A few VERY GOOD travel things.... tested for two months/5 countries now...
Oct 23rd, 2010, 01:02 PM
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A few VERY GOOD travel things.... tested for two months/5 countries now...
When I decided to travel for a few years, I went into serious packing mode and began gathering everything i could find to make life on the road as comfy as possible. Now that I have been to 5 countries in two months, I have a few recommendations that you may find useful.
If you are building a travel wardrobe, I suggest that you pick two base colors and two accent colors, mine are black and khacki, with red and blue.
I'm traveling year round so I need clothes for warm weather and cool weather. Plus I am planning to scuba dive in the tropics and go on safari in Kenya and Tanzania.
List the things you need. Be specific - all the way down to preferred fabrics. Think ahead to outfits - what you want to wear together.
I took my list to Nordstroms and got a personal shopper to help me find the items. I HIGHLY recommend this because:
1. There are TONS of things in the back of Nordstroms you would never find without a personal shopper.
2 PLUS - if anything you buy at Nordy's does not hold up, you can return it at any time for your money back.
3. Plus , if you charge it, they keep a list of everything you buy and if you need anything else, they can send it to you anywhere anytime. Even if you lose all your suitcases, they can rebuild your wardrobe for you.
4. That's a lot of comfort if you are tall like me and wear a larger shoe size - virtually impossible to find in Europe - and suddenly need shoes, or a coat, or an evening gown.
And this service is free of charge. Please note that I gave her no budget because I really didin't care what it cost as long as it matched my other criteria. What I discovered was that things that met my criteria were usually reasonably priced. The most expensive/cutest thing I bought was my raincoat.
My shopper looked at my list and then took me around the entire store showing me things that would fit me and let me pick out what I liked from those. Then I met her in the fitting room and she worked with me until I got everything on my list.
I told her that I wanted to look as good as possible with 15 items of clothing - and everything had to wear well, be hand washable, and packable without wrinkling too bad.
After she finished gathering everything she called in the tailor who fitted the clothes to me perfectly and within less than a week, I was good to go. After she got everything she could find on my list I added about five things that I found various places online and I was done. I did not use anything I already had except for a bathing suit, boots, and some lingerie.
I bought five pairs of shoes in various stores. The entire process took me about 2-3 months of intense looking. I bought and returned MANY things in that time. Things like travel bags, etc.
I realize that this may be WAYYYY More information than you need, but perhaps you will find this useful.
First and foremost - you need GOOD SHOES. This is what I got...
*a pair of REALLY cute Naots for heavy duty winter walking shoes.
*a pair of black Beautifeel shoes - these are for wearing with dresses and skirts but are still up to heavy duty walking. The most expensive shoes I bought and worth every penny.
*a pair of ecco lace-up walking shoes
*a par of Nike ID - maryjanes that I wear on the plane - and use as houseshoes in the middle of the night - they're also great for wearing in the summer. SUPER cute and tres comfortable.
*a pair of leather knee high dress boots for super cold weather to wear in the place of my Beautifeels with dressier clothes - very elegant and comfortable. I expect to be wearing these a lot in the next few months. I already had these.
* a pair of Nike Free athletic shoes I designed in all black - these were designed with the assistance of Pete Egoscue to be as close to barefoot as possible and they are light as air
I got a bunch of Tilley travel socks in tan - and I LOVE them. If I had to pick only three pairs of shoes - and it will probably come down to this - I would choose the Naots, Beautifeels, and Nike id mayjanes.
II have more coming on travel bags, handbag, jackets, and accessories if you are interested.
Your on-the-road reporter
MC
If you are building a travel wardrobe, I suggest that you pick two base colors and two accent colors, mine are black and khacki, with red and blue.
I'm traveling year round so I need clothes for warm weather and cool weather. Plus I am planning to scuba dive in the tropics and go on safari in Kenya and Tanzania.
List the things you need. Be specific - all the way down to preferred fabrics. Think ahead to outfits - what you want to wear together.
I took my list to Nordstroms and got a personal shopper to help me find the items. I HIGHLY recommend this because:
1. There are TONS of things in the back of Nordstroms you would never find without a personal shopper.
2 PLUS - if anything you buy at Nordy's does not hold up, you can return it at any time for your money back.
3. Plus , if you charge it, they keep a list of everything you buy and if you need anything else, they can send it to you anywhere anytime. Even if you lose all your suitcases, they can rebuild your wardrobe for you.
