Need more help figuring out shoes for trip--thanks!

Debbie

So to re-cap------if you were packing for 9 days in Europe this week---- where the temps are in the mid 50s and maybe rain and you were sightseeing during daytime and dinners at night with business assoc. of DH what shoes/boots would you take?

Oh, and the weight of your luggage matters because you have one leg of your trip on Ryan Air (a budget airline with strict luggage weight rules).

Thank you!

17 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Debbie

Antje

Veteran

Happylife, are you taking the Gentle Souls? I imagine you'd get lots of mileage out of them. They are slim enough to be worn under bootcuts (if you pack those) and they are great with skirts - e.g. for dinners out at night. And they are so comfortable that you could wear them for a lot of city walking, sight seeing etc.
I don't know what your option shoe options are. In addition to the above I'd definitely pack fashion sneakers (for sight seeing on non-rainy days - there hopefully will be a couple ;-)), and one pair of dressy shoes like pumps or flats.

17 years ago

Debbie

Active Member

yes I could take the gentle souls, my gray converse and maybe my black puma mostros?

Our hotel in Ireland is quite a walk away from town and I am not into taking cabs. I would rather walk, so I guess my walking shoes would be the mostros or converse if I am walking several miles?

I don't know why I am making this so hard.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Because it is hard!

I spreadsheeted-out my 2 week wardrobe to Paris this summer. My goal was to get it down to just three pairs of shoes - I did not include any heels at all in that formula, because I knew we'd be walking/using public transpo and not have any too-dressy occasions.

I ended up packing just three pairs of shoes - and wearing one pair only once (gave me major blisters - they don't usually, but in the heat, they did) and the other two about 80/20. The 80% of the time pair were my bronze ballet Me-Too flats. The 20% was my gold "pseudo" gladiator flats - which were perfect for the few super-hot days we had.

Now, you are going in the fall with 50 degree weather, so it is a bit different BUT I think you should commit yourself to just three pairs of shoes:

1) One pair of FLAT boots you can walk in for 8 hours;
2) One pair of FLAT stylish shoes (booties? loafers? converses?) that you can wear with socks (50 degree weather is chilly!);
3) One pair of high heels for the nights out.

Pick your three shoes, then plan your wardrobe around just those three options. The way I figure, better to pack more clothes and less shoes.

Just be sure you can walk all day long in #1 and #2 .... and that you bring along a big stylish tote so you can carry #3 with you if you need to walk to your destination and then switch into the heels.

Sound good?

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Wow, great advice Shiny!

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

And one other thought: pick shoes that are loose and wide-ish. I don't know about you, but we did so much walking everywhere, my feet flattened out and widened as the day would wear on. I think this is also a factor in why my usual "go-to" flat just didn't cut it, and gave me blisters. They weren't as wide.

Meanwhile, the Me-Too's can almost be *too* wide in cooler weather or early morning... but perfect after 8 hours of walking around site-seeing on cobblestones.

17 years ago

Debbie

Active Member

thank you so much shiny and Antje

I am contemplating:
Aerosole Ride Line tall black boots (I think they are waterproof--not real leather) for walking with skinnies tucked in
gray Converse
tall black Gentle Souls for nights out
My only hesitation now is 2 pair of boots seems like 1 too many but each serves a different purpose, I think.

I may do the outfit Angie suggested for the plane--- black/gray microcheck GAP pants, black cashmere turtleneck, gray converse, black trench, tote, pashmina.

Sightseeing:
Aerosole Ride Line boots, express mias skinnies, cashmere sweaters, trench, scarf, tote. and/ or GAP microchecks, converse, sweater.

2-3 business dinners out:
Gentle Souls boots, black pencil skirt, blouse. (I may wear pencil skirt 2 nights in row only changing top and accessories?)

Notice I bagged the running shoes? I figure I will be walking a lot all day. I may regret it but. . .

17 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

sounds good, a pair of waterproof boots and skinnies are the way forward for rainy Irish weather! Maybe you could wear one of the pairs of boots for the plane journey from Ireland to Scotland to cut down on weight as through my own personal experience, Ryanair are very strict on weight limits. They stung me for over €50 over-weight charges when I flew home from study abroad. The fact that I was only 5kg over the limit after living in another country for 5 months was a small miracle.

17 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

My suggestion--test drive your shoes before the trip. Wear them for a full day when you are active and walking and on your feet. I did that before we went to Ireland, and I was so glad because I left with confidence, knowing that I had the right footwear that would serve me well.

17 years ago

Debbie

Active Member

Today I walked 5 blocks to the grocery store in my Aerosole Ride Lines and skinny jeans to see if they were comfortable.

So far so good! They were comfy!

I find that trying shoes in the store and in the house only does not give me the whole picture. I have to walk outside in them to see how they really feel! And the problem with that is once they have been worn outside I cannot return them! I have some of those footies they give you on home tours that I can use tho for just around the driveway to test them.

So thanks to you all I think I have figured out my shoe situ for Europe.

I think I will be stylish AND comfortable. That is my goal.

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

I'm sure you will be successful, Debbie. You always look great in the pictures you post. I have confidence that you'll figure something great out.

17 years ago

Debbie

Active Member

thank you Alecia.

You are so nice to say that. It gives me confidence!

17 years ago

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