Packing for New Jersey: need help being practical!

Michelle

Well, it's time to face the inevitable and pack for my three-week guide dog training stint in New Jersey. I find myself having a difficult time deciding what to pack, largely because September has potential to be so volatile in terms of weather. In Toronto I've witnessed everything from sweltering summer temperatures to brisk fall breezes, and I know there's potential for similar fluctuations where I'm going. So I'm trying to pack for all contingencies without bringing too much stuff. The vibe there is casual and geared towards the business at hand, i.e. working with your new canine partner, but there may be the odd meal that requires a slightly dressier look.

I plan to aim for smart casual looks most days, but pack one dress and one skirt/top outfit to cover my bases. I'm more torn on the rest. Please help me whittle things down?

I have the following options:
Four pairs of jeans (one black, one white, one ink blue straight leg, one longer boot cut in dark blue). Am tempted to bring them all, but if I had to ditch some, what would you leave behind?
Cotton pants: I have a few pairs (black, grey, navy, cammel). I plan to bring two. Again, which would you leave at home?
Clams: Again, I have four pairs (black, white, black and white checks, denim). I'm thinking of three pairs.
Tops: I have a lot of choice and can't seem to decide on anything.
I plan to bring my patterned short-sleeve cardigan and maybe my plane white one. I also have Three button-down styles (red 3/4 sleeve, white 3/4 sleeve, fuchsia short sleeve). Also available are my yellow, black and white floral top with the square neckline, black and white faux-wrap top, sweet pea top, and that argyle two-in-one waistcoat thing in my last batch of pics. There's another silkier patterned top with more voluminous sleeves that I adore and that looks great with everything that I'll pack because it takes up no space and can dress up any pants I own. What would you go for?
Jacket: the new dark blue one shown in my last set of pics. It's more breathable than my hot leather moto jacket.
Dress: black and white
Skirt outfit: grey and yellow skirt with yellow blouse.
Shoes: I'm having problems here. Converse are essenntial, as are the pewter snake flats. Do you think it's too early in the season for black booties? I'll probably pack the KC pewter wedge sandals, but can't decide whether I need another pair of summer shoes (white or red sandals, perhaps).
Loungewear: lululemon yoga pants and one or two colourful t-shirts. Sorry Angie. At least I have a pretty melon-coloured fleese sweatshirt to pop over the tees if it's cold!
I'm getting the blackberry trench shipped to NJ in the new size, so I can use that as my raincoat if the heavens open.

Thanks so much for your help with this, guys. I'm feeling emotional and overwhelmed at the idea of giving up McClure, and assistance with this part is much appreciated.

16 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Kristen

Louise

Veteran

((((hugs))))) how awful McClure going, can only imagine how horrid it must feel.

When packing to go away i usually try to stick to a couple of colours so that everything can be mixed and matched. Perhaps black and grey bottoms then pick 2 colours for you tops then everything should all be interchangeable. x

Edit- chewing my nails here where does McClure go when he retires?

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Hi Michelle!
We were in New Jersey/New York/Pennsylvania last year in earlySeptember, and the weather was beautiful! We did have some summer storms, but it was still pleasant temps during them.
I agree with Louise about color coordinating everything- it will just make things simpler.
For your jeans, I'd leave the longer hemmed ones home since you have a dress and skirt for dressier occasions. I think it will be too warm for booties based on my experience last year, but maybe someone on the east coast can tell you what the weather is now.I'd bring the black and gray pants. I'd leave the denim clams since you already have jeans coming. I'd bring the white 3/4 sleeve cardi. I would pack heavy on tops since they take up less room, and you want enough things to wear without having to constantly having to do laundry. I'd bring the silver wedges for your clams,dress and skirt, and leave the booties at home unless the weather forecast is really cool.
Good luck! I know this is an emotional journey for you.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I just checked my "September" file of photos, what I wore last year. I love having this record, as it reminds me how I dressed for various temperatures. I missed your original posts - what are the dates, early September, or running into late September?

Bearing in mind that Boston is farther North, so we tend to be a bit chillier, looking at my photos from last year, what I wore was:

1) Long Jeans

2) short sleeve - or sleeveless shirts/blouses

3) lightweight cotton cardigans, 3/4 or elbow length... no need yet for wool. You might want to pack *one* long sleeve cotton cardi.

4) flats or pumps without socks - No booties yet (those came out in October). If you do hit a chilly day, you will be able to wear the converses with socks, so I think you'll be covered.

I don't have a pic for every single day, so I'm going to assume the days I didn't photograph, I was wearing summer clothing. So add:

5) clamdiggers

I did not wear too many dresses last September, but I would expect this September I will add leggings to my summer dresses to extend the wear. I found that worked great in June/July when we had so much rain and it was so chilly.

6) For a coat, I'd stick to a denim or other lightweight jacket. I was wearing my leather jacket by late September, but I figure if you have a cardigans AND camis, you can just layer up.

7) Throw in a pretty scarf in a fall color to wrap around your neck.

Will you have access to a laundry? That would determine how much I packed. If you can do your laundry once a week, you don't need as much.

No matter how long my trip, I try to keep it to no more than 3 pairs of shoes (one which I am wearing, two in the luggage). It's a challenge, yes. But that's all I ever seem to need. So one flat, one converse, one modest heel.

