One reason why I travel lite, one carrying on bag, no waiting for baggage claim, I just don’t have the patience anymore, it gets worse as I get older.
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We did have one case a few years ago, I think in DFW, where the baggage claim machine was broken. We did have to wait an extra 40 min. Phew, it was a trip where that was not a problem.
Per packing cubes, I’m a fan. The best use is the larger one that fits in the top zip section of my largish rolled carry-on bag. I can roll very many items (mostly tops) inside it. Then there is room for my nightgown at the edge. For a trip with multiple stops, I try to use that for clothing not needed as soon. Then the main part of the bag is for pants, a few tops, shoes and all the rest of the gear.
@Jolynne_Smyth - I learned from my kids that a jumbo 2 gallon ziplock bag is helpful in runner luggage. You can stash any stinky sneakers and running clothes into it if is not practical to wash them before moving on (which was the case on our family Europe trip - they liked to run together in each city).
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I am a compulsive over-packer. I’m hoping to go to Italy next year and have been working hard on trying to significantly downsize my packing. It would be like winning the Olympics if I could ever get everything into a carry-on size suitcase!
I’ve used regular packing cubes for years and love them but just saw on a travel bog that they also have compression packing cubes (similar to regular packing cubes but then they also have an extra zipper that compresses what’s in the cube). I may try some of the Amazon ones. I assume they wrinkle your clothes more but I’m curious to see if they would actually free up more space.
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My ability to carry on is influenced primarily by a few factors: number of shoes needed, the need to, “dress up,” and the weather. Actually, the first two are kind of related as dressing up usually necessitates an additional pair of shoes.
I have carried on to Italy for ten days, BUT it was with a youth choir trip, and we weren’t doing any fine dining. I did take a black skirt and a pair of dressy shoes, “just in case” on that trip (even with carrying on) but wound up not using either. That is a fairly small space way to have the capacity to dress up at least a little. Scarves and jewelry are also small and can make something dressier or not.
Weather can be more impactful - clothes and shoes for colder weather/temps tend to take up more space. I have never been the best at layering. I always wear whatever coat/jacket I am taking rather than packing it.
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Having a black skirt is a good idea. I have a black sleeveless dress from a travel store that I use the same way sometimes. For my trip to Hawaii, I threw in a tan linen short-ish skirt and wore it more than the dresses I had along.
I am starting to realize that part of my packing challenge is that I like to have layers (even in summer… AC can be a killer inside)…. and I don’t really have one sweater that looks good with everything. Plus I already have other jacket stuff for running.
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I still have clothes that I bought in Italy, France, and of course England. So packing lite gives me excuse to buy clothes overseas, they are much better than what I can get here.
Just back from France for two weeks. Went carry-on and still overpacked. I did have room to bring back a few souvenirs! Quelled my initial desire for shoes and jackets. I’ve gathered some decent travel clothes over the years and they are great. Quick dry if you want to wash.
While there I found a packable rain/windbreaker that fit in my purse. That was the best–Super duper light (plus zipper pockets and inside pockets) and a lifesaver if I got cool (not cheap but so worth it).
Packing is all in the shoes–they gobble up room. Wore a pair of black Sketchers (not heavy athletic type) all week. Tons of walking but feet were fine.
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Im not a “dress up” person and am not likely to need any dress up clothes on any trip. A casual skirt or dress and TEVAS will take me a long way.
I often will look at my pile TO pack and tell
Myself, “if it’s only
Going to be wore once (like a pair of shoes) can I manage to do without it?”
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You can buy shoes in Europe too, I still have a pair in my garage.
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I typically don’t dress up on vacation. So a pair of black pants is the fanciest thing I bring. I don’t bother with any accessories (no jewelry, scarves, etc.) I typically use only two pairs of shoes - sneakers for walking and something appropriate for the weather (either flips, flats, or boots) I wear the bigger of the two shoes on the plane (usually the sneakers or boots) so I only have to pack one small pair of shoes in my bag. Same thing with a jacket, I will wear the bulkier one on the plane and then only have to pack a lighter one (if needed at all - usually a rain jacket).
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kiddie - I do the same. When traveling to a mountain location (and not wanting to pay for a checked bag), I’ll be wearing hiking boots, long sweater, vest, and hat on the plane. It’s a little toasty but I don’t want to pay the extra $$ lol.
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I sometimes do extra layers (usually fleece) on the plane. If I don’t want to wear it, I can sit on it or roll it up and tuck behind back for extra support.
On a few trips I tucked some things inside a travel pillow casing (instead of the inflatable pillow that had sprung a leak).
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I have a packing list saved and which is revised before each trip. I just returned from 15 days in Italy- I took a large checked bag and used packing cubes for the first time which was a game changer for me. If not for toiletries, I could’ve used a carry-on suitcase (next long trip I will put shampoo, etc into smaller containers so I don’t have to check the bag). We walked 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day and the Sketchers washable black sandals were extremely comfortable and not hideous! I also clean the house and change the bed linens before I leave and immediately empty the suitcase when I return. It takes a while to catch up on laundry and put everything away, but I feel like that gets the ball rolling.
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Thanks for the trip report :earth_americas 
Glad you liked the packing cubes. We may need a link for those Sketchers washable black sandals.
I don’t think I’ve yet posted my carry-on backpack hints. The charger for my cellphone goes into a bright narrow red plastic bag (from newspaper deliveries). I have an empty small plastic pouch to use if I stash my cellphone - it also includes earbuds and earplugs …. tis handy at the beach later to keep sand out of it. In one of the front pouches of backpack I keep a ziplock bag with a stash of snacks (granola bars etc).
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