Hi All,
We live in Perth and are planning our first trip to Europe and I am having trouble finding suitable clothes that will travel well.

On the Europe board there are lots of places mentioned that stock these items but they are all in the USA. We only seem to have the Kathmandu style of shop here, which seems to be a bit more for the backpacker traveller. I am 50ish and just want to look smart and be comfortable and not wrinkled (clothes that is -the skin is starting to look that way!).

Any suggestions?

www.paddypallin.com.au

www.k2basecamp.com.au/

www.google.com.au then search for relevant key words

WK

Thanks Wally,

I have checked out Paddy Pallin online, looks like I will have to go and visit the store again, seems like they have some new clothing that they didn't stock a year or so back, so thanks again for that.

Liz Davenport in Sydney has pretty smart travel clothes - but a bit exxy!

I saw a shop in Balmain t'other day called A2B - which seemed to specialise in travel stuff - but it is a bit of a stretch from Perth.

You can ring travelsmith in the US and place an order - they don't accept on-line orders of overseas. They do have some good looking stuff.

I've travelled a fair bit and have never done any of these things (except LOOK at Liz Davenport!)

I wear what I wear normally - pick 1 or 2 basic colours. Make sure things go together. Don't carry too much. Jeans are a pain to get dry if you're moving along (although we did use the back shelf of car thing occasionally)

Do they have Thomas Cook, or RM Willaims stores in Perth? Another possibility is Rivers. They have a range of basic clothes which should travel well.

I'm in your age range - and don't worry too much - no-one is looking at you - you're not having lunch with some queen, are you?

Relax and have fun! It's for you to experience Europe - Europe is far too wrapped in itself to experience you!

Liz Davenport in Perth:

Claremont
Bayview Centre, Stirling Hwy, Claremont WA 6010
Phone: (08) 9383 1877

Garden City
Risely St, Booragoon WA 6154
Phone: (08) 9364 9272

Hi Margo,
Thanks for the suggestions, I have never checked out Liz Davenport, don't know if I can afford to walk in the door!!!

And NO we are not lunching with the queen, I just wanted to get a few smart easycare items to start a mix and match travel wardrobe. I have purchased a couple of Coolmax shirts for my DH and wanted something similar for myself. Just plain coloured button up shirts that I can buy 2 or 3 of to go with brown and black pants.

For part of our trip we are cruising up the Norwegian coast so I need a really good mix and match lot of clothes. I have been reading all the "packing light" threads and just need to top it all off with a couple of pashmina's and I will be set.

And we sure are going to relax and enjoy every minute. Maybe I should start a Travelsmith type shop here - I could make a fortune then I would have more $$$$$$$$ to travel!
Thanks again,

Happy travels.

Maudie,
I think you will be pleasantly surprised by some of the Liz Davenport pricing - they invariably (at least in the Sydney stores) have great bargains as well as some middle of the road items.
The main problem I have with them is that the items last forever and never seem to date!!
One of their main selling points is that the garments can be rolled up into little balls literally and come out the other end looking immaculate - and I can certainly vouch for that.

Great Prue,
That is exactly what I am looking for! The Liz Davenport store is only 10 minutes from home so that will be on my list to do next week. You never know, I might strike it lucky.
So many of the clothes these days seem to be made in straight linen or polyester and are hopeless for travelling in.
Thanks so much, Fodorites come through yet again.

I will be disappointed for you if you can't find some well priced items - I know I was always put off by just their reputation until I actually ventured into a store one day - and have kept venturing!

Thanks for your kind words Prue, I will let you know how I get on.

Maudie

Margo, I'm surprised to hear you say that you and Maudie are of an age. The last time we met you didn't look a day over 29!

AndrewDavid

Maudie,

I'm not sure I understand why you are having troubles finding good traveling clothes as many chain stores have good stuff suitable for europe. In saying that I'm really saying that whatever you fihnd comfortable to wear will be good enough unless you're there for winter.

ANyway, what I really wanted to say is that I bought clothes IN europe. They have some good department stores very often with discounts (just like how Myers is always having a special or a promotion) and good clothes. You can even shop at stores that will help you claim back your VAT (GST) if you spend enough. Depending on what countries you visit it can be very afffordable.

Mountain Designs and Colombia both also have a good line of clothing (as does snowgum/gondwana). If you have a look in independent camping/outdoor stores you'll often find they stock things too. My mum has bought several things (she's similar age, and they are going on motorcycles in europe so space is a factor). She's got a mountain designs long wraparound skirt, 2 kathmandu button up tops, and a columbia top. It's all low crush and very breathable.

check the mountain designs website www.mountaindesigns.com.au under womens, lightweight category for some ideas.

Mountain Designs
PERTH
862 Hay Street
PERTH WA 6000
PH: +61 8 9322 4774
FAX: +61 8 9324 1105

Snowgum Perth
581 Murray Street WEST PERTH WA 6005 08 9321 5259 08 9321 2804

Hi,
Many thanks for your replies. Bhuty, I spent yesterday afternoon in Myers and nearly everything that I looked at was certainly not "travel friendly" unfortunately.
Lancefan, thanks for your suggestions too, I think Mountain Designs and similar places seem to have much more of the type of thing I was looking for than they did 6 months ago when I first started looking. Maybe they have realised there is a market out there at long last.
Will certainly check all your ideas out.
Thanks everyone.

Maudie

You're going on Hurtigruten???? Warm Jacket, then! It's certainly on my list of things to do. I've been to Sweden about 5 times, and briefly to Norway but never managed to take that trip! Maybe next year. (Plans for Spain, and.....)

I might go and have another look at Liz Davenport - but I found it all a bit intimidating! And they do have some crap, as well!

Don't forget to report back!


AD - what a lovely fellow you are! And you get around so well, with that white stick!

Yes, Margo we are. It all started over a couple of bottles of wine..........

We were saying what places in the world we could like to see and a dear friend of ours said, "I would love to go on the Hurtigruten" and since his wife is Danish, she said "I would love to show you Denmark" and DH and I looked at each other and said "WHY NOT".

We have had 5 trips to Asia, so we thought it was time to go to Europe now that the kids have grown up. We have been saving like crazy, so I have been on the look out for some clothes while the sales are on.

And yes I will rerort back.
Thanks

MAudie, maybe I'm not clear on what type of travel clothes you are looking for.

I'd just assume you're lokking for things that aren't easily wrinkled? and that are comfortable wear whilst sitting on planes etc?
If I'm wrong then my answer is still take a risk and buy them in europe because I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
If I;m right then what you really need is to look for the right material.
And in any case I'd still leave at least SOME of my buying for whilst in europe (depending on where you are going there).