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I always overpack

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Backagain1, May 24, 2014.

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  1. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    Am I alone? Share your tips, packing list, suggestions....
     
  2. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I'm a very light traveler, but most of my Vegas jaunts are just 2-3 days. I also have the luxury of having an office there where I keep a clean suit for those occasions. I keep a 22" (I think it is) carry-on "pre-loaded" with toiletries, etc. I keep Alieve, Visine and that kinda stuff in there too. The night before I go, all I have to do is count the days I'm gone and put in the appropriate number of underwear, shirts and shorts/pants in. I pick out the outfits I'm gonna wear then. Even though I take a carry-on, I almost always check-it... it just gives me more freedom in the airport and eases getting on and off the plane.
     
  3. MNVegasgal

    MNVegasgal Low-Roller

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    I do the same thing.. so I lay out everything I want to take.. and then take out one, shirt, one jeans, and one pair of shoes. And review my options. I always plan for a day outfit and a night outfit.. and then some back ups and end up overpacking. Pack a small spray bottle of Febreeze.. you can then febreeze a pair of jeans/capris and wear them for the trip home. Take your favorite items that you feel great in... those will be your GO TOO items. Avoid those shoes that are CUTE but uncomfortable.. it is a long walk back to your room to change shoes when your feet are hurting.
     
  4. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    I still take a lot with me, but less than I use to. I keep a packing list on my computer that I print out and check off as it goes in my bag. We go for a week and depending on the time of year, I pack for all weather. At home I never re-wear anything but on vacation I find that I do. I use to be so afraid I would forget something but now with a very detailed list...I can't forget a bandaid, asprin or nightgown. Years ago I would lie in bed the night before wondering if I forgot to pack something...not anymore :)
     
  5. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    Fortunately, I travel frequently for work (200+ days out of the year I’m on business travel), so I’m pretty good at packing my suitcase.

    I generally roll my t-shirt and underwear since it saves space. I also don’t bring many toiletries with me since I always use the ones at the hotels. I always try not to waste any space inside the suitcase; this includes putting some of my socks into the shoes/sneakers. If I need more than one suit (longer trip), I always bring my suit carrier with me and place it in the overhead bin with my carry-on luggage.

    I think people over-pack since they don’t know what they’re going to wear, so they bring a lot more clothes than they actually need. I always chuckle when I see the ladies with more than five pairs of shoes for a two-four day trip.
     
  6. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    Thanks! I am trying to pack light but looking at makeup and toiletries I am worried. I will go light on clothing and of course maybe only two pairs of shoes?
     
  7. fenway68

    fenway68 VIP Whale

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    I am much better than I used to be. After some checked bags fiascos I have learned to pack a 4 day trip in a carry-on. I am usually there in the warmer months, so shorts are all I bring. I have found that we don't need to dress fancy to be served at 90+% of Vegas restaurants (especially that we sit at the bar). We don't look like schlumps, nice Cuban or Golf shirt and clean and neat looking shorts, gets you through all day, any day. Also no socks saves more space! Nice mens Sandals or flips. Now, my one trip in the cooler weather I still pulled it off, with jeans and nice shirts, carried me everywhere, and a pair of black sketchers, acted like sneaks during the day and shoes at night. Everything I bring can mix and match, so I don't need my wife around to tell me if the outfit works or not! I still come home with one or two extra unworn T's or pairs of underwear (never hurts to have extra of those!)

    Compared with trips to Vegas 18 years ago, we have found the cigarette perfusion of our clothes to be almost non-existent now, I think for two reasons, one: less smokers, two: the newer casinos have better ventilation systems. This alone has allowed me to wear shirts and shorts more than once.
     
  8. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    Tough. For toiletries, I would try to get smaller travel size containers so you can use them for future trips. The makeup might be an issue though since it's pretty much impossible to transfer the stuff to travel size containers/cases.
     
  9. pinklime

    pinklime Low-Roller

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    That would be me, usually my carryon is filled only with shoes. :)
     
  10. Bo333

    Bo333 VIP Whale

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    I over pack every time. Have to bring warm clothes, cold clothes, dress clothes and everything in between. Never know what I'll be doing. Even bring work-out clothes.
    Then again perhaps I'm 'worried' I'll win so big I'll have to take up residence in the hotel :kill:
     
  11. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    That's what gets me too. I overpack that stuff and still never have what I really need. Try making a list of essentials, plan on neutral, go with anything make up and see if that helps you eliminate. I probably screw up the most packing soap and shower gel when only once in a blue moon the hotel stuff turns out to be crap.

    Don't knock the shoe! Half are usually about completing a look and the other half are for comfort. I can't tell you how many times I've needed to change shoes halfway through the day for something more comfy. I have managed to get it down to three pairs though.
     
  12. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    That's me also.Traveling from east coast,it's usually a 5-6 day trip.
    I can easily go through a couple outfits a day if I'm up gambling early in shorts and a golf shirt.
    Go to pool for a few hours,maybe workout.
    Shower and nice clothes for dinner.
    Last trip included a couple days of work so I had to include business clothes.
    I have been working on it but no matter how much I pack,I always seem to run short on one thing.
     
