The Panic of Packing!! (Part Deux)

Bonjour! I promised to provide feedback on how the packing went for my recent trip(s). I went to Paris for two weeks of fun, came home, and then attended a conference in Toronto for three days. So, with these trips, I got to experience two different types of international travel within a three-week time frame. That’s where my different airline baggage experiences come into play! Oh, and should I add a local trip to Beaglefest with a 30-pound beagle in tow? Ha, ha, ha! Luckily, that trip didn’t require any flights—just flights of floppy beagle ears in the wind!

The Big (Little) Pack!

For my trip to Paris, my goal was to pack for two weeks in a carry-on and personal bag, following The Tripped Travel Gear team’s  “Three Day Method”.  I pulled my clothes based on packing for your essential day, your every day, and your travel day provided in the video and based on what I planned to do in Paris. Using this method, I initially pulled quite a bit of clothing items, shoes, accessories, plus all my incidentals like electronics, make-up, toiletries, etc.  My first round of packing made me realize I’d be sacrificing some of the pieces I wanted to take due to bulk (say bye-bye to the cute Isaac Mizrahi sundress!!! Le sigh!!) and weight.

I was ruthless and very proud of myself, ensuring I didn’t have any duplicate items and only packed items I could wear multiple times. Everything was going well until a day before leaving, when the weather forecast made a huge 20-degree shift plus rain!!! Now my supply of short sleeved shirts and skirts no longer seemed inappropriate. Now I needed to pack warmer clothes that could hold up to walking around in the rain (skirts seemed a little too risky with potential splashing!)

Weather the Weather!

Now, my panic was back!!! I’m notoriously cold, so how was I going to pack for a 30–40-degree temperature fluctuation in a carry-on????? So far, that’s the one thing I haven’t seen addressed for a fall or winter trip that isn’t necessarily sports or hiking related. I’ll be on the search!! I am hoping to find one that shows all their recommendations (trench coat, leather coat, sweaters, boots, etc.) packed in the luggage!!!

This was a tough assignment, but I almost made it. I packed my puffer coat in my hubby’s carry-on, knowing we were switching luggage when he flew back. Plus, it would be colder on my way home, and I would be wearing it more than likely!

My Final Tally

Frankly, I was scared about not taking more underwear but faced my fear: the European washer/dryer combination. And I conquered that fear!!! Now I know it really does take two hours to wash and two hours to dry your laundry. However, I chose to line dry mine because I needed to leave and didn’t want it still going while I was gone. Not ready for that yet!!!

One thing I still need to figure out is how to reduce all of the electronics!! That stuff weighs a ton and wow, it can kill your shoulders and back. When traveling to a foreign country, you need adapters along in addition to charging cords for your phone, tablet, kindle, camera, etc.!!!!

Packers Beware

The one thing neither the hubby nor I considered was a weight limit for a carry-on. I knew that I could only have a carry-on and a personal item, but I wasn’t aware that Europe now has a 12kg limit (and still not sure if it wasn’t just one airline’s rule). In getting a boarding pass for the hubby, the attendant asked to weigh our luggage. I was very perplexed since this we weren’t checking in luggage. BAM!!! Both our bags got checked!!! All the careful planning and curating a wardrobe was all for nothing!!! Oh, the outfits and hats I could have taken for my visit to the Galerie Dior and my photoshoot!!

From now on, carry-on only is limited to quick weekend trips. I’m going to need a lot more proof that you can pack for a long trip without going over the weight limit. Even the hubby got busted coming back, and he literally packed nothing!!! So, BEWARE!!! And if you do find great packing tips, please share!!

How’d I do?

With the wardrobe that I did pack, there was only one piece I didn’t wear at all and one that I wore only once on the flight back. I honestly could have left both behind, and I’m rethinking anything that is primarily white! Stains are a nemesis, and also make sure all of your buttons are secure! I lost two buttons off my vintage 90’s Donna Karan jacket from @goodsandprovisionstore. As soon as I lost the first one, I did a quick online search and was lucky enough to find a similar jacket with the same buttons (and it was the only one too!). Then the anxiety set it as I tried to buy while walking around the Tuileries Garden with crappy Wi-Fi and uncooperative data. It was a harrowing 30 minutes getting the payment to go through (see how cool these buttons are, the whole reason I bought the jacket in the first place).

The one piece that has traveled with me on multiple trips is my Christina Karin Convertible Willow Duster. It’s amazing!! I wore it as a duster, a short jacket, a top and even as a dress to Galerie Dior (link). If you can find something as versatile, I recommend packing it. I now want to get it in some more colors (though I’m having a hard time choosing which color) the cost per wear is in the pennies versus dollars.

Back In My Groove

When it came to packing for the three-day conference, that went much smoother. The majority of my wardrobe consisted of pieces made by Ann Everett, and I love how they all work together. It’s like Garanimals for adults, ha! The fabrics she chose for the pieces made it possible to pack, unpack, and go without any ironing (and I hate to iron!!!) The design details make them look effortless yet chic. Every time I wear them, I get compliments.  Hopefully, more friends and acquaintances will want to part with a few of their Ann pieces since she retired in July. I’m so glad I worked with her on creating this capsule wardrobe. C’est parfait! And on this trip, I only had to check my bag going to Toronto because the overhead bins were full. No such bad luck on the way home.

 

As I’ve said before, I can be vain and want to look good (and feel good) when I travel, and what I pack matters to me. I’ve spent the money to go somewhere amazing, and I want to match the location.

I don’t know if I’ve dashed your hopes of doing carry-on only for a long international trip. If you’re able to accomplish it, please share your experience and WISDOM!

Bon Voyage!!