Family Forum / Parenting / Parenting / January 2006

I'm far from a fasion maven and not exactly an expert on how to pack
(for fun or work); my suggestion is to visit alt.support.fashion or
find some group that deals with this issue specifically.  I take
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much stuff everywhere I go and act as
if I'm going somewhere, where there are no stores within a 1,000 mile
radius.

Good luck though :-)

Oh, one tip I do have!  If he ends up traveling regularly.....buy one
of those overnight bags that holds all of the toiletries and buy
everything that he uses and just keep that bag packed and ready to go
at all times.  This has saved my husband (who is missing the part of
the brain that tells him that he needs toothbrush/paste, deoderant,
etc.) tons of time.  He just grabs the bag.  When I'm feeling
particularly nice, I'll check the bag and make sure it's stocked.  And
be careful about spillage type things (cologne).  Ineveitably, it will
spill on something silk.

    I don't think it's a terribly big deal.  One suit
plus two pants/blazer is likely sufficient under normal
circumstances, and in case of disaster, most hotels offer
drycleaning services.  I agree five ties is a bit much.
Surely he can get some reuse out of the ties (and again,
if he needs to have one cleaned while there it's not the
end of the earth).  But, if he wants two suits that's
fine too.  Does he think that the dress pants and blazer
aren't sufficiently dressy for the situation?  That
could be true in some situations, in which case he's
probably the best judge of that.
    Hardcore travellers could go with less and do
some washing while they're gone, but especially given
that he's driving, there's no need to constrain the
packing that much.

Best wishes,
Ericka

Dh's reaction was that the shirts should be different enough
from each other that it is clear he is not wearing the same
one more then once.  Then he wouldn't need 5 ties - but if
the shirts are very similar, then he does need five ties.

I'd ditch these.  He can wear the suit pants without the jacket.

Yes - 3 is plenty

We always pack 2 extra.

Also, pack extra underpants

Ditch these unless he uis sharing a room - he can sleep in shorts and
t-shirt.

One pair of jeans and one khakis is enough - he can probably wear the
casual shirts more than once.

Seems a bit excessive to me.  My DH would generally bring one suit, an
extra pair of dress pants,  3 ties, 1 jeans, 1 casual pants, 3 casual
shirts, 3 dress shirts, extra t-shirts, and underclothes/accessorties
as above.  He's not in sales though so wouldn't need the extra dress
jacket.  He wears dress shirts more than once, with T-shirts under
them.

Don't forget asprin, a safelty pin, first-aid kit and any prescription
meds, and cell-phone charger.
-L.

Couldn't help but laugh. Dh (who hates formal wear) would pack.
1 pair of formal trousers probably beige in colour
5 shirts in blue/green/white patterns
1 tie (which he wouldn't wear except if he had to)
1 blazer if he was going to somewhere he might have to wear it (like the
officers mess if army area)
1 t-shirt
pyjamas (if reminded by me-actually a bit unfair but you know whar I mean)
underwear-1 change for each day

He's probably wear to travel in
1 pair of informal (but smart enough as a spare if something happened)
trousers (probably navy blue)
1 t-shirt

He might put in swimwear if going to a hotel with a pool, and shorts if it
was really hot.
Debbie

DH says if he wants the second suit pack the the @$^$^&^ suit.  Sorry
hubby isn't very diplomatic when it comes to giving advice. LOL  If he
has two suits and wants them then pack them.  I would also skip the grey
pants and put in another color since he has a grey suit already.  Five
ties seem like a lot to me but I would pack extra underwear and socks.
Since this is the first trip it is better to make a good first
impression.  Though most people would give leeway to a traveling
businessman (and he won't be seeing the same people daily), you don't
want he looking unkempt by the end of the week.

Dh says I always overpack but he usually ends up saying boy I wished I
brought.....and I pull it out.

Your packing list seems fine.

