packing for may trip to france
 

I'll be spending 3 days in Paris, 5 in Provence and the Riveria with a tour group in early May. I don't anticipate any fancy dining experience but maybe a night out in Monaco with possible visit to a casino. I'm thinking about packing 3 pairs of slacks (one cropped), a skirt, and maybe six tops, along with 2 cardigans. I'll wear my jeans and windbreaker on the plane. Shoes possibly black fabric Dansko clogs, red Earth Shoe mary janes. How does that sound to you ladies?
Bobbye

Hi B,

Jeans are very bulky.

I'd replace them with another pair of slacks.

Are you planning on a new outfit each day?

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Why carry 2 sweaters? 1 would be sufficient. I agree with ira, no jeans. Are the shoes very comfortable for walking? You will be doing a lot of walking. Make sure all slacks and tops and skirt interchange. Black slacks and skirt can be simple or elegant depending on top and accessories. No undies mentioned. How many pairs are you taking. Remember, all this must fit in a small, wheeled suitcase and small carry-on - right. When packing, you do roll everything instead of folding don't you? You can pack a lot more stuff rolled than folded.

Enjoy your trip. Remember, they do sell clothes, lipstick, perfume, etc. in France. Take the minimum and enjoy shopping for more.

Hi Bobbye7 -
I think it sounds reasonable. I packed jeans for a recent trip but wore them just a few times. I wouldn't wear them on the plane though - you'll want to wash them before you wear them again and that may be a hassle. If I were packing for an 8 day trip I'd bring 1 pr pants, 1 cropped pants, 1 skirt, 1 pr jeans.

Shoes - the earth shoes sound great. Those are made for walking. Dansko is designed more for standing. If it were me, because Danskos are on the heavy side, I'd consider a different shoe to wear with your pants. The earth shoes will be cute with the skirt and cropped pants.

Rosetravels,
I'm confused about the jeans. I thought that would be a good choice for the plane because they wouldn't show wear and have to be washed. I definitely don't have to wash them! I'd be wearing nice shoes and a jacket so I wouldn't look sloppy.
As for undies,jkbritt, I'm not Britney Spears so I'll certainly be bringing them along -- probably 8 pairs :)
bobbye

I always wear slacks on the plane that can be washed in a sink and will dry overnight. I prefer not to wear anything I've worn on a plane again without laundering it first.

Fabric shoes are not practical (especially if they get wet). A raincoat is better than a windbreaker. You might want to consider a skirt and nice top, or simple dress.

I ALWAYS wear jeans! That's probably all I wear. And my jeans are not bulky at all. I think that if you are a "jeans" person, you should take them. You would want to wear what makes you feel "cute", like you do at home. The only problem with jeans on the plane is that the knees area can get stretched out a little. I just don't wear my good pair on the plane.

But that's just my experience.

dk

good points about fabric shoes getting wet, jeans stretching at knees (but wouldn't this also happen to any slacks/pants with spandes?)
also, dj, my jacket is an eddie bauer one that's waterproof and windproof.

After sitting up all night in a plane, I always want to wash those clothes before wearing them again. Even if nothing gets spilled on them. And jeans are tough to wash and get dry in a hotel room. You could go to a laundromat, but that's not how I'd spend part of my 3 days in Paris. (In fact, jeans take a looong time to dry in European dryers, which seem not to be as hot as ours in the US/Canada.)

So dark clothing for the flight (and for Paris) is good, just not heavy fabric. There a number of light, wrinkle-resisting knits out there.

Ditch the jeans unless you're climbing rocks. Not as versatile as other pants, harder to clean if necessary, heavy/bulky to pack.

Remember, you don't have to wear something different every day and you can wash things out, they'll dry overnight.

Yes, jeans are worn everywhere, by everyone but they really aren't the most practical thing to have the trip you describe.

Make sure your shoes are comfortable for walking. Good idea for 2 pairs of walkers so you can switch each day. Clogs aren't really easy for hills or a quick run to catch the Metro. A shoe that buckles or ties is a lot more secure as well as supportive.

I wear jeans. The ones I have are made with a stretch fabric-cotton and spandex. The are not bulky or heavy and they will dry overnight if I wash them in my room. They look great, never wrinkle. I take black and dark denim.

I always wear jeans, and I wear them on the plane a lot, also. Sometimes in summer, I would wear a different kind of pant on the plane, but jeans are sturdier and don't wrinkle, so I would never want to mess up any nice slacks by wearing them on the plane. At least not for an 8 hour flight where you'll be scrunched up a lot, etc., and sleeping.

People have very different ideas about jeans on Fodors. I think one can decide for themself if they think jeans are too bulky to wear, uncomfortable, etc.

I would never in a million year wash slacks in a hotel sink, for example.

I wear jeans too. And I think its better to wear them on the plane than pack them, since they are bulkier. I would also recommend the 2 cardigans. You may need to layer depending on the weather and 8 days in the same sweater, that is either a lot of washing or a really gross sweater.

Your clothes choices are just fine!

For a night out I'd add a camie to
wear under one of the sweaters or a
pashmina-type scarf to wear with the
camie. IIRC, Monaco casino has a
dress code so you want to look at
least a little snazzy! Also, maybe
a pair of ballet flats for night.

Have fun!

Depends on the material make up for the jeans. If they have spandex in them thenn probably not so much a problem for wearing on the plane, if they don't then I have found jeans to be rather uncomfortable around the nether regions after a while. Otherwise everything else seems fine. I like the idea of ballet flats for evening etc. I took some last year and wore them nearly every night.

Schnauzer

I think your packing list sounds perfect!

Some people aren't comfortable in jeans for a long flight, but if you are... then go for it. I don't understand the comment about having to wash what you wear on the plane ride over, unless you're particularly a neat-nik. Just hang things to air out and wash the top and undergarments. Jeans don't need to be washed on a short 8 day trip imo.

For myself, I would add one more pair of shoes (maybe sneakers).

p.s. Add something to wear around the hotel room & sleep in... a light-weight robe or a long t-shirt or lounging pj's or something.

just wondering if I should pack some bermuda-length shorts for the south. looks like there's not that much difference, tho', in the temperature from paris -- may, mid-50s - mid-and upper 60s.

Sure, why not? One pair of shorts won't take up much room. If it's not warm enough, they could be your lounging attire.

As much as I love my Dansko clogs I would not take them because they weigh so much!!! And if you are going on an economy ticket or a budget European airline, they are very picky about luggage weight.