STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

halleybird · Hermes

Overseas travelers - please help!

Hermes

see - that's why I don't do tour groups I do realize you don't have a choice with this though.

what comes to mind is:

1. black (won't show dirt)
2. layers (layer to keep warm vs. bringing bulky items)
3. pieces that can be worn night/day
4. knits (also roll your clothes to pack - less wrinkles and you can fit way more in your bag)
5. accessories (belts, necklaces, etc.)
5. one pair of dressier shoes - perhaps wedges that could dress you up a little but are easy to walk in)

let's see, you have a black skirt and a green skirt. I would bring a pair of black pants, and a black sweater. I guess I would bring a couple of each long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless tops that would go with both the black and green bottoms. Another versatile item may be a solid color sleeveless dress that can be layered with or dressed up or down.

For example, perhaps one day you wear your sleeveless top over your long sleeve top with your green skirt and pumas. for night, you lose the long sleeve top and wear the sleeveless top with the pashmina & skirt and toss on your wedges. So it's all about mixing/matching, day/night versatility, and choosing items that won't show dirt. Accessories don't take up much room, but can help you change the look of your outfit and dress it up or down.

What I do is take some items and lay them out and figure out what will go with what. I hone it down so I create a color family so it can all be mixed and matched. We went on a big driving tour of Europe, and as I recall, I wore a lot of mustard and black... We went for 2 weeks and shared a suitcase the whole way. I had a mustard sleeveless dress that I dressed up with a turquoise necklace and heels, and dressed down with sandals for sightseeing... can't remember what else I took - but I hope it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about!

also, bring a little bottle of woolite for washing if needed... I always take a pair of panties for every day I'll be traveling, and 3-4 bras. If you want to spend the money you can always get things laundered at the hotels ($$).

cc · Marc Jacobs

I think you should be able to do this easily. My "big" suitcase is a 14x20 carry on roller and I took that last year when I went to France and Belgium for about 17 days and didn't even need some of the clothes I packed. To me a 25x17 suitcase plus a carry on plus a purse seems like a luxury!

I'm actually going to Europe for a little under 3 weeks starting on Memorial Day and I'm trying to bring my slightly smaller roller suitcase as a carry on and a tote bag so maybe we can help each other out with packing lists!

The main thing it to pack effectively. Here's what I do (though I really don't think you'll need to go to these lengths) -
-wear my bulkiest clothes on the plane - jeans, sneakers, hoodie, jacket. Even if it's warm out on the day I leave it works out because I usually get cold on planes and I can use one layer as a blanket or pillow.
-use every available bit of space inside the suitcase. My rollers aren't totally flat on the bottom because of the grooves made by the handle so I fill in those spaces with small stuff like underwear and tank tops. Then I can place my other clothes on top of a somewhat flat surface and they are less likely to get wrinkled. If I'm bring multiple pairs of shoes - boots, sneakers, etc - I put stuff inside the shoes e.g. I'll stick my bras and socks in plastic bags (which always come in handy later) and stuff them inside the shoes.
-once I put all my clothes in I try to shove small things around the pile of clothes (which I usually roll) toiletries in ziplocks, travel hairdryer, more underwear, stuff I don't care about getting wrinkled like my pj's.

detroit's ideas are great. I either choose black or dark brown as my base color and then try to pack things that work with multiple outfits. Sometimes I'll have my heart set on bringing a particular top or shirt but if I can only wear it with one other thing, I leave it at home.

One thing that I rarely do is bring heels. They just take up too much space and are annoying to pack around. I just pack dressy flats or sandals since they don't take up much room and are easier on my feet anyway. I also rinse stuff out in hotel sinks. I don't even think I have 3 weeks worth of panties and socks and I only have like 5 bras total so I wash those in the sink at night.

-- Edited by cc at 00:17, 2006-05-21

Maddie · Coach

Rick Steves isn't exactly a fashionista, but he does have some good tips about packing light. I take him with a grain of salt, he's a little utilitarian for my style (i.e. it's unlikely that I would ever wear a "smart, reversible travel skirt").

Other than what everyone else has already said, I think you should bring Woolite.

theotherjess · Chanel

I'd bring a casual knit dress too (maybe the AE James Perse knockoff--think it's called the sunshine dress?). You could wear it during the day with a cardi or hoodie and your pumas and then at night with some heels and a pretty necklace.

mirbear · BCBG

How funny. My sis is leaving soon, too, with her husband to travel in Europe for 3 weeks. The real purpose is for the US vs. someone World Cup Game. However, 70 degrees is ho-hum weather. If it's not breezy, you should be fine...but if it's breezy it can be cold. Take some pants as Detroit stated, and your skirts too. You said you were going to be hiking or walking alot? If hiking, you will need some good hiking shoes and if you are just walking the Puma's should be ok. You must be going to the World Cup..the Pumas..? yes? Anyway, the knits are perfect. My mom & dad just returned from Italy and mom totally went out & purchased new knits in order to reduce the wrinkles.

