What to wear/pack... Part 9
Jun 1st, 2010, 03:11 PM
#21
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Yeah, another "What to wear" thread! I was just thinking the other day about these and wondering if I'd see another someday.
They turn into lovely, practical tales of packing, so thanks for writing these, Therese.
They turn into lovely, practical tales of packing, so thanks for writing these, Therese.
Jun 1st, 2010, 04:04 PM
#22
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I'm done with half packing. I stuffed the bottom of my backpack with ziplocks bags with underwear, socks, beach/bath towels, jeans & fleece pants.
I still have the main/top of the backpack to put all the clothes I'm bringing. Not sure yet, but I think I'm bringing 2 slacks (black, beige), 2 capris (black, beige), 1 black dress, 1 skirt, 2 tshirts, 4 blouses, fleece, raincoat.
I'm a size 6 so I don't use too much space, but I'm trying to minimize my packing, but with 8 weeks trip and one backpack I'm trying to do my best.
I still have the main/top of the backpack to put all the clothes I'm bringing. Not sure yet, but I think I'm bringing 2 slacks (black, beige), 2 capris (black, beige), 1 black dress, 1 skirt, 2 tshirts, 4 blouses, fleece, raincoat.
I'm a size 6 so I don't use too much space, but I'm trying to minimize my packing, but with 8 weeks trip and one backpack I'm trying to do my best.
Jun 1st, 2010, 05:54 PM
#23
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What a lovely surprise to come back to this thread and find all this activity.
pookymimi, where will you be going for 8 weeks (and when)? Your wardrobe sounds like it's leisure. Oh, what I would give for 8 weeks of holiday...
I agree with tld that work trips present different challenges than leisure trips when it comes to packing light. On the other hand, I learned to travel this way from my father, who traveled for business, leaving every Monday AM with his perfectly packed rolling bag, returning every Friday PM (with laundry for my mother, but he also took her out).
And mimipam, my deciding to go with ever smaller suitcases is equal parts circumstance and the pleasure of meeting a challenge. Planning trips prolongs the pleasure of them.
pookymimi, where will you be going for 8 weeks (and when)? Your wardrobe sounds like it's leisure. Oh, what I would give for 8 weeks of holiday...
I agree with tld that work trips present different challenges than leisure trips when it comes to packing light. On the other hand, I learned to travel this way from my father, who traveled for business, leaving every Monday AM with his perfectly packed rolling bag, returning every Friday PM (with laundry for my mother, but he also took her out).
And mimipam, my deciding to go with ever smaller suitcases is equal parts circumstance and the pleasure of meeting a challenge. Planning trips prolongs the pleasure of them.
Jun 1st, 2010, 06:03 PM
#24
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Thanks for reading (and contributing) all these years, scotlib. Are you still studying? Seems like you once took a break from your course work to look up all the old threads.
I've taken several trips since Part 8, the most challenging January's trip to Asia: bitter cold in Japan (particularly Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go), and steamy tropics in Singapore and Thailand. In addition to the down coat (and gloves, scarves, and earmuffs) that I describe above I also brought long underwear and waterproof boots (paddock boots, actually), plus knee high flat boots and knee high high heel boots. I'd planned on buying some summery clothes once I got to warm climates, but didn't really find too much and mostly made do with what I already had. I did buy clothes, of course, but didn't end up wearing them while I was there.
I've taken several trips since Part 8, the most challenging January's trip to Asia: bitter cold in Japan (particularly Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go), and steamy tropics in Singapore and Thailand. In addition to the down coat (and gloves, scarves, and earmuffs) that I describe above I also brought long underwear and waterproof boots (paddock boots, actually), plus knee high flat boots and knee high high heel boots. I'd planned on buying some summery clothes once I got to warm climates, but didn't really find too much and mostly made do with what I already had. I did buy clothes, of course, but didn't end up wearing them while I was there.
Jun 1st, 2010, 06:18 PM
#25
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Just received an email from ebags saying that my new little suitcase was shipped today. I'll measure it myself once it arrives and let you know how close the advertised measurements are to reality.
