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YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 02:42:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Chris987 on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764475 Sun, 01 Jan 2017 10:44:28 +0000 Chris987 1764475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, Suz, I think you are right, my standards have become higher! Definitely true. I do know that packing perfectly is rather unachievable And yes guys seem to require less variety, plus Mr Chris is perfectly happy wearing the same clothes for years and years...easier to do when you follow classic/traditional styles.  I love your suggestions and will definitely study them more, thanks so much for taking the time to put them all down in writing.  I did bring a thermal under layer and a modal t and multiple scarves but not most of the other things you suggested. I agree that merino would be a much better choice than cashmere. I mentally struggled back and forth with wanting a wool coat, and if I were going again right now I think I'd go with the wool as you suggest. It world have been a bit warmer and more stylish, and probably would have handled the limited rain just fine. Totally agree on the Uggs...although mine were FINE last year. Maybe I'll try the heel pad you suggest or an orthotic insert.  I LOVE Merrill's, they are my go-to brand for sporty/outdoor footwear. Super comfy, very sturdy and practical, last a long time. The look is always sporty, never "dressy" but they are so reliable for what they are. Thanks Angie! I was so glad I was able to manage with just the Clarks...could have been much worse. I don't always do the carry on thing but it's Mr Chris's preference and I tend to go along with him on it...but for longer trips I sometimes do pack a bag. Bonnie - wow hope you have a great time! Definitely read Suz's posting here. I can't comment on the "get going" pants, no experience with pants like that, but leggings would probably be great, I saw LOTS of women wearing them and they were fairly thick "wooly" types so doing it with a few layers is probably the right idea. Silk shirts do sound like a great idea. Cami and vest is one of the ideas I wish I had thought of....so yes, that would be great! London is one of those cities where you see all kinds of styles so you can really do what you want. Jaileen, very interesting comments about footwear and inserts. I have had no formal diagnosis of PF, am hoping it just goes away, whatever it is....:-). LOVE your descriptions of wearing so many layers in Turkey. It reminds me of stories I've heard from serious American football fans who attend games in January in northern US...although many of them wear battery-heated socks and gloves The coldness is so much more of an issue when you are outside all the time except for stopping for meals or coffee. The tripe was really wonderful. thanks for asking! I did write up a bit of a diary, I'll post it on "off topics" at some point. JAileen on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764278 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 17:04:27 +0000 JAileen 1764278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting report. Good shoes are so important. In Turkey I took my Salomon hiking shoes. Not fashionable at all, but comfortable and waterproof. I put my inserts in them. I've used my inserts since 1999 when I was diagnosed with PF. In fact, that year we went to London, but in summer. My podiatrist gave me shots (steroids?) in my feet so I could walk! My inserts are hard plastic. That's too bad about the sweaters. In Turkey I took cotton turtlenecks, wore camisoles underneath, and layered with a cashmere sweater, my Patagonia nanopuff jacket, and then my Patagonia coat with quilted liner. So five layers. I also wore long underwear bottoms. Then I was warm, as long as I wore a cap, along with the two hoods. I wish I were kidding. (Some of the sights in Istanbul are open air, even though you're inside, such as the Hagia Sophia. And then we also went to Ephesus which was just as cold, but also windy.) Aside from your wardrobe, how was your trip? Bonnie on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764276 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 16:45:58 +0000 Bonnie 1764276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This post is really relevant for me as I am going to London for a few days, then take two tours - one of England and another one of Scotland - and then back to London for a few days. This will happen in April/May and I expect similar weather to what you experienced. I'm planning to take the Lucy "Lets Go" pants in black and wear Heattech leggings underneath for colder days. What do you think - will this be warm and versatile enough? I was glad to hear that you were happy with the informality of the pub dinners and think that would be what I would like, too. I like Suz's suggestion of silk shirts - I have four that I hardly wear but I did take them to Italy in April two years ago and they worked there over a tee, in the cool spring. They don't take up much room (I'm also traveling with carryon) and will dress things up a bit. Do you think they are a good idea? Will they work with a cami and black vest for a dressier look? When you have limited space, every single thing must be perfect and I haven't traveled with carryon except for the Italy trip - usually we are in a MH and bring everything we think we need. Angie on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764270 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 16:32:42 +0000 Angie 1764270@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ WELL DONE and welcome back.  Oh my goodness, Chris. Glad you could manage with the Clarks for the rest of the trip. Blessing your "for the most part" happy feet.  You did a great job. Packing DOES get easier and more successful with practice. I travel a lot, and am good at it - but there is usually something I miss along the way. I also would rather pack the "just in case" items than be without - (I don't do the carry-on thing).  