emr78

I'm going to be all over Western and Southern Germany and in the Alsace area in a few weeks and I'm trying to figure out what I should pack. I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. Are dark, skinny jeans and riding boots or flats ok for this time of year? What about maxi dresses or long skirts with a cardigan and flats? Bear in mind I'm from the south and chilly is anything below 65. When it's warmer are flip flops (cute ones) a no no? What about shorts?
Please tell me what y'all pack this time of year to still be comfortable, look fashionable but not overload your suitcase.
Also-along those same lines, what are must haves while traveling in Europe? This is our first trip.

bvlenci

The jeans sound fine. Long skirts and long dresses are something I find very inconvenient when traveling. Any slacks, with knit tops, a heavy sweater and a lighter sweater, and a good wind-and-water resistant jacket, that you can wear over the sweaters, would pretty much cover all possibilities. A warm hat, and a scarf, don't take up much room and can make you much more comfortable when you're out all day in chilly weather. I don't know if riding boots are comfortable if you're out walking all day. I would prefer a good walking shoe.

I don't know about Germany and Austria, but here in central Italy, we've had almost no warm weather this year. I'm wearing two sweaters at the moment, and am not a bit too warm. That could change almost overnight, though.

Believe me, people in Germany and Austria are not fashion plates.

Ackislander

I am a guy, but last May in Paris I wore wool blend trousers, long sleeve cotton shirt, cashmere long sleeve sweater, a goretex rain jacket and wool socks. My wife wore similar clothes but with gloves and a wool scarf.

The previous year, in March, we skipped the cashmere and the goretex because it was warm and sunny.

Prepare to be cold by your standards; hope for and have some backups if it is warm. Layer.

Christina

Weather in Paris is similar to mid-Atlantic coast of USA or NYC in May-June, so I"d wear what I would there.

I would never wear riding boots in May-June. I don't find maxi dresses particularly practicular and don't even own one, but they aren't the kind of thing you'd wear during the day while doing tourist stuff, I wouldn't think. The rest of your questions are just regular clothes, like flats or jeans. People wear flats all year round where I live.

suze

I think riding boots are too bulky and maxi dresses are not really convenient for traveling (think of climbing steps, hopping on and off busses and trains, etc.) Skinny jeans are OK, flats are OK.

I would pack two pair of linen pants or capris, one pair of knee-length shorts, and a short knit skirt. Mix and match tops, one cardigan, one jacket. Sneakers, sandals, shoes, one pair each. Of course the necessary undies, socks, etc. Belt and scarf work nicely to change things up without taking up much room.

Must haves are passport, money, debit card, credit card. And any personal prescriptions including medications and glasses, sunglasses, or contacts.

Downsize all your toiletries and cosmetics to just enough for the length of your trip (don't take full sized anything).

suze

Oh and a hat (for sun) and decent roomy pocketbook as your carry-on then for every day use.

emr78

Thanks for the input. To clarify- I wouldn't wear riding boots here in May/June either but it's warm here and everyone's in shorts and sandals. That's why I asked about what would be appropriate there--with the weather mentioned above,I would absolutely wear them and it sounds like I need a few sweaters as well. I mentioned the flats simply to illustrate that I wouldn't be wearing sneakers as my alternate choice
I was thinking that long dresses/skirts would be a good idea because they (some of them anyway) could go for day or night and I find them very comfortable and they don't take up much packing space. But maybe they aren't the best idea. I'll ponder that.
As stated, this is my first trip to Europe I'm trying to pack as light as possible--something new for me so I'm just trying to see what other people take this time of year so that I don't pack everything. Which I have been known to do!
I really do appreciate the input--thank you.

emr78

Suze--we were writing at the same time...Thank you for the packing list and for pointing out why maxi dresses may be a hindrance! I did have one get caught in an escalator one time...that could have been ugly! I'd forgotten about that, ha!

suze

<like I need a few sweaters as well>

You don't need "a few" of anything (well except undies and stuff). That's how you pack light = 1 sweater is plenty and just wear it over & over.

<wouldn't be wearing sneakers as my alternate choice>

I'm not sure why not. I always travel with 1 pair of sneakers that I use for daytime as my walking/touring shoes. When I'm walking 6-8 hours a day, miles and miles around a city, they are the only thing that's truly comfortable for me.

emr78

<wouldn't be wearing sneakers as my alternate choice>
I should have said only, and as I was typing, I was picturing me with my skinny jeans and the only sneakers I own (my workout shoes), which are bright pink and green. My feet would be noticed a mile before the rest of me
I need to invest in some comfy footwear for this trip.
I've never taken one of anything on a trip in my life. Talk about new experiences!

suze

To pack light you need to learn to think of function (don't worry, you can still be stylish -ha!).

One lightweight black silk cardigan, for example, is all the sweater you'd need. There's no point in also having the exact same sweater in a bunch of other colors.

OK maybe not your pink & green gym shoes -another haha- but Converse or Puma or something like that are reasonably fashionable and comfortable.

nytraveler

I can think of nothing more uncomfortable for travel - and walking miles per day - than riding boots.

