Our family approached packing for this trip as a challenge. Each person got one carry-on sized suitcase and one backpack or other small bag for dolls, toys, books, etc. There was a washer and dryer at the beach house and the attire was beach casual. In other words, no fancy dinners or outings. Other than when we were on the road, we ate all of our meals in.
Mochimac over at Save Spend Splurge is currently away on a two-month trip to Europe and she outlined everything she packed for that time period. If she could pack for 2 months in one carry on and a backpack, we could surely pack for 10 days in the same amount of luggage. Even though we’ve never done it.
Here is what I packed:
My Suitcase:
- Black Versalette
- White tank
- Black tank
- White t-shirt
- Black t-shirt
- Red and White Sleeveless Top
- Red cardigan
- Scarf
- Jeans
- Black Capris
- Black workout pants (not pictured, I had them on)
- Black shirt (not pictured, I had it on)
- Bathing Suit with two different tops
- Pajamas (1 set)
- Underwear (5 pair) (not pictured because modesty)
- Bras (2) (not pictured because modesty)
- Socks (3 pair)
- Black Flip Flops
- Tennis Shoes (not pictured, I had them on)
- Beach Flip Flops
- Black Flats
- Sunhat
- Small Beach Bag
It all fit in one suitcase, along with toiletries, sunscreen and a first aid kit.
The Girl’s Suitcase – she packed it herself from a list I gave her:
- 1 swimsuit (she meant to pack two, but forgot one)
- 3 t-shirts
- 4 tank tops
- 5 shorts
- 1 skirt
- 5 Underwear
- 4 Pajamas
- 3 Socks
- 1 dress
- Flip Flops
- Sandals
The Boy’s Suitcase — I didn’t get a picture, but he packed from the list I gave him:
- 2 swimsuits
- 5 t-shirts
- 5 shorts
- 4 pajamas
- 5 underwear
- 3 socks
- Tennis Shoes
The Results
I never wore the scarf or one of the bathing suit tops. Other than that, I wore everything I brought, but never felt like I was wearing the same thing too many times. I would have been just fine with one or two fewer shirts, too.
I’m not sure what Stephen packed (it all fit in a small duffel bag), but he took fewer items than I did and told me he thought he over-packed. I do know he at least packed two bathing suits, a couple pair of shorts, a couple of golf shirts, some t-shirts, flip flops and tennis shoes.
The kids were totally fine with what they brought, as well, and probably could have packed less. This was definitely an eye opening experience. We need way less than we think we do. I thought 10 days with so few items would be a challenge. Instead, I looked more put together than I do at home when I have more choices and I didn’t actually need all of the items I brought.
Totally Doing This From Now On
Packing up to come home took about five or ten minutes and unpacking everything once we got home took about the same amount of time. Since we washed our clothes there, the only dirty clothes we had were from the two-day drive home.
We arrived home around 6:10 p.m. An hour and a half later, we had unpacked, started a load of laundry, cooked dinner, eaten dinner, loaded the dishwasher, taken out the trash/recycle and opened, sorted and recycled the mail.
We have NEVER done that before. It usually takes days to get everything put away and the laundry done.
I can’t see why we wouldn’t do this from now on. It was so much easier.
We just got back from a week long vacation in Flordia. We put everything each of us (family of 4) in a backpack that we carried onto the airplane. I brought 2 dresses, beach coverup, swimsuits, tank top, shorts, tank for sleeping in, undies, 1 bra, 1 pair flip flops and one pair of Teva sandals. I loved not having the hassle of stuff. We have since come home and I have gotten rid of garbage bags full of clothes that I really don’t need. It is liberating!
I travel a lot but its taken me years to work out the right combination of clothes and accessories for my trips. I keep a packed toiletries bag ready to go as I find that part of packing the most tedious.
On my trips to the US I tend to pack light, and return with next season’s clothing needs found in Marshalls, TJ Maxx etc – so much less expensive than in the UK.
This post has inspired me to take on this challenge the next time we travel 😉 It’s amazing how less truly is more.
The photos are great – it really helps me to absorb the idea and remember it later – thanks! When we packed for Europe a year-and-a-half ago, I had really thought out what would be versatile and how to pack light. It was very liberating (much thanks to Project 333 to get me started), and after reading Zero Waste Home, I’m inspired to try to pack even less. Now, if I could just find the money for airfare. . . ! 🙂
Congrats to you on this family accomplishment. It is such a relief to be able to come home for a long trip, unpack with ease & not feel overwhelmed. I applaud you and your family on the beginning of this perspective of life with using less. It’s such a good feeling to go with “less” only to find that it isn’t less at all but more like just enough. 🙂
“Enough is as good as a feast.” 🙂
Welcome back! I especially liked the part about it being so easy to unpack. I noticed that too last time we travelled and packed lightly.
Congratulations on what you all chose to pack. It all seems like common sense items, nothing extra.
I recently was on a two week, work related trip to Germany and although I didn’t make a list I remember packing 3 pairs of pants, 1 skirt, 2 t-shirts, 1 sleeveless top, 3 shirts (long sleeve, 3/4 sleeve and short sleeve), 2 long sleeve tops, 2 sweaters, a waterproof coat, 2 pairs of sport shoes, 1 pair of dressy shoes and 2 pajamas. I ended up wearing everything twice and I used different combinations (t-shirt with shirt over it, shirt with sweater over it) to create layers and keep me warm enough because it was a little bit colder then I anticipated.
Oh I just love the photos! No one ever really wishes they had more luggage to ‘lug’ around, that’s for sure. I try to stick to carry on suitcase for international holidays, with a foldable bag for ‘overflow’ (namely shopping in the US!) I also set a rule to wear everything I take – a challenge! I donate anything I don’t wear – there’s got to be a reason why even with a reduced wardrobe I don’t wear it, right? Nice work giving the kids a list – a great start for them too
Thank you for the link!! 🙂 How kind of you. I also love love love packing posts from everyone, it gives me good ideas.
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