I love packing small. Really. But I still love having access to everything I could possibly need on a trip. This leads to a generally interesting quandry of trying to meet both worlds.
Meet my bag:
I *heart* MEC products. Everything about that store rocks my world.
This bag fits as cabin luggage on international flights. Thus, my aim was to fit everything I would need for a three week Springtime visit to my home town in this one bag. Yes, I made it.
I have many clothing requirements, which I shall expand on at a future time. Essentially, I am trying to get the most mileage out of the least items. That's me, trying to do my part for having a smaller eco footprint. As an extra challenge, I want everything to be either organic or recycled. But it must still go with everything else so I can get the most variety out of the least items. I want things that I can toss into one load of washing in the machine, so I never have to worry about lights-and-darks, or dry cleaning. Et cetera, you get the idea. Like I said, I'm anal.
So, in my magical 35 Litre MEC Shuttle bag, I packed:
1 pair of organic navy trousers
1 recycled brown skirt
1 recycled black velvet jacket
5 organic tops of various descriptions
3 recycled tops
(all tops are in colours that can be layered, or matched with any of the bases I brought)
8 pairs of organic black socks
8 organic hankies
Random assortment of unmentionables which are neither organic or recycled, because I need "functional"
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of Fluevogs (no, they're not recycled or organic, but they will last forever, are not sweatshop made, and can be resoled when required)
Pashminas and scarves: none of them are organic, but most are recycled. I think I packed 5 in total, that I can wear round my neck, head, as a wrap, etc. Whatever is required. Very versatile, scarves. I like scarves a lot.
1 pair of organic gym pants
Bathers, goggles, travel towel
An empty water bottle: this is the best thing ever to pack: you won't get through any customs with water in it, but for hanging around in airports or just on a day out I need to have water and I don't wish to buy it in plastic bottles. Saves money and the environment.
Three little handbags: my standard tiny one for just wandering to the store and back (with umbrella, keys, hankies, etc - normal Al stuff) and two larger bags that are neither recycled nor organic but bought at the Portobello West markets from the woman who made them - they are well made and will last forever. One is brown, one is navy - matching my two bases nicely.
Please note all my accessories are black: black shoes, lack jacket, black pendant on silver chain, black and silver ring ... Easy.
I also packed Christmas presents, and plan to use the gift space on the return journey to bring back some books, cds, maybe even the Doctor Who season 4 box set if I can find it ...
All that in 35 litres. It was brilliant going through customs and just walking away before anybody else had joined the queue - they were still waiting for their bags. HA!
Update: I had planned to pack an extra pair of pants (my green corduroys) and a black jumper, but I suspect they are still sitting neatly folded on my bed or something, because they definitely aren't here. Oops. Not a failsafe plan, then. Tiem to go to the Salvos, I think.
I also forgot to pack a hat. never come to Australia without a hat. Daft idea, that. Happily, Dad seems fine with me borrowing one of his.
I meant to pack a reusable shopping bag, and obviously forgot. That's disappointing. It's like the water bottle - just a useful thing to have.
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