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Travel Capsule challenge - long post!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am starting to put together what I'll need for a 4 day, 3 night stay in New Orleans next weekend. My challenge is that I will be wearing exclusively flats. I have my half marathon that Sunday and still have foot pain to deal with. So I've been living in my Birkenstocks all week and won't be out of them anytime soon. I have one pair of heels for Valentine dinner but they will be one hour shoes and maybe sitting only if I'm hurting after the run! It's harder to be stylish when your shoes are limited. As of right now, I am bringing

Shoes:
1" tall black riding boots,
Dr. Scholl's ballet flats nude
black Birkenstocks
nude heeled sandals or gray pumps (for sitting shoes Mon. night only)

Bottoms:
dark bootcut jeans
black cargo skirt
army green skinny pants
gray jersey dress
pink cocktail dress

Tops:
2 dressier halter tops, one black one geo print
red satin tank
graphic tee
sweetheart neck leopard top
white layer cami

Jackets/layers:
crop khaki 3/4 slv moto
crop tux jacket
green ruffle cashmere cardi
black flowy racerback vest.

Extras:
bucket hat
swimsuit
black leggings
gray glittery scarf
asst. jewelry
gunmetal clutch

I had things picked out I thought I could use until I started asking myself "where will you wear that? What will you be doing? etc." Likewise, I got to thinking how to change up an outfit from day to night, for both dressiness and weather factors, rather than change completely into a new outfit. Switch out flats for boots, or the cotton layers for the tux jacket, etc. I'm hoping this is my most successful trip packing yet!
I always seem to bring a ton of orphans on trips. Hopefully thinking through each outfit by outfit will work out better.

Anyway, thanks for letting me think out loud here. If anything sticks out to you that I totally forgot, or should ditch, feel free to chime in!

PS I am obviously packing running shoes and clothes as well

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

Aida

Veteran

Not sure what the weather is like there, so it may be worth checking if you'll need warmer jackets/coats. The list looks good, lots of options! I think you won't wear everything on here though; I'd pack this much for a week+ trip myself hehe

I'd suggest jotting down the outfits you like the most so when it comes time to dress you won't panic; having a few extra outfits lined up in case you have to change during the day helps a lot as well. Sounds fun!

catgirl

Veteran

You are obviously like me - I always want OPTIONS when I'm traveling! Part of my problem is that when I go somewhere warm, I want to bring ALL my cute summer clothes...

I agree, this looks like a lot of items for 4 days. Are you trying to pare down, or just looking for possible holes? Aida's suggestion to come up with outfits in advance is fabulous. I'm going to remember that one!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I want to only bring what I will actually wear - BUT I don't want to be stuck with only one choice and then have rain, or change of plans make it unwearable and then I'm wearing the same thing. I always bring too much, I will admit
Part of the problem is we'll be day tripping and walking (I hope - fingers crossed) all over town but come nighttime we like to go eat at all the fabulous restaurants New Orleans has to offer. So I want to be able to spiff up for dining in the evening but don't have heels as options.
ETA: for instance, on Monday we plan to rent bikes in the day, dine at a dress code required restaurant in the evening, and then head uptown to a bar for music into the wee hours. 3 different outfits!

Weather is all over the place. Highs from 60 to 76 and lows from 41 to 58. Chance of rain a couple days, too . . .

I have 3 particular outfits in mind with shoe and jacket changes. Then I have the sweater as a backup for weather and a top or two to allow me to change my mind

Maybe I'll try on a few outfits and post a pic or two and see what I could remix and what can be cut out of the pile

Aida

Veteran

Mo I would highly suggest trying on the outfits you have in mind before you go, because sometimes they come together funny (not saying you aren't good at putting outfits together, this is from my experience at trying to get stuff together for Hawaii; I had all these great ideas in my head, then when I tried them on only, like, two looked passable -_-).