  13. Julie888

    Julie888 VIP Whale

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    I pack carry on for ten plus days. Even then, I still might have more than I need. Three pairs of shoes needed for comfort.

    The more places you are staying, the less you need since you can repeat outfits. I just read this on a travel site and agree.
     
  14. g8rb8k8

    g8rb8k8 Low-Roller

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    I'm officially overpacked...but, to me, better to have and not need than to need and not have. I am sure half of what I pack will never see the light of day lol.
     
  15. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    What is the definition of over packing?
    Having ten sets of clothing left or even just one?
    Being that one suitcase is simply for my wife's make-up and toiletry items I would say she definitely over packs in that area.
     
  16. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    This cracks me up. There was a period of several years when I was traveling constantly for business, almost all international. First trip I went on was only a week and I had a checked bag and the senior partner I was traveling with got pissed at me. We were in a few different cities over that week and each time we'd have to wait for my bag. Then on the next trip they sent me with a guy who basically lived on the road for us, he didn't even have a real desk in the office, to show me the ropes on how to travel.

    I never needed to check bags again and routinely fit 2 weeks business travel with multiple cities into a carry-on. That would be 3 suits, several dress shirts, some casual clothes, boxers, etc. First thing is to make sure you have the right bag for your needs. Most bags suck. I usually use a Briggs and Riley wheeled garment bag http://www.briggs-riley.com/category/productDetail.aspx?id=Carry-On-Wheeled-Garment-Bag_U174&sec=travel)

    In that I can fit 3 suits, several dress shirts, ties, belts, boxers, and some casual clothing. An exterior pocket can hold extra shoes and some other awkwardly shaped items. My personal bag would just be my messenger for shorter trips with all my electronics and random stuff, on longer trips I'd bring a cabin bag as a personal item that I'd stick my messenger inside of and it had a suiter on the side for another suit or some dress shirts. Wear bulkiest items on the plane like big shoes, jeans, sport coat, etc. Best part is if you pack properly in a garment bag you can avoid wrinkles.

    But you don't need a garment bag especially if you're not carrying a lot of suits, but get a bag whose interior dimensions roughly match its exterior dimensions. And don't get bags that are overly curved because that just creates useless space.

    One of the most useful and still very cheap packing aids to buy is a packing folder, like these: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packit-folders/l/211

    Most guys should get the Medium size. In it I can get 5-10 dress/button-down shirts to compress down thin enough to stick in a messenger. Again, it minimizes wrinkles as well.

    Even though I'm a guy shoes were always my biggest issue as well until I really mapped it out. Problem was I'd need one or two pairs of dress shoes for meetings, sneakers for working out, and a pair of more casual shoes that could be used for nightlife or touring. I wanted to only carry one pair and wear one pair so I had to either eliminate the sneakers or the nightlife shoes. But then all this barefoot running stuff became popular and doing olympic lifts barefoot became more and more the norm. I bought a cheap pair of water shoes at Sports Authority one day and they were perfect for working out and folded as flat as a pair of flip flops.

    Packing for Vegas in a carry-on is a no-brainer, especially without the multiple suits and the fact the clothing is lighter and more casual. For those trips I can use a smaller bag, now its either a small hardside spinner or a travel duffel in which I can pack enough for anything from casual to clubbing to more formal, and I almost always change clothes in the evening. I'm thinking of buying the Red Oxx Air Boss which a lot of people rave about but I'd like to experiment with one in person before buying.
     
  17. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Me too, my carry-on is mostly shoes.
     
  18. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    We tend to over-pack for trips during hot months....may need a couple of outfits a day. Glad they are usually light weight and don't take up a lot of room in the suitcases. We are taking our 1st ever winter trip for NYE this year and worried about the weight of the cases when we get to the airport....Our trips are always 6-7 days & with heavier clothes and several pair of boots....we may be in trouble. Probably will wear a heavy coat on the plane to have in case we need it....leaving Louisville it will definitely be very cold..... May need to take a 3rd suitcase this time.... :)
     
  19. HoyaHeel

    HoyaHeel Grammar Police & Admin

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    Packing light is a mindset thing, not an actual packing thing. If you want to pack light, you limit your colors, mix and match every piece you bring, bring a limited amt of shoes (2 - comfort & cute?) and if it's a longer trip, you pack for 5-7 days and do laundry during the trip. For most trips in the US or to Europe, I bring minimal toiletries - the true necessities - because I know I'll be able to pick up new stuff if I run out or there's something I need (for trips in developing countries, I'm more careful about toiletries & medications). I can do a warm weather trip in a carry-on (if I don't carry alcohol or books, now that I use my kindle for travel).

    I've been reading Vivienne Files and a few light-packing sites (found on Pinterest and Polyvore) for a couple years and there are tons of great ideas out there. But if you don't want to do it, you will always have lots of excuses why you "can't" (this is an ongoing topic on the fashion board on Cruise Critic where I also hang out ;-)
    (anything I'm interested in - I google "Capsule wardrobe" + "xyz" (winter or Europe or Paris or Vegas....)

    http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/

    http://travelfashiongirl.com/
     
  20. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    Overpacking for me would be having to check my luggage in because it is too large for a carry on. I will not overpack this time!
     
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