The actual list of stuff follows but here was the strategy.
I need to blend. My goal, as hard as it may seem if you know me, is to not be noticed. Muted colors keep you safe from lions and cheetahs but also keeps crooks from noticing you. Not every place we’ll go is comfortable with cleavage. I don’t blend well in many places, tall curvy blonde white American. So, if all I have under my control is the clothes, then that’s what I worry about.
Beside the weight of your stuff, keep in mind the weight of YOU. We’re travelling for 71 days, eating only in restaurants. I will likely put on a few pounds, I need to make sure my clothes will still fit.
When I travel out of the country for any length of time I always try to only pack what I could carry up/down stairs if I had to, not everyplace will be as developed as what I am used to. Sure, I use my wheeled suitcase like anyone else, but I CAN carry it if I have to. So with that said, I have one carry-on bag (my purse fits in it if it has to) and I have one bag to check. And technically, my checked bag is carry-on sized, but the contents are not carry-on friendly.
All packed. This is everything. Checked, carry-on, purse.
It was also important to make sure that everything that I packed really counted, hopefully counted for more than one thing. Most of the clothes can be washed in a hotel sink. But we planned our stops so that we have access to laundry every two weeks or so.
My small purse holds exactly what I need and nothing more. My wallet (trimmed to only what I need), glasses, phone, passport, chapstick, hair tie, some business cards. I have a stash in one of my bags with extra cash, secondary credit cards and secondary ID.
Contents of carry-on, purse top right corner, it’s blue.
For my toiletries, I was very selective. I have a full size face moisturizer (with 30 spf), full size toothpaste, full size deodorant and small versions of shampoo and conditioner. There’s the dry items like comb, brush, razor, toothbrush, floss, etc. At the end of the day, people all over the world need those things too so I can replenish when I need to. I need a special shampoo, that’s why it got space in the bag.
We’ll see more than 20 countries covering 5 continents, and more than a handful of different climates. Sometimes we’ll be sweating in the tropics but other days might be throwing snowballs in the Swiss Alps. Most of our time is spent somewhere in the middle, we planned the trip to be primarily spring or fall. So wear layers everywhere.
Contents of checked bag.
My carry-on was not quite full, my checked bag very full.
Everything, including clothes for plane on far right.
The list:
1 long versatile never needs ironing black dress
1 black/grey sundress that can also be bathing suit cover-up
1 conservative bathing suit
3 long sleeve shirts
1 lightweight hoodie
6 plain solid color t-shirts
2 short sleeved casual shirts
7 tank tops
2 capri pants
2 long travel pants
2 pairs jeans
1 pair elastic waist track pants for long haul flights
12 pairs white short socks
2 pairs black short socks
3 bras
14 pairs undies
1 lightweight down jacket
1 pair lightweight gloves
1 long grey scarf
1 head band/hat/sun protector thingey
1 pair keens walking-esque shoes
1 pair keens casual shoes
1 pair pink ballet flats
1 laptop in sleeve
1 power supply for above laptop
1 small kindle reader
2 sets prescription meds, 1 each in carry on and checked
misc. over the counter things like Tylenol, cortisone cream, Benadryl, Imodium
1 fancy camera
1 purse camera
3 rechargeable batteries for fancy camera
2 rechargeable batteries for purse camera
1 charger for purse camera
2 chargers for fancy camera
1 camera case that holds both cameras and an extra battery each with memory cards
lots of SD cards
1 portable 1.5 terabyte drive
2 sets power adapter plugs
1 small power strip/surge protector
misc. candy, protein bars and such
2 small-ish flash drives
1 portable phone charger
misc. usb cables and plugs
1 plug for car to charge GPS and 2 phones at once
SPF 50 sunscreen in tube and single use
bug repellent
sanitizer wipes
extra “moo cream” (it’s my all over moisturizer)
1 empty bag for dirty laundry
1 bottle super concentrate laundry soap for sink washes
1 empty bag for an around town bag
handful of special photos
bandaides
several empty ziplocks, quart and gallon size
small amount of makeup
toiletries
mini flat iron