You can extract Sims3packs to package files and then compress the textures in S3PE. There's various tools to do the extracting from Jfade, Delphy etc.
I should go try it on those elder clothes and yeah I agree that files size is nuts.
Edit: Okay got the Elder Tunic file down from 22 MB to 1.5 MB
Here it is if someone can't be arsed
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nzgzghz5ztjBut here's what I did. First I loaded it in JFade's 3Viewer tool. I 'installed' it but chose to install it on the desktop. It created a package file with a hashed up gibberish name which I renamed. Then I dragged the package file onto Pescado's s3rc.exe and voila 22 down to 1.5 and no launcher needed to install.
*****
Oh and found this by randomly looking at the BBS (don't ask)
Windchimes for TS3:
http://simmingitup.org/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=504 (note: you do have the register for the forum to download but the registration is instantaneous and the download is free)
Apparently, patterns won't show on it but you can change the color.
Poly count is 1882 so not so bad.