4. That's a lot of comfort if you are tall like me and wear a larger shoe size - virtually impossible to find in Europe - and suddenly need shoes, or a coat, or an evening gown.
And this service is free of charge. Please note that I gave her no budget because I really didin't care what it cost as long as it matched my other criteria. What I discovered was that things that met my criteria were usually reasonably priced. The most expensive/cutest thing I bought was my raincoat.
My shopper looked at my list and then took me around the entire store showing me things that would fit me and let me pick out what I liked from those. Then I met her in the fitting room and she worked with me until I got everything on my list.
I told her that I wanted to look as good as possible with 15 items of clothing - and everything had to wear well, be hand washable, and packable without wrinkling too bad.
After she finished gathering everything she called in the tailor who fitted the clothes to me perfectly and within less than a week, I was good to go. After she got everything she could find on my list I added about five things that I found various places online and I was done. I did not use anything I already had except for a bathing suit, boots, and some lingerie.
I bought five pairs of shoes in various stores. The entire process took me about 2-3 months of intense looking. I bought and returned MANY things in that time. Things like travel bags, etc.
I realize that this may be WAYYYY More information than you need, but perhaps you will find this useful.
First and foremost - you need GOOD SHOES. This is what I got...
*a pair of REALLY cute Naots for heavy duty winter walking shoes.
*a pair of black Beautifeel shoes - these are for wearing with dresses and skirts but are still up to heavy duty walking. The most expensive shoes I bought and worth every penny.
*a pair of ecco lace-up walking shoes
*a par of Nike ID - maryjanes that I wear on the plane - and use as houseshoes in the middle of the night - they're also great for wearing in the summer. SUPER cute and tres comfortable.
*a pair of leather knee high dress boots for super cold weather to wear in the place of my Beautifeels with dressier clothes - very elegant and comfortable. I expect to be wearing these a lot in the next few months. I already had these.
* a pair of Nike Free athletic shoes I designed in all black - these were designed with the assistance of Pete Egoscue to be as close to barefoot as possible and they are light as air
I got a bunch of Tilley travel socks in tan - and I LOVE them. If I had to pick only three pairs of shoes - and it will probably come down to this - I would choose the Naots, Beautifeels, and Nike id mayjanes.
II have more coming on travel bags, handbag, jackets, and accessories if you are interested.
Your on-the-road reporter
MC
Oct 23rd, 2010, 01:28 PM
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Travel jacket/coat. I am going for maximum versatility and good looks. And this little travel jacket I got cannot be beat.
I think I got it online from Nordstroms. It is a hip-length black jacket made by Weatherproof Garment company. The shell is 67% polyester and 33% nylon and the lining is polyester.
It is absolutely DARLING and looks great for any occasion . One thing I really like is that it has a hidden hood. Plus it zips up AND OR snaps which is nice in the event of a zipper failure.
It is a very nice deep black and does not look even slightly casual.It also has super-cute gathered sleeves at the wrists so it looks dressier than most travel jackets.
It has no interior pockets but that's ok because it has two very nice snapped pockets and two side pockets perfect for tucking in your hands and pounding the pavement.
I also got an absolutely ADORABLE rain coat that is long and sleek and reversible. You can tell the brand because it has a bag that it fits in made of the same material plus it has a pleated hood that becomes a collar.
I have removed the tag and cannot remember who makes it, but you can find it an any high end clothing store like Saks/Neimans/Nordstroms.
I got it for wearing over my jacket as a second layer for cooler weather and to keep rain off my legs and shoes. I can also wear it as a dress coat with skirts and dresses. It is very elegant and fun to wear (cost - about $225). And I am super happy to have it rather than a heavy coat.
Tomorrow we'll discuss travel bags/sacs. If you have any great travel wardrobe/gizmo discoveries, please chime in.
If you can tell me I can post pictures of these items, I will.
Yours
MC
I think I got it online from Nordstroms. It is a hip-length black jacket made by Weatherproof Garment company. The shell is 67% polyester and 33% nylon and the lining is polyester.
It is absolutely DARLING and looks great for any occasion . One thing I really like is that it has a hidden hood. Plus it zips up AND OR snaps which is nice in the event of a zipper failure.
It is a very nice deep black and does not look even slightly casual.It also has super-cute gathered sleeves at the wrists so it looks dressier than most travel jackets.
