Clothing Tips for 1st Trip
 

We are leaving 19th Nov. flying to Greece, will tour Greece for 10 days. No islands, unless I can manage a side trip. Will then fly to Rome, be in Rome 5 days on our own, join another tour group and will tour Italy, <BR>including northern part for 11 days. Will be home on Dec. 14th. <BR>I know to layer, but what do you do with layers when you take them off? A friend said she nearly froze in Greece from wind and rain. Another friend said it was only cool in AM and PM in Italy, warm during day. Want to take jackets, have good walking shoes. Sweaters? Raingear? Shirts under sweaters? <BR>Help!!

just came back from Italy and it was rainy and cold in the north. Layering with sweaters, t-necks, and either a raincoat or a heavy jacket, are a must. I didn't have a heavy jacket and in Venice it was very cold. MOst europeans had wool coats and all the Italians were wearing wool coat or suits. You must have an umbrella and some kind of outer protection from the rain. I packed light for a two week vacation and it worked except for the coat. my Husband layered with a denim shirt and sweaters and a coat. One pair of very comfortable shoes did it for me, I brought another and only wore them once in rome, when we dressed up more. But it was so cold in the north that not many people were that dressed up, the Italians were lots of Knit and wool. hope this helps

When packing, it's best to think in terms of coordinates versus "outfits". Everything you take should match everything else. When heading out for the day, you'd get dressed, then add a sweater and a coat (or trenchcoat) with the appropriate warmth for the weather when you're going. (On the web, it's handy to check a ten-day forecast just before finalizing your packing.) While out and about, you can remove the coat and just carry it. If you wish to remove the sweater, you can tie the sleeves around your shoulders or waist. Or, you can just leave one or both on the bus for the afternoon. Whether or not you would want to have waterproof outerwear depends on the weather and where you're going. I usually carry a plain tote bag (more a sack with handles) with my camera, bottle of water, and sweater. Regardless of the weather, a wonderful "layer" is silk underwear. Keeps you warm when it's chilly, but is not too warm when the temperatures rise or when you go indoors. And, it's beautiful and feels wonderful to wear. (Available everywhere and at L. L. Bean and Land's End.) Also, takes up virtually no room in the suitcase.

<BR>The best piece of clothing I purchased earlier this year specifically for traveling (and have used in Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and various parts of the States so far this year) was a London Fog long, black, hooded, faux suede (I think) washable rain coat. Can layer a lot under it, it's warm enough, it dresses up an outfit, and it's very lightweight and wrinkle free in spite of being rolled up, stuffed, crammed and everything else while on my trips.

Get a good pair of long johns. We go to Europe in the winter and these work great. Another tip: Use large zip lock bags to put your socks, underwear, etc in before you put them in your bag. You will be amazed at how that heps you to keep your bag organized as you move a few times. Another: Save the underwear you are getting ready to throw away. Take it all to Europe with you. Wear it one last time and then throw it away in your hotel room. That way you don't carry the dirty stuff all over Europe with you.

I, too, like a waterproof jacket (finger-tip length) that is a little dressy, with a hood. Cotton tshirts and turtlenecks work well; I'm about to experiment with knit silk tshirts and cammies that I bought through a catalog of silk longjohns. EXTRA SOX. ok, so this is my big thing; I HATE wet socks. TWO pair of comfy shoes (see "I HATE wet sox"). I like lightweight sweaters look ok by themselves or over a turtleneck. I ALWAYS bring gloves (I hate cold hands as much as wet socks). <BR>Sidebar to everyone: does anyone own and use a microfiber jacket or coat (like those advertised in TravelSmith)?

Waterproof microfibre is awesome. But, check out L. L. Bean and Lands' End. Better prices, better selection (especially appealing colors), more stylish than TravelSmith, which I find just too generic and expensive (in my opinion).

If you are not planning to do too much dressy evenings, an Umbrella and a Fleece jacket with wind block and water resistance is a good alternative. It is great if you go in the mountains, even in July and works well with other layering, sweaters, turtlenecks,etc. It is also usually versatile when you get back home. It is also great for windy evening cruises in the fall on the Seine, Danube, etc.

