I was looking over a packing list from Paul, and was reminded of this one of mine. I hadn't thought much about it since I have not been travelling much for work lately. However, when I do it is often for 3-4 days, domestically only these days.

For the bag, I like to use a Jansport Superbreak Tote in brown and tan, bought at TJ Maxx or Marshall's for around $15. I like it because it is approximately 18 x 12 x 6, and can usually fit under the seat. The main drawback is that the thing does not unzip flat, but that's not too bad. I usually use one cube or sometimes an Eagle Creek packing folder.

I like to wear this:
Blazer or sports coat. I like to use either navy blazer or a neutral color that's easily coordinated with.
Wool slacks (probably tan or grey)
Oxford shirt, typically blue or white
Under shirt (cool max type)
Under wear (usually ex officio style)
Socks (nothing fancy)
REI braided fabric belt that doesn't need removal at security
Loafers (usually cordovan color for easy coordination)

Pack In the main Pocket:
In the folder or cube:
2 oxford shirts
1 pair wool trousers
1 Long sleeve t-shirt for use in hotel room
Silk pajama pants (they pack very small, and I like to have them on hand since I find most hotel rooms quite cold)
Jogging shorts, usually C9
1-2 under shirts doing double duty as jogging clothes
1-2 dress socks. Most always maroon, so I don't worry about matching.
1-2 underpants. Ex officio mainly, though I have a couple of Patagonia boxer shorts that I like.
1-2 jogging socks

Also along are a brick laptop wedged in the bag, along with the cord and a small mouse.
Glasses
Paper back book for fun

Liquids Baggie:
Contact lens solution
Razor (some times Avid 4, some times Schick disposable)
Shaving lotion
Tooth brush/tooth paste
Dental floss
Deodorant
Stink Fighter type supplies, though some times I use the single-pack Penguin Sport Wash

In the bag's outer pocket:
Saucony Grid A2 racing flats. They are very light weight and pretty smushable.
Shower shoes, the $1.99 Walgreens ones

I will modify how many sets of undergarments depending on how much I feel like sink-washing them. For the work clothes, I like to use Lands End for shirts and trousers because they look nice and don't break the bank. I typically buy the shirts on overstocks for around $15, and the pants for less than $30. That way, if there are any wardrobe malfunctions it's not a big loss. All packed up, this probably weighs around 12 pounds including the dreaded lap top.

Also, if I am going somewhere cold, then I will usually take a little larger bag such as Patagonia MLC, and include the proper cold weather clothing, both for going to work and for working out.

I am really enjoying reading peoples packing lists. I am starting to think about what I will take in September to Europe for three weeks because I am trying to decide which bag will best suit my needs.
I figure I will be doing laundry a few times and will have an apartment with facilities in Paris

So far:
1 dress shirt
1 dress pant
4 t shirts (2 could be dressy casual)
2 shorts
2 tank tops
1 cargo pants
1 jean (wear on travel days)
5 pairs socks and underwear
1 night club outfit
1 light wegith jacket that could go as casual or more dressy
1 pair of pumas
1 pair of casual dressy shoes
tylenol (travel size)
a few allergy pills

I hope to keep this list as short as possible as in the past I have the tendency to over pack on the toiletries so by trying to do as much as carry on as possible it will force me to pare down.

Camera and lens (s)
macbook pro
ipod
cables ect....

small travel toothbrush
toothpaste (small just to start)
small deodrant ( to start)
small hair gel
floss
bandaids
stain removal pen
bottle opener
razor
shaving gel (smalll to start)
small cologne samples

Hi Shane, with the clothing listed, will you be wearing some of that or is this all packed in addition to whatever you wear? Either way, I bet you can get that pretty small. I would guess that probably your limiting factor would be the camera/electronics as mentioned in another discussion. Shoot, if you will be in Paris you could maybe not bring any perfume samples, and get some there. When I bought a small bottle of perfume for my wife, the sales girls were very generous with the samples in both men and women's perfumes.

ya I am thinking wear the jeans, where a t shirt and wear the light weight jacket.
for the way home if I buy stuff I don't mind checking a bag or buying something else for the return journy that will just fit the bill.
or ship stuff home if need be

If you've never been to Paris, you'll be surprised who civilized it is. ;) If you really want to bring the weight down you can leave basically any item from your toiletry list at home. The French probably have superior products anyway. So you might find something new that you like even better than the stuff you are using now.

An apartment should have a bottle opener. Although why would you need it. Drink wine. ;)

Seriously, I'd only take my own razor, brush and come. Perhaps stuff that I totally can't do without e.g. a hair gel that gives me exactly the look I want. Otherwise get it there. Max is very right about perfumes, too. You could even just go into a perfume shop and try something out on yourself. Zero cost, zero weight.

I would take one of these crushable duffle or backpacks. The backpack can serve you as a day pack on your excursions and it can hold stuff that you buy in Paris and want to take back. It will be your extra bag.

Depending on where you live in Paris jeans and T-shirt could be a bit underdressed even in everyday situations. Shorts are definitely a no go, sorry. Besides, in September, it might be too cold already for shorts. Not kidding, I lived there five years. So, instead of the shorts, take some more dress shirts and perhaps a sport coat. You should have either a rain shell with hood or an umbrella. Both can be acquired cheaply on site, though.

If you got any more specific questions, let me know. I'm glad to help. Paris is wonderful.

good article...and I don't plan on wearing flip flops around Paris...LOL....I actually was going to take only one pair of shorts and that is mainly for lounging and in London as I have heard you will see many locals in shorts in London.... :)
I think you are right though about including another dressier shirt....the light weight pants I was thinking actually would work very well as dressier/casual pants.

Brad,

absolutely fantastic article. Two thumbs way up. Every word is true! I still shudder from the images you have evoked. BBBRRRRR.

I emphasize the flip-flop thing especially. No open shoes. Paris has gotten much stricter and much better with the dog poop but there is still a lot to go around. Since there are no public water fountains it would be hard to clean up.

The baseball cap thing is true, too. The added problems with the jogging suits and the baseball caps is that this is considered, sorry for the term, "ghetto wear" in Paris. The young "scum" (quote now Pres Sarkozy) from the suburbs dresses like that. As a matter of fact my warning -having been robbed and mugged by these kind of people thusly dressed- is to stay away from them and watch out for them, particularly at night and in the metro/bus.

While it is always better not to be to obviously a tourist, resembling a German or American tourist is not gonna make you more welcome in Paris really.

Also, give basically no tips to waiters in Paris. Service is included in the price of whatever you order. A tip is just symbolic. If you are just having a drink somewhere even 50 cents or a Euro will do nicely. If you have a dinner for 100E don't leave 15-20E tips. You'll over pay. This leads to tip inflation and entitlement. We don't want that to happen. Taxi drivers and hotel people are tipped like in the US just a bit less maybe.

Another cultural difference that can save you tons of money is water. The tap water in Paris perfectly drinkable and tastes very good actually. No chlorine. They say it's healthier than Evian, too. So don't order still water. Just order a "carafe d'eau", a jug of water. This is totally acceptable for lunch. For dinner in a nice restaurant you should and would probably order at least a glass or two of wine, if not a whole bottle. You can and should still ask for some water to go along. Healthwise one should drink as much water as wine with a meal.

Even for London, shorts are not dressy enough and the weather in London in September is even colder than Paris usually. About the only place in Europe where people aren't stylish enough so you can get away with shorts is Germany or beach areas.