Functionably Fashionable in Foreign Lands

I've previously outlined my personal packing tips, some are reiterated here in Travelista's Tips for Packing Light:

http://travelista.com/packing/how-to-pack-light/
http://travelista.com/packing/12-travelista-packing-tips/

I like her suggestion of trying on outfits before you leave, as you may not have access to a full length mirror on the road.  Wearing bulky items on travel days is akin to my theory that "you can weight 130Ibs or 220Ibs and still get on the plane, but your suitcase cannot"  So layer it up, airlines don't separate whether your body weight comes from fat or fabric ;)

Travelista and I don't seem to favour the same colour palette, however, depending on your destination, her subtle neutrals might be a wise idea so as to call less attention to yourself.  I fully intend to rock colour denim and clashing solids in NYC, but will tone it down in some other destinations where I already look like a tourist even without the garish wardrobe. 

She has also written an informative blog about doing laundry during your travels:

http://travelista.com/packing/how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling/

Let's face it, I avoid laundry like the plague when I'm at home, that goes double when I'm on vaca.  However there are times when it is the wise thing to do to keep your suitcase light and odour-free.

(Sidenote:  to keep things largely odour-free I always make a point to bag my dirty clothes in separate plastic bags and travel-sized spray bottle filled with Febreeze with me.  Dryer sheets are said to work well too)

I have done the foreign laundromat thing, this is where I got my idea to open up a laundromat/internet cafe.  In 2004 I wasted a bit of time staring at a row or washers and dryers in Madrid, all the while thinking, I sure wish they had a computer or two in here.  Of course in this day and age everyone has wifi devices, so perhaps a laundromat with a small fee for wifi will suffice.  Anyway, I digress...  When a full load of laundry is what you need to do, then do it.  But if your stops are brief and trip not very long, it's a bit of a waste of time.

Laundry service is a good idea if you can afford it.  In some countries it's very cheap to send you laundry out (Hong Kong comes to mind) and they do a great job.  I wouldn't hand over anything that I'd be devastated to lose though (actually I wouldn't bring anything I'd be devastated to lose in the first place).

Hotel sink/tub laundry is the default and something I try to avoid, but I'm starting to change my attitude about this.  I did a little laundry when I rented a private flat on a previous trip, it was one of the reasons I mixed it up booking hotels in some cities and private apartments in others. I've never used detergent sheets before but am interested in getting some.  I bring a quick dry towel for my hair, but can easily tuck in another (or a ShamWow haha) in my suitcase.  As for a clothesline, for a few pairs of socks and undies, I'm sure you'd be able to drape them on a hanger.  If you're staying somewhere that might not have hangers, it's pretty easy to toss about couple wire ones (save the ones you get back from your drycleaners at home) in the bottom of your suitcase (then throw them out when you no longer need them).  Tide pens are pretty crucial to have in everyday life (at least they are if you're klutzy like me), on the road should be no different.

If you want to further lighten your load/pack more efficiently, many travellers recommend rolling your clothes instead of folding them to take up less space.  I plan to start doing this.  My favourite way to pack less is to wear sandals whenever possible, I hate closed-toe shoes and this way I don't have to pack as many socks :)  You might also consider an old tee/pj's that you won't hesitate to toss out if your travel purchases have your suitcase bulging at the end of the trip.

Hopefully when combined, these tips will keep you looking fabulous.  It's one thing to break your wallet, but you don't want to break your back.