Has husband lost his mind?
 

My DH, who usually is very sensible has come up with the idea that we should pack ultra light and BUY most of our clothes when we get to Rome for our 2 week trip! Has he lost his mind? I don't want to sound ungrateful but since this is so not like him I don't know how fesible this is. Are there places to buy reasonably priced clothing or should I demand my "real" hubby back and pack as usual?

I can't imagine spending a significant part of my two week vacation shopping for regular clothes (not one of a kind items).

Ditto above. It's not that you couldn't conceivably do this, but I'm very picky about my clothes and it would take several days at best for me to buy a new wardrobe for a two week trip. Not my idea of fun in Europe!!

I think it depends totally on the two of you. Are you both people who love to spend a lot of time on a trip shopping? If so, then for you it could be fun. If it's your first trip to Italy and you're mainly there to see everything and enjoy the country and the food, then it might not be so much fun!

I don't know if he's lost his mind, but I don't think this is a good idea.
1. Agree with Monica--why waste the time?
2. Due to exchange rate, the clothes are going to be more expensive in Italy.
3. The cut of the clothes, especially for men, is going to be different than what you are used to. For men, it will be a much more fitted cut. If either of you are average or above average sized Americans, just finding clothes to fit can be a challenge.

yes, he is nuts. I have trouble buying "everyday" clothes in Italy as I am tall(5'10"" 140 lbs) so I dont seem to have a build that works. Why go to Europe to go shopping?- you can do that at home and save a plane trip.

Grinisa is so right. You'll pay a fortune b/c of the Euro exchange rate, and the sizing (and style) will make it difficult.

Plus, if you buy most of your clothes there, will you bring an empty suitcase or duffel with you to bring them all home with you? Will you ship the clothes home?

Just pack reasonably, with less bulky clothes. Get a good suitcase that's easy to manuever (a huge duffel with wheels or a suitcase with 4, full-rotating wheels).

Last time we traveled to Rome, we had requests from friends there to please bring them basic cotton t-shirts and underwear (Fruit of the Loom, Hanes, etc.), as the same quality/prices were hard to come by there.

From you screen name, I am guessing you are from the USA (Alabama?) - and the exchange rate will eat up your vacation budget fast enough as it is - no reason the buy basic clothing in Rome, when the same apparel is probably a fifth the price in the US.

Maybe he's just trying to get out of packing...

you would find all of the clothes outrageously expensive

Not a good idea.

BUT - is he maybe trying to tell you something?? Do you over pack? Is he tired of schlepping all that "stuff". If so - just pack lighter and all is well. If you aren't an "everything but the kitchen sink" packer, then, his idea doesn't make sense.

Shopping in Europe should be a spontaneous fun pastime, not a chore or mission. Murphy's Law says that if you are looking for something in particular -- chances are you won't find it!!!

This would certainly get over the problem of looking like an American tourist.

Is he taking white shoes?

bamababe
Let your husband leave his undershorts back home and buy some Italian versions. He's never going to do stupid thoughts about this ever again.

I forgot mine before I left for a trip. The purchased selection was very different what I normally wanted. Ask him if he can use button-flyed shorts.

Blackduff

So you only want to pack ultra-light one way? How does he anticipate getting what he buys home? Maybe he likes disposable fashion. Go on the shopping spree BEFORE the trip. ;)

1) If you've got perfectly good clothes at home why spend all the time (and money - at euro not dollar prices) buying all your clothing there?

2) What will you do with the clothing after you buy it? If it won't fit in your tiny case you can;t get it to the next city - and you'll have no place to pack it to take it home. Will you throw it all out before you leave?

If he really want to take only a tiny carry-on it would be much more sensible - and cost a lot less, and not take up valuable vacation time - to ship your clothes each way.

HI B,

>..we should pack ultra light and BUY most of our clothes when we get to Rome for our 2 week trip! <

What was he drinking or smoking before he came up with the idea?

Does he plan on throwing away the purchases before returning?

((I))

buy a few small purchases and bring the rest.

both you and him happy.

