What to wear
Apr 13th, 2014, 01:36 PM
#22
Even on warm days it can be cool enough to need a light warp in the evenings.>>
jj, don't forget to pack the pashmina! - you're definitely likely to need a light warp in the evenings in the UK! [sorry, it made me think of Star Trek and Warp factor 3!]
jj, don't forget to pack the pashmina! - you're definitely likely to need a light warp in the evenings in the UK! [sorry, it made me think of Star Trek and Warp factor 3!]
when 
doesn't quite convey my meaning 
Apr 13th, 2014, 01:52 PM
#24
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"They are the lightest, warmest items that take up next to no room in my carry-on"
Nonsense. The lightest and warmest layer to take rather than a sweater or pashmina or anything else that has that much weight and bulk, is a down garment.
Making foolish statements about what is the 'lightest and warmest items' just shows a complete ignorance of the subject. As does thinking what constitutes 'next to no room' is a pashmina.
Here is a well regarded women's down jacket intended as a mid-layer (not an outer layer, that's what the 7oz. rainjacket is for). It weighs 4.5 OUNCES. It fits in a little stuff sack the size of your fist. http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301345
Now tell me again how a pashmina is lighter, warmer or smaller in bulk than that.
There's what the average tourist takes and thinks is light weight and there's what the smart traveller takes. The idea of packing a sweater for example makes me shudder.
Nonsense. The lightest and warmest layer to take rather than a sweater or pashmina or anything else that has that much weight and bulk, is a down garment.
Making foolish statements about what is the 'lightest and warmest items' just shows a complete ignorance of the subject. As does thinking what constitutes 'next to no room' is a pashmina.
Here is a well regarded women's down jacket intended as a mid-layer (not an outer layer, that's what the 7oz. rainjacket is for). It weighs 4.5 OUNCES. It fits in a little stuff sack the size of your fist. http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301345
Now tell me again how a pashmina is lighter, warmer or smaller in bulk than that.
There's what the average tourist takes and thinks is light weight and there's what the smart traveller takes. The idea of packing a sweater for example makes me shudder.
Apr 13th, 2014, 01:58 PM
#26
Down jacket (!) . . . certainly overkill for the mild evenings we are talking about here. Would I rather throw a pretty pashmina around my shoulders . . . or a frickin' down jacket that looks like a straight jacket????
I didn't mean for arctic conditions.
(BTW - You really are a piece of work)
I didn't mean for arctic conditions.
(BTW - You really are a piece of work)
Apr 13th, 2014, 02:50 PM
#28
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dulciusexasperis on Apr 13, 14 at 5:52pm
Here is a well regarded women's down jacket intended as a mid-layer (not an outer layer, that's what the 7oz. rainjacket is for). It weighs 4.5 OUNCES. It fits in a little stuff sack the size of your fist. http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301345
There's what the average tourist takes and thinks is light weight and there's what the smart traveller takes. The idea of packing a sweater for example makes me shudder.
Your down jacket looks like North Korean army issue. Is there a slot for your Uzi? I would add a funny face to this sentence if I knew how.
A light-weight sweater is just perfect from petit dejeuner to dejeuner in May. Then put it in your day bag or a shopping bag.
Don't forget the scarf.
Here is a well regarded women's down jacket intended as a mid-layer (not an outer layer, that's what the 7oz. rainjacket is for). It weighs 4.5 OUNCES. It fits in a little stuff sack the size of your fist. http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301345
There's what the average tourist takes and thinks is light weight and there's what the smart traveller takes. The idea of packing a sweater for example makes me shudder.
Your down jacket looks like North Korean army issue. Is there a slot for your Uzi? I would add a funny face to this sentence if I knew how.
A light-weight sweater is just perfect from petit dejeuner to dejeuner in May. Then put it in your day bag or a shopping bag.
Don't forget the scarf.
Apr 13th, 2014, 04:09 PM
#31
Didn't see your last post . . . Uh - nope dul_sex, I don't have to learn about packing. I teach packing as a matter of fact. More than 10,000 people have attended my classes in the last decade or so. I've also been on local and regional TV about half a dozen times.
So, no you really can't tell me anything about packing. (Different garments are appropriate for different times/places, but I can't see that ugly jacket appropriate/stylish much of anywhere)
So, no you really can't tell me anything about packing. (Different garments are appropriate for different times/places, but I can't see that ugly jacket appropriate/stylish much of anywhere)
Apr 13th, 2014, 04:17 PM
#32
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I like the north korean army analogy. What's the matter with a light weight sweater? How much do you think that weighs? Pounds?