It has no interior pockets but that's ok because it has two very nice snapped pockets and two side pockets perfect for tucking in your hands and pounding the pavement.
I also got an absolutely ADORABLE rain coat that is long and sleek and reversible. You can tell the brand because it has a bag that it fits in made of the same material plus it has a pleated hood that becomes a collar.
I have removed the tag and cannot remember who makes it, but you can find it an any high end clothing store like Saks/Neimans/Nordstroms.
I got it for wearing over my jacket as a second layer for cooler weather and to keep rain off my legs and shoes. I can also wear it as a dress coat with skirts and dresses. It is very elegant and fun to wear (cost - about $225). And I am super happy to have it rather than a heavy coat.
Tomorrow we'll discuss travel bags/sacs. If you have any great travel wardrobe/gizmo discoveries, please chime in.
If you can tell me I can post pictures of these items, I will.
Yours
MC
Oct 23rd, 2010, 01:34 PM
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Yes, I brought 6 pairs of shoes because I'm traveling for several years and sold or gave away absolutely everything I own except for these bags I brought with me. Plus it is just about impossible to find shoes in my size in Europe.
So if I am going to India and Africa for three months, I will leave my cold weather wardrobe in Paris until I return to Europe. AS I said, this is an extreme travel situation, but perhaps it will help others plan for simpler travel.
Yours
MC
So if I am going to India and Africa for three months, I will leave my cold weather wardrobe in Paris until I return to Europe. AS I said, this is an extreme travel situation, but perhaps it will help others plan for simpler travel.
Yours
MC
Oct 23rd, 2010, 01:42 PM
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This is great. Thanks for doing it. I have one of those rain-coat-in-a-bags and love it. Mine is 3/4 length and fairly dressy, so I wear it as my dress coat even if there's not a drop of rain predicted. I've never used a Nordstrom shopper but I used to use one at my Dayton's--now Macy's like most other independent department stores--and they are great. She brought me things I'd never think to pick out and they were perfect. This is a wonderful plan, and I'm sure it's worth every minute you spent on it. How large a bag did it all fit in? And yes, please post pix.
Oct 23rd, 2010, 02:23 PM
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I brought everything I MIGHT need and am whittling things down from there. Consequently I've been giving things away hand over fist along the way.
My goal is to carry on everything I need and check only things I can live without or can easily replace, for example scuba diving, safari gear, and toiletries.
A few things are hands-down winners already, for example, my cashmere leopard print pashmina. It's become my security blanket of sorts. I even slept with it wrapped around my head and shoulders one ch ch chilly night before they turned on the heater here at the maison.
I can get by with my little travel jacket as long as I have this pashmina scrolled around my neck a couple of times. It's amazing how much warmth it adds. Plus it's so French.
Several tres chic Parisiennes have been caught eying my pashmina with envy...
Your warm spotted reporter
MC
My goal is to carry on everything I need and check only things I can live without or can easily replace, for example scuba diving, safari gear, and toiletries.
A few things are hands-down winners already, for example, my cashmere leopard print pashmina. It's become my security blanket of sorts. I even slept with it wrapped around my head and shoulders one ch ch chilly night before they turned on the heater here at the maison.
I can get by with my little travel jacket as long as I have this pashmina scrolled around my neck a couple of times. It's amazing how much warmth it adds. Plus it's so French.
Several tres chic Parisiennes have been caught eying my pashmina with envy...
Your warm spotted reporter
MC
Oct 23rd, 2010, 03:38 PM
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Fascinating -- look forward to reading more. But on the question of your initial luggage size, I'm a little confused. With six pairs of shoes (from which you could choose what you needed for individual adventures), plus clothing, surely you didn't leave home with only carryon . . . ? Shoes are such annoying space hogs.
Oct 23rd, 2010, 06:27 PM
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Please post pics. I am particularly interested in seeing the dressy raincoat w/bag and the shoes beautifeel. I am leaving in March for Paris for the first time and already having visuals about what to pack for seven days and keep it light. I really hope to carry on my luggage and not have to bother with baggage pick up. This is good stuff!
Oct 24th, 2010, 12:20 AM
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Here are the raincoats - my Nordy shopper suggested it.
http://www.packinglight.net/plight/p...AAAAKNJMHBIFDN
Mine was long but I shortened it. Mine is black with a black on black polkadot that I LOVE.
http://www.packinglight.net/plight/p...AAAAKNJMHBIFDN
Mine was long but I shortened it. Mine is black with a black on black polkadot that I LOVE.
