STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Lilykind · Hermes

anyone an expert on packing for long-term trips

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

I would definitely pack all your favorites. You'll be craving them if you don't. After you have your favorites, I would just pack as much as you could...You'll basically need clothes for every season, so just start cramming stuff in there! And then buy what you're missing.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

Just bring your favorite stuff... I've packed twice for year-long stays out of the country, and both times I found I didn't wear half of what I packed. I ended up wearing only my favorite pieces, and if I needed anything, I'd just pick it up there. I would suggest only packing 1 and a half suitcases worth of clothes, because you will want that extra room when you return to LA.

ETA: On my first year-long stay out of the country, I brought 2 giant suitcases, a smaller one, and had stuff mailed to me. At the end of the year I had to give away over a suitcase worth of stuff, and I still had almost another suitcase left over that my boyfriend had to bring with him to the States for me. The second time I was out of the country I only took one big suitcase and one smaller one, and that was just right. I would really vote for limiting yourself to favorites, and not try to stuff as much as possible into your bags.

-- Edited by gingembre1 at 14:47, 2006-10-02

Hermes

pack two suitcases full, buy whatever you want when you're out there, then ups what you can't pack back to LA when you return (ups can also be utilized when going out there too, but I would view the 2 suitcase restriction as an invitation to shop

)

-- Edited by D at 14:50, 2006-10-02

Elle · Hermes

I'd go with a majority of versatile items (for lots of mixing and matching, and things that can be dressed both up and down), a few 'statement' pieces. Accessories are good too - add some impact to oufits while taking up relatively little suitcase space.

For instance, I'd definitely bring your DVF (can be dressed up or down). Probably also a couple Rachel Pally items. And I'd say 3 or so pairs of jeans - at least one of which can be dressed up. Then I'd do a few different tees/tanks/beaters in various colors for layering (and they don't take up much space!). What kind of shoes do you wear to work usually? Is it a sneakers kind of atmosphere? Then I'd probably take 1 pair of sneakers, 1 or 2 pairs of flats, and 3 or so pairs of heels (in various styles/heel heights).

And, while the organizer in me would love to pack a large suitcase with all the clothes and a smaller one with all my shoes and accessories, I'd advise doing a mix of each in each suitcase. Heaven forbid the airline loses one - at least you could fully outfit yourself if it happened that way!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

ooh, I just went through this and its tough! Pack you favorites, but only things you'll realistically wear. As for the rest, i tried to keep everything to a few color palettes and packed mostly basics that could be layered differently and tons of accessories. That way I can switch up the colors and the accessories and not feel like I'm wearing the same thing every day.

Lilykind · Hermes

I also failed to mention that the 4 months will include a 1-2 week holiday in NYC and the Poconos. Which means coats and warm wooly things and boots! oh my this is going to be bad...

NCshopper · Hermes

Elle wrote:

I'd go with a majority of versatile items (for lots of mixing and matching, and things that can be dressed both up and down), a few 'statement' pieces. Accessories are good too - add some impact to oufits while taking up relatively little suitcase space.

Ditto. Accessories will help you transform your pieces

When I spent 6 months in Australia I waaaaaaaaaaay overpacked. I packed like they didn't have stores there. Duh. Same thing with Atlanta--if you don't have something that you need, you can buy something.

If you pack basics that you can mix and match and play around with, then you shouldn't need a whole lot. You're so great at putting different outfits together in ways that I wouldn't even think of, so you'll be fine with whatever you bring. And D's right--if you end up with a ton of stuff after 4 months, that's what UPS and FedEx are for!

Chic · Marc Jacobs

I agree with packing your favorites. As far as the weather goes here in Atlanta bring layers! The weather here changes so much, this weekend it was 40 degrees on Saturday morning and then Sunday afternoon I was at the pool!

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

I agree with everyone else as far as bringing your favorites and statement pieces. Atlanta is great for shopping so you will have no trouble finding stuff to buy once you get there.

This may sound a bit extreme, but in light of my recent lost luggage experience (they never found it, BTW), I would suggest shipping most of the stuff. It just seems so much safer -- you can track it with UPS or USPS. In the process I went through trying to find my bag, I realized that there are many, many holes in the way airlines keep track of luggage. It would really suck to have them lose a bag with all your wardrobe staples in it.

Maven · BCBG

Some people just Fedex their clothes to the place they will be staying. I think I would Fedex the heavy wintry items and shoes. Before you return home, send them back.

It seems to me that long trips like this are an excellent opportunity to pare down your wardrobe and really focus on your own individual style.

Escrime · Kate Spade

I travel a lot, and sometimes, I am going from one weather extreme to another. I would suggest fedexing a bunch of stuff and/or using a luggage service that will do it. This usually works better for me because I don't have to lug around a ridiculous amount of luggage, and it doesn't get lost.