Packing for Travel

On Thursday, I leave for 5 days in the Dominican Republic! I'm in the process of packing, and I hate it. At first glance, I think I can fit everything into a carryon-sized case, especially if I wear my running shoes and put my shower stuff in the bf's checked bag. But then I second guess myself and wonder if taking a bigger case is better, so I definitely have room for that pair of heels I think I should take for a fancy dinner or two?

What is your process for packing for vacation? Pile all your stuff up and figure out what size bag you need?
How do you actually pack your things? Rolling? Vacuum bags? Folding? The one bag bundle method?

One big problem I am having is with two satin dresses I want to take with me. They crease extremely easily, and while I suppose I could put them in the garment bag that used to be my dad's, the garment bag still folds and I don't know whether it would need to be checked or not. Do any of you have any solutions to that problem for me?

I suppose I tend to travel heavy when I'm going somewhere I've never been before, largely because I'm not familiar with the weather, the humidity, the terrain, or the activities. When I go home to visit I pack light, because I know I can do laundry if necessary.

 

I've gone abroad three times with my son who is a pilot. Since we fly stand by, we can't check luggage. So everything fits in carry on. Plus I have a small piece of luggage that is about the size of a computer bag. Each time for me gets easier. Pretty much everything is color coordinated so it will all will match regardless. I rolled what I could. It still gets wrinkled, though. Packed one pair of pants, obviously wore one pair, also. When I went to London in Oct., the only shoes I took were the ones I wore. Before I always took an extra pair but that just takes up too much room.

I think it might be easier for a guy to do this than a woman. But I also think going to a warm weather destination would be easier regardless. All three times I've traveled like this, it has been in Oct or Nov and all were in cooler climates (Europe and Japan.)

I'm confident I can travel for 5-6 days out of a carry on now. I wouldn't be the most stylish dresser but that didn't bother me.

Good luck and have fun!

 

i know this sounds wrong, but typically my wife packs. we use one good size bag for both of us. im not sure if the bag would fit into a overhead bin. im sure it would have to be checked, but weve never flown

 

I travel a lot. I often have to pack suits, so I've got some routines. I also carry on almost exclusively (the exceptions are traveling with the kids and when I check golf clubs). I have several bags, two of which are carry-on size.

So when I go, I pretty much know what I'm going to take beforehand. I pack for each day individually plus workout clothes if I think that's possible. I roll everything up and stuff underwear and socks into any extra shoes. If not, they're filler around the edges.

For your dresses, I'd check to see if there's an iron in your room online. If there's not, you can probably get one sent up. Use that either on an ironing board, a bed or just hanging (use the steam to flatten creases). You can also try sending them out to be pressed, but that can be problematic with timing.

 

It looks like the rooms have irons and hair dryers, so I think I'll bring the dresses and eliminate my (travel) hair dryer from my packing.

My problem with traveling light to this destination is that I need multiple outfits for each day. One that is fancy dinner-worthy, one that I can stand to run in (luckily, lycra packs well and is small), and one to wear to/from the beach/pool/exploring. Add to that some sleeping clothes and a set of clothes to travel in, and it's more than I expected.

I may try the bundle method to see if I can eliminate some major wrinkling for the dresses, and I might just try the carryon and add my shoes/shower stuff to the bf's suitcase. He's almost definitely going to have to check a bag because of the shoes he needs to take with him.

I'll see what I can figure out tonight. If I can't dewrinkle the dresses myself in our room, I'll just not wear them and I'll have to get them pressed when I get back home. Not that big a deal, I guess.

 

Having had to transport nice dresses (bridesmaid, evening wear, etc.) in flights, I use a dry cleaning bag and roll up the dress in the carry on. When I get to my destination, I unpack it immediately and hang it in the bathroom. Steam from the shower will loosen any minor wrinkles.

I've had a lot of success with this method.

 

I tend to travel lightly. I use the rollup method for my clothes, avoid bringing more than one extra pair of shoes, and make sure any toiletries are in a ziploc bag. Nothing like arriving at your destination with shampoo all over your clothes. I also make a list and double check it.

I second the steaming method. I usually do this if needed instead of ironing my things.