Suz on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764259 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 16:13:10 +0000 Suz 1764259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great review, Chris. So glad you had a fun trip. You did really well with the packing. I suspect you were disappointed because your standards have become higher. It's never possible to pack "perfectly" for all conditions, especially when the weather and activities are unpredictable. Mr. Suz is like Mr. Chris -- he always seems to need less variety -- but men's fashion is much more practical and functional to begin with. And the fabrications can be easier to work with also.  I absolutely understand about the difficulties of packing for a different climate. It's so hard to predict when you are sitting in your own house how it will feel to be in another place.  In case you go to London again in a similar season, I'd suggest a few tweaks. Definitely bring a turtleneck or two .Also, silk shirts layered over camis and then with a jacket or sweater over top can be extremely warm but also look elegant on their own if you remove the topper. I did this in my winter trip to the UK and really liked the way the shirts did not "bunch up" as a crisper cotton shirt might do. Stretch silk can be especially great for this, but crepe de chine will also do. Another trick is a thermal underlayer similar to Angie's Heattech. I didn't bring that last trip, but I might in future. I did find that a modal tee could work as well as an underlayer that could later be exposed (examples below from Vince -- pricey but worth it, to me, because the neckline is super flattering.) I always bring multiple scarves as well.  I tend to like Merino vs. cashmere for travelling. It is lightweight, less pilly, but still provides warmth. A cashmere shawl can be great, though.  A wool coat can work really well -- except in a complete downpour it is usually warm and water resistant enough. I wore a long pea coat in London in February and it was perfect (with various layers beneath). Mind you, that was a very cold year I visited.  Re the Uggs -- I have also found that mine aggravate my plantar fasciitis. They're too flat for me and too unsupportive. It's disappointing because I must have tried on 40 winter boots and these gave the best fit and the best immediate comfort, along with being warm. And I loved the quality. However, they're frustrating because while warm, they hurt my foot for my walks, and they also fail to grip on ice! Ugg is right. ;)  I am going to put special heel pads inside next time I wear them. I got some at the drug store that do seem to help quite a lot.  In the meantime I just got these Merrell's and I can vouch for them. Better on ice. I did put a heel pad inside as well and they have been fine for my walks.  Chris987 on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764220 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:25:10 +0000 Chris987 1764220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Style Fan. Yes footwear that can be worn walking all day IS so tricky. It also gets more difficult as we get older and various parts of the body get more "worn out". I read blogs by women in their 20's that talk about how comfy flat ballet slippers are for walking all day on city streets and I just cannot imagine that experience...:-) I know what you mean about cashmere, I need to be mindful of it. I know JCREW has good qualtiy in most everything but their sweaters are mostly cut for a very narrow torso and when I find a size that fits around the torso it is way too long. I've tried a bunch of them. Wow how lovely to have family connections to Oxford! Such a gorgeous old city, and then throw the academic world on top of that and it's over the top. Thanks Summer! The only reason I got cold in Oxford was that I expected it to be a bit warmer than the Boston area, which it usually is! We didn't totally miss the fog...we were traveling by coach/bus from Oxford to Heathrow on Friday morning and drove through that fog around 7-8am. In fact we saw a news story about a bus traveling that same route 5 hours earlier that overturned sending several people to the hospital. Grateful that we were not on THAT bus. Thanks Bijou! I think a system of 2 walking shoes and 1 dressier shoe would work really well. Packing efficiently is really a learned skill, and I just don't travel enough, particularly internationally, to have mastered it. 25 years ago I did a lot of business travel and I had the system worked out really well but things change and that was all within the US. Delirked, I think I was just gun shy about wearing anything other than the Clarks once the problem showed up. Plus I've noticed that the Reiker's are getting a little bit softer in overall support as I wear them (which is fabulous for shorter wears) so I just didn't want to risk it. You are also so right about dealing with a climate a little different from your own...it's a big challenge for me strangely enough to go somewhere  that's warmer, sort of the opposite of you. I went to Hawaii a few years ago in January and of course did have to wear clothing to and from the airport that would work for cold/snow/ice, and yet pack for a much warmer climate. I guess it's all about having enough experience.... Anonymous on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764209 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 13:49:18 +0000 Anonymous 1764209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a nice analysis. I have also had a pair of shoes that worked in the past stop working. It's a bummer. Did the Clarks feel better than the Reiker boots that went unworn? I'm curious why they didn't come out to play. I have plenty of shoes, but finding the true workhorse is quite tricky to know in advance. The other part I struggle with is because I live in a warm climate, I have to take a bit of a leap to know what will be most useful for a cold trip. Bijou on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764199 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:26:52 +0000 Bijou 1764199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find these posts very useful too, so thank you for your detailed analysis of what worked and what didn't. You did so well to cope with a winter trip without checking in baggage. As I feel the cold, I am quite certain that I would not be able to cope without lots of layers. I find England cold even in June! On my last overseas holiday my hand luggage bag's handle broke and so I bought a backpack that fits a laptop and works as carry-on. It was a revelation, just so easy to manage and so useful whilst on holiday to have as a bag, especially when out walking, so I would highly recommend that to you.  