Velma

Veteran

Wow, that's a lot of stuff to haul, Mo!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

maybe I have lightweight stuff, but I usually stuff it all in an under-the-seat duffle when I travel! I wear the clunky stuff and the cocktail dress will go in the BF's garment bag. Do I travel that much heavier than you guys? I thought I was average . . . hmmmm.

Aida

Veteran

For my 8-day Maui trip, my husband and I packed all our stuff in one medium sized luggage (too large for carry-on but not the super duper giant size). We usually travel pretty light; weekend trips (2-3 days), we usually pack all our stuff into one backpack. I don't mind not having options though, unlike at home. I just try to make sure I like all the outfits I've packed

Deb

Really wish I could help you out, Mo - but I'm the wrong person for this one. I always bring an extra trunk to carry the kitchen sink. LOL.

I have a friend who just left for a 2-week stay in the tropics. She packed only black and white, and two pairs of shoes. She finally managed to break the age-old habit of bringing *her* kitchen sink along ... and I am beyond impressed by her self-control. (Now I'm waiting to hear how the actual *dressing* evolves... if it works, I may try it myself. Maybe...)

kimlee

Veteran

Mo - I think you have covered your bases, and will be well prepared for whatever the trip hands you.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm being lazy - but here's a quick shot or two of all the loot (minus the cocktail dress, heels and tux jacket). I will get to outfit pics tomorrow. Sorry about the crazy distracting bedspread. Furnished rental - decor leaves something to be desired
pants/shorts in #1
skirt and dress in #2
to wear on the plane #3

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catgirl

Veteran

Mo, I have the worst luck with luggage - I think I told the story here of how my bag got run over by a plane one time. I felt like George Constanza. So I ONLY take what I can carry on. The way I look at it, I can shop and bring stuff back checked in, when I don't care how long it takes for everything to get home...

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

This is a lot of stuff to pack. I only bring what I can carry on. Find ways that you can combine your clothes into some pretty different combinations. A set like this could be combined in dozens of different ways with some scarves, belts or necklaces: http://www.polyvore.com/paris_nov/set?id=27759663

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Gals, I *do* carry this on! It fits into my Ogio duffel no problem and right under the seat. I put the nice things into the BF's garment bag (chiffon dress, tux jacket). I suppose if I can carry it on I shouldn't worry about how much is in there, huh? As I looked at my photos I noticed that although I have specific outifts in mind, I could pretty much pair up anything and everything. I suppose that's the part where a color palette comes in handy Now I'm getting a little excited about it all @@

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Una, that's crazy! I had my bags lost when the Olympics came to LA in 1984. I only went from SF to LA but my bags may have gone to Egypt and back for all I knew! Other than that, I have been very lucky. Although I am *always* the one getting hand searched. Never fails. I must look suspicious

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Mo, I think this looks really good. It looks like you you a good assortment that can be mixed and matched.

As someone struggling with Plantar Facetious (also living in my birks), I am wondering if you'll be able to wear heels at all after your run. I would recommend making sure you have a comfy but dressy backup plan for those heels. )-:

I also second the suggestion to actually try on a few outfits so you know works and you don't have an outfit brain freeze when you get there. Also, make sure you have a trench or something for night. something you'll feel good about wearing over your cocktail dress at 3 AM (-:

HAVE FUN!

Scarlet

Veteran

This all looks very good, but I am worried about your poor feet! What happened? Would getting them taped or something before the run help?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ah, Scarlet, thanks! I don't really know what happened. Must have overdone it the week I had my 10 mile run. My instep swelled up and a few of the little bones under the ball of my foot moved - the chiropractor found and fixed that! It's probably a tendon that got tight and started to pull things out of place. I have laid off running since last Thursday. Did a quick 5K a few days ago, and may try a 6mile on Tues, but all in all I'm laying low until next Sunday's half marathon. Wish me luck!! (ps I do wear socks with arch support but not sure about taping. Might look into that at the expo the day before.)

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