And most tourists don;t want to walk around looking like a prison guard - esp in the spring when you want pretty clothes and some nicer colors.
Sorry - I have been to europe more than 100 times and would never take anything like that. Even in midwinter there are much more attractive options.
And most tourists don;t want to walk around looking like a prison guard - esp in the spring when you want pretty clothes and some nicer colors.
Sorry - I have been to europe more than 100 times and would never take anything like that. Even in midwinter there are much more attractive options.
Apr 13th, 2014, 05:58 PM
#34
Hi Bogarts
I never leave home without a sarong & a pashmina. Wonderful, versatile pieces that take no room at all. I also have a couple of UniQlo jackets that are warm, light, pack into nothing & will turn a shower ( not a downpour ).
Annhig & I pack alike. I don't usually take jeans, but have bought a pair on occasion. Toss in a scarf or buy a couple as you travel - they can be useful in changing outfits and keeping draughts out.
Keep in mind that most European buildings are heated much more than ours, so once indoors you only need very light layers in cool weather.
Have fun & ignore the turkeys. They're just scratching around in the dirt gobbling & squabbling. They can't help it, it's the nature of those birds.
I never leave home without a sarong & a pashmina. Wonderful, versatile pieces that take no room at all. I also have a couple of UniQlo jackets that are warm, light, pack into nothing & will turn a shower ( not a downpour ).
Annhig & I pack alike. I don't usually take jeans, but have bought a pair on occasion. Toss in a scarf or buy a couple as you travel - they can be useful in changing outfits and keeping draughts out.
Keep in mind that most European buildings are heated much more than ours, so once indoors you only need very light layers in cool weather.
Have fun & ignore the turkeys. They're just scratching around in the dirt gobbling & squabbling. They can't help it, it's the nature of those birds.
Apr 14th, 2014, 06:41 AM
#36
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As usual, the tourists think that packing light means under 30lbs. or so and that fashion comes before function. I'd love to see some of you after 3 or 4 months on the road with your wheeled suitcases that weigh 25lbs. plus.
"We are thinking of light weight clothes such as jeans
"We are thinking of light weight clothes such as jeans
Apr 14th, 2014, 06:44 AM
#37
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I always take jeans (except in summer in southern Europe), a lightweight Uniqlo jacket (nicer and not as expensive as the one mentioned above), comfortable sneakers (Merrells if you must but I think they are ugly), a nicer pair of shoes for evening (like ballet flats), and a scarf or pashmina.
No need for thermal underwear in May.
The weather has been weird (I am talking about Holland an Belgium). In February and March it was almost like summer. But tonight it will be just below freezing. Still nice and sunny during the day though.
No need for thermal underwear in May.
The weather has been weird (I am talking about Holland an Belgium). In February and March it was almost like summer. But tonight it will be just below freezing. Still nice and sunny during the day though.
Apr 16th, 2014, 06:10 AM
#38
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I'd like to point out that I spent almost 8 weeks with a carry on last summer, which was under 20lbs. And I still looked pretty stylin' the whole trip, if I say so myself 
You don't have to sacrifice all style for functionality. Most often there are compromises. Birkenstocks have been really trendy for the last few years, for instance. They look really cute with skinnies or with a maxi skirt or dress. Plus they're obviously SUPER duper light-weight and comfy as all get-out. So yea. Compromise.
Pashminas, cardigans, maxi dresses and even hoodies and pants can all be light weight and easily roll-up-able in your suitcase. Just pick your fabrics carefully.
You don't have to sacrifice all style for functionality. Most often there are compromises. Birkenstocks have been really trendy for the last few years, for instance. They look really cute with skinnies or with a maxi skirt or dress. Plus they're obviously SUPER duper light-weight and comfy as all get-out. So yea. Compromise.
Pashminas, cardigans, maxi dresses and even hoodies and pants can all be light weight and easily roll-up-able in your suitcase. Just pick your fabrics carefully.
Apr 16th, 2014, 06:15 AM
#39
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Oh, and I just bought a small umbrella on my first stop (Paris), when I needed it. 8 euros or so, I think.
