Travaasa Maui
Please enjoy this feature from 2011. Some products and vendors may have changed.
When a Frommers.com reader asked how fashionistas can pack light and still look stylish in Italy, fellow travelers chimed in with their best packing tips. From offering feedback on packing lists to sharing real-life packing mistakes, readers pooled their knowledge and experience.
More than 300 comments later, here are some clever packing tips (plus a few amusing lessons) that even the most experienced travelers can learn from.
Please enjoy this feature from 2011. Some products and vendors may have changed.
When a Frommers.com reader asked how fashionistas can pack light and still look stylish in Italy, fellow travelers chimed in with their best packing tips. From offering feedback on packing lists to sharing real-life packing mistakes, readers pooled their knowledge and experience.
More than 300 comments later, here are some clever packing tips (plus a few amusing lessons) that even the most experienced travelers can learn from.
Resist the urge to pack your entire closet, especially if you'll be the one lugging your suitcase on trains or up the stairs at elevator-less hotels and subway stations.
"I am promising myself that on this next trip, I am forgoing the six pairs of shoes and 15 outfits," reader lanago2 said. "Yes, I hang my head in shame during this confessional."
Photo Caption: Briggs & Riley's Transcend 20" Wide-Body Upright Series 200, $329, www.briggs-riley.com
Female travelers commiserated over how tough it is to find cute yet comfortable shoes. Many said they travel with at least three pairs: walking shoes, basic ballerina flats, and flip-flops.
Readers also called out favorite brands, including Ecco (www.ecco.com), Mephisto (www.mephisto.com), Merrell (www.merrell.com), Puma (www.puma.com), and Geox (www.geox.com).
Photo Caption: Ecco's Goya Ballerina patent and suede flats, $120, www.eccousa.com
Female travelers commiserated over how tough it is to find cute yet comfortable shoes. Many said they travel with at least three pairs: walking shoes, basic ballerina flats, and flip-flops.
Readers also called out favorite brands, including Ecco (www.ecco.com), Mephisto (www.mephisto.com), Merrell (www.merrell.com), Puma (www.puma.com), and Geox (www.geox.com).
Photo Caption: Ecco's Goya Ballerina patent and suede flats, $120, www.eccousa.com
"I've found the almost perfect purse," said reader Vermont gal. "Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Courier (www.patagonia.com, $59) is a nylon cross-body with inside and outside pockets, plus a spot for your water bottle. The whole thing folds up into a little pouch."
Photo Caption: Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Courier, $59, www.patagonia.com. Courtesy Patagonia
"I've found the almost perfect purse," said reader Vermont gal. "Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Courier (www.patagonia.com, $59) is a nylon cross-body with inside and outside pockets, plus a spot for your water bottle. The whole thing folds up into a little pouch."
Photo Caption: Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Courier, $59, www.patagonia.com. Courtesy Patagonia
Many readers said they prefer black wraps, but reader Kamron uses her patterned pashmina to inspire the rest of her travel wardrobe: "To dress up an outfit or to use as a sweater, blanket, wrap, skirt, shawl, or head covering in a church, I pack a pashmina that is patterned with gold, aquamarine, rust, and beige. Add a few tops or blouses in the colors of the pashmina, and I'm ready for anything."
Photo Caption: A colorful pashmina can brighten up a wardrobe.
Many readers said they prefer black wraps, but reader Kamron uses her patterned pashmina to inspire the rest of her travel wardrobe: "To dress up an outfit or to use as a sweater, blanket, wrap, skirt, shawl, or head covering in a church, I pack a pashmina that is patterned with gold, aquamarine, rust, and beige. Add a few tops or blouses in the colors of the pashmina, and I'm ready for anything."
Photo Caption: A colorful pashmina can brighten up a wardrobe.
"I buy scarves and hats as needed along the way," reader mushroom said.
Reader Kamron agreed: "Enjoy a shopping trip when you arrive. This helps you get to know the area you're staying in."
Photo Caption: This scarf, which was purchased in Florence, is a colorful accessory -- and a lightweight souvenir.
"I buy scarves and hats as needed along the way," reader mushroom said.
Reader Kamron agreed: "Enjoy a shopping trip when you arrive. This helps you get to know the area you're staying in."
Photo Caption: This scarf, which was purchased in Florence, is a colorful accessory -- and a lightweight souvenir.
"The only toiletries I would take would be antiperspirant, a few individually wrapped wipes, some pain relievers, and some Wisps (Colgate's mini disposable toothbrushes)," advises the pixinator. "Anything else can be found in a drugstore at the destination."
Photo Caption: Streamline your toiletries to the bare essentials, and keep it all together in a zip-top bag (www.ecozip-bags.com)
"The only toiletries I would take would be antiperspirant, a few individually wrapped wipes, some pain relievers, and some Wisps (Colgate's mini disposable toothbrushes)," advises the pixinator. "Anything else can be found in a drugstore at the destination."
Photo Caption: Streamline your toiletries to the bare essentials, and keep it all together in a zip-top bag (www.ecozip-bags.com)
Some readers also shared their painful packing mistakes -- and makeshift solutions.
"You would all cringe if you saw me walking out, but I resorted to socks with my SAS sandals," confessed reader ohno. "It was that or not go out."
But as reader lanago2 pointed out: "Glad those socks and sandals worked out! When you're in that much pain, what the hell is fashion worth?"
Photo Caption: Don't let uncomfortable shoes ruin your vacation.
Some readers also shared their painful packing mistakes -- and makeshift solutions.
"You would all cringe if you saw me walking out, but I resorted to socks with my SAS sandals," confessed reader ohno. "It was that or not go out."
But as reader lanago2 pointed out: "Glad those socks and sandals worked out! When you're in that much pain, what the hell is fashion worth?"
