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Post by lesserknownpea on May 12, 2017 6:12:24 GMT
DD and I are spending 6 days in Chicago early August to go to Lollapalooza. The cheap airfare/ hotel package gets us "bare bones " plane tickets. We can each carry on a small bag that fits under the seat in front of us. 18"x14x8 are the parameters.
DD and I are up to the challenge, rather than paying 42 or more each way for luggage.
So I want to hear all the space saving tips you got.
I'm already planning on wearing my bulkiest clothing and shoes on the plane. And bringing a sarong, as we find these super versatile.
Does anyone know of underwear that dries quickly after it's been washed?
Also, it would help if you list the items that are must haves, like meds, phone, charger.
And items to buy when we get there, like sunscreen.
And items to bring to the concert venue.
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on May 12, 2017 9:40:52 GMT
Those were the dimensions we had to work with for a 2-week trip to Europe last year (we were also restricted to 7kg, which was harder to manage than the dimensions) and we managed it by paring down our list to the bare-bones. Underwear takes up very little space so I would concentrate more on tops and pants - choose light, easy-dry fabrics in colours that mix and match well. Get some compresssible packing cubes.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 12, 2017 16:31:33 GMT
For me, I've found that the most efficient way to pack my things for a trip without bringing along anything I don't need is to set a small container on the bathroom counter, then as I get ready a day or two before, toss everything I actually use in the morning into it: toothbrush, make up, shampoo, brush, etc. Then I look at the contents of what I ACTUALLY USE, and replace any that I have smaller versions of and pack that. If I don't do it that way, I tend to go through my bathroom and make assumptions of what I MIGHT use and bring it along "just in case." This step alleviates that temptation.
Think about things you can absolutely get there, but make sure you'll have access. I know you're not checking a bag, but you don't want to end up paying three times as much for a bottle of sunscreen when you can bring your own. Will they allow you to carry on "stick" sunscreen for the concert?
Do you and your DD use the same kind of charger? Can you just bring one? Are there other things you can share? Hairbrush? Curling iron? One umbrella instead of two?
Wear your thickest/heaviest clothing items and jacket, also shoes/socks, and pack the smallest/lightest ones.
Roll your clothing-it really does save space. If you don't have space saver bags, you can always use larger ziploc bags, stuff some clothing inside, then sit on them and squish all the air out before sealing. We've done that and saved TONS of room.
Use a big tote bag for your purse/personal handbag and wear a cross body bag as well. You'll be able to fit more into your tote and still have your money/phone/personal items in your crossbody close by.
Are you carrying any medicine, or anything else that fits into a bulky bottle or container? Take only what you need and tuck it into a ziploc or pill organizer. I don't know if this will work for Rx meds because they may need to be in their original container, but for sure Tylenol or vitamins.
You asked about underwear: wearing a panty liner doubles the life of your undies! ( When I was looking for tips for a cruise one time, someone suggested that a lot of people would save space by packing their oldest (ugliest) underwear, then just throwing them away when they were used.)
Instead of windbreaker or a jacket, can you get away with one of those large scarves as a wrap when it's cool outside? If so, you can also "wear" that around your neck on the plane, and during the flight you can roll it up for a headrest.
Think through what you'll be wearing. Pack mostly neutrals, black or navy/denim that can mix with other things, then add a few colors or accessories to add variety to your basics. Try to only pack clothing items that you will wear with multiple outfits.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 12, 2017 16:37:34 GMT
One more thing: at the concert, will there be seating? I wonder if you'll need a blanket? You can find pretty lightweight/thin blankets to sit on that you could roll up pretty tightly in your bag. You might also want some type of small insulated cooler for drinks: those lunch totes would work well for that and would either fold up in your tote or double as a carrier for your carry-size liquid/toiletry items.
Don't forget sunglasses, and snacks for the concert for when the lines are too long.
Have a great time! I love Chicago!!
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Post by mom on May 12, 2017 17:59:25 GMT
A tip I have learned for when I travel light is to repackage medicine into smaller containers and only take what I need. For makeup, I get some of those cheap contact lens case (where you can soak you lens) and one one side I put some concealer and on the other side I add something like face primer in the other side. I wouldnt wear a ton of makeup in August so I just want to the enough for a night or two out. During the day, I would just wear moisturizer. For sunscreen how about getting the travel packets of it? they dont take up any room at all and would be under the limit.
I would pack neutrals - and mix and match. Whatever shoes I wear on the plane are the shoes I would wear on the whole trip. I would share a phone charger or get one that can charge a variety of phones.
For the venue I would only take sunscreen and my phone.
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