I always end up wearing my jeans every day, but for a nicer night out, how about a cute skirt, swanky top and a contoured blazer? You'd be prepared for a cool night just in case. You could bring a comfortable boot and your Diesel tennis shoes--they should go with everything.

everyone...one more thing...i am not gonna spend anymore money prior to going on this trip. i need to make due with what i have. i am hoping that i find a cute pair of pants or a dress out there at this point. someone on this thread...said...go with what u have...buy out there. that is something i am gonna take seriously.

thanks again for all your thoughts!

Naturalizer makes a nice lightweight, strappy wedge if you decide to that some for your nights out. They're good enough for some day walking too. I agree about poor support in the ballet flats though they do pack nicely.


I agree about ditching some of the wardrobe duplicates. For ex., I'd ditch the black boatneck. Consider taking no more than one pair of jeans. So, try to ditch the heaviest duplicate items.

everyone...it is apparent that everyone is not really getting my sense of style so here are a couple examples of what i would wear on a daily basis to work:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2872253/...382616&P=1
(the shoes in this add are the type of shoes i wear all the time...high heeled stilletto type)

with a top like the following

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2900878/...380081&P=1

so without compromising my style...naturalizers, clarks, ecco, dansko, rockport will not do for a night out. I have my sensible danskos for during day....the evening is my concern. A Diane Von Furstenberg dress(http://www.shopbop.com/shop/product_...=1153883029479) would perfect but not without a pair of high heeled boots or a pair of jimmy choos. I hope that this paints a really good picture of my style.

hckypris,
I don't think it's a matter of us not understanding "your style". I think most of us are coming from the "tired feet from walking all day in Paris and going out at night and walking on varied surfaces" viewpoint.

Definitely, take your stilettos or Jimmy Choos or whatever you think it is you would want to wear for a night out. Let us know if you actually wear them :-)

And, my guess is that virtually all of us know what the DVF wrap dress looks like. Many of us probably wore one the first go-around. I can promise you I didn't wear mine with boots or high heels! :-)

I am impressed that you don't plan to buy new stuff for the trip. Play around with your wardrobe and find combinations that work well for you.

You asked for input. Please don't be offended when you receive it.

skimmed down version of my original pack list:

1 - black down vest - wear on the plane
1 - black v-neck sweater - wear on the plane
1 - grey v neck sweater
1 - grey cashmere fitted sweater vest
2 - white crewneck short sleeve t's - wear one on the plane
2 - black crewneck short sleeve t's
2 - white tank tops for layering
2 - black tank tops for layering
2 - color tank tops for layering
1 - flirty feminine going out top
2 - pairs of seven jeans(bootcut)
1 - pair of citizen jeans(bootcut)- wear on the plane
1 - pair of black capri pants
1 - black just below the knee length skirt
1 - pashmina
1 - hermes scarf
1 - ballet flats
1 - diesel tennis shoes
1 - dansko mary janes - wear on the plane
1 - wedge shoe
1 - flip flops - just in case the bathroom in the hotel freaks me out.
1 - compact umbrella

all of which i have packed in my suitcase to see how it all fits...less than 1/2 the suitcase. not worried about lugging it around...i have already lugged it around before filled and expanded.

hckypris98;

I know I know. I am planning a trip to Italy for October and I would love to wear my italian suede pointed toe high heel boots, but no way! I have to forego the style that I like for comfort and also hope I will find something there that's a little cooler then my clunkies. When I buy the same clothes and shoes that the natives wear,it gives me the illusion that I blend in!

I think your choices will be fine. I am sure you will look lovely and yet your suitcase is only a third full! Perfect. Europe is much more casual than it used to be. It's a different world then when I first went to Europe in 1969.

Good Luck with all your plans and don't forget to post your experiences upon your return-- Jane

It doesn't matter one teensy little bit what sorts of shoes you normally wear/like. You already said you don't walk for miles in your "real life". But on a Contiki tour you will be on the move and on your feet for hours every day. You may not want to be caught dead is less then the most stylish/least practical shoes and clothing. But by the 3rd day when you cannot walk another minute, you will wish you had Clarks or eccos, or rockports or, heaven forbid, easy spirtis.

This means even at night - sure you might go clubbing, but you'll be walking over those d**n cobblestones to get there. And trust me - your fellow Contiki-ites are not going to be dressed in the newest and latest. They are mostly going to be backpacker types in jeans (not fancy designer jeans, but plain old $40 jeans) /birkenstocks/daypacks.

:-) janisj

if my contiki mates are most likely going to be in their jeans at night when we go out...then i am home free on that note...i could essentially leave my wedges at home and my black capris at home? what are chances of me finding a cute going out outfit while i am out there?

The chances are excellent and you will have fun doing it.

Dear hckypris98,
I'm concerned that you may freeze to death. I've been to Europe in September and October and it was cold, cold, cold. Like 45 degrees and raining at times. Two sweaters and a vest are good to bring, but you may want something more. If you don't buy something before you go, consider buying a coat when you first get there if it's chilly.

Walking in Europe isn't like walking here - the ballet flats and diesels might be a challenge. One trip I packed ballet flats w/ soft soles and broke a bone in my foot on the cobblestones in Czechy Krumlov. Spent days looking for sturdy, painfree shoes to hobble around in! It still hurts at times.

Those are my only thoughts - I think jeans are fine for travel. I've always found hotel bathrooms to be clean in Europe. The odd toilet you'll use - they're better than they used to be!

