Help me pack for Paris! - YouLookFab Forum

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Help me pack for Paris!

shiny

Veteran

We leave in less than two weeks, ack. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, because we're doing a home exchange so that means not only do I have to pack and clear my plate at work, but I have to do a major housecleaning to make the house presentable to the people we are exchanging with.

On the plus side, we will have access to laundry facilities, and we will be parked in one place the entire time - not lugging luggage everywhere. Still, I want to pack light. I need a new luggage bag; I'm contemplating a medium size.

Weather in Paris this week is in the low to mid 70s, which is cooler than it has been here.... of course, that could change.

Would really like your help deciding what to pack for this!!

For reference, here are all my looks - there are some clothes you haven't seen because I never took a photo, but this is a very good start:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26254981@N05/

and some other stuff here (mostly winter/early spring)
http://teamsugar.com/user/petite42/looks

If it's easier for you, feel free to write something in the comment field like - "I vote you take this one!" or simple "yes" or "no."

My strategy is to start with bottoms; that is the easy part for me. And then decide on which tops I should bring. So my list so far includes:

- denim clamdiggers
- white walk shorts
- white clamdiggers
- one pair of jeans
- a few skirts
- a dress or two

Shoes:
- metallic ballet slippers
- privo slinkbacks (white) - will likely wear these on the plane
- probably these, because they are proving to be surprisingly comfy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....634194590/
- maybe one other pair, if I can squeeze them in....

Yes, that's a lot of shoewear but it's for two weeks, and my feet appreciate it when I switch shoes often!

Handbags - just two and that's it!!!
- Black kate spade backpack seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....673787869/
- Cream coach handbag

These two are large enough to fit camera, cardigan, maps, and kids' stuff I will inevitably have to carry... and won't kill my back.

I have to admit I'm tempted to bring my tan Coach Ergo bag instead of the cream one... simply because it's the most comfortable bag I own, very light weight, ergonomically designed... I should take a photo for you. But it's kinda boring, being tan and all. I could possibly go to the store and invest in a cream Ergo bag.... the Ergo line is very nice, if you have a tendency towards back problems!

Likely I will end up using the backpack most of the time - fashion aside - because it is really ultra, ultra-kind to my back.

For rain, I have a 3/4-length black nylon trenchcoat - it's very stylish (from BR years ago) and it packs up into nothing, so it always comes on every trip I make.

So that leaves tops and cardigans. Most of my tops can easily coordinate with jeans or clams or skirts.

I know what some of my favorites are already, but I'm looking for your feedback. So let the voting begin.... !!

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

shiny

Veteran

Here's a pic of the tan coach ergo bag; I carried it everywhere on our trip to Spain last summer, and it was soooo comfortable:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....673865257/

... just not thrilled on the color now!

I might be tempted to invest in this one, in white; depends on how big it is (I don't like huge bags):

http://www.coach.com/content/p.....ory_id=904

The ergo line is very nice, because they are designed to be lightweight and carried closer to the body.

Anonymous

It's been years since I've been to Paris, but I understand it's usually hot in August and everyone leaves for vacation. Dresses and skirts would help keep you cool. In Europe I don't think you can go wrong with black and separates are great. I also especially love the chocolate brown Gap dress on you.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I love your Coach bag! I think the white bag would be great, too.
Also, I'd recommend you pack your black v-neck dress and the black print dress (the one you're wearing titled "long necklace"). You look stunning in those dresses!

shiny

Veteran

Sarbear, do you mean the V-neck dress I'm wearing over my bathing suit? That one has actually seen better days... it's a bit worn out, which is why it's been relegated to a beach cover-up!

The print dress is actually brown, not black. I am taking that one - it's one of my favorites.

Joy, yes, I like the Gap brown dress too! What's nice about it is that I can swap out the tank and the jewelry and wear with different cardis for different looks. I may even wear this one on the plane (I like wearing dresses or skirts on planes - more comfy than pants for me).

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I see. I just like that shape for you.

Anonymous

Recently on this forum someone mentioned Hey's luggage because it is so light weight.

http://www.target.com/gp/detai.....B00150OQ7C|Heys_Elpis_6pc._Upright_Luggage_Set&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B00150OQ7C&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

Antje

Veteran

A few votes from me:

the grey and white skirt from the backpack photo

the red and white floral top you wear with clamdiggers (is it Sweet Pea? I love those mesh tops for traveling. They are teeny tiny in the suitcase, and dry so quickly after a quick wash in the sink. PERFECT summer travel tops!)

And most importantly:
the blue and fuchsia cardis for chilly evenings (so versatile and they are both such great colors for you, they really light you up)

Julie

Hi Shiny - I would also add either the red or white ATL short sleeve jacket. Those both look wonderful on you and they add polish to an outfit. I would also take the brown dress because it looks fantastic on you.

shiny

Veteran

You realize I have 4 brown dresses, LOL!

Antje - all that you mentioned is already on my own list (the one in my head so far).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your forward thinking is commendable, Shiny. Is this your first time in Paris?