I'd recommend 2 suits if he wants 2 suits. Blazer and slacks is a more
casual look, and if his work requires suits, it's better to have them.
If he's working in the same office all the 5 days, he might not want to
wear the same suit every day. And if coffee spills on one, then a
back-up is nice to have. I don't see why he'd need two pairs of slacks
and a blazer, then. Unless he will go out in the evening to someplace
where it's not suit-formal but not jeans-casual.

I'd say 5 ties is better, depending on how obvious the ties are.
Anyway, if you're packing 3, you might as well pack 5. If he does this
regularly, a tie-pack will save the ties from getting crushed.

5 pairs of socks are essential, along with the underwear etc. I often
pack an extra of each (shirts/ socks/ underwear) in case the trip gets
extended unexpectedly. My formula is one of everything for each
trip-day, plus one spare.

He may also want two night-suits (and a robe, depending on where he's
staying - some hotels provide them),

Overcoat, depending on weather.

Umbrella or rain gear?

If it's going to be wet weather, an extra pair of shoes, in case the
first pair gets soaked. (Yes, it's happened to me courtesy a large
puddle in London.)

No harm in overpacking somewhat since he's driving.
Some of the extra stuff just buys peace of mind.

DB

Thanks for the input, everyone. Dh is off and arrived at the hotel
already. I did add the extra suit, which was a good idea in case of food
accidents (to which dh is prone) or an unexpected extra day, which is a
good thing to plan for. I also kept both the pants for the blazer - some
suggested dropping the gray pants because the gray suit pants were too
similar, but the gray suit is charcoal with pinstripe and the pants are
a plain light gray, so more variety, especially as they might go out for
a nice meal or two wearing jackets and ties, maybe with the client or
partner.

I went with the five ties, again because of food mishaps or extra days,
and also because of the one bit of advice about different looking shirts
and ties so as to not appear to be wearing the same outfit all week.
Also, the place they are going is quite rural, believe it or not, and
the hotel is a bit more of a mom-and-pop operation (apparently the
proprietors were changing the baby's diaper behind the desk when dh
arrived) than a proper "hotel" with concierge and dry cleaning type
services available.

I added an extra dress shirt in case of mishaps or extra day, as well as
an extra set of underclothes/socks. Casual wear for after work, one pair
each jeans and khakis, two knit shirts and a v-neck sweater to go over a
 dress shirt without tie. Also decided to go ahead with one set of pjs,
as again, mom-and-pop shop, afraid they might crank down the heat at
night with the prices this winter, and also so dh can relax and be cozy
as he will be studying at night in the hotel room. Also a set of long
johns and warm lined pants and snow boots as this rural area is the
snowiest and coldest in the state. Also packed extra set of dress shoes
and belt in case of one being soaked, and adds more variety.

A toiletries bag was already assembled, just boosted it a bit with
extras for the full week and fresh meds and vits. Someone mentioned a
tie case for packing, seems like an item I should look into.

It could definitely have been cut back a bit, but as others said, since
they're driving and it's the first trip, better all bases covered than
to be without something. And the superior he's traveling with stressed
more than once that "professional" attire is expected, to the point dh
wondered did someone this guy traveled with in the past embarrass him by
his wardrobe.

When all was said and done, all the clothes fit in one suit bag and a
rolling carry-on size suitcase with room to spare, except for the snow
boots and dress topcoat. Otherwise he had a backpack with his personal
laptop and schoolbooks and for the job a file case and laptop bag. Too
much if they were flying, but at least in the ballpark of what it looked
like the other guy had.

For those who are curious, dh is an accountant and they are doing an
audit at a manufacturing commpany. The place is in the boondocks, but
office attire as they would wear to the office is expected.

Thanks again, everyone, I knew I could get some good advice here!

-Karen-

<snip>

If your DH is like that, you might find that he has only WORN one outfit for
the entire length of the trip, or that he wore casual clothes to the formal
dinner...