Photo Caption: Don't let uncomfortable shoes ruin your vacation.
Some readers lighten their load as they go, leaving behind worn-out T-shirts, old pajamas, no-longer-white socks, and other items that need to be replaced. Bonus: You'll have more room in your suitcase for new purchases.
Photo Caption: Pack old socks, tired tank tops, and worn-out shirts that can be tossed as you travel.
Some readers lighten their load as they go, leaving behind worn-out T-shirts, old pajamas, no-longer-white socks, and other items that need to be replaced. Bonus: You'll have more room in your suitcase for new purchases.
Photo Caption: Pack old socks, tired tank tops, and worn-out shirts that can be tossed as you travel.
If you intend to shop while traveling, bring an extra bag.
"I have an Eagle Creek fold-up duffel bag (www.eaglecreek.com, $28) that I use when I need to get my purchases home," reader yayoye said. "I pack my clothes in the duffel and put the valuables or breakables in the suitcase. I don't mind checking a bag on the way home."
Photo Caption: Eagle Creek's Packable Duffel, $28, www.eaglecreek.com. Courtesy Eagle Creek
If you intend to shop while traveling, bring an extra bag.
"I have an Eagle Creek fold-up duffel bag (www.eaglecreek.com, $28) that I use when I need to get my purchases home," reader yayoye said. "I pack my clothes in the duffel and put the valuables or breakables in the suitcase. I don't mind checking a bag on the way home."
Photo Caption: Eagle Creek's Packable Duffel, $28, www.eaglecreek.com. Courtesy Eagle Creek
When a Frommers.com reader asked how fashionistas can pack light and still look stylish in Italy, fellow travelers chimed in with their best packing tips. From offering feedback on packing lists to sharing real-life packing mistakes, readers pooled their knowledge and experience.
More than 300 comments later, here are some clever packing tips (plus a few amusing lessons) that even the most experienced travelers can learn from.
When a Frommers.com reader asked how fashionistas can pack light and still look stylish in Italy, fellow travelers chimed in with their best packing tips. From offering feedback on packing lists to sharing real-life packing mistakes, readers pooled their knowledge and experience.
More than 300 comments later, here are some clever packing tips (plus a few amusing lessons) that even the most experienced travelers can learn from.
"I am promising myself that on this next trip, I am forgoing the six pairs of shoes and 15 outfits," reader lanago2 said. "Yes, I hang my head in shame during this confessional."
Photo Caption: Briggs & Riley's Transcend 20" Wide-Body Upright Series 200, $329, www.briggs-riley.com
Readers also called out favorite brands, including Ecco (www.ecco.com), Mephisto (www.mephisto.com), Merrell (www.merrell.com), Puma (www.puma.com), and Geox (www.geox.com).
Photo Caption: Ecco's Goya Ballerina patent and suede flats, $120, www.eccousa.com
Readers also called out favorite brands, including Ecco (www.ecco.com), Mephisto (www.mephisto.com), Merrell (www.merrell.com), Puma (www.puma.com), and Geox (www.geox.com).
Photo Caption: Ecco's Goya Ballerina patent and suede flats, $120, www.eccousa.com
Photo Caption: Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Courier, $59, www.patagonia.com. Courtesy Patagonia
Photo Caption: Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Courier, $59, www.patagonia.com. Courtesy Patagonia
Photo Caption: A colorful pashmina can brighten up a wardrobe.
Photo Caption: A colorful pashmina can brighten up a wardrobe.
Reader Kamron agreed: "Enjoy a shopping trip when you arrive. This helps you get to know the area you're staying in."
Photo Caption: This scarf, which was purchased in Florence, is a colorful accessory -- and a lightweight souvenir.
Reader Kamron agreed: "Enjoy a shopping trip when you arrive. This helps you get to know the area you're staying in."
Photo Caption: This scarf, which was purchased in Florence, is a colorful accessory -- and a lightweight souvenir.
Photo Caption: Streamline your toiletries to the bare essentials, and keep it all together in a zip-top bag (www.ecozip-bags.com)
Photo Caption: Streamline your toiletries to the bare essentials, and keep it all together in a zip-top bag (www.ecozip-bags.com)
"You would all cringe if you saw me walking out, but I resorted to socks with my SAS sandals," confessed reader ohno. "It was that or not go out."
But as reader lanago2 pointed out: "Glad those socks and sandals worked out! When you're in that much pain, what the hell is fashion worth?"
Photo Caption: Don't let uncomfortable shoes ruin your vacation.
"You would all cringe if you saw me walking out, but I resorted to socks with my SAS sandals," confessed reader ohno. "It was that or not go out."
But as reader lanago2 pointed out: "Glad those socks and sandals worked out! When you're in that much pain, what the hell is fashion worth?"
Photo Caption: Don't let uncomfortable shoes ruin your vacation.
Photo Caption: Pack old socks, tired tank tops, and worn-out shirts that can be tossed as you travel.
Photo Caption: Pack old socks, tired tank tops, and worn-out shirts that can be tossed as you travel.
"I have an Eagle Creek fold-up duffel bag (www.eaglecreek.com, $28) that I use when I need to get my purchases home," reader yayoye said. "I pack my clothes in the duffel and put the valuables or breakables in the suitcase. I don't mind checking a bag on the way home."
Photo Caption: Eagle Creek's Packable Duffel, $28, www.eaglecreek.com. Courtesy Eagle Creek
"I have an Eagle Creek fold-up duffel bag (www.eaglecreek.com, $28) that I use when I need to get my purchases home," reader yayoye said. "I pack my clothes in the duffel and put the valuables or breakables in the suitcase. I don't mind checking a bag on the way home."
Photo Caption: Eagle Creek's Packable Duffel, $28, www.eaglecreek.com. Courtesy Eagle Creek