I brought a big suitcase full of items, but probably only used a backpack full. I purchased local clothes (for cheap) that were better suited to the climate and everything else was easily replaceable.
I also agree investing heavily into a few key items is important. My Macbook was irreplaceable. I wish I spent more on a better camera, it was a good one but I used it enough to justify getting a great one.
Now that I am back I realize I have a lot of stuff that is completely unnecessary. It is surprisingly difficult to get rid of, but I am donating it in chunks.
A some of the bigger upsets in my life come from times I've lost stuff, either through the upheaval of moving, or data from crashed hard drives. Physical and informational tokens can act as triggers for remembrance of past experiences, and it's not nice when you lose those photos, diaries or whatever.
On the other hand, going into a store, I am very seldom tempted to buy fancy items. I usually get more joy from my ability to purchase something than actually purchasing it; probably a relic of growing up in poverty. The best purchases have been food, wine, holidays, theatre and art: experiences.
I never was a big gatherer, but since then I really cut down on buying things. In addition to that I'm getting rid of my things, some are easier to lose some are harder to give away or sell, but in the end it feels great. I actually find it liberating to stand in a store and _not_ buy the fancy item which would inevitably be degraded to be clutter on the shelf in a few weeks. The money I spend goes into the few things I really use all the time, like my iPhone. I also eat better. All in all I'd say it made me a happier person.