In the interim I'll give you some more particulars about this trip. I'll be in Valencia for 6 days, the first couple on holiday, followed by a scientific meeting. I'll need to look professional, but won't be giving any lectures, so won't need to wear anything too structured: a dress with a cardigan and/or scarf will work for pretty much anything there.
In order to get from Valencia to Uppsala is a bit of an ordeal: I fly from Valencia to Gatwick on Easyjet, fritter away pretty much the entire day (so may head into London for lunch with a friend, or may visit Brighton), and then catch a late flight to Stockholm on Ryanair. Except that it's not really Stockholm, but one of the tiny airports outside of Stockholm, so I'll be spending a (very short) night in Stockholm before catching the train to Uppsala the next AM.
Dress for my meeting in Uppsala will be very similar to that for the meeting in Valencia, except that I may find that my down coat comes in handy. And I'm pretty cold-blooded, so I should keep an eye on the weather and consider scarf, gloves, and earmuffs.
Earmuffs unlikely to be of use in Houston, where it's more work, and I'm lecturing a lot, but fortunately this is the least formal of the three meetings, so structured suit still not required.
In the interim I'll give you some more particulars about this trip. I'll be in Valencia for 6 days, the first couple on holiday, followed by a scientific meeting. I'll need to look professional, but won't be giving any lectures, so won't need to wear anything too structured: a dress with a cardigan and/or scarf will work for pretty much anything there.
In order to get from Valencia to Uppsala is a bit of an ordeal: I fly from Valencia to Gatwick on Easyjet, fritter away pretty much the entire day (so may head into London for lunch with a friend, or may visit Brighton), and then catch a late flight to Stockholm on Ryanair. Except that it's not really Stockholm, but one of the tiny airports outside of Stockholm, so I'll be spending a (very short) night in Stockholm before catching the train to Uppsala the next AM.
Dress for my meeting in Uppsala will be very similar to that for the meeting in Valencia, except that I may find that my down coat comes in handy. And I'm pretty cold-blooded, so I should keep an eye on the weather and consider scarf, gloves, and earmuffs.
Earmuffs unlikely to be of use in Houston, where it's more work, and I'm lecturing a lot, but fortunately this is the least formal of the three meetings, so structured suit still not required.
Jun 1st, 2010, 06:40 PM
#26
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FAQ: What about shoes?
People talk about shoes here at Fodor's a lot. Really, really a lot: best comfortable shoes for walking, how to avoid looking really dorky in said best comfortable shoes for walking when surrounded by Italian waifs in stilettos, which sort of comfortable walking shoes look the least dorky with skirts, whether French women ever wear comfortable shoes for walking (and of course they do, and in any case who gives a rat's a$$), etc.
Shoes are also one of the primary sticking points for high maintenance females when it comes to packing light: how can you pack light and still have the perfect pair of shoes for every occasion?
Many here will just tell you to forget about it: if you can't wear that very cute little black dress without heels then just leave the very cute little black dress at home. I argue the other side: as long as you're bringing the very cute little black dress and the heels they require, go ahead and bring several very cute little black dresses. The more very cute little black dresses you've got in your bag, the more likely you are to get dressed up and go out, right?
As it happens, though, I almost certainly won't be wearing heels on this trip, not even my usual high heel boots, so they're not going to present a packing challenge at all. In fact, I probably won't pack any shoes at all and instead just wear the same pair the entire time.
A collective gasp is heard...
People talk about shoes here at Fodor's a lot. Really, really a lot: best comfortable shoes for walking, how to avoid looking really dorky in said best comfortable shoes for walking when surrounded by Italian waifs in stilettos, which sort of comfortable walking shoes look the least dorky with skirts, whether French women ever wear comfortable shoes for walking (and of course they do, and in any case who gives a rat's a$$), etc.
Shoes are also one of the primary sticking points for high maintenance females when it comes to packing light: how can you pack light and still have the perfect pair of shoes for every occasion?
Many here will just tell you to forget about it: if you can't wear that very cute little black dress without heels then just leave the very cute little black dress at home. I argue the other side: as long as you're bringing the very cute little black dress and the heels they require, go ahead and bring several very cute little black dresses. The more very cute little black dresses you've got in your bag, the more likely you are to get dressed up and go out, right?
