Frequently Asked Questions Of The PackingLight Method

1.  How Many Outfits Can I Pack In A 22-inch Suitcase or Backpack?

PackingLight's basic approach is to pack five bottoms, nine tops, and two pairs of shoes.  This approach can be modified by packing more or less of the tops and bottoms, or modify by adding dresses or suit coats as your travel dictates.  With the outfit you wear on the airplane you will add one bottom and one top, a pair of shoes, and if needed, a sweater.

6 Bottoms x 10 Tops = 60 Outfits

or

60 Days of Never Wearing the Same Outfit Twice!

If you are really good and have mixed and matched your travel wardrobe so that every top goes with every bottom you will indeed have 60 outfits.  But suppose you cannot do quite that well,  and only half of your tops and bottoms coordinate, you will still dress in a new outfit for 30 days.  Bottom Line, sixteen garments are a lot of clothing.

2.  How Do I Carry My Purchases Home?

Try one of our expandable shopping bags from Baggalllini.  The totes come packed into a compact pouch as small as a sandwich and expand to varying sizes.  When you need the extra room coming home for your purchases, the shopping bags expand so you can bring back all the treasures.

3.  How Do I Pack My Undergarments, Ties, Pajamas and Belts?

Undergarments, ties, scarves, belts, socks, pajamas, bathing suits and other clothing accessories can be packed in one of the hanging organizers we carry from Carry-Rite or Baggallini.  These tools can be found in our Packing Aids department and are illustrated in either Step One of our PackingLight Method sketch rendering or are used in our PackingLight videos as well.  There are several other options available for packing your undergarments and clothing accessories such as Eagle Creek's Pack-It Cubes and Pack-It Sacs, the Daymakers Packies Trio of Packing Cubes , or the Rick Steves' Packing Cubes can work efficiently as well as the Pack-Mate Compression System provided in our Packing Aids Department.

4.  How Do I Pack My Shoes?

For women we suggest one pair of tennis shoes, one pair of black, semi-flat shoes, quality walking shoes and you will probably be able to pack a flat pair of sandals somewhere in your baggage.  For men we suggest one pair of tennis shoes, one pair of semi-formal shoes and quality walking shoes. Our apologies to the gentlemen with a size twelve and bigger.  There isn't a way to shrink those into our 22" suitcase.

5. How Do I Avoid Un-raveling The Bundle Every Time I Need A Garment In The Middle?

The initial objection people have toward the bundle method is they don't want to have to spend time "digging" into one main bundle.  The answer is to form two bundles or more according to outfits that are needed for the next few days. The bundles maintain their shape and eliminate packing and un-packing when you move day after day.  Please see our preceding PackingLight steps to better understand how bundles can be formed.

6. How Do I Pack Lightly For Cold Weather and For Climate Changes During The Course Of My Itinerary?

The answer is to layer.  Pack garments that are lighter fabrics and that insulate well.  Outdoor recreationalists and seasoned travelers have long understood that people get their best insulation, not by wearing heavy fabrics, but by wearing multiple layers of lightweight garments.  Start with a base layer of your favorite "long underwear" such as a silk or Coolmax top.  If necessary, wear both a lightweight shirt and sweater.  Packable sweaters are made from good travel fabrications such as 100 weight microfleece or lightweight wools.  Finally, the outer layer will be a lightweight, un-lined raincoat.  There are numerous outer layer fabrics available that repel water such as nylon, micro-fiber polyester, Goretex coats, or even an inexpensive plastic coat will work. Now when you leave rainy Scotland for the warmth of the Greek Isles you won't be lugging heavy winter wear for the duration of your trip.

Important Carry-on Discussion and Update

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