Ladies, Chronic overpacker needs serious help!!

[eliza61]

Heading for France in 3 days, so excited and seriously overpacked. Let me say, in the interest of full disclosure that traveling with me is like traveling on Cleopatras barge... even when I go to Disney.

I can take 1- 25 inch bag for free. I've to 7 nights and 8 days to pack for. I've got every thing nicely packed (test run) but it weighs a ton!!

How do you professionals who travel Europe in a back pack do it. So far I've got

3 pairs of shoes. 1 dressy, 1 casual and 1 sneakers/slipon
5 pairs of pants.
1 day dress/ 1 black skirt for evening
1 sweater (I'm notoriously chilly)
2 pairs of capris
5 blouses/shirts.

I didn't count undies. this is the only thing I won't compromise on. I need fresh ones every day and will not wash them in the sink. I think it goes back to my younger days, I can hear my mother in my head "if you get hit by a bus, you should have on clean underwear"

I have 2 nice dinners (one on top of the Eiffel tower) that requires dressing (no jeans or sneakers).

 

[stsomewhere]

Heading for France in 3 days, so excited and seriously overpacked. Let me say, in the interest of full disclosure that traveling with me is like traveling on Cleopatras barge... even when I go to Disney.

I can take 1- 25 inch bag for free. I've to 7 nights and 8 days to pack for. I've got every thing nicely packed (test run) but it weighs a ton!!

How do you professionals who travel Europe in a back pack do it. So far I've got

3 pairs of shoes. 1 dressy, 1 casual and 1 sneakers/slipon
5 pairs of pants.
1 day dress/ 1 black skirt for evening
1 sweater (I'm notoriously chilly)
2 pairs of capris
5 blouses/shirts.

I didn't count undies. this is the only thing I won't compromise on. I need fresh ones every day and will not wash them in the sink. I think it goes back to my younger days, I can hear my mother in my head "if you get hit by a bus, you should have on clean underwear"

I have 2 nice dinners (one on top of the Eiffel tower) that requires dressing (no jeans or sneakers).

I would only take 2 pr of pants.
and add another dress that could be dressed up.
Shoes- you can wear on pair on the plane and only pack 2.

 

[wendy46001]

I would only take 2 pr of pants.
and add another dress that could be dressed up.
Shoes- you can wear on pair on the plane and only pack 2.

add to that dont pack the sweater (you'll need it on the plane as well)
one pair of capris should do as well

 

[curious3069]

Way too many pants...cut back to 1 pair long, 1 capri and add a day skirt. You can rotate skirt/pants/capris/day dress easily. Do you really need casual/dressy and tennis shoes? Could you skip the tennis shoes and make the casual a really comfortable pair? What about PJ's?



Please note I too am a chronic overpacker, it's a hard habit to break!!!

 

[JessicaR]

I think you did pretty darned good! I would eliminate two pair of pants - thats about it. Have a great trip!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I just wanted to say, have a wonderful trip!!!

I can't help in the packing department. I'm in the over packer club too. I try to mix and match as much as possible. But honestly, I love to have choices! That's my downfall. I'd rather have more tops and less pants though. Maybe an extra skirt that can be dressed up or down. Doesn't help with the number of items though.

 

[kwelch10377]

I think maybe you can cut down on the pants and only take 1 pair of capris.

I am not much better in the packing department. My friend and I are both overpackers, so much so that when we go to Disney we have to drive bc we bring to much stuff and would never be able to afford the extra bag fees that the airline would charge for all of our suitcases/bags.

 

[englishteacha]

You have packed for one week in Paris what I packed for a semester in the UK! I did pack a couple more sweaters, though, because I was there in January. If you don't mind wearing things twice, you can probably cut down on the amount of clothes you're bringing. Also, you could do laundry if you wanted to. I would bring 3 pair of pants, all dark colors, and wear them twice if need be. Toss a mini bottle of Febreeze in your bag! (Remember, many European restaurants and clubs allow smoking, so the Febreeze will be good even if you just want to freshen up your clothes after a night out.)