That rain coat you mentioned up above does look like a good idea, dulciusexasperis, it's a little expensive for me, though.
That rain coat you mentioned up above does look like a good idea, dulciusexasperis, it's a little expensive for me, though.
Apr 16th, 2014, 07:40 AM
#40
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Nytraveler, yes a sweater weighs pounds and also takes up far more space. I take a down vest (no sleeves so even lighter and smaller) if I expect some cooler weather. I layer a long sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, the vest and a rainjacket on top. But I pack less weight and bulk than anyone would with a pashmina or sweater. That's the objective. My wife does basically the same.
Yes ahiddenbird, you can maintain fashion without compromising functionality and vice versa. My down vest is a Ralph Lauren. No label snob is going to turn their nose up at it. But those arguing don't want to argue whether they can look good and carry less, they just want to argue that they have to carry more. That is the real issue, how it looks is just the red herring.
They can't argue that carrying less is a bad idea, so they try to argue it won't look as good. Total nonsense obviously.
My wife has a pair of black synthetic pants which you cannot tell are not linen. But they don't wrinkle and weigh only 12 ozs. Those along with a long sleeve Ralph Loren shirt do not look out of place in a Michelin restaurant. In any case, the maitre'd (who know what they're looking at) looks at the make of watch on her wrist and couldn't care less what shoes she has on or whether her shirt is a Ralph Lauren or a Walmart knock-off. http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/i...entPage=family
The Somelier determines if I know what I'm doing when I discuss the wine list with him and couldn't care less what shoes I'm wearing either.
Often, functionality does come at a higher price though. It costs more to produce a rainjacket that will actually keep out rain but be made of a lighter weight material and still be durable. But similar(in weight) if not as robust rainjackets can be bought for less. The K-Way Claudette for example can be found for as little as $30. I don't know it's actual weight though and can't find it on any site. http://www.travelsmith.com/k-way-cla...008?redirect=y
It is a good lightweight packable rainjacket similar to the one I linked which is simply of higher quality.
Let's be real. Some women can look good in almost anything and some women can't look good in almost anything. It wouldn't matter if this were a $10 Walmart shirt or a $250 Ralph Loren in the following picture would it. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFL08JGiot...ece-joanna.jpg
Look good and travel light are not mutually exclusive of one another at any budget point. Look good in anything though is something you can't buy.
So ahiddenbird, you'll probably get some comments back saying, 'I wouldn't be caught dead in Birkenstocks'. As if that is what stops them from looking good. LOL
Yes ahiddenbird, you can maintain fashion without compromising functionality and vice versa. My down vest is a Ralph Lauren. No label snob is going to turn their nose up at it. But those arguing don't want to argue whether they can look good and carry less, they just want to argue that they have to carry more. That is the real issue, how it looks is just the red herring.
They can't argue that carrying less is a bad idea, so they try to argue it won't look as good. Total nonsense obviously.
My wife has a pair of black synthetic pants which you cannot tell are not linen. But they don't wrinkle and weigh only 12 ozs. Those along with a long sleeve Ralph Loren shirt do not look out of place in a Michelin restaurant. In any case, the maitre'd (who know what they're looking at) looks at the make of watch on her wrist and couldn't care less what shoes she has on or whether her shirt is a Ralph Lauren or a Walmart knock-off. http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/i...entPage=family
The Somelier determines if I know what I'm doing when I discuss the wine list with him and couldn't care less what shoes I'm wearing either.
Often, functionality does come at a higher price though. It costs more to produce a rainjacket that will actually keep out rain but be made of a lighter weight material and still be durable. But similar(in weight) if not as robust rainjackets can be bought for less. The K-Way Claudette for example can be found for as little as $30. I don't know it's actual weight though and can't find it on any site. http://www.travelsmith.com/k-way-cla...008?redirect=y
It is a good lightweight packable rainjacket similar to the one I linked which is simply of higher quality.
Let's be real. Some women can look good in almost anything and some women can't look good in almost anything. It wouldn't matter if this were a $10 Walmart shirt or a $250 Ralph Loren in the following picture would it. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFL08JGiot...ece-joanna.jpg
Look good and travel light are not mutually exclusive of one another at any budget point. Look good in anything though is something you can't buy.
So ahiddenbird, you'll probably get some comments back saying, 'I wouldn't be caught dead in Birkenstocks'. As if that is what stops them from looking good. LOL
