Are you an under or over packer?

[stephm0188]

I'm procrastinating packing for a 12 day trip, and I wondered how much other people usually pack for vacations. What's your packing style?

[flygirl22]

I'm am an overpacker. I also need to pack tonight for a long trip and I am struggling because I don't have enough clothes!! I want to just pack everything I own but I am still going to have to do laundry so I don't know why I care...

[bubbles]

I'm totally an over packer. A 12 day trip would probably require at least 3 bags. I like to make sure I don't miss anything, that I have extra outfits in case of an accident, and outfits appropriate for a variety of situations (something I wear around town during the day would not be good for an evening out, for example). Drives my husband crazy. However, if I had kids I probably wouldn't pack as much for myself but more for them. That said, I usually forget something, usually pjs or a bathing suit.

[Pilsy]

Total overpacker here. I am terrible!

Where are you going?

[stephm0188]

I can usually get by with one bag for me and the kiddo. This trip is a little different.
I'll be spending a day in New Orleans
Four days in Florida
Three days in Disneyland
and three days in Vegas

NO/Florida is a girls weekend trip, and Vegas/Disneyland is with the family. I'm trying to get by with just a carry-on to avoid racking up baggage fees.

[Pilsy]

Ooh, fun! Have a great time!

[Deleted]

I'm an overpacker and I still pack less the H. He is currently throwing a fit because I told him he needs to pack everything for our Vegas in a carry-on. He says he can't possibly do it. We will be there for 3 days...

[polarbearfans]

I wait until last minute, overpack to the extreme, and still end up running out to the store to buy all the stuff I forgot to pack :/

[Dusky]

I'm a bit of an overpacker. I usually stick to one bag, but I always end up taking stuff I never actually use.

[lindyanne]

Overpacker but I have definitely gotten better. When we're traveling we usually do nice dinners at night and different sight seeing during the day. I don't really like to re-wear clothes plus I am klutzy so I need two outfits a day plus some workout clothes, night clothes, etc etc. DH is worse than me though.

[thoseareradishes]

I am more of an underpacker. I'll lay out everything, then put a few things back. I usually pack an outfit for each day, and a spare. H and I have shared a carry-on bag for 4 day trips.

[wanderlustmom]

underpacker, I just don't put a lot of thought into it and want to keep my bag as light as possible.

[steph96]

I'm not sure what exactly I would call myself. I overpack, but I end up forgetting a lot of the things I need. Sure I might pack 10 tops for a 4 day trip, but you better believe I only managed to pack one pair of pants and no shampoo.

[ijack]

Horrible overpacker

[315bride]

I am both. Some trips I tend to overpack because I cannot fathom being without anything. Other trips I underpack and forget a bazillion things that I had needed to bring. When I'm visiting parents, I tend to underpack knowing that I can borrow or buy what I didn't remember.

[Deleted]

I like to have options and I don't like to wear the same thing every day (and I tend to bring fancier clothes for dinner/out than for daytime stuff), so I probably tend to overpack. We went away for 8 days last month and I brought 3 pairs of jeans and a pair of leggings and honestly, I wish I had brought at least one more pair of jeans. I don't do well with rewearing things too much.

[ILikeSloths]

I used to be an overpacker, but in the last few years I've gotten really good at packing light. I've taken several long international trips with just a carry-on and love traveling light now. I still tend to pack a couple of things I don't necessarily need though.

[mbcdefg]

We did 10 days in the UK with one carry-on each. However, we did laundry halfway through.

I can definitely overpack on road trips, but I like keeping it simple when I'm traveling by plane just to make it easier at the airport.

[CloudBee]

We have perfected packing. I couldn't imagine packing more than one large suitcase each for even a 2 week trip.

With bulky items like jeans, sweaters, fleeces, etc., we send them to the hotel dry cleaning service.

Earlier this year we were so lucky at the Hyatt on Kauai. There was a laundry room with free service and free soap on our wing, so we did a huge load.

The only thing I pack excessive amount of are panties/bras.

[mbcdefg]

Sept 9, 2012 21:34:59 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

The only thing I pack excessive amount of are panties/bras.

I definitely overpack on underwear. I'll wear shirts/pants a few times without washing if I have to, but I refuse to go without at least one pair of machine-washed underwear each day.

[Deleted]

I've always been an over-packer.

[WOT?*]

Over. Definitely an overpacker. I generally use less than half of what I bring.

[jewel]

WAY overpacker. We're getting ready to leave for Alaska and I already have about 75 pounds packed, and I'm not done yet. Packing for the cold weather, and cruise attire, is really difficult, especially coming from California.

This will be my first time bringing a totally empty suitcase though, to fill with gifts to bring home. That shound make re-packing much easier, at least.

[sillygoosegirl]

I consider myself a just right packer. DH and I traveled for almost half a year out of one carry-on sized bag each. Laundry isn't that time consuming, and I choose items that attractive, durable, pack down small, go with everything, dry quickly, and can be layered or not as needed for comfort. It's kind of hard to find garment that meet all the requirements, but fortunately I don't need a lot of them.

[The Impossible Girl]

I overpack. I prefer to have at least double of what I actually need (in terms of clothing) because you never know when you might need to change. However, I tend to pack less toiletries and only a couple pairs of shoes that are versatile.

[Nonny]

I think I'm an "about right" packer. I used to way over pack, but I've been getting better at packing lightly while still catering to my own needs/wants. For example, I always pack a super absorbent hair towel because it helps my hair dry faster, and I always pack at least one bra top camisole because if I don't I end up buying one. My biggest problem is always shoes though, because I can't just throw in a cheap pair of ballet flats and call it good, or else I'll be in pain. Needing supportive shoes and custom orthotics makes it difficult. But I love being able to just grab my bags and go without having to wait for checked luggage. Especially when I get home because it means I can get the first shuttle out to the the parking lot and get home ASAP!

Although I will confess to having totally over packed for my trip down for my gpa's funeral. I brought one shirt I have no intention of wearing just so I could show it to my mom, and I brought 3 shirts for my trip home because I was feeling indecisive and didn't know what I'd want to wear.

[Deleted]

I'm pretty good. I can pack for two for a week in Europe in a single carry on - I bring quick dry fabrics and tide sink packs and will wash and wear some stuff. Generally, we aren't going anywhere overly fancy when we travel, which makes packing easier. I hate over packing, gotta leave room for goodies to bring home!

[chessie]

Overpack. we head to mexico every year and I need 2 suitcases and 2 carry ons..LOL

[SJ]

It totally depends on the trip. For work trips, I never check bags. When traveling with DH on most trips, we also go pretty minimal and avoid checking bags.

However, there are some places (Vegas, a cruise) where I like to have a lot of options and I'll check a bag as a luxury so i don't have to stress about packing. For 2-3 weeks or more, I like to have one bag of clothes and another bag for all the other stuff- shoes, toiletries, accessories, etc. it helps me feel/stay more organized.

We rent a cabin 1-2 times a year with a big group of friends (within driving distance) and we always overpack! Last year DH dragged 2 grills with us along with a coffin-sized cooler and about 10 smaller bags.

[anna7602]

Underpack for myself, overpack for DD. The thought of her running out of clean underwear or in-flight entertainment (coloring books, etc.) terrifies me. But I am fine with wearing the same outfit a couple of days in a row for myself.