go to content go to search box go to global site navigation

Thorn Tree Forum

How to pack light for D.C and N.Y.C?

Replies: 15 - Last Post: Oct 18, 2012 7:14 AM Last Post By: nicole

jump to
← Back to topic list

Thomas23

Thomas23 avatar

Oct 16, 2012 10:00 AM
Posts:  10

How to pack light for D.C and N.Y.C?

Hello all,
I will be going to Washington DC and New York City at the end of October for 1 week. I intend to do a bit of shopping while on this trip, so I will need quite a bit of space in my suitcase. Does anyone have any tips on how to pack light before I leave, so I have enough space for presents and other gifts?

Thanks
Thomas

laketraveller

laketraveller avatar

Oct 16, 2012 10:08 AM
Posts:  5,467

1

Welcome, Not sure what you're looking for. How to pack light? Bring less stuff.

Are you inquiring about the weather, dress codes for certain restaurants, ability to purchase things you might need once here?

nrclibn

nrclibn avatar

Oct 16, 2012 10:11 AM
Posts:  960

2

Wear 1 shirt, 1 pair socks, 1 pair underwear. Pack an additional 1 of each. Every morning, wash the stuff you wore yesterday and hang it to dry.

On the day you travel between DC and NYC, splurge on using a clothes dryer at the hotel (if available) or at a laundromat.

tiltedflipcurves

tiltedflipcurves avatar

Oct 16, 2012 11:01 AM
Posts:  899

3

onebag.com

Websterella

Websterella avatar

Oct 16, 2012 11:06 AM
Posts:  46,891

4

Buy a bigger suitcase when you get here.

Christnp

Christnp avatar

Oct 16, 2012 11:25 AM
Posts:  251

5

Plan on layering. Instead of bringing several heavy shirts and sweaters, bring clean T-shirts that you can wear under the heavier items.

Do you live in the U.S.? In a pinch, you can mail or UPS some items home. Or just pay to check a second bag. I usually have a backup plan of checking my larger carry-on (so I make sure it is sturdy enough to be checked luggage) and carrying on a shopping bag.

Thomas23

Thomas23 avatar

Oct 16, 2012 12:35 PM
Posts:  10

6

Thank you all for your responses. I live in Wales, so it would be expensive to send home clothing. I will look into nrclibn advice. Thanks again

markfawkner

markfawkner avatar

Oct 17, 2012 2:01 AM
Posts:  4,424

7

In order to not wash you need two pair of jeans, three shirts (keep in mind the weather), seven pairs of jocks, two pair of shoes (maybe one) and a coat (this includes what you are wearing). Bring a large carry on bag/backpack (not ridiculously so but big). I've never seen anyone get into trouble on transatlantic flights for a large carry on. Do be aware that gifts can be heavy. It might be worth thinking about investing in weighing machine.

markfawkner

markfawkner avatar

Oct 17, 2012 2:02 AM
Posts:  4,424

8

I presume you are not flying between DC and NYC.

StanInMaryland

StanInMaryland avatar

Oct 17, 2012 6:21 AM
Posts:  4,183

9

Odds are it won't be terribly cold in either DC or NY in late October. Chilly, but not really cold. If you have any cold tolerance at all you should be able to get by with either a sweater or light jacket. When I travel I have three pair of light weight pants (not jeans) and three shirts, all designed to be quick drying. With than and a total of three pair of underwear and three pairs of socks, one pair shoes (the ones I wear) I am basically good to go for as long as I need. I wash the set I wore that day in the sink every evening. That way I always have on set I am wearing, one set that is drying and one set clean. Most of the time things will dry over night but depending on the climate sometimes it takes longer and I don't like wearing damp clothes.
All of the items are designed to dry quickly (most are actually designed for fishing). A fashion plate I am not, but it is very practical.

The shirts all have collars so for all but the fanciest restaurants I am generally fine.

amobr82

amobr82 avatar

Oct 17, 2012 7:49 AM
Posts:  1,321

10

Buy here (about U$30) or bring rolled up small in your suitcase a nylon duffle bag, which can be filled with what overflows the original luggage for the trip home.
The "3 sets" of clothing items system usually works well.

Thomas23

Thomas23 avatar

Oct 17, 2012 8:36 AM
Posts:  10

11

Thank you all for the advice. Thanks particularly to markfawkner as this is something very similar to what I had in mind. There is no flying between the two cities

nrclibn

nrclibn avatar

Oct 17, 2012 8:59 AM
Posts:  960

12

I'm tempted to ask what you fellows do that merits having THREE "bottoms." (For me to bring 3 for a 1-week trip it would have to be a skirt to look dressy, a pair of everyday pants, and rain pants or fleece pants to indulge in outdoorsy activities in inclement weather.) But maybe I don't want the details about "skid marks," "going commando," etc.

StanInMaryland

StanInMaryland avatar

Oct 17, 2012 9:12 AM
Posts:  4,183

13

Depending on the temp and what I am doing I may or may not want to wear a pair of pants more than one day without washing. As I said, three give me one that I am wearing, one may be drying and one clean. The clothes I bring are light weight and quick drying so they don't add much bulk or weight to my carry on.

nrclibn

nrclibn avatar

Oct 18, 2012 5:20 AM
Posts:  960

14

In general, spills.
"Basic black" covers a multitude of sins ;-) .
← Back to topic list
ADVERTISEMENT

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels

See all hotels & hostels