your suitcase or carry-on are ideal.
 
Bring a hat.   A beret or wool hat for cold weather, a crushable hat with a visor or baseball cap for sunny climates.

The black rubber galoshes people wear over their shoes are perfect for traveling because they take up little room in your suitcase, will save you from wet, uncomfortable shoes, and are easy to tote around daily in case of a sudden rain storm.
 
Traveling Clothes:   You may want to wear your bulkiest outfit, suit, heavy sweater or overcoat the day of travel. Pack one more complete, coordinated set of clothes, for a total of two complete outfits. Women should not include dresses in this formula, which are less versatile than separates. Many women travelers claim that a full-skirted, comfortable dress is great for flying.
 
Knits are also ideal.   A jogging suit is also comfortable on the plane (but carry a change of clothing in your carry-on).

 

Planning Your Wardrobe

The age old advice to the packing dilemma is as follows: Take the lightest suitcase you can find, fill it with the least amount of clothing that your courage will allow, close your eyes and remove half of what you have packed and then rapidly depart.

 Your freedom of movement and peace of mind will depend to a great extent on what and how much you take. The inexperienced traveler is unable to move without the aid of taxi drivers, porters, and passers-by.

 Seasoned travelers carry one light suitcase and enjoy their travels to the hilt. Don't spend time packing, unpacking, choosing, searching, wrapping, washing, ironing until you are in a state of frustrated exhaustion.

You are not going abroad as a slave to your soapsuds, ironing boards, and clothespins! Besides, most foreign lodging rooms are small, with a 12" closets and small two-drawer dressers.

Problems increase as you buy souvenirs, gifts, and more clothing abroad that may better fit the climate and ambience. If you followed the advice above and your elimination technique has been too thorough you can always make inexpensive purchases abroad to remedy your errors.

First and foremost, don't drag around clothing you don't like. Bring familiar, comfortable clothes you enjoy wearing and you know look good on you. Make sure they're all in good repair.

 

Suggestions on How to Pack

Check the zippers, buttons, seams etc., of all the clothes you're going to pack. Make sure they're in good repair.

  •   Put plastic garbage bags on the bottom of the suitcase and between different layers to reduce wrinkling. They're also great organizers while abroad.
  •   Stuff socks into your shoes and put the shoes in a plastic or cloth bag.
  •   Roll up undergarments and fit them into the corners of the suitcase.
  •   Place the heaviest things on the bottom of your bag such as shoes, belts and books. Follow that with jeans, sweaters, heavy skirts, sweatshirts, etc. Next add light but bulkier items like dresses, jackets, light skirts, sport shirts, blouses. Follow with wrinkle-prone, light items.
  •   Do a trial pack. Weigh your suitcase(s). Twenty pounds should be the maximum. If it's heavy now, it will feel three times heavier by the end of a long journey. Streamline before you go.
  •   A space saving idea from backpackers is to roll your clothes into neat cylinders with layers of plastic or tissue paper in between. This works well in suitcases, since you will end up with a lot of tight rolls that fit together well. If you roll several items together, you will end up with less wrinkles.

 

What Clothing to Pack

Take much of what we've said to heart. Consider your personal taste, age, length of stay, luggage, destination, and activities, and read the suggestions below:

Suggestions For Women

  •      3 wash and wear casual outfits (mix and match separates, including jeans)
  •      2-3 pairs of conservative shorts if going to a warm climate
  •      1 lightweight daytime dress or comfortable crease-resistant travel dress
  •      1 conservative suit or dress
  •      1 two-piece jogging suit or sweatsuit
  •      2-3 pairs of walking shoes, tennis shoes, or boots
  •      1 pair of comfortable dress shoes
  •      1 sweater (cardigan preferably)
  •      1 all-purpose coat (to be used as a raincoat, evening coat, bathrobe, beach cover, etc.)
  •      1 or 2 swimsuits and a cover-up (which could double as something else)
  •      6 changes of underwear
  •      6-8 pairs of wool or cotton socks
  •      Panty hose or colored lightweight tights (depending on climate and personal taste)
  •      Sleepwear (your preference, but something conservative, comfortable, easy to pack and wash, i.e. a light knit sweat suit, oversized t-shirt, etc.)
  •      Assorted accessories (belts, scarves, light weight cover-ups, costume jewelry, etc.)

Suggestions For Men

  •      4 sport shirts, casual knit shirts, polo shirts, or colored/designed t-shirts
  •      1 dress outfit (pants, coat, shirt)
  •      1 two-piece jogging suit or sweatsuit
  •      2 pairs of informal slacks or jeans
  •      2-3 pairs of conservative shorts (if going to a warm climate)
  •      2-3 pairs of walking shoes or desert boots
  •      1 pair of comfortable dress shoes, plus 1 pair of appropriate socks
  •      1 sweater (presentable, yet heavy enough for alpine conditions) or a down vest or insulated rain proof jacket
  •      1 all-purpose coat (which could double as a raincoat, dress coat for cool evenings, and a bathrobe in emergencies)
  •      1 or 2 bathing suits
  •      6 sets of underwear
  •      6-8 pairs of wool or cotton socks
  •      Sleepwear (your preference, but something conservative, comfortable, easy to pack and wash, i.e. a light knit sweat suit, oversized t-shirt, etc.)
  •      1 tie, tie bar pin, ballero or other decorative neck-piece (to dress up a shirt)