Carry a large purse if you are a female or a duffle bag or tote if you are male, on board your common carrier. In your carry-on, make sure you have a toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, brush, a change of underwear, and pajamas (and makeup if you wear it.) These basic items will tide you over should there be an unexpected layover or stop along your trip.
Send all clothing and other necessities to your final destination 7 to 10 days prior to your arrival. Many hotels and resorts will gladly accept your packages if you address the package in care of your destination's address with your name clearly and boldly marked on it. Make sure you call the hotel in advance to let them know you will be doing this. If you are staying at a relative's or friend's home, you may do the same thing, notifying whomever that you will be sending a package of your clothing and to be on the look out. Be sure to insure your package(s) for the value of the contents in the unlikely event that they get lost, stolen or damaged.
Purchase any items you have forgotten, or heavy items (shampoo, conditioner, shaving gel, powder) upon reaching your final destination. Consider buying smaller sized containers while on your trip, as not only will these things add weight to your packages, but, should you decide to leave them behind, you will not waste much money. Further, if staying with a friend or relative, you may leave these items with him for his use without feeling they were a waste of money.
Prepare address labels in advance so that you may ship any items that were shipped to your trip destination back to where you live. Be sure to include a label on the inside of each package, as well as one for the outside of each package. Look on the Internet or by asking someone at your trip's destination where the nearest post office, UPS, FedEx or local package shipping place is so that you may mail your clothing back to yourself.
