OK, we leave for Europe tomorrow. 7 weeks. First up is son's graduation in London. Posh clothes for cool weather?
Next is the Med, Italian/French Riviera. Portofino, Nice. Stylish clothes for warmish temperatures. Possible rain. Umbrella?
Then to Andalucia. 2 weeks in a house with a crowd of kids and friends drinking lots of red wine and eating local stuff. Jeans and T shirts right? OK for the Alhambra?
A week in North of England where it may be cold. A birthday party which may be cold and posh, but at least not The Big One.
2 weeks in Sicily in October where it could do anything. Plans for sightseeing, eating n drinking. Warmish/coolish??
Added to this we're flying Ryanair quite a bit, hence rather low baggage allowance.
Am I crazy? Does anyone else do things like this? Just trying to organise my suitcase(s).

You're spending seven weeks in Europe and you're calling packing a nightmare? I'd give my right arm (well, almost) to have your problem, gertie!


Anyway, keep in mind a tip that I read right here on Fodor's. Pack as if you're going on a week's trip and launder along the way. In your case, with several locales and variations in activities, you'll need to pack layers and versatile clothes that will serve you in various situations.

This is one of my favorite nightmares...what to wear in Europe!
You are leaving tomorrow and you are just now asking this question????

I will give it a try-
Try to pick a color combo that can be easily mixed and matched, go for lots of layers.
I do black and white, mostly because they mix so easily and at night a black top with a black bottom looks more dressed, even if it is just a tee and capris.
Skip the jeans, they are bulky and warm..let the kids live in them.
Take some sweaters that can be dressier and one that is wool or really warm for the north of England.
Take a pair of sandals, a pair of something with short heels that you can wear day & night and maybe a pair of some sort of sneaker that will be good for all the kids crowd stuff and for just giving your feet a break.
No I never do things like this- the minute I decide I am going somewhere, I figure out what I will be wearing and taking.
Let us know how it goes, have fun, a trip report would be great, bon voyage..Scarlett

Thank you Betsy and Scarlett. Nice to know others understand my pain. This trip kind of crept up on me and I only today realised I had to pack. So far have done lots of black and white, washable stuff, 2 pairs of shoes to throw away over there and I can't resist my jeans (a messy eater on the plane) so will bequeathe them to the kids at the end of Andalucia. Still have a horror of getting cold in UK, but there's always Marks and Sparks. Sicily is still a puzzle as I can't imagine how cold/hot it will be mid-Oct. I live in TX so most places are colder than here. I'll think about a trip report, back end of Oct, seems a long way ahead.

Gertie, They sell clothes where you're going. When I was in Europe for 3 weeks in October 2003, we ran into very cold weather, until we arrived in Rome, where it was rainy and muggy, then hot and muggy in Athens. I bought a skirt and top that I still love to wear in Athens so we could go out to dinner without me wilting of heat exhaustion.

The others' advice is good, and take a few bucks for shopping.

Jules

We leave for 2 weeks in England in a week. FYI, the high temps have been in the low to mid-70's in London -- I've been tracking them. Low's in the '50's. This is a tough time of year because at some point, it will cool off quickly. Averages aren't very useful in a month like September, I'm afraid.

FWIW, a black leather jacket is going to be my warmest coat, with a long, loose raincoat that can be worn over the jacket. A black cashmere hoodie is my insurance policy. I always take a tiny travel umbrella if I'm going to be in the city.

L L.Bean sells silk long johns, turtle necks, etc. on line. I just received mine. They fit loosely, so I could have bought a size smaller. I'm thinking silk because it can layer under or be worn alone. Weighs next to nothing and is easily washed out and dried in an hotel sink. I take an anti bacterial gel which I use (well diluted) in the rinse water. Then roll the clothes between two bath towels and stand on them. They are almost dry after that!

If you bring a cashmere shawl, and a few scarves, you can dress up a plain turtle neck very nicely.

Make certain that you have a head covering and gloves and warm feet, and you won't feel the cold so much. Canadian experience talking here. Wind chill is a killer, so a wind proof jacket (leather or pleather) roomy enough to layer over silk underwear and a fleecy jacket will keep you warm and still look dressy.

You've got the right idea, gertie. Now pack a few scarves and several changes of jewelry and you'll be fine.
Bon voyage, buon viaggio, and buen viaje!

Silk twinsets, black capris, dressy sandals, silk scarf, pearls.

Well-cut sleeveless knee-length sheath that can be worn with one of the cardigans and/or scarves.

polo shirts and khaki capris. moccasins/driving shoes.

no coat or jacket; instead take your college sweatshirt for casual and a warm, shawl-collar long length cotton knit belted sweater just above dress hem. Hat.

Take less than you think you'll need, then go shopping.

you could take a jean jacket.

Hi Gertie...we leave Thursday for 7 weeks in France also! Just looked at the weather for the Normandy area where we are heading first....rain all week!!!

I am heeding the advice of the travelers here...22inch suitcase...packing light, and will do laundry. If it doesn't work out, well there's always our next trip.

Have a good time.

It is hot in London at the moment. Ok these things are relative but once it gets warm London gets kinda sweaty! So make sure your posh graduation clothes are not too heavy. Better to dress light and take a wrap in case.

We were in Analucia in early October last year. It was in the 90s most of the time with not a drop of rain. I wore capris and short sleeve t-shirts the entire time. We will be in Sicily in late September this year. I am expecting hot although Sicily's rainiest month is October. Make sure your tops range from sleeveless (Andalucia) to very warm and cozy (north of England). Good advice from Scarlett and kswl. It sounds like a fabulous trip!

If I was you, I would chose all weather santorini...
Get a pull, a swimming dress and leave your watch back to enjoy life...