And I think you will not have much opportunity to wear shorts or flip flops due to the temps - also flip flops are not really comfortable/sturdy enough for cobblestone streets. And you WILL get some rain so be sure to have a pair of comfy waterproofed walking shoes and a tissue weight rain jacket with hood.

Also if you are cold below 65 degrees be sure to bring a sweater to wear at night - which will very likely be below that at least some nights.

Long skirts/dresses are fine in terms of fashion - but be sure they aren't too long (I have seen them dragging on the ground on some shorter women) because they will be filthy in about a half hour (dirt collects between cobblestones - and mud if it's been raining).

suze

I travel with flip flops, but not "cute" ones. Just plain Haviannas - that I could use for the beach, in a questionable shower stall, around the hotel room as slippers.

emr78

My riding boots are actually really, really comfortable--they are made with nike air soles. I've worn them to all day events and when walking around New Orleans a few times and have been fine, but they are bulky, for sure.
I need to purchase some comfortable, waterproof shoes and some walking shoes and a light rain jacket.
Suze--I wear plain Haviannas everywhere here and I think they are cute But in this case I meant some shoes that are a little more dressy than the plain ones. Looks like it will be too chilly to think of wearing sandals anyway!
I think I have about ruled out the long dresses--Suze made me think of the escalator incident I had that could have been bad--but wasn't, thank goodness
When we go out to dinner here, I usually wear some nice pants or a dress, depending on where we go of course. Will black pants and a nice top be suitable to wear to dinner while we are in Europe?

zhoffritz

I too like to be dressed for daytime into evening, so every day (traveling) I wear nice-looking trousers and nice tops--basically business casual or "catalog weekend" wear. (I'm actually much slobbier than that). I bring two pairs of trousers, one for the warmer end of the likely weather and one for the cooler end. I also usually bring a pair of thin long underwear so I can wear the warm-weather pair in cool weather too. I go exploring despite cold, rain or wind but my hands get cold easily so I bring along gloves, and even some of the pocket chemical hand-warmers (and used them last late June in Ireland)

How will you be getting around on your trip? If you'll be taking public transport most people would be pretty miserable bringing big cases. If taking all your luggage on public transportation is new to you, definitely practice packing now--take ALL your stuff for a walk around the block or even on a bus trip around town. It's the best way to get yourself to downsize.

Every trip I take I swear I'm going to bring even less (even now, with just 2 pairs of pants and one pair of shoes)--then when I start packing for the next trip, too many tops sneak in again. (It's really the electronics and sundries that weigh me down--and the fact that I plop half my mom's luggage on top of mine!)

I use an Eagle Creek Pack-It clothes envelope, the small one. It's terrific for keeping clothes crisp looking and all my tops and trousers fit in it.

If you're flexible about shampoo and conditioner you could just bring tiny travel ones and use what's on offer at hotels--or if your 3-1-1 bag is filling up, bring none at all and stop at a drug store/chemist's to get some as a back up in case a hotel doesn't offer it.

suze

<Will black pants and a nice top be suitable to wear to dinner while we are in Europe?>

Yes.

If you do decide to take the boots, maybe consider wearing them on the plane? It will be a bit of a hassle thru airports, but better than taking up room in the suitcase.

I love sandals, so would definitely take one very comfortable pair for a May/June trip.

nytraveler

Oh no - I always hate when someone ahead of me in the security line holds everyone up trying to pull the boots off - especially high boots - and in warm weather when they're not necessary - it usually takes as long as 2 or 3 people.

(I always wear loafers or ballet flats that can be slipped on and off in a second and don;t delay everyone's stuff going through the monitor.

suze

I agree I personally wouldn't wear boots for a May/June trip. BUT there's no reason you have to hold up an airport security line if you do. Just take the boots off BEFORE you get all the way up to the bins & xray machines.

vjpblovesitaly

Maybe there is a positive correlation between people goofy enough to wear boots in warm weather and self-absorbed people who take forever to do things with no regard for others (such as waiting until the last second to take off footwear on a TSA line).

emr78

Umm, excuse me? The weather while we are traveling is projected to fall into the low 40's for at least the first week of our trip and some days, will not get out of the 50's. I hardly find wearing boots in those temperatures "goofy". I might even wear a jacket!
I understand that some are opposed to wearing boots in May/June and that's fine. Here in the Deep South, I would find that strange too. But, it was 80 here today. Please read above and note that one response from central Italy stated that it was cold enough to wear two sweaters. In the spring. I appreciate most of the replies and I will take the suggestions made here and then decide what works for me on my trip--I will dress for the weather. I'm pretty sure sandals in 40 degree temps would look a little silly, even though that's normal footwear for May/June. If I do choose to wear boots, that in no way makes me "self absorbed". I can assure you, I will be conscious of those in the line behind me and take appropriate measures to move through security as efficiently as possible.
Furthermore, I find your coment offensive and rude. I'm new to this forum and frankly, I'm shocked that someone would take the time to type out such a reply. The preview option is there for a reason. Use it.