Missing Your Wardrobe When You Travel

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Missing Your Wardrobe When You Travel

— by Angie

on September 23, 2010

Sally’s thoughts on why she loved to be back home after a recent trip to Iceland really, really resonated with me. Greg and I travel frequently and the main reason I love coming back home is because I miss Yorkies Rosie and Jasmine terribly. My heart aches for them when we are away and reuniting with them gives me a whole new lease on life. I miss our comfy bed, fab bathroom and snack cupboard too.

I also miss the wardrobe items I left behind. I don’t like to travel light and wholeheartedly believe in using my entire luggage allowance. So I pack plenty of clothes, shoes and footwear for our trip – but there is nothing like having full access to ALL your wardrobe items each day. I think I miss my handbags the most. I prefer to swap out my bag daily and being restricted to a few bags for a fortnight cramps my style a bit. I also miss my shoes and boots because I never seem to pack enough of them.

Conversely, while I miss the wardrobe items I left behind, I’m also a little sick of the items I took along by the time I get back home. In order to fall in love with them again, I need to leave them in the closet for a while. Absence does make the heart grow fonder.

What do you miss when you travel?

Travel

35 comments · Add a comment

Debbie

Oh this is a great post Angie! You mirror my sentiments exactly! This is not answering your question but I would love to hear what is in your snack cupboard! Please do tell! I am always in need of new ideas for snacks!

Thank you!

September 23, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Beth

Veteran

Ha Debbie, I was thinking the same thing:)

Having traveled stand-by most of my life, I’ve always been limited to one carry-on bag. By the time I get home, I usually hope never to see those clothes again.

I miss mostly the variety of shoes I have at home. I also miss my animals terribly and I worry about them when I’m away.

September 23, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Louise

Veteran

I miss my furbaby boys the most. The only travelling I do is by car so I’m limited only by what I can fit in the boot… and on the back seat oh! and the passenger seat and footwell if I’m travelling alone so I guess the other thing I miss is my bed, holiday beds are never as comfy and never smell the same x

September 23, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Katja

(website)

Active Member

I love to travel, in a painful kind of way, and I do travel very light. I don’t care about wearing the same thing over and over again if it means I don’t have to cart a lot of stuff around.

What I do miss is my bed and my pillow. Sometimes I take even fewer clothes, so that I can take my pillow (it’s down, it squishes pretty good).

September 23, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Mellllls

Veteran

Oh I miss my bed most of all. And being able to make my own food. I am a fairly light packer; I don’t like to lug my luggage around. I also love to buy new clothes when I”m away so I don’t mind it when my light amount of luggage means I didn’t bring something I want.

September 23, 2010 at 3:05 pm

Debora

Veteran

I love to travel, but I miss my bed and pillow too! I find that I pack much lighter now that it is becoming such a hassle to fly. I try to fit everything into a small carry-on suitcase so I don’t have to check my baggage. It’s a completely different story when we travel by car. Everything comes with me!

September 23, 2010 at 3:14 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I pack very light when I travel. It’s not always fun, but especially when it’s a business trip and timing is tight, it’s important to be able to grab and go as quickly as possible. I miss my husband and cat the most, of course. Followed by overall variety. I like the freedom to choose an outfit based on my mood of the day or the weather at hand and those are also attributes I miss when traveling.

It’s tough for me to plan in advance and then be limited. Maybe something I packed I liked at the time, but then when the day arrives my mood no longer fits the outfit. Nothing makes me want to shop more than after a trip with a limited wardrobe!

September 23, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Jen

(website)

I thought I was the only one who had a snack cupboard! Cool! I miss my pillow most. So consequently whenever possible it comes with me. I miss a decent cup of tea. How is it that it is so darn hard to find a decent cup? Mostly, traveling makes me realize holes in my wardrobe, since I am still rebuilding from a recent (20 months is still recent, right? Right?) baby. For instance my last trip back home I realized my true need for a comfortable pair of versatile flats.

September 23, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Sihaya

Veteran

I miss my husband and kids. My own bed. My pillow. My luxurious shower. Home cooked food. Variety of shoes. My larger monitor instead of having to peer at my laptop monitor the whole time.

September 23, 2010 at 4:11 pm

summerbl4ck

Active Member

@Sihaya Ha! I miss my desktop too! Especially when I’m limited to my iPhone in meetings and whatnot! And as much as I might miss clothing options and accessories, I could never not travel light. I can live lean for a few days, and it makes the return to home, closet and family all the sweeter!

September 23, 2010 at 4:22 pm

Antje

Veteran

Interesting topic and responses. I LOVE to travel and travel fairly often, both for work and for vacations. Not sure there are specific items from my wardrobe that I miss when on trips – rather, more often than not my whole wardrobe “capsule” changes when travelling: When I travel for work I pack all my businessy clothes, and I sure am happy when I’m done and can dress smart-casual again. When I travel for summer vacation, I pack tons of dresses and sometimes very casual items (depends on the setting), and I sure don’t miss my warmer or smarter things at home because I’m in vacation mode.