Tell him to enjoy his shopping excursions, as you will be out viewing the piazzas, the churches, the art, the ruins, having a drink, a pizza, dodging the Italian pinches, and so on. After all, he can look at the photos later.

Wow, I expected some response but not this many. To answer your questions:

Yes, I'm from Alabama and I know prices in italy are higher ( my exact answer to his idea)

No, I don't think he was drinking or smoking anything illict

Me either, don't really want to spend vacation time shopping for what I already have at home ( although I do like to shop as well as the next person)

No, I don't over pack. My philosophy is if you don't have it you can't wear it. No problem.

No, he doesn't own any white shoes, unless you count white running shoes

Umm, I think the idea was to take an empty suitcase and bring back what we bought in it

I didn't think this was a good idea but I thought I would aks my fellow Fodities and get your opinions. Now that I have i will do as I always do.... pack lightly, enjoy my vacation and buy a beautiful purse to remember the trip .

Rush right out and rent National Lampoon's European Vacation with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. One of my favorite scenes shows them in outfits they buy in Rome. Make sure DH watches.

:-D

How about buying an outfit to go along with your purse when buying momentos in different countries, I think it is a nice idea. I think that you now agree though that the majority of your packing should be done at home.

Betsy, that was sooo good a post! Gave me some laughs remembering that scene!

Julie

Oh, and don't forget having to pay customs duty on what you bought!

Yes, he's lost his mind. This is an absolutely dreadful idea on SO many levels...unless, of course, you're millionaires and shopaholics and have no interest in sightseeing.

bamababe, there are some very upscale hotels that have the closet full upon your arrival. Pre-trip you advise them of your measurements & likes/dislikes & type of clothes/shoes/undies/everything wanted. It's all there when you arrive in your room. Don't know if Rome has such. But if your hubby has the bucks (oops, Euros), it could be an option.

Julie

LOL...my German step-daughter and her partner arrived here in America for their visit with empty suitcases. Here in Delaware it is tax free shopping to boot. Good lord did they spend money!!?? And they adore IHOP.
They returned home with $70 jeans that would have cost 100E's...and heavy coats, and shoes and loads of shirts and underwear. Also, Advil, Excedrine and vitamins they say are horribly expensive in Munich.

Please...The cost of clothing in Europe is the same as in the USA. Much of it is made in China. The problem is the USA dollar! It has been losing value for some time. I suspect there is a quiet scheme afoot to lower the value of foreign government investments in US Dollars. A barrel of oil is at $80. Imagine the dollar being worth only fifty cents today compared to its worth some time ago. Oil is at $40 a barrel. I have friends who like shopping, one claims it is better that the museum and church gig. Italian styles are now considered 'most fashionable'. Why not go home with 'my Italian wardrobe'?

Actually, I found the cost of basic clothes much much more expensive in Italy than home. We can get kids clothes, well made and all that, at places like Old Navy and Kohls for a song (think leggings for $6.00). Didn't find anything even close to that in Italy. Shopping for special outfits in Europe is a good idea, but basics? US has the prices beat hands down.

I think the OP is American, so the cost to her would definitely depend on the value of the USD. Aside from that, I don't think the cost is the same in Europe, as I know German people who request their relatives in the US bring them various shoe and clothing items when they visit Germany, because they are more expensive there. Of course, you can buy cheap stuff in Europe if you know where to go, but this isn't efficient or always feasible for a tourist.

I think the reason has to do with a lot of stuff I don't think we want to get into here, regarding govt. regulations, fees, import duties, unions, wages, etc.

Even when the value of the USD was about equal to the euro which is a very good exchange rate compared to now, I didn't consider everyday clothing or items in Europe to be a bargain. In any case, the idea is silly for many reasons, not the least is the sheer waste of buying clothes you don't need and already have at home.

It sounds to me like the guy is just trying to be funny or sarcastic, and is maybe making comments either about how the OP likes to shop too much when they travel, or packs too much.

If you do some shopping and find some great clothes - fantastic... buy an outfit or two. But I would not want to HAVE to do this to be able to get dressed the next morning.