Need Urgent Advice - What to buy for plane/hospital

Katiepea

Hi Everyone

I hope you can give me some advice. My Grandmother has taken ill and is in hospital. I have decided to go and see her. I fly out on Friday morning and return Tuesday afternoon.

I will be meeting a lot of my Grandmother's friends for the first time. My Grandma takes pride in her appearance and I feel it is important to do both myself and my Grandma proud, by looking as nice as possible. (I sure hope I make sense and you understand.) My husband has been so sweet to me and has said that he can understand, so off I go to the shops tomorrow with my four year old in tow!

However, I need help. I'm stressed and my brain is not functioning properly. I want to shop with a purpose as I'm only going to have around 3 - 4 hours max to get it done. I'm going up to North Queensland, so temperatures are around 24 - 28 C, but I expect to be in air-conditioning (either in planes, airports or in hospital). I also want to buy clothes which are suitable for adding layers for winter. (ie - they need to be suitable for cooler temperatures) - I want to pack as light as possible, so it needs to be kind of like a wardrobe capsule.

I have got a broad idea of a capsule, and am hoping that you can help me refine it:

Colours, styles, fabrics - all these things would really help!

*1X jeans - what style and wash? Skinny? Slight flare? Straight? I am a curvy hourglass, size 10(ish) Australian (6ish US), 5'31/2" with fat calves relative to my size.

*1X skirt or should I go for a tunic type dress - dark colour I assume? (I was thinking either the skirt/dress could also be used next Friday night for an Art show I'll be attending - I wrote an earlier post about this and this was one of the top suggestions.)

*3X tops - what style - knit or woven or a combo? Length - I'm confused - do I tuck or do I go loose over the jeans? (I guess this will depend in part on the type of jeans you recommend.)

*1X scarf - to accessorise

*1X shoes - not sure what to get. I need ballet flats, but I'm also wondering about either a converse or a short boot look. What do you think, given the circumstances? Colours?

*Should I try to get a jacket - if so - what type should I go for? I would assume not super heavy as it is relatively hot and it would be more for adding extra texture? I'd prefer not leather, other than that, I'm open to suggestions.

I hope you can give me some advice as to whether my list makes sense and what you think I should specifically look for or if I have missed something.

I have read Angies posts about travel, but I must confess I still feel confused in my current state about what I should get for me. I promise you that if I get time, I will post pictures of my loot tomorrow afternoon when I get home from shopping.

Thank you for reading.

12 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from afterism

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Oh KP I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Hope she is ok! Its lovely you are able to go there and be with here.

It's also lovely you are considering buying some new pieces to ensure you feel well dressed around her. Honestly though I would not stress over new pieces too mch, I'm sure your prescense alone will be enough.

If I were you I wouldn't put myself through the stress of trying to find a new pair of jeans - jeans shopping can be so dofficult and fraught with angst. I'd go out looking for tops and maybe a skirt that you can also wear next friday that catches your fancy. I'm hesitant to make specific suggestions, since I know whenever I go looking for something specific I can spend all day and not find anything remotely closeby. For warmer weather interspersed with airconditioning I love layering pieces like cardigans and leggings though.

Sorry that isn't particularly helpful. Hope the shopping, and the weekend all goes ok for you!

12 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Katie, I am so very sorry to hear about your grandmother's illness.

I spent a few days with family in the hospital years ago when my own grandmother was very ill, and found that I was *very* cold. Layering up with jackets and scarves seems like the way to go. Usually for activities where I am going to be rather stressed out, I try to think of a stylish but comfortable outfit - for example, my most comfortable ballet flats, jeans in a soft wash, and a knit tunic with a scarf for a plane trip. Generally I find knit tops more comfortable to travel in, and I worry less about appearing rumpled and wrinkled.

Best wishes to you and your family, Katie, and travel safely.

12 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I am sorry to hear about your grandma.
I made a polyvore set for you:
http://www.polyvore.com/travel.....d=31375871
Let me know if the link doesn't work.
Ignore the individual pieces. The idea is to have 2 bottoms:
1) dark wash, bootcut jeans
2) skirt - but now that Kari suggested that it is cold in the hospital, maybe replace that with another pair of pants.
3) 3 printed tops that can be worn with both bottoms.
4) 1 cardi (or 2 depending on how long you will be staying)
5) A light jacket that can be worn over the cardi or directly over the tops.
6) a pair of comfy flats

I forgot to put this on the polvore but get a big pashmina. You can wear it around your neck, or use it as a small blankie on the plane or at the hospital.

