Also depends on how you are getting around and all that. When we were in china for example, the weight limits on bags was insanly low, only one checked bag, not over 44 lbs. So it's possible you may be limited to just one bag.

I'm a huge fan of the wear and toss stuff on a trip like that, especially for underware, socks, etc. Frees up some space for stuff to bring back. There are times I feel if they looked in the suitcase on the trip home they would wonder if I changed at all as sometimes not much is left.