charliep

my wife(age 48) is still very slim and active and wears only skirts when we travel in europe. she thinks shorts look too american. i asked he r for her reply and she seconded the idea that long skirts do not work for any sort of stair climbing. she wears a lot of skirts that you might call a jeans skirt, but not in the denim material.....she always looks smart and appropriate for the environment whether its a museum or a restuarant or a park. btw, she did tell me to suggest that skirts in basic khaki, white(summer) and black with tops and sweaters in the same colors can make the making of outfits out of a 22 inch suitcase quite do-able.

MademoiselleFifi

Definitely bring skirts if you like wearing them! It's not a matter of what you "have to" wear but what you WANT to. I've traveled with only skirts and dresses for the past few years, sometimes packed in only an 18" carry-on bag, in both wither and summer, and that included climbing the likes of St Vitus Cathedral, Duomo, etc. Never had any problems with above-the-knee skirts at any churches (just wear them with opaque tights). Bring clothes that you like-- when you return, you'll be glad to have nice photos.

MademoiselleFifi

typo-- that should have said "winter..." above.

McAllister

All of these suggestions have been very helpful!

Charliep - thank you so much for taking the time to ask your wife! I love the idea of a khaki or black skirt...especially for my trip in August.

Sglass - I will definitely check that website out. Sounds like they may have some helpful pieces.

MademoiselleFifi - I have tried to explain the issue of looking good in the pictures to my husband...so far he doesn't get it, haha!

Thanks again everyone...I am such a planner and I am very excited to organize my clothes etc.

marginal_margiela

A khaki skirt? You're kidding, right? Do you want to look like a suburban hausfrau from Baltimore? People on the streets of Paris will see you and think you are going to get into your mini-van at any second to go pick up your snappers from soccer practice.

A khaki skirt. Hmmmmmmm. I can just see Trinny falling off of her chair.

DON'T DO IT! NOT THE KHAKI SKIRT!!!!!!

I see you in Nanette Lepore, sweetie, not a dreadful khaki skirt.

suze

The 'problem' with any kind of skirt or dress is you need different shoes, and possibly stockings. Traveling all-pants is easier imo.

McAllister

marginal_margiela – You have made my day. I dream of the time when my budget will allow lovely Nanette Lepore to fill my closet. Until then I will have to make do…however, I promise not to wear the khaki skirt (although, I still think it was very sweet of him to ask his wife!). Do you have suggestions for a fashionable (yet comfortable so my in-laws are not cursing my footwear) brand of shoes that will work for touring all day?

“Do you want to look like a suburban hausfrau from Baltimore?” Priceless.

(I am hoping this posts...I seem to be having technical difficulites.)

J_Correa

beaupeep - even if she buys all her toiletries in Paris, she is still going to have to put them somewhere when they leave Paris, hence the need to leave room in the bag whether or not she takes them along or buys them there.

For myself (at 32 and I definitely do not need any skin firming creams or any of that stuff), I cannot even imagine taking my chances with whatever products I find in an overseas drug store. Between sensitive skin and curly hair, I need the products that I know work for my skin and hair. The last thing I want on a vacation is a rash and bad hair - LOL.

marginal_margiela

I had a bottle of Pinot Noir (just the one as no one else wanted any) at lunch, but let me try to answer your questions.

There is nothing wrong with wearing a khaki skirt with a Lily Pulitzer blouse if you are over 45 and heading to the Everglades Club for noon cocktails. But, please, not on a young lady in Paris.

Taryn Rose makes some very comfortable ballet flats, although pricey at $450 a pair. My mother, Linda, of the Pancaky Papers fame, loves her Naturalizer mary janes, which she says are comfortable, cute, and oh-so Bryn Mawr junior miss. I think you should go to a good department store, like Bloomingdales, and try things on.

I love the new Louis Vuitton sandals for spring, but they are so high you may fall off of them and into the path of a speeding Mini Cooper. A body cast is not a good fashion accessory, sweetie darling.

beaupeep

Well I would just buy the small sample sizes and throw them away. I guess my way isn't fair since when I travel overseas it means leaving Europe and visiting my family in the U.S. And I just use my sister's creams and toothpastes. I do bring my own deodorant though!

As for shoes, when walking in Paris I usually wear my beloved black leather boots in the cooler seasons. Then the warm weather arrives and I am stuck. Probably will wear my Black and Pink Pumas during the day and black or red ballet flats at night.

jewela

McAllister

IMO the most important thing when traveling is comfort. I try not to bring new clothing, just in case I don't feel "right" wearing them. That's not to say you should look shabby......I think a skirt is an excellent idea. They pack well, and you can change blouses, and add a pretty scarf....and you have a new outfit each time.

nbujic

Taryn Rose shoes are "like butter" but
if one walks for hours each day, they will fall apart ( same with Thierry Rabotin ) .
A long linen skirt is always elegant -
with espadrilles during the day and sandals at night.

McAllister

I love all the advice everyone has spent their time typing and been kind enough to offer - y'all are great!

Beaupeep - I knew we were similar (well, except you definitely have me beat with the chateau land for an engagement ring but I digress...) - I love my black and pink pumas as well!

J_Correa - I totally hear you on the curly hair...such a pain!

marginal_margiela - I will probably take your advice and have an afternoon date with Bloomingdale's soon. Also, I would love a pair of Taryn Rose shoes (especially the Kalea design) but my husband would probably have a heartattack!

Now if I could only find the perfect carry on bag....

sam913

Mac

Don't give Hubby a heart-attack...

A fist trip to Europe is such a pleasure,

Just enjoy it with him.

...flow...

Have Fun!

Sam

McAllister

Thank you! I am really looking forward to it...it would be a shame to have to leave my husband at home.

joboe

I, too, love my black and pink Pumas and I'm planning on bringing them to Europe with me in April. Some comfortable shoes you might want to check out are Dansko. They have some really cute new styles and they're only about $100. I love my clogs, which may not be the most stylist shoes in the world, but I also have several pair of their sandals and other closed-toe shoes. They're really comfortable and good for your feet. I get mine from showdawg.com, but a lot of my friends like zappos.com.

MademoiselleFifi

Check DSW stores-- I once saw some Taryn Rose shoes at a huge discount.