I counted 10 tops including the tees? I would bring ONE tee and 6 tops. One for each day of the week - unless you think you will wear a dress at least once a week, then subtract accordingly. I always find I can wear pants several times before needing to launder, but tops need more frequently because of sweating. Also tops take up so much less room than jeans.

Focus more on cardigans and accessories, that's what I do. I always pack a lot of cardigans - you can just switch up the cardi over the same white button down and get a whole new look. Nobody will notice it's the same one. Make sense?

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

... incidentally, it's only 70 degrees here today. This is September weather. I would feel comfortable in a sleeveless top, long jeans and no socks for day, with a jacket thrown over for night. OR, clamdiggers, top, cardigan and maybe even a cami. I find either I need to cover up the top half, OR the bottom half, to feel comfy in this sort of weather.

... but also - I tend to run hot!

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Michelle! What are your dates? I like to think I'm the authority on this, since you will be in my home town

Depending on when you are here, the weather will either be more summery or autumny. Up until late September, it's pretty warm. Upper 70's to upper 80's. Because of the nature of what you're doing, I would bring lots of jeans (since you'll be in sneakers) and lots to layer with. Sleeveless top + cardigan + lightweight jacket is a good formula. You can peel and add layers as necessary. A couple of scarves will serve you well too. It is definitely not too early for booties. I find that people get into their boots as soon as possible here, but in the warmer/earlier part they are either shorter boots or lighter knee-high boots. Black or brown knee high boots or suede boots are too wintery.

I like to travel light so I bring as little as possible. I think what I mentioned is as much as you *need* but far from what you'll want, it seems. I'd keep some leggings if you plan on bringing dresses, so you can throw them on if it gets a bit chilly.

Where is McClure going? I can't even imagine how emotional and hard that must be I hope our planned outing will perk you up a bit!

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And the authorities have spoken :0)

Michelle, the only extra bit of advice I can offer is to NOT pack light. I don’t ever see the point of packing light (a potential blog post come to think of it). Take as much as you can within the weight allowance (no need to pay for extra weight). Will you be online while you’re away? We’ll miss you if you’re not.

Louise, you are a honey. Hope those nails are intact. McClure is going to Michelle’s parents farm to retire and she’ll be able to visit whenever she wants while he enjoys the good life. That’s retiring in style :0)

16 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, ladies. This is helpful, and along the lines of what I had in mind anyway.
Angie, I hate packing light and frankly have never been any good at it, so I don't think I'll be doing that now... The one thing I must keep in mind, though, is that I'll be returning with more than I left with, since the school provides dog toys, bowls, a preliminary supply of food etc.
Oh, and my carry-on luggage will consist of my laptop, so yes I will be online regularly while there. I can even post pics of the new pup once I have him/her on Monday!
One other question... In the interest of simplicity, I'm only planning to take one handbag with me -- the black croco one. Objections?

Thanks, everyone, for your help and support with this emotional transition. Maya, I'm so psyched to meet you! You don't have my contact info, do you?

16 years ago

Anonymous

Michelle, you have lots of great advice and need to make things easy as possible on yourself so you can concentrate on what you need to do. If I were you, I'd leave the white jeans and those hemmed for higher heeled shoes at home and take only one purse (so that everything will be in one place).

I rather enjoy the challenge of fitting everything, including a laptop, in carry-on luggage, but look forward to Angie's blog post on packing. I pack minimal bottoms and more tops that can be layered with each other, mostly in dark colors and in fabrics that can be washed in the sink and will dry overnight. Right now I'm on a 9 day vacation and packed everything I wasn't wearing in an Eagle Creek folder to make it the size of a 2" notebook. Accessories go in a medium packing cube with lots of room to spare for my two quart plastic bags, one for liquid toiletries and one for the dry stuff. I also added a second pair of shoes. If I were travelling by car I wouldn't pack this way.

16 years ago

Vani

Veteran

Have nothing more constructive to add but just wanted to wish you good luck with all packing. You will let us know before you leave right?

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I like to travel light because I hate checking in baggage (good for the environment too!) and having lots of bags to carry in general. I also like to have plenty of room for things that I bring home with me. Packing and unpacking is also a real chore for me so I try to keep it simple. But, whatever floats your boat. I overpacked when I went to France and had to leave a ton of stuff behind, so ever since then I have learned to do without.

Michelle, I do not have your contact info. Angie, would you mind connecting us?

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Lucky McClure sounds like he will have a fantastic retiremement x

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I firmly believe that "packing light" is only for imaginary weekend getaways to exotic locations that we don't really ever go to, not for 3 weeks during the most volatile weather month of the year. Pack what you need and don't worry about the "light" part!

If you were to ditch a pair of jeans, I would say lose the white ones but keep the white clams. Since most of the time you will be busy dog training, you need to be mindful of wet grass and such, which makes the white impractical for the work side of your trip, and you will have other options for any dressier occasions.

I will second Joy's recommendation of an Eagle Creek folder for squeezing your tops down so you can fit more into your bag. I bought the smaller one and was able to get a) all my dresses for a week in Arizona, and b) all my tops for a week in Tennessee, in there with lots of room to spare in the suitcase for other items.

One purse is a great idea. Pick the one you own that is most versatile for the color and outfits you are bringing and you will be good to go.

Have a good trip!

16 years ago

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