When going on holiday do you pack a fat suitcase or keep it minimalistic?

Question

I am going to America for 3 weeks soon and all my friends have quite big bags/trunks and mine is quite small.

How much clothes do you usually pack for 3 weeks?

I have the first bag and everyone else has bags bigger than the third one http://www.johnlewis.com/Sports+and+Leisure/Luggage/Luggage/Trolley+Cases/4067/9296/Product.aspx

Answer 1

Because of luggage weight restrictions - especially on international flights - take a large suitcase, put a medium size suitcase in it, and then pack only one pair of khakis (for dress), one pair of jeans (wear another pair on your flight), a pair of shorts, two or three t's, one dressy shirt, half a dozen underwear & pairs of socks, a pair of dressier shoes if you feel like it, jammies - if you wear them, and travel-size toiletries, including razors, etc. You can use the second suitcase for souvenirs, which do seem to accumulate along the trip. We do have washers/dryers here!

I spent two weeks traveling in Australia & New Zealand w/a bag - the medium size - and a small carry on. The items I described above are basically what I carried.

Answer 2

For three weeks I would take enough clothing for 10 days. I would plan on washing at least once, even if it was only in the sink. I would take the smallest one (the 33 l ) and stuff it to the brim plus a day pack with 15 l.

My smaller backpack is 35 l + 10 l and I carry a fold-away daypack with 7 l, which is fairly standard if you are travelling with a backpack and have to watch the weight. So I really know what I am talking about!

The medium suitcase with 76 l is way too large IMO. I have a 55 l +5 l backpack and in this I can fit a tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear and all the clothes I would need for a trip around the world. Fully loaded it is quite heavy, so I almost never pack it full. So there is no way you'll need all the 76 l in the medium bag.

Answer 3

How and what you pack depends on your plans while on holiday. Also, some people just don't plan well. It would also depend on whether you have access to laundry services. Most seasoned travellers understand that, selecting lightweight clothing which packs and hangs out well is the best plan. Also picking a wardrobe for the trip where all the clothing is interchangeable and can be worn with one or at most 2 pairs of shoes is important.

An anecdote from my recent experience:

I took my family of 4 on a 2 week holiday to 3 different cities in the US. One part of the trip was to Washington DC, part of the trip to the beach,and finally a week at a 5 star resort in Michigan where everyday would be in meetings with artists and art galleries and every night would be semi-formal dinners.

I was able to pack for this trip in the medium size bag you displayed in your question with a small carry on garment hanging bag. My two teenage children each had a bag comparable to the small one in the photo. My wife on the other hand had 2 20 kg bags, a medium bag just for shoes, a hanging bag which she checked in, and we each carried on a small bag for her to fit under the seat.

It really depends on where you are going. If it is Florida, then t-shirts and shorts plus one nice outfit should get you through the whole trip. In New York you will need a much more upscale wardrobe. In Texas you can dress as you please. And in California you are what you wear (a very superficial state, guess that's why Becks and Posh moved there).

Anyway have a great trip! If you tell us where you are heading we can give you a better idea what to pack.

Answer 4

personally i always pack my bag full to the brim cos i take 3/4 of my wardrobe! and i never use half of them!! but i know its a mistake to take all that stuff, so don't do the same thing. Nevertheless, your trunk IS too small for a trip lasting 3 weeks. I think it should be the second one, and quite full (although make sure you leave some space for any clothes you may buy from there). Take another pair of shoes if you need them - you'll find that you're fed up of your slippers/sandals after a while and anyway you may want to go somewhere nice where ordinary shoes look out of place. Don't forget to take extra pairs of socks, panties, underwear etc.. If you were going to take, let's say, 15 t-shirts, i recommend you take 20 instead. And also take with you a couple more that are long-sleeved (or take a light jacket) in case the weather gets cold. Incidentally pack an umbrella - you never know. Pack sunscreen lotion, you'll probably be running around quite a lot in the sun. Pack some liquid detergent for clothes, so that you may wash those that get dirty and will be able to reuse them. Pack shampoo, soap (in case), and any medicinals you may use (and take extra with you - again, you never know)
With all these things I've told you in the space of five minutes, I'm starting to think you'd better go fot the third trunk!
Don't forget your camera, your usb plug, an extra SD card, some blank CD's to burn your photos when your sd cards get full...
you would also do well to ask your friends what exactly did they pack, in order to fill up such a big case?! you may have forgotten something important.

hope this helps. anyways...have fun on your holiday! :)

Answer 5

I usually only take hand luggage on holiday and very little stuff. I find a couple of things is enough and you can wash them as you go along. If you take a large suitcase I guarantee you won't use the third of it. If you need anything sure you can always buy it. I take holiday clothes that i would normally buy cheap in the sales and if necessary I can dump it before I come home or if you can give it to someone.

Answer 6

Well, think of it this way - You're going to change clothes every day, right? So you at least need to pack full sets for each day. That would be pants, shirts, underwear, and socks. Also think of what shoes you are going to wear, belts, robes, anything like that you might need. Ask what the weather is like where you are going - if it's cool there you may need a sweater or light jacket. Also, think about any speciality items for what you might be doing when you get there - swim suits? Hiking boots? Caps or hats? Just break it down by each day and that will help you decide if you need a bigger suitcase.

Answer 7

That seems a bit small for three weeks. However, I used to be the HUGE bag person but now I try to only bring a carry-on...for three weeks though I might bring the second or third bag in the picture if for no other reason then I will probably buy stuff or be given gifts or whatever.

Answer 8

Well, I would say pack as little as you can get away with, but you might wanna take a bigger suitcase for all the stuff you buy over there.
Depending on which part of the US you are going to, you might find that dressing is very casual, in which case a few pairs of shorts & a bundle of t-shirts would do you, only taking one "dress-up" outfit with you incase you find somewhere you want to visit that requires a smart look.
But like I say, you might find lots of thing to purchase there & end up having to buy another case while you are there if you stick with the small one.
However, if yo are happy with your case & have everything you need in it, then..Happy hols!
Have a great time & never mind all of us getting drenched over here.

Answer 9

Personally I steal all the room in my husband's bag as well as my own huge thing...I can fit in both bags and I'm not that small. hahaha typical girl.
Saying that all my family (original and married into) pack tiny bags.
I just cant do it :-)
Of course a small bag is the best really.
But I do hope you plan to wash. Most people who pack large bags plan not to HAVE to wash, just in case it's difficult. You however will have to wash,or smell.
I wouldn't worry if that's why you've posted this question, I think packing style and travel amount choice is very much related to personalty.

Answer 10

If you must pack a lot of clothes do like I do, I use those vacuum bags so it look like I only have a few things. Then if I need more I buy what I need. The bags are wonderful and you can pack a whole wardrobe in one little suitcase.