How to Pack Lightly
This tot -- whose mom used his photo to apply for Conde Nast Traveler's Dream Trip Contest -- still has a lot to learn about packing lightly. |
Question from reader Blkweber:
"I enjoyed your recent article on packing sandwich & quart-size bags for air travel. How about clothing suggestions? I've just booked a 10-day tour to Egypt this fall, and we're limited to one carry-on and a tote bag."
Wendy asked me to handle this one because, in her judgment, I've apparently mastered the art of packing lightly. What she doesn't realize is that I invariably end up short of one essential item: a bathing suit in San Diego, gloves in Peru, binoculars in Tanzania. All the same, I glow with pride every time a ticketing agent for an international flight does a double-take at my single carry-on (a backpack/wheelie combo from Tumi).
My first rule of thumb is to find clothes that will do double duty. Zip-off pants are fantastic for destinations like Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa, though you'll scream "American tourist" if you wear them down the Champs-Elysees. Wendy has her own opinions about footwear, but I love my black Merrell slides. They're super-comfy over many hours of walking and look reasonably dressy under a pair of black pants (though my colleagues at Vogue may disagree).
One thing that I always remind myself while traveling is that I'm interacting with new people every day, so none of them will realize that I'm usually wearing the same thing. This mantra might not work so well on a group trip, but I can assure you that your co-travelers will be remarking on the pyramids, not your wardrobe selections.
Just because you're wearing the same thing doesn't mean you have to smell like it, though. That's why I've always got these Patagonia quick-drying mesh tees with me, which I can wash in the sink (along with my underwear and socks) and dry in the shower overnight.
Editor-in-chief Klara Glowczewska just wrote Conde Nast Traveler's Iconic Itinerary for Egypt (a fabulous source for all sorts of advice for your upcoming trip). It's in our May issue, which you can find on newsstands now and online. Here's her destination-specific packing list:
"Sun hat and glasses, a fan (take it everywhere, especially if it's summer), and an empty soft-sided bag (to bring your purchases back home). Women should have one long, loose skirt and a thin shawl (cool, comfortable, and appropriate for visiting Muslim sites)."
Any of you crack travelers have other tips for Blkweber?
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Omniture events in request:
I am a master of traveling lightly. When I backpacked in England for two weeks a few years back, the lady at check-in at Heathrow about fell over when I told her that my 12kg backpack was all I had.
I suggest rolling your clothes up, not folding. My sister, also a master of traveling light, suggested it. Try to roll them as tightly as possible. It tends to save space, I think because more air is squeezed out.
Also, wearing clothes more than once helps. I have seen people use Febreeze to freshen up their clothes when they don't have time to wash them (oh the life of a college student). I can't stand the smell of Febreeze though, so I would suggest hunting down a laundrymat ahead of time, or checking to see if the hotel you're staying at has laundry service. It's worth it to pay someone to do your laundry if it means you can bring fewer clothes with you. If you can wash your clothes once or twice while you're there, and wear them two times, you can get away with bringing only three or four changes of clothes for a two week trip.
Make sure to bring a big enough bag with you that you have space for souvenirs though. A trick my mother-in-law does, is to pack a duffel bag in your suitcase on the way there and then use it to check your dirty laundry on the way back, leaving space in your suitcase for souvenirs.
Posted by: tracker1312 | April 25, 2007 at 12:29 PM
how to pack lightly for a 2 week cruise on a small ship with 3 formal nights & 2 informal (cocktail) nights & the rest casual attire.Summer weather.Please advise.Thanks.
Posted by: eileenhms | May 05, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Hi Wendy, I'm planning a trip to Egypt this fall and was wondering how I could find out if the company I plan to use to book, Egypttopview.com, is reliable. Also, do you believe that 3-4 star hotels are clean and safe there? thanks so much.
Posted by: LaraWachs | June 03, 2007 at 07:06 PM