Oct 24th, 2010, 12:28 AM
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And here are the Beautifeel shoes. You may not think they look like much here but when you put them on... they're a dream. SUPER cute, even with skirts and dresses. I think I paid $200 for mine and would'nt think of being without them. Very well constructed and soft as butter.
The cut is perfect because it shows enough foot without being cut so low that you get things in your shoe. Very nice looking and walking.
http://www.endless.com/BeautiFeel-Wo...ressRedirect=1
http://www.endless.com/BeautiFeel-Wo...ressRedirect=1
The cut is perfect because it shows enough foot without being cut so low that you get things in your shoe. Very nice looking and walking.
http://www.endless.com/BeautiFeel-Wo...ressRedirect=1
http://www.endless.com/BeautiFeel-Wo...ressRedirect=1
Oct 24th, 2010, 12:39 AM
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And here are my heavy duty walking shoes.
They never fail to maze me how tres cute they are PLUS super serviceable. I can wear them anywhere and feel perfectly appropriate and well dressed PLUS my feet don't hurt. And that is saying a lot.
The more I wear them the more I love them. They're butter soft yet STURDY with a really nice thick sole that's up to cobblestones and such.
Yes, there is suede but I superwaterproofed them and they've withstood a lot of rain and water puddles.
Mine are black on black.
http://www.leathersandals.com/naot_shoes/11014.html
They never fail to maze me how tres cute they are PLUS super serviceable. I can wear them anywhere and feel perfectly appropriate and well dressed PLUS my feet don't hurt. And that is saying a lot.
The more I wear them the more I love them. They're butter soft yet STURDY with a really nice thick sole that's up to cobblestones and such.
Yes, there is suede but I superwaterproofed them and they've withstood a lot of rain and water puddles.
Mine are black on black.
http://www.leathersandals.com/naot_shoes/11014.html
Oct 24th, 2010, 12:56 AM
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http://www.whiteandwarren.com/shop-b...carves-+-wraps
here's the link to the pashminas. Mine is leopard and they no longer seem to have it except in pink - ugh. It's my main indulgence and everything seems comfy with it around. Oh, and a big vase of fresh flowers. Today it's 3 huge red amaryllis in a white iron vase. That makes any room seem like home.
here's the link to the pashminas. Mine is leopard and they no longer seem to have it except in pink - ugh. It's my main indulgence and everything seems comfy with it around. Oh, and a big vase of fresh flowers. Today it's 3 huge red amaryllis in a white iron vase. That makes any room seem like home.
Oct 24th, 2010, 01:06 AM
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I am about to embark upon a 4 month trip with only carryon, plus a scottevest, with 18 pockets and removable sleeves
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/l...d-jacket.shtml
We will be doing house exchanges in New Zealand and Australia, staying with friends in Toronto and Hawaii. Therefore access to laundry facilities, plus possible borrowing of necessary items, but two different climate zones, so I'm hoping that the layered approach will work.
We typically don't go out to formal occasions on our holidays (vineyard lunches have more appeal) and so there are no fancy clothes, just several pairs of trousers, tunic tops, light blouses, bathing suit and sarong, one scarf, a fleece and a jacket. One pair of walking shoes, one pair of sandals, and a lighter pair of walking shoes.
I suspect that we may want to get rid of everything we take after wearing it non-stop for 4 months.
We're hoping that it doesn't snow in Toronto when we there next week - and that we do in fact manage to get out of France on Thursday, another strike day here.
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/l...d-jacket.shtml
We will be doing house exchanges in New Zealand and Australia, staying with friends in Toronto and Hawaii. Therefore access to laundry facilities, plus possible borrowing of necessary items, but two different climate zones, so I'm hoping that the layered approach will work.
We typically don't go out to formal occasions on our holidays (vineyard lunches have more appeal) and so there are no fancy clothes, just several pairs of trousers, tunic tops, light blouses, bathing suit and sarong, one scarf, a fleece and a jacket. One pair of walking shoes, one pair of sandals, and a lighter pair of walking shoes.
I suspect that we may want to get rid of everything we take after wearing it non-stop for 4 months.
We're hoping that it doesn't snow in Toronto when we there next week - and that we do in fact manage to get out of France on Thursday, another strike day here.