Thanks, Donna, for the response re Microfibre. The Land's End Catalog is on the coffee table; I'll check it out tonight and get me one o' them jackets! Now, if they could just make Microfibre shoes... <BR>Oh, 'nother question: anybody own one of those one-shoulder backpacks that are shaped like a goatskin wine bag, that are supposed to be better for your back? Another little ditty advertised in all the travel catalogs... <BR>

<BR>Hey ladies, I too would like to know about the kind of bag Elvira mentions. I've thought about getting one too, and they're advertised in all the mags but not sure which size or fabric would be best, or if indeed these are best for someone with bad back and bad shoulder like me. (my coffee table is also loaded with travel crap, er, I mean stuff. <BR>I'm on every mailing list possible it seems !).

I never realized those one shoulder backpacks were supposed to be good for your back-just the other day I was thinking they must be just the opposite, because the weight would always be on one shoulder, whereas with a regular pocketbook you can sling it across your body and then, when one side crimps up, take it off and subject the other half of your body to the weight. Also, they seem ill-suited to a womanly figure, you'd have to cut off a breast ala the Amazons. And finally, isn't it a real pain to get stuff out of? As bad or even worse than a backpack? I'm very interested to know because I'm always looking for a more comfortable bag alternative and this style is now everywhere in Manhattan, where I live. <BR> <BR>As an aside, Elvira-were you using the word "ditty" to refer to a bag? Because I know someone whose family always uses the word "ditty" to mean a small bag and she insists it's a typical preppy term, but none of the rest of us who know her has ever heard it before (and between us we've known more than our share of preppies, including our own families).

"Ditty" is a nautical term. Your ditty refers to your personal items, including toothbrush, shaving gear, etc. When you join the Nayv (at least when I did more than a few years ago) you get a ditty bag in which to carry your toiletries. <BR>

Elvira & others re: raincoats <BR>I just bought one of the microfiber raincoats & removable liner from Travelsmith. Anyway--this coat is to replace a London Fog microfiber that got soaked through a couple of years ago, much to my dismay and discomfort. If the Travelsmith one doesn't perform, it will be sent home--one of the pluses of mail order to me is that the companies keep track of everything I buy from them, plus their name is sewn inside the garments--so I know right where to go when/if I have a problem. I'm sure anything from LLBean/Land's End is as good as or better than Travelsmith's. I chose the Travelsmith coat because it has a hood that zips away into the collar. Just an option I like to have--but not always visible. <BR> <BR>I also ordered a lightweight fleece cardigan from Travelsmith--but Bean's got some that look great in their travel collection--very warm, soft, nice looking and small packing. <BR> <BR>pam <BR> <BR>Pam

Ditty is one of those terms like whoozit - it's a whatever. Small, sort of silly songs are called ditties, and there are ditty bags and of course doo wah diddy diddy dum diddy doo

Cheryl Z.--- where can I get the coat you described? Any model/code I should refered to? I need to be comfortable and I'll pay what I have to for a good travel coat...

<BR>Maira - I'm sorry, I no longer have the tags (I knew I shoulda saved them!) and can't find a # or any reference on the coat. It's a med. petite, says washable and dry cleanable, made in Guatamala. I got it on sale at Lamonts, a dept. store here but would be available anywhere that stocked London Fog I'd think. Original price was $200.00.

In October, I spent 3 weeks in Italy and was really happy with the pants and T-shirts that I packed. They were all made of approximately 95% cottom and 5% spandex. The spandex seemed to really help the cloths resist wrinkles and retain their shape with multiple wearings. Very comfortable! Putting a bit of spandex in the clothing seems to be very popular at the moment and you can even find cheap T-shirts etc. in all the big discount stores (Walmart, Kmart, Target, Shopko).

The 2 absolutely essential items I took to Germany were: <BR> <BR>1. fleece gilet (sleeveless zip up top - they're all the rage here at the moment!) <BR>2. thermal vest <BR> <BR>I knew there would be a big difference between temperatures in Baden and in the Alps and these 2 beauties kept me warm in wintry weather when teamed up with the autumn clothes I had packed for the rest of the trip.