That stinks that you can't take more. I think I would have to go it alone, because I think I need 1 suitcase full of shoes:)

Anyway, your skirts should be fine and your pashmina, but I would take a sweater or a hooded sweater..something to keep you warm just in case. I've been to Germany a few times, and when it rains or whatever (if it will) it can get chilly.

Black Pants are always good, Your green & black skirt (olive or garden?), a black shirt, a sweater, I usually pack more panties than needed, more socks than needed. You should take your pumas and then what if you go out for a nice dinner or whatever...a dressier pair of shoes. some cute shirts...some short sleeve, maybe a couple l/s. (cotton/knit) Maybe you have a cute plain dress that you can dress up or down with accessories or if it's not black, with your shawl. This would be great for dinner out.

I think Detroit gave you really great info, so follow that you should be okay. (as well as everyone else's advice)

P.S. Leave room for good finds unless you can bring more back then you went with!

I hope your trip if fabulous! I love Europe..great food, totally diff't than the U.S., good chocolate.

lynnie · Chanel

havent carefully read the other suggestions, but i went to france for 3 weeks and brought a suitcase about that size- didnt even need all that space. The one thing i can suggest is, other than layers, bring an outfit or two for weather a lot colder than you are expecting, and a couple for weather a lot hotter than you are expecting (including a bathing suit). I was in Nice in June, thinking it was going to be soo warm, so i only brought a light sweatshirt jacket, and a light jacket. i ended up wearing a tank or t-shirt, jeans, the sweatshirt jacket, and the jacket together almost every night and i was STILL cold.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

everybody else has had such great tips im not gonna add a whole lot more but...

the bf just left yesterday for a trip for the entire summer (that's right, and he was only taking a suitcase the size of yours. and he definitely is a heavy packer so this was tough for him. the only thing i can suggest after watching him struggle with packing has to do with socks. now, this might not help you as much as it helped him seeing as how he was packing a dozen pair of thick hiking socks. however, when packing socks, do not roll them as you might when putting them away into a dresser at home. pin them together and then lay them out flat, it saves so much room that way. your socks might just be thin little ones for your pumas, but it's still gonna save some space.

hope that helps a little! have fun and take tons of pics for us to oohh and ahhh over!

halleybird · Hermes

Thanks, you guys! These are definitely the kinds of tips I need. I don't think we'll really be going out to any nice places at night. The other teacher I am going with said she brought a dress last year and only wore it once. But I figure my skirts will work if I do need to dress up. I think that besides my Pumas, I will bring my silver Target ballet flats (I have 2 layers of insoles in them, so they're really padded) and flip-flops. Sound like enough? I don't think we're doing any real hiking -- at least not according to my itinerary.

I have another question, though, so please indulge me: Will I really regret it if I don't bring a messenger bag or a waist belt? I have one messenger bag, but it doesn't have a top closure. I'd rather bring my knockoff MJ sophia, because it has tons of compartments and it's really light. Plus it was cheap, so I don't care if it gets rained on, etc. But it's a shoulder bag...is that just asking to get pickpocketed?

Hermes

it won't get pickpocketed if you wear the bag in front of you, or if you always make sure the purse is not accessable by always having it closed up with your arm over the openings. It's more in crowded/busy areas that you need to worry. Even in not so busy areas, there's a technique they use where they have someone slowly walk in front of you, so someone behind you can open up and get into your bag as you're walking. Also, if you sit on a bench, just hang your purse from your thigh so someone doesn't snatch and run with it. And if someone does snatch and run, you'll never catch them (they typically layer their shirts so they can take off the shirt they were wearing and can't be identified - they will also throw your bag someplace like a bush and come back and get it later.) Spain is particularly pickpocket heavy, but it is common everywhere in Europe. Not that you should go around freaking out or anything, just be smart.

Hermes

btw - what's the list of countries you are going to?

halleybird · Hermes

detroit wrote:

btw - what's the list of countries you are going to?

England (London/Bath/Canterbury/Dover), France (Paris), Switzerland (Zurich, Lucerne) and Italy (Florence, Assisi, Rome, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii). If anyone has any travel tips or hints for any of those areas, I'd love to hear them!

cc · Marc Jacobs

You might want to bring another pair of walking shoes. I normally do a lot of walking but I'm always on my feet a lot more when I go to Europe because it's tons of walking plus standing in museums, churches etc. and I find it helps if I can alternate between two pairs of shoes on longer trips to give my feet a break. Doesn't even have to be 2 pairs of sneakers - do you have anything with more support than the Target flats? Like a driving moc? Your other shoes won't take up much room so you should be able to spare the space.