Wow...if it is going to be that cold...then i am definitely ditching the capris and the skirt! Jeans will be it for me! Here was my plan...tank top under a t-shirt which will be under the sweater...then under my down vest. I will also have my pashmina which will double as a scarf...will not bring gloves...do you think that is warm enough?

correction...will "now" bring gloves.

It's hard to say whether how cold you're going to feel, because it depends a little on how sensitive you are to heat and cold. In Paris, last fall, I was wearing tshirts and capris until early October (because it was still in the 16C-25C range at that time). That's why packing clothes you can layer is a good idea (which is what you're planning to do). I made the mistake a few years ago, on an extended "late spring" trip to New Zealand, of thinking I didn't need cool weather clothing. I ended up buying the black polar fleece gloves and a black polar fleece scarf (both items very hard to find because New Zealand was heading into summer) and wearing those items every day with that black polar fleece jacket under my raincoat. I came close to burning the lot, I was so fed up with wearing them, by the end of the trip. On the other hand, I learned my lesson and that's why I always pack these essential items on almost all trips, even though they're not the most stylish items in my wardrobe.

Don't forget to save room in your suitcase to buy a leather jacket (or two) in Italy. They'll warm you up.

You might also want to consider buying a silk sleepsack from an camping store. Your hotel beds probably will be fine, but it's nice to know you can climb into your own sheets if you need to. Although these sleepsacks are also available in cotton, the best kind are silk (because they squash down to nothing and they feel nice against your skin) and have a flap/envelope that goes over the hotel pillow. Unless you're a camper with a mummy-style sleeping bag, you're better off buying the roomier, square-cut version of the sleep sack instead of the mummy-cut one.

Thanks...I am now gonna pack my polar fleece just in case i need it. Still gonna stick with the down vest just because it can crush down to to fit in my daypack. I contemplated bringing my wool coat but then i thought...what if it is warmer than i thought...i would then have to carry it around all day because u can't just stuff it in a daypack. Besides...like Kate_W says...should leave room in the suitcase for a couple new jackets from Italy! I like that idea!

ttt

HckyPris98 sorry for the late reply.

When I was on the Contiki tour, sometimes we had time to change before dinner but a lot of the times I chose not to and kept venturing out longer in the city.

The crowd I was with were younger and very casual. But that can vary of course on any tour. We did go out to a fancy place in Paris, and so I was glad I brought a nice top and paired it with dressy black pants.
We weren't given much time to change before the dinner so having outfits pre-planned is a good idea. Some of the girls tried on 10 different things before settling and we ultimately had to wait for them. Annoying.

Ballet flats look glamorous with anything. You actually gave me the idea to bring mine on my upcoming trip to Italy. They will go with anything!

I went in November and the weather was cooler. I am Canadian so I felt it was just perfect, although everyone else was freezing. So I brought sweaters that looked casual with jeans but could be dressed up with black pants and a funky belt and cool earrings or a scarf. By just adding the belt, or changing my shoes, I changed the outfit up. I still missed my heels, and felt short though.

I had a great time on the tour. We went out a lot. We never went to any real kind of hip dancy clubs (although you may). We went to pubs mostly. But yes, by the end of the day you are tired. However, I managed to push on and stayed out late most of the time. At night the group broke apart and did what they wanted to do. I found myself in a group of about 10 people (Americans, South Africans and Australians) we had a blast.

You are going to have a great time. You'll have to report back when you return and let us know how it went.

If you have any more questions about Contiki or what to expect let me know and I can answer them as best as I remember;-)

We've been saying from the start to leave the capris at home(!)... I'm a big fan of them but Sept/Oct is too late in the season for them to be practical. You want every piece you take to be VERY appropriate and functional.

Flip side, take the wedges or a pair of heels if you want, I guarantee you will not do that on your 2nd trip. Some things people have to learn for themselves, no amount of good advice here will convince them (and i mean this most kindly).

I'm not trying to get you to change your style or dress like a frumpy ole grandma but hopefully you will have options that are not too hot or too cool and a way to keep dry so you'll be able to enjoy your trip.

You hit the nail on the head WAY back up the thread when you said you never walk that much at home. My advice is one day put on any one pair of the shoes you plan to take, and walk 6 miles minimum on city pavement. Sit down only for lunch. THAT will give you the best idea for what you'd wish you'd packed.

Suerte -Suze

Thanks Suze...those capris were truly my futile attempt of having a nicer outfit. I am most comfy in jeans all the time. Where the confusion was is that...all the averages I was checking on the various weather websites all stated that in sept...the weather is in the high 60s and in the evenings in the mid 50s. Those temps...capris are just fine for me but they are not my favorite pant to wear. As far as my walking shoes...my Danskos are fine...took them with me to Seattle & Manhattan and walked all over the city in them(i just didn't factor that in since they have paved sidewalks versus cobblestones)...they are just not my favorite shoes to look at...kind of clunky looking. Honestly, I don't want to bring the wedges but if it is a requirement for me have a cute going out outfit that can't include jeans...then they are a must. I have posted a message on the contiki website to see what other people on my tour are bringing. Turns out that some other girls going are in the same boat as me. I found some better flats today then my ballet flats...gonna exchange my ballet flats for those.,.they have a more cushy sole. Also in terms of my down vest...turns out...when I layer under it...it is too small...had to return it and get a bigger one. Gonna pack the polar fleece & gloves for additional layering if it drops down to the low 40s and I can still wear the bigger down vest over it. I think i should be covered in terms of cold weather. Hopefully the averages that i have seen online in italy are not totally true...low 80s...what a difference in weather!