Packing for 60 days is easy if you like to schlep big suitcases and have the luxury of porters everywhere you go.
But if you’re like me, you’ve had it with lugging heavy suitcases over cobblestone streets and opt for one four-wheel roller bag and one large soft carryon tote that you can take with you on a commercial airline.
Packing for this long a trip starts with the shoes. I have a pair of road-tested Vionic red leather sneakers (these shoes are great for lots of walking), a pair of red Mephisto sandals and a pair of navy Skechers (with memory foam inner soles) that have already seen some mileage.
In real life, I love clothes and all the accessories that go with them. But when I travel, I leave the jewelry at home, often go without make-up (just some sunscreen on my face) and try to be as low-key as possible.
My entire wardrobe for this trip is red and navy, with bits of white and khaki. Every top will work with every bottom, so as I get bored with outfits I can mix and match. Yes, I know I will want to burn these clothes after living with them for 60 days, but it beats the heck out of lugging three suitcases around the world.
For this round-the-world adventure, my niece, Kelly, and I are staying in warm climates, so one hooded jacket should be all the cool-weather gear I need. I carry the jacket on the plane in case it gets cold.
I’ll wear these amazingly soft and comfy navy slacks I found at Talbots (I know they look geeky on the hangar, but they really look great on and are so stretchy) on the plane, along with my leather sneakers (so I don’t have to pack the bulkiest shoes) and a t-shirt.
I should have enough outfits to make it for 18 days without doing laundry. We’ll be in Thailand by then and we’ll have clothes washed at our hotel there. I know, it costs a bit to have the hotel do laundry, but I don’t want to sacrifice a day of the trip to hang out at a do-it-yourself laundry.
Here’s what will be in my roller bag.
- One pair of navy slacks and two matching tops (I wear slacks/shorts twice, but have a clean top for every day.) Since we are spending 1/3 of our time in the Middle East, I am bringing long-sleeved cotton shirts and two scarves so we can be respectfully covered when necessary.
- One pair of red slacks and two matching tops.
- One pair of red/navy print slacks and two matching tops.
- One pair of red crop pants and two matching tops.
- One pair of khaki safari pants and two matching tops.
- One red skirt and two matching tops.
- One red/navy knit dress.
- One pair of red bermuda shorts and two matching tops.
- One pair of khaki bermuda shorts and two matching tops.
- 18 undies; 3 bras
- 2 shorty pj sets
- large brimmed hat
In my carryon tote, I’ll have my travel documents, a small crossbody purse I will use when sightseeing, my iPad, charging cords, cosmetics, kleenex, medications, cash, camera, two scarves, some extra undies and a clean t-shirt.