Does anybody know where to find a skirt that can triple for day and evening and beach-side too?
Has to be below the knee (for visiting the monasteries), also light-weight and washable.
I loved wraparounds and button-down-the-front but can't find them anymore.
What I've seen so far are elasticized waists or Sound-of-Music dirndls - both seriously unflattering.
My last resort is my Travelsmith dull-black buttondown skirt, which is rather dreary!
Thanks.

Hi all,

We leave a week from Sunday, and I am still agonizing over the packing. I'm enjoying all the responses, and am glad to know I am not the only one who obsesses about packing.

I got a new 25" suitcase from overstock.com for $40, and it weighs 12 pounds.

I have narrowed my choices down to these:

2 pairs of Chico's Travelers black pants
One pair of black cotton capris
Various Chico's Traveler's black tee-shirt and tank-type tops
2 bright-colored silk jackets for evening
One Red/black Traveler's jacket
One black Chico's Traveler's jacket for "formal night"
2 black swimsuits that can double as camisoles
2 linen short-sleeved shirts
2 linen printed jackets
One cashmere cardigan
One pair walking sandals
One pair evening sandals

Wearing on plane:

Black track suit, black Chico's Travelers tee, closed walking shoes, pashmina shawl

Really want to take white linen pants and shirt for dinner in Greece, but know that you will all tell me to ditch that idea.

Anyone want to come and help me shop in my closet to decide what to take----and what to leave home???
The cruise complicates packing for me. We normally wouldn't need dressy clothes for evening.

Thanks for all your help!

As for the skirt, going on Med cruise myself in Sept. Have been looking at things to bring and came across a skirt by Royal Robbins at REI called the discovery skirt.
http://www.rei.com/product/
search for skirts and you'll see it. It's slightly above the knee in the pic but was just at my knee and looked like it could be pulled down if needed. Maybe it will work! Happy cruising! Please let us know how the wardrobe worked...

Not me, I say bring the white linen, I do. I would rather be in linen than the clingly Chico's.

I would take the white linen. I bet you will wear it several times.

loveyblue

Thank you, thank you. I'll take them. I threw everything on that list into my suitcase, including shoes, and it is still under 30 pounds. So I feel a lot better! Thanks for all the advice. Ciao

chicgeek, sounds like an awfully lot of jackets/cardigans to me. I also vote for the white linen. And here I'm swimming against the tide, but I absolutely must have jeans with me when I travel - I'd bring them in black and they will go with lots of things. You're smart to keep that suitcase light!

Noe, you are a mind reader. How did you know I LIVE in black jeans at home?? But I thought they would be too heavy and warm for the trip. I have a pair that are pretty lightweight, though.

As for the jackets, they are all very lightweight. I am 65, and a little self-conscious about my muffin-top. I always wear a "third piece" (shirt or jacket over a tank, for instance). I never like to wear just a tee shirt or tank by itself. Vanity over all else, I guess!

Then the light jackets will make a complete look! I wear lightweight jackets for the same reason, it creates a smooth line. Have fun.

We too will be going on a Greek Island cruise in 4 weeks time and I found all your suggestions re clothes to take very helpful. After reading your suggestions I have reduced the number of items in my luggage by half.

Have fun all those who are about to travel.

Our cruise isn't until Sept...hope all of you who are cruising soon will post a report on this forum, we need to know how the clothes worked! I don't check the cruise forum too often, because I find the most help here. Happy Travels!

Absolutely, if you live in jeans at home, I would definitely pack one pair.

I understand wanting the jacket tops, but do evaluate if you really need all of them. Maybe just a couple in neutral colors can serve the same purpose.

Exciting! This morning Matt Lauer is in Turkey, and they just showed Ephesus. I am getting excited!

BTW, someone asked about shoes and I forgot to answer. A month ago I got two pairs of shoes, expressly for the trip and early enough to really try them out. I got Ecco Mobiles for the closed ones, and BeautiFeel sandals. Both black. I have been wearing both, and they are both super comfy for lots of walking. And they look nice! In fact, I wore them in Vegas and the sandals looked nice enough with pants for evening!

Also, I failed to mention that we will be taking the train from Rome to Venice. Hence my concern about packing light, with only one bag.

I am still in shock about seeing the number 65 in my post. It is the first time I have actually seen it in writing, and it conjures up an image of a person I don't feel! I still think I am in my 40's! I know----I'm delusional.....but I won't be wearing light blue capris with a knit top embroidered with flowers and "Happiness is being a Grandma" and white sneakers with socks :>

yes, that outfit along with a big floppy hat and coconut scented sunscreen!! We want the photos when you return!!

Seriously, I would love to read your trip report!

<<Not me, I say bring the white linen, I do. I would rather be in linen than the clingly Chico's.>>


Me too. I hope you take them. I think you'll find them more appealing than the black Chico's when you get to the islands.

Have a great trip and report back.

Enjoyed reading this thread as I always obsess over packing. I have gotten myself down to a roller that COULD go in an overhead bin except I can't give up my personal care products! So my husband and I each have one small roller and one small shoulder bag, no matter the length of our trip. I remember meeting someone on an early morning shuttle coming back from a 12-day Mexico trip whose husband, eying our baggage vs their very formidable pile, asked "Why can't WE pack like that?"

I also like to have that third piece to complete my outfits, but usually manage with one light-weight lined blazer-type jacket WITH POCKETS (very important to me!) supplemented with maybe a shawl or fancier one for evening.

Great thing about Mexico (and I'm sure many other destinations): drop-off laundry midway or more than once through trip! I HATE washing things out myself

OK---we are in the final countdown. We leave at 4 am on Sunday, and tomorrow is filled with our grandson's first birthday party festivities. So I just finished packing, and weighed my suitcase. It weighs 43 pounds! Now I am thinking I need to take some stuff out, but don't know what! I hate this part........

Best advice I've ever read from a fellow Fodorite is: Pack half as much and bring twice the amount of money.

Wow some great advice here!
Has anyone ever been on a cruise with kids? I'm a bit scared but excited as well! We're going on a summer cruise with the Mein Schiff 3 to the Adriatic, has anyone been on it? http://www.smsmondial.com.mt/summer-cruises/ scroll a bit further down... I don't think we will be joining any excursions though because the kids are too small so I hope we won't get bored!
I read a tip to shower with your underwear on and hang them, so they are not so dirty because who wants to carry around a sack of dirty underwear :D

This is a thread from 2008. If you would like responses about going on a cruise with kids, I suggest you start a new thread with the question in the title. The cruise board at Fodor's is pretty sluggish so usually we recommend going to Cruise Critic. You can also ask under the European board here.