I have learned over the years not to pack too many shoes, and it’s been working okay – I nearly cry when packing my suitcase and throwing out the second and third pair of funky ballet flats and instead go with the comfy “work pumps”, but once I’m gone I’m totally fine with what I have, and in some way even enjoy having a smaller wardrobe to work with!

What I do miss is when away from home is my bed, my pillow, my big monitor (such a good catch, Sihaya!) and my ergonomically sound work station, a great latte, my daily muesli breakfast (I know, sounds crazy, but even my beloved German breakfast or a Parisian croissant get old after a week and I want my simple Seattle routines back) and regular exercise. And my partner and our daughter when traveling alone. Oh, and access to my books – I just realize that I do often feel I’ve packed the wrong book or too few books, and I hate that. That happens to me more than with clothes for some reason.

September 23, 2010 at 4:41 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So fun to read!

Debbie and Beth, I’ll share the contents of our snack cupboard on the forum if you like.

Jen, I am SO with you on a decent cuppa tea. It’s not as much the tea as how its served that gets my knickers in a knot. Huge mug with thick lip and no saucer. I like a teacup with a dainty lip. But rest assured a fab cuppa is guaranteed when visiting an ex-British colony.

I usually travel with Greg so I don’t miss him on our trips

I happily leave my computer station behind actually. I enjoy the break.

September 23, 2010 at 4:59 pm

taylor

Veteran

I am such a homebody that I miss everything!! . .
So yes, I miss my wardrobe and absolutely everything else about home too!

September 23, 2010 at 5:53 pm

Joy

Veteran

What do I miss? Assuming I’m traveling with DH, I miss our puppy, friends, the computer to check YLF, getting in enough exercise, and sometimes meals with lots of low-carb veggies are hard to find. That’s about it. I travel with a small carry-on and usually manage to be happy with a few clothes. From my wardrobe I miss bead necklaces the most, but they add weight so I substitute scarves.
I really love to travel and don’t mind different beds and such. I like not having the usual routine and seeing new things. I’ve not had to travel for work so may feel differently about that.
I’m looking forward to reading more about your snack cupboard, Angie.

September 23, 2010 at 5:56 pm

Donna

Active Member

I miss having a large shoe selection. I try to travel light and that means just a few pairs of shoes. Shoes are my weakness

I also miss my pillow, but I have a small travel pillow that is almost as good as my full sized one.

September 23, 2010 at 6:02 pm

Zapotee

I’ve been traveling one week a month on average for 8 years. . I still miss everything, my clothes, my bed, everything… especially my daughter and my fiancee. It does not get any easier!

September 23, 2010 at 6:03 pm

Mae

Active Member

I have such a limited wardrobe as it is that I take all my favorites with me! So, I certainly don’t miss clothes when I’m away. Things I do miss… the family, the pets, the cozy bed, and unlimited WiFi.

September 23, 2010 at 6:19 pm

Kari

Veteran

I hear you on getting tired of the items that you’ve brought with you on a trip, particularly a long one. I feel so anxious to dig into the rest of my wardrobe. I also miss skirts and dresses, since most of the people that I travel with really dress down and a skirt would look and feel pretty out of place. It’s kind of a drag being restricted to pants (or shorts) for more than a couple days.

I also very much miss my books when I’m away from home. It’s so hard to pick just a few to bring along, even though I know I would never manage to read more than a couple!

September 23, 2010 at 6:47 pm

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

OOoh I love to travel as well. Unfortunately I’m not a very organised planner and tend to just throw things in at the last minute, so my collection of clothes is not always a nice neat capsule. I need to work on that. It does feel strange to go from wearing the same items over and over again to having way too many things to choose from when you get back. Sometimes it takes a while before you want to put the old faithfuls back on again!

September 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Meredith

Active Member

I think I miss jackets and coats the most, because it is really hard to pack more than one when you travel. I have become quite fond of coordinating my coat with my outfits, so being able to take only one is so hard!

September 23, 2010 at 8:05 pm

Maya

Veteran

I’m so starved for travel that this thought doesn’t even occur to me.

I’m a light packer and prefer it that way. When I travel I don’t miss anything because I’m so busy finding fabulous new things to fill the empty space with.

September 23, 2010 at 8:08 pm

Gaylene

Veteran

Wow, sounds like I’m going to be the exception. I adore traveling to new places and meeting new people. I travel light and find it liberating to not have to worry about what to wear since my choices are usually quite limited.

It always hits me when I return, especially after I’ve been outside North America, to see how much stuff I have that I really didn’t miss and probably don’t need. And that makes me feel just a little guilty.