And hopefully you should be fine and won't have any pickpocketing incidents. I've been places that are supposed to be with purse snatching - Barcelona, Rome, Naples - and never had any problems and I'm an easy mark - obviously foreign, usually alone and really spacey. You could attract more attention since you'll be with a school group though. Just leave your passport in the hotel safe along with extra cash if you have a lot and maybe a credit card if you have more than one. I also try to keep $10 or $20 someplace other than my wallet (an inside pocket in my bag, a buttoned or front pocket) so that if I do get pickpocketed or have my purse snatched hopefully I'll be able to hold onto some money and won't be stranded.

Also lynnie is right - it could get really chilly at night. I was in Paris last May-June and sometimes it would be really hot during the day but at night I would often be cold even with my light sweater and knit cotton jacket on.

-- Edited by cc at 21:23, 2006-05-21

Sunshinegirl · Kate Spade

I agree w/ cc, you might want to look for some other kind of comfortable walking shoes like mephistos or some other brand. The flats are great for evening maybe since you will probably do less walking. And try if possible to not wear flip flops: 1) no support 2) you might be going into churches and museums where they might be frowned upon 3) lots of wear in a big city = dirty American feet which is pretty tacky.

Yes, i know that is my opinion and probably not most people's but that's how i feel about them.

Metric · Gucci

Sunshinegirl wrote:

I agree w/ cc, you might want to look for some other kind of comfortable walking shoes like mephistos or some other brand. The flats are great for evening maybe since you will probably do less walking. And try if possible to not wear flip flops: 1) no support 2) you might be going into churches and museums where they might be frowned upon 3) lots of wear in a big city = dirty American feet which is pretty tacky. Yes, i know that is my opinion and probably not most people's but that's how i feel about them.

I totally agree. Although if you are like me, I bring flipflops to wear around the hotel b/c I get weirded out about bare feet on dirty hotel carpets.

You will need to carry a light sweater or something with you at all times in case you go into a church or some museums, you will need to cover your shoulders.

A tip- In Pompeii (the street vendors outside of the actual site), they have these awesome frozen lemonade drinks. They are made with these huge sweet lemons and they're so good. You have to have one.

Have a great trip Halleybird!

Sunshinegirl · Kate Spade

Metric,

I almost said the same thing except for Assisi where I had the best lemon gelato i have ever ever had. To this day, I cannot replicate it.

Some sweet old ( i mean ancient) Italian man rode up on his even more ancient bicycle and opened this small wooden insulated box on the front of his bicycle and sold the most extraordinary gelato.

Halleybird, I am so jealous.

Yes, take flip flops but wear them in and around the hotels. Didnt mean to sound so pruddish but Americans are so casual with their wardrobe and we have forgotten how to "dress for an occasion"

Have Fun

kisa · Dooney & Bourke

^ I agree about the flip flops. I think the puma flats will be ok. Are they closed at the top? Because I think some of the places you are going in Italy especially might be dusty. The pashmina is a really good choice, I wore my pashmina everyday when I was in Iceland in March. I also agree with Lynnie, and mirbear, you should pack for some colder days because if it rains or whatever it gets cold, and some warmer days then you are expecting. I would probably nix one of the skirts, but that's just because I am always worried I will need a couple of fancy things, but if I do need them, I usually need them far enough apart that I end up wearing whichever of the fancy things I liked best repeatedly, instead of picking the other things. I usually avoid packing shoes. I like to wear my dressy shoes in the airport, and have my alternate shoes - a pair of flats - in my carry on for comfort purposes. I think it saves space, not putting heels in my suitcase, but I might just be delusional.

Hope you have a fun and safe trip!

blubirde · Chanel

For the pickpocketing issue: I've never been to Europe but my BFF spent a lot of time there a few years ago and she suggested a pocket thing that goes around your neck, under your shirt. You put your passport, most money, id, cc, etc. in it and it goes under your clothes so it'd be extremely hard to grab. After her rec, a friend and my mom both used it on their European trips and found it very useful. The friend even got pickpocketed while he was in London but they only got away with the trifle of money he kept in his wallet for easy access (drinks and such) - all his important stuff was in his pouch.

You can buy them everywhere. I've seen them at Target, REI, Whole Earth Provisions, etc.

halleybird · Hermes

Thank you guys again for the tips! To clarify, I wasn't planning to wear the flip-flops "out." I actually dislike rubber flip-flops for any occasion, but the tour company recommended them for the hotel. Believe me, I don't want anyone looking at my feet after 2.5 weeks of walking.

I don't really have any driving shoes or flats that are especially comfortable, but I could bring another pair of sneakers. These are the ones I was planning to bring:

(I put thick insoles in them for arch support)

I could also bring one of these. Pair #1 is really cushioned, but also pretty heavy. Pair #2 is very light but not as cushy.

(mine are reverse grey/pink) (in grey/red/gold)

Hermes

I think you will be fine with your pumas, ballet flats, and flips.

I just bought those pumas in tan, myself!