It really depends, I think, on the amount of time you spend at a destination compared to the time and type of travel involved.

In a typical weeklong vacation for me, I may stay in 4 different locations. Because of the extra time "overhead" of unpacking and packing, and because I am probably toting the gear on foot myself, I definitely look to minimizing the load. I did take 5 changes of clothes with me once— when I spent 2 months backpacking through Southeast Asia.

But a few years ago, I went to a wedding at a resort. A driver picked us up from the airport and dropped us off directly at the hotel, where we stayed for 5 nights; we didn't carry anything more than 20 feet. My friend who brought clothes for a week didn't have to do any thinking beyond that. I, however, having been "smart" with my small rollaboard, had to have a laundry strategy, and to spend time complaining when the hotel laundry was a day late with some items, and had to leave at home some athletic shoes and a raincoat that would have proved useful.

So if your usual travel is to plant in a resort for several days, and if your goal in travel is to relax rather than to adventure, I don't see why you wouldn't just bring anything and everything along. Sure, they have toiletries and clothes in every country, but not necessarily the brands or the sizes or styles you prefer. What's a couple dollars in bellhop tips or baggage fees for the peace of mind of being prepared for unseasonably hot/cold/wet/dry/formal/casual/dusty/muddy/cigarette smoky/spill-attracting conditions on a vacation getaway?