I'm going to put a spanner in the works! Don't plan anything until a day before the trip. Western European weather can change literally overnight. 85 degrees on one day and 60 the next. Remember that there is no air-conditioning and that ventilation in Paris is very bad. Check accuweather.com the day before you leave and pack accordingly.

I love what you have so far. My only reservation is the back pack. Loads of pickpockets on the Metro. Might not be the best idea.

susan

I always admire your outfits, Shiny. What I want to know is how did you arrange a home exchange? I'm sure you will look great no matter what you decide to take.

Nicole

Veteran

One of your dresses HAS to be the one on page two bottom row in the middle (on flickr). It's brown, has some sheen and you have it on with a turquoise ss cardi.

One of your skirts should be the black and white one, also on page 2, third outfit (on Flickr).

One page one (flickr) there's a photo that has a flash glare, but it's a red and white top...looks like maybe kimono style? I think that looks very interesting. You could wear it with your dark jeans, and white clam diggers that you plan to pack.

I also like the grey and white skirt (the same one that Tanya has in pink/red).

I hate packing....I always over pack. I usually start with tops, and pick bottoms that go with the tops I've picked. Maybe that's my problem...I do it backwards.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Nicole, I pack like that as well!

Julia

Hi Shiny, I'm in China right now. I just logged onto this forum for the first time since I left the US. I miss you gals so much. Even though the weather is hot and humid here, I'd like to share what I've packed and how they work so far, hope it's helpful.

Here's what I packed:

Four tops:

black V-neck with a knot in the front (AT)
black and white empire waist with V-nect (ATL)
Navy blue blouse with eyelet neckline from BR - see below with the white clamdiggers (You have it too)
JCrew print blouse - see below with the white bermudas

Three pairs of walk shorts:

White clamdiggers
http://s282.photobucket.com/al.....=5-7-1.jpg
White bermudas
http://s282.photobucket.com/al.....=5-7-3.jpg
Jean clamdiggers
http://s282.photobucket.com/al.....shunt1.jpg

One black and white skirt.

Two dresses
http://s282.photobucket.com/al.....t=6-22.jpg
and a b/w sleeveless one in polyester

One cropped cardi in tourquise

Two pairs of shoes, the black swann flat and a pair of wedges in gold

One big white tote
http://s282.photobucket.com/al.....bag001.jpg

So far it works very well for me, except for the color block dress, I've worn every piece several times already. I can wear the same top with different walk shorts. The white bag goes with everything and carries all I need. The color block dress has lining so it's too hot to wear here.

Since I know these clothes work for me, I feel very comfortable and confident. Thanks to Angie and the gals here!

I hope that you have a great trip!

Julia

sorry for the double post.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We miss you, Julia! We knew you were in China. Hope you're having a wonderful time! Bring yourself back safely and send us fashion news!

ps. Sounds like you packed wonderfully. Paris won’t be humid or nearly as hot, but there’s no air-conditioning because most buildings are 16th Century.

Nicole

Veteran

Speaking of Paris buildings...I was watching House Hunters International last night. A young (wealthy) couple were buying an apartment in Paris. The apartment was 17th century, two buildings that had been connected, so it had a unique yet pleasant lay out. It needed some work. I beleive it was over 1,000 sf, which is quite big for Paris, isn't it? They paid about $800K (USD) and another $200K on repair/renovation.

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Julia! That gives me some ideas.

San - we use http://www.homeexchange.com. This will be our second exchange. It's nice because you don't have to pay for a hotel, and you have more room, including a kitchen so you can save $ by eating at home a few meals a day. Some people are even willing to exchange cars; I can't do that but we're close enough to public transportation it hasn't been an issue.

We arranged this year's exchange way back in January, and it's been fun getting to know the other family over email. We will overlap stays so will get to spend a day with them on either end of the trip. That makes the exchange more fun - getting to meet new people. It feels like you are exchanging lives, not just homes!

Inge

(website)

A bit of weather information from Europe Shiny: I'm in Belgium, Paris is about 220 miles more south, so it's probably a bit warmer there, but overall the weather is comparable.

And I'm sorry to say that it hasn't been great during the last few weeks. It's supposed to be Summer here but we haven't had much sun yet (but please don't panic, like Angie said, it can literally change overnight and it's not like it's really cold or anything, just more rain than we would like to see;-)

So maybe it's a good idea to pack one more pair of closed shoes that works for rainy weather, you've got the trenchcoat covered, so no problem there.
If you have a warmer sweater or cardi for the evenings (it gets chilly faster when it 's cloudy all day) and maybe a nice scarf or pashmina I think you're all set to go.

And they do predict sunny weather for next week, so things are looking up and you'll probably be cursing me when you are lugging that extra pair of shoes with you;-)

Enjoy your holiday Shiny and take lots of pictures!

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Inge!

I am thinking one pair of jeans (possibly two - depending on weather forecast) and my converses and that will work with everything else I plan to bring; I'll be prepared for cool or hot conditions.

It's 95 degrees and incredibly humid here today. Just awful!