As it happens, though, I almost certainly won't be wearing heels on this trip, not even my usual high heel boots, so they're not going to present a packing challenge at all. In fact, I probably won't pack any shoes at all and instead just wear the same pair the entire time.
A collective gasp is heard...
Jun 1st, 2010, 07:31 PM
#27
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pookymimi, where will you be going for 8 weeks (and when)? Your wardrobe sounds like it's leisure. Oh, what I would give for 8 weeks of holiday...
Therese, I'm going to Europe with 2 of my 3 kids next week for 8 weeks, backpacking! If you click in my name you will see I'm starting in Portugal, Spain, Italy and flying back from Switzerland.
Shoes, oh shoes!!! I'm bringing my merrell low heel hiking shoes on the plane, 1 flat sandals 1 high heel sandals, running shoes, size 6 shoes not too big for my advantage.
Therese, I'm going to Europe with 2 of my 3 kids next week for 8 weeks, backpacking! If you click in my name you will see I'm starting in Portugal, Spain, Italy and flying back from Switzerland.
Shoes, oh shoes!!! I'm bringing my merrell low heel hiking shoes on the plane, 1 flat sandals 1 high heel sandals, running shoes, size 6 shoes not too big for my advantage.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 01:31 PM
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"Are you still studying? "
Hi Therese .. yep, studying for the summer again .. a fun class about digital media this time, ex: podcasting.
"In fact, I probably won't pack any shoes at all and instead just wear the same pair the entire time."
I've done that, twice. Leisure trips for me, so it may have helped that they were not business trips. I used New Balance 811 Country Walkers. I did bring two pairs of Dr. Scholl's air pillow insoles and swapped those each day.
Results may have changed if I'd fallen into a pond or caught in heavy rain without cover .. but those disasters never happened and I had no trouble at all.
Cheers.
Hi Therese .. yep, studying for the summer again .. a fun class about digital media this time, ex: podcasting.
"In fact, I probably won't pack any shoes at all and instead just wear the same pair the entire time."
I've done that, twice. Leisure trips for me, so it may have helped that they were not business trips. I used New Balance 811 Country Walkers. I did bring two pairs of Dr. Scholl's air pillow insoles and swapped those each day.
Results may have changed if I'd fallen into a pond or caught in heavy rain without cover .. but those disasters never happened and I had no trouble at all.
Cheers.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 05:16 PM
#32
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"pookymimi: where do you expect to need fleece pants in summer?"
We will be in Switzerland for about 10 days and I read that it rains in San Sebastian sometimes. The fleece pants are very light/thin fleece dance pants that I always bring even to Chile in the hot summer, you never know when it will rain. What I'm considering leaving behind is a pair of jeans as I'm bringing 1 black and 1 tan slacks.
I have 2 more days to sort out through the pile and decide what to leave behind. I can't believe Tuesday is almost here!
We will be in Switzerland for about 10 days and I read that it rains in San Sebastian sometimes. The fleece pants are very light/thin fleece dance pants that I always bring even to Chile in the hot summer, you never know when it will rain. What I'm considering leaving behind is a pair of jeans as I'm bringing 1 black and 1 tan slacks.
I have 2 more days to sort out through the pile and decide what to leave behind. I can't believe Tuesday is almost here!
Jun 3rd, 2010, 05:18 PM
#33
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So, the shoe situation...
As it turns out, my usual goal of traveling is going to be especially easy to obtain this time around as I'm just about to undergo surgery for bunions. My right foot was last summer and my left foot is next week. Last year I cut it a bit close, really only just barely out of my walking cast when I left for a work trip to Lyon. I'd assumed I'd need to wear some sort of athletic or orthopedic style shoe, but in fact was much more comfortable in a pair of well-worn (but maintained) knee high black boots with very low heels. They accomodated an elastic ankle brace as well as my swollen foot, and provided a little extra stability as well. I'd been encouraged by my surgeon to walk as much as possible, and I did: the cobbles in Lyon were great exercise.