September 23, 2010 at 9:35 pm

Ele

(website)

Active Member

It’s never occurred to me to miss my clothes when I’m travelling. I like to work with what I bring, and the others are “out of sight, out of mind”. I do love the feeling of having access to them when I return, though.

What I do miss is cooking (restaurants are nice but can get tiring after a while), checking my blogs daily (including YLF!), and running on the heath. Other than that, nada- I love travelling!

September 24, 2010 at 12:28 am

bj1111

Veteran

responding while traveling! i was thinking about my travel capsule this trip was one of the best ones i packed. i (more or less) fit in (jersey/paris/normandy/london). maybe not like a local, but visiting from across the way. so, don’t miss the clothing.

one thing i could have used was a pair of dressier heels besides my target denim wedges. definitely miss the shoes and a well draining tub.

on the whole, i’m pretty adaptable to living with whatever clothing restrictions i have, having traveled for 3 month sabbaticals with only carry-ons.

September 24, 2010 at 1:50 am

Sally McGraw

(website)

Active Member

Thanks for the shout-out, Angie! Whenever we travel by car, I pack LOADS of stuff because I prefer to have options when I travel. This trip was an exception … especially since I knew we’d be roaming around lava fields and riding horses more than strolling around in big cities! Less need for fabulous shoes, more need for flexible, comfortable duds.

September 24, 2010 at 5:48 am

Barbara

Veteran

Angie, I miss swapping out my bags, which I do daily. And my shoes. And I miss my cute little polish pottery coffee mug!

I usually purchase something fabulous during my travels, almost always jewelry. That’s certainly the best remedy.

September 24, 2010 at 5:56 am

rute

Veteran

Oh.. I missed my wardrobe so much this summer!!!
Usually when traveling by plane on holidays I pack light and choose the most casual pieces (you do not need more to go to the countryside with the kids), but I hate dressing casual, miss my work wardrobe, my dresses, my heels, my fancy bags, my make-up!

September 24, 2010 at 7:55 am

Cecilia

Angie, this is post is the answer to some of the questions I thought of as I viewed your posts during fashion week (the other answers came in the not-so-light packing post. Very enlightening!). Mostly, I sympathized with your shoe trauma and resorting to wearing comfortable (if still very stylish) walking shoes for the rest of your trip. Good thing you brought enough variety with you!

I can definitely see the similarities between packing for a trip and outfitting a wardrobe

September 24, 2010 at 11:44 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Of course I miss Domino.

Fashion wise I really miss my accessories, my necklaces, shoes, scarves and handbags.

Depending on where in world I’m travelling I really miss going to the sink and being able to pour a glass of water straight from the tap.

September 24, 2010 at 1:38 pm

Fathenry

I tend to take my newest, most favorite clothes when I travel. It is nice to come home and have all the options available again though. Particularly because I do try to travel very light, I’m usually sick of my clothes by the end of the trip.

September 25, 2010 at 11:19 am

Marley

Veteran

Oh, without a doubt its got to be my handbags. I’m a “change bag out daily” kind of girl, so it just kills me to have to carry the same bag everyday!

September 25, 2010 at 9:32 pm

April

Veteran

I’m a total homebody who is forced to do a fair amount of “traveling” (commuting might be a better description) since SO is in another state. I know travel is one of life’s great, mind-broadening pleasures, but I think it’s better if you’re not the anxious type. I miss *everything* when I’m away.

September 26, 2010 at 2:30 pm

shana

Veteran

I love to travel and am usually everything and the kitchen sink type of packer so I’m usually set in terms of choices & variety. I do miss my kitties as well as my bed. There’s nothing better than the sleeping in my own bed and I do get sick of eating out so I’m happy to have some home cooking as well!

September 27, 2010 at 6:46 am

Kari

Veteran

I am currently traveling and am actually doing okay with my wardrobe this time around. The reason I’m happier (even though the weather has been all over the place) is because I’ve built my wardrobe around a similar but versatile color palette that I’m jazzed with at the moment. I also brought my nice rain jacket along, which came in very handy.

My mom convinced me that boots are not meant for air travel, but I really, really wish I had brought them, particularly since I checked my bag anyway. Boots are ALL OVER the midwest right now.

Luckily the relatives I’m staying with this week have a WONDERFUL selection of tea. Hooray!

September 27, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Tanya

Veteran

I hate packing for traveling – especially shoes, I have read somewhere that not matter how long the trip one should stick to max 3 pairs which makes the whole thing really difficult. I rarely miss particular items, it is more than I am annoyed by not having my whole wardrobe at disposal so i have to really carefully plan my packing. I am a spontaneous dresser, and traveling takes that fun out.

October 1, 2010 at 5:20 pm

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