12 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Katie, I'm sorry about your grandmother and hope that she is on the mend. When shopping, remember that you will be sitting....a lot... and need jeans and other pieces that will be comfortable and not pull.
Dark clothing and washes will travel the best without having to fuss so much with keeping them looking clean.
As Bella says, it will be cold in the hospital and you won't be moving around much to keep warm. I'd also nix the skirt for another pair of pants (or a fuller skirt). I'd also go with boots rather than cons and take socks if your feet get cold.
Your grandmother will see most what you are wearing on top. I'd take more than one scarf.
Cashmere is warm without being too warm, can be compacted for travel and weighs very little.
Older ladies like your grandmother's friends will be most approving of jeans that aren't tight. You will probably want your tops and scarf to be cheerful colors. You might take some inexpensive pearls.
Pack some granola bars and other small snacks because you will need them in the hospital. It's hard to have to wait for the doctor to visit to hear what he/she says when you are starving.
I hope that your trip goes well. It's hard to plan for yourself as well as for those who are staying home.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sending strength your way, Katie.

How about a few dresses with boots? Wear the boots on the plane.

12 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I was going to suggest dresses with either leggings or boots.
Hope our grandmother is on the mend.

12 years ago

stringy

Veteran

If you can't find lightweight jackets you like, try looking at cardigans. Winter collections are in stores now, there are likely to be some more substantial cardis in interesting styles that would go nicely over a dress/leggings/boots combo as well as over jeans and nice tops.

Jeanswest rib shawl cardi
Just Jeans trench

Also Colorado has some nice shirt dresses at the moment, if that's your thing.

Is this the grandmother who got through the cyclone earlier this year? I'm sure she'll be keeping her chin up, but your visit will do her a world of good.

12 years ago

stringy

Veteran

Oh and Jag has some nice dresses in at the moment, plus some denim skirts.
Printed drape dress

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

So sorry to hear about your grandma -she sounds lovely. Do you have any current pieces you'll be including? My personal experience, having done this myself, is that buying under stress can lead to mistakes, so if you have some nice pieces you can bring along to match or work into outfits, you may not have buyer's remorse. Good luck and keep us posted.

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

So sorry to hear this Katie! I second Joy and Una's comments, especially that it'll be cold in the hospital and to take some small snacks/bottled water with you while visiting. Also keep in mind that when her friends are visiting there is a good chance you will be standing for stretches (hospitals offer so few chairs for visitors!!) so make sure your footwear is comfortable.

12 years ago

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

You are all so very kind to me. Thank you for caring! I am going out and about now and will try my best. Ironically, some of my best purchases have been bought under pressure, so I'm hoping it will also be ok today.

Stringy, yes this is the one and the same Grandma and is also one of the reasons I emphasised meeting her friends. How can you so thank you to people who have looked out for your Grandma? They have taken her to hospital, visited her, offered her love and support.

They have also been so incredibly kind to me. Can you believe that one of her friends (who I have never met) is going to pick my up from the airport and has even offered for me to stay at her house? How is that for one of the nicest things you've ever heard? They also all remember and knew my mum, so that makes it more special (and sad at the same time) for me.

I will try jeans, but if they are a disaster I am not going to stress over it. I am definately going to Jag, JW, Just Jeans, Witchery ('cause I've seen Puffenstuff with some great stuff from there), Country Road as well as DJ's and Myer. Surely I can get something from there!

Once again, thanks for your kindness, I will report back in a couple of hours' time!

12 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I'm so sorry to hear this Katie. Healing thoughts for your grandmother.

I'm with Angie - a few dresses, boots, perhaps some sandals, a cardigan and a jacket. Perhaps one dress can be a tunic and also work with skinnies or leggings. Accessories can really change the look if you bring only a few main items.

12 years ago

afterism

Active Member

Katie - I'm in Cairns & we're freezing up here. Hospital's are always cold as well so I would go with fairly warm clothes. Not snow gear obviously.

I think some jeans and a few different tops to go with them. Maybe some leggings and a couple of dresses should see you through a week easily.

Shoes would be 1 x flats, 1 x heels & maybe 1 x boots.

A scarf or pashmina as well for when you are in the hospital.

12 years ago

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