So I'll be choosing clothes that suit my footwear this time. Fortunately I already own them, as they're what I wear to work every day.
As it turns out, my usual goal of traveling is going to be especially easy to obtain this time around as I'm just about to undergo surgery for bunions. My right foot was last summer and my left foot is next week. Last year I cut it a bit close, really only just barely out of my walking cast when I left for a work trip to Lyon. I'd assumed I'd need to wear some sort of athletic or orthopedic style shoe, but in fact was much more comfortable in a pair of well-worn (but maintained) knee high black boots with very low heels. They accomodated an elastic ankle brace as well as my swollen foot, and provided a little extra stability as well. I'd been encouraged by my surgeon to walk as much as possible, and I did: the cobbles in Lyon were great exercise.
So I'll be choosing clothes that suit my footwear this time. Fortunately I already own them, as they're what I wear to work every day.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 05:22 PM
#34
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The fleece pants sound like they may come in very handy in Switzerland. Fleece is extremely compressible and lightweight, so certainly not an unreasonable choice for a trip with different climates.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 05:27 PM
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Therese,
Bunions, oh my heart goes to you!
As a dancer I've been very fortunate of not having them and high heels are huge enables and enemies to them once developed. My daughter on the other side I think will have them later...
Bunions, oh my heart goes to you!
As a dancer I've been very fortunate of not having them and high heels are huge enables and enemies to them once developed. My daughter on the other side I think will have them later...
Jun 3rd, 2010, 05:38 PM
#36
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FAQ: Ten kilos? Are you kidding? Ten kilos?
When people hear that Ryanair limits carry on luggage to 10 kilos, and then charges for checked bags the typical reaction is somewhare along the lines of "What? That's ridiculous. That's highway robbery."
But it really isn't. Ten kg is 22 lbs, and my usual bag, stuffed full and no stinting on heavy objects (like two different flat irons for my hair), weighs just a little bit over that amount. So with no shoes in the bag and judicious use of the pockets in my Scottevest and down coat, I could probably come in under 10 kg. Maybe 9, maybe 8...
The less I bring, the less fuel it takes to get it there. Being high maintenance doesn't mean I'm not environmentally aware, right?
When people hear that Ryanair limits carry on luggage to 10 kilos, and then charges for checked bags the typical reaction is somewhare along the lines of "What? That's ridiculous. That's highway robbery."
But it really isn't. Ten kg is 22 lbs, and my usual bag, stuffed full and no stinting on heavy objects (like two different flat irons for my hair), weighs just a little bit over that amount. So with no shoes in the bag and judicious use of the pockets in my Scottevest and down coat, I could probably come in under 10 kg. Maybe 9, maybe 8...
The less I bring, the less fuel it takes to get it there. Being high maintenance doesn't mean I'm not environmentally aware, right?
Jun 3rd, 2010, 06:04 PM
#37
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My bunions were apparent long before I ever wore heels of any sort. My daughter is in the same situation, unfortunately.
In the end it's just bunions: painful and tedious, but not life-threatening. And my "new" foot is splendid.
In the end it's just bunions: painful and tedious, but not life-threatening. And my "new" foot is splendid.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 06:52 PM
#38
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I'm glad your foot is splendid, soon you will have gorgeous feet!
My feet are not as bony as my daughter's, this played in my favor as although my bigger toes are facing inward due to the ballet and then Salsa shoes are still pretty straight. My daughter's feet are very bony and already show big bumps that I anticipate being a problem once she grows.
My feet are not as bony as my daughter's, this played in my favor as although my bigger toes are facing inward due to the ballet and then Salsa shoes are still pretty straight. My daughter's feet are very bony and already show big bumps that I anticipate being a problem once she grows.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 08:43 PM
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pookymimi; leave the jeans. heavy and slow drying, IMO.
I think I will leave the jeans behind, in their place I can take 2 pair of thin slacks. For 2 months I think bringing only 2 pairs of slacks as originally planned may be too little.
I think I will leave the jeans behind, in their place I can take 2 pair of thin slacks. For 2 months I think bringing only 2 pairs of slacks as originally planned may be too little.
