We pretty much always travel light. I think we usually spend about a month, as to Europe, with just backpacks. Most items people pack are easily available at the destination and even buying clothes while away is like getting useful souvenirs.
It must be said that society has really trained us well in being part of a throw-away generation. I remember my grandmother making a big deal about buying a luggage set. I imagine a set of matching American Tourister must have cost half a fortune once upon a time.
Now, thanks to hard working serfs in China, things are cheap. It's okay to practically throw away a bag after just a single use. In this case due to costly airline fees we're carrying just one bag. We can share this one we got today. As well, we will have two backpacks as carry-on.