 

[kirbydog48]

I agree, 2 pairs of pants, have the sweater in your carry-on, one less pair of shoes. I way overpack myself. I'm going to Paris in October for a week, would love to hear about your trip!! Bon voyage!

 

[Evi]

hrm why r u packing so much? Won't you be shopping? Jk. I think its a good selection. I'd pack a pashmina and a little black dress but thats me.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that you should consider cutting down on the pants. Maybe take a few pairs of thin slacks since they are light and a pair of jeans? It's true that you can wear a pair of those shoes on the plane and the sweater too.

How exciting to be going to France!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Onebag.com go visit this site. I love this site for tips on one bag packing.
I wouldnt be taking casual shoes, I would just wear my sneakers. I would say 1 pair of capris would do. Try to pick things you can wash eaisly that dry quick so you can take 4 pairs of pants, and 4 shirts.

 

[ShesAPirate]

3 pairs of shoes. 1 dressy, 1 casual and 1 sneakers/slipon
5 pairs of pants.
1 day dress/ 1 black skirt for evening
1 sweater (I'm notoriously chilly)
2 pairs of capris
5 blouses/shirts.

This is pretty much what I bring to my boyfriend's on the weekends -- and his place is only 10 minutes away

Honestly, I think it's a good list, though I would probably cut down to 2 or 3 pairs of pants. Have a great time!

 

[laurie31]

Goodness, we're going for 26 days in September, and I'm not bringing that much!

Of course, we aren't having any dressy meals, so I'll allot you the extra shoes.

I'm bringing:

3 pair pants
1 dress (casual, comfortable, but also suitable for a decent restaurant)
1 skirt
1 (or maybe 2) pair shoes
5 blouses
1 sweater

I am also planning to shop!

(actually, I *know* I will shop, so why not wear my new things? )

DH is only bringing 1 pair shoes, 3 pair pants, and 5 shirts.

We are trying to convince DD13 that she does NOT need her hair straightener - lol, not to mention half her wardrobe.

(btw, when we travel by car, I pack everything but the kitchen sink. Because I can. But when flying, it is SO wonderful just to have carry-on! )


Please at least cut back on your pants and skirts - you have a total of 9 "bottoms" for only 7 nights! You really only need 4, and actually could make do with 2 (plus your dressy outfit).

 

[golfgal]

What is the weather forecast? If it is going to be reasonably warm take one pair of pants and the rest capri's. I don't see the need for both. Even if it is a little cool, the capris will be fine with a sweater.

 

[surfgirl]

(Remember, many European restaurants and clubs allow smoking, so the Febreeze will be good even if you just want to freshen up your clothes after a night out.)

not anymore! It is wonderful!


Eliza, you've gotten great advice on the other thread on the other board... I would listen to that advice b/c those are veteran European travelers and the masters of packing light. While there are some on this board who travel to Europe, obviously, this is a Disney board and more who would be qualified to talk about having someone else schlep your bags at Disney.

I still think you are waaaaaaay overpacking.

 

[eliza61]

What is the weather forecast? If it is going to be reasonably warm take one pair of pants and the rest capri's. I don't see the need for both. Even if it is a little cool, the capris will be fine with a sweater.

I put in extra pants for the evening. even though during the day it's supposed to be mid-high 60's, the nights will be in the 40's. too cold for capris then

Eliza, you've gotten great advice on the other thread on the other board... I would listen to that advice b/c those are veteran European travelers and the masters of packing light. While there are some on this board who travel to Europe, obviously, this is a Disney board and more who would be qualified to talk about having someone else schlep your bags at Disney.

I still think you are waaaaaaay overpacking.

LOL, thanks Surfgirl. This was actually my paired down list.

My thanks everyone. I'm ditching 2 pair of pants and switching the jeans to a pair of kahkis (sp). Don't think I'll make it on only 2 pair of shoes so I don't want to have to buy shoes in France (oh yeah, like that's not gonna happen!! )

Had to laugh at myself, I'm now taking more shades of lipstick than pants (I'm hopeless).

Thank you all!!