The footwear issue is tricky because shoes take up so much space, yet I am like SF in that occasionally a pair of shoes that worked well suddenly don't any more - so I do like to travel with at least 2 pairs of good walking shoes and then a more dressy shoe for evenings out. I can see that I am never going to be a particularly efficient packer! Summer on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764196 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:13:29 +0000 Summer 1764196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great review of your trip, Chris.  It sounds as if it all worked out well, wardrobe-wise, but sorry you got a bit chilly in Oxford!  I hope you had a wonderful time, and that you missed the fog that has descended here over the last few days. Happy New Year! Style Fan on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764195 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:05:36 +0000 Style Fan 1764195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Chris for the update on your Travel Capsule.  I always find these posts helpful.  Putting together a travel capsule is challenging especially one that fits in a carry on bag.  I am very impressed with how well you did.  Footwear is so tricky.  At least it is for me.  Finding a pair of shoes that are comfortable for long walks is difficult enough and then out of nowhere they stop being comfortable. The quality of cashmere is so hard to determine when being purchased.  I had to throw out a cashmere cardigan from BR after wearing it a few times because it was covered in little balls of pills.  I depilled it every time I wore it.  How disappointing! Other YLFers have found the J Crew cashmere tops good quality.  But maybe you want to get away from that look. Your trip sounds wonderful.  London is an amazing city.  I have visited there many times.  And Oxford has a special place in my heart.  That is where my father is from.  My uncle lives there.  What a beautiful place. Chris987 on "Travel Capsule for Christmas in the UK – 11 days (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/72travel-capsule-for-christmas-in-the-uk-%e2%80%93-11-days-long#post-1764186 Sat, 31 Dec 2016 09:40:29 +0000 Chris987 1764186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/  Happy last day of 2016 to everyone!!! We got home late last night and are up early, still on UK time. I have not been on YLF much while we were away. It’s great to see all the EOY summaries, wrap-ups, etc, which are a first for me since joining YLF earlier this year. I will enjoy catching up! I thought I’d start off by commenting on my travel capsule. Our trip included 5 days in London (including Christmas), 3 days in Oxford, plus close to three travel days. We booked less than a month ahead, so spent the night in Washington DC to get a good fare before flying “across the pond”, and used it as a chance to have dinner with an old college friend of Mr Chris’s.  We planned to do a LOT of walking like normal tourists, and that is exactly what we did. We had been to London 20 years ago, long enough ago that it didn’t feel like a repeat visit. It’s a huge city and was packed with tourists everywhere, plus locals enjoying a holiday break from work. I just had to go into Harrods, which we did on boxing day, but it was so crowded we could hardly move until we ducked into the coffee/tea area. My goals were: happy feet, warm and dry overall, clothes I could easily repeat, and being moderately stylish. I am willing to sacrifice style a bit on trips like this in favor of practicality. I also thought I might want to get a bit dressed up at least once for dinner, but we really got into the English pub thing, so had no urge to dress up. I also thought I might encounter some wet or snowy conditions but it rained only once and no snow at all although there was a lot of frost in the mornings in Oxford. I wanted to fit everything into my suitcase that fits overhead and one tote bag, especially on an outbound trip. I’ve had a checked bag not arrive with me a few times and it’s a huge hassle.   I met the most important goals but brought too many or not enough of some items, and wasn’t so happy with my tops.  That’s ok, I paid a lot more attention to my travel capsule than ever before and I learned a LOT. I also did not let any of the issues interfere with my enjoyment of my trip. We had a terrific time, visiting museums and cathedrals, loving the architecture including in Kensington where we stayed, plus had a great time chatting with locals folks and travelers. We got a bit overwhelmed by London after a few days and were delighted that we had planned to spend the last part of the trip in  Oxford, which also had plenty of tourists but is smaller and more manageable.  Mr Chris and I are both lovers of the rich history of the UK as well as many of the TV shows and movies made there, and we always love hearing as much as we can about the history.  Luggage: I used my rolling suitcase that is the largest size that fits the overhead bin, plus my leather tote that I’ve used for a lot of travel. The suitcase is a workhorse, but the tote is worn over the shoulder and does not close completely so it’s not ideal although I’ve used it a lot eve the years.   When you are pulling a suitcase through train stations, bus stations, and down city streets a backpack would be much easier than a tote bag. The clothes I brought are almost all represented in the capsule here:  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=3633">http://youlookfab.com/finds/co.....ction=3633</a> Footwear: I brought three pairs of shoes, all ones that have worked in the past for all-day walking. Ugg snow boots, Clark walking sneakers, and Reiker leather ankle boots. All in black.  The first 4 days I wore the Clark sneakers, with black merino wool socks, very happy feet. Day 5 I wore the Ugg snow boots mostly for a change, and later that day and the next day had a bout of what I think may have been plantar fasciitis, which I’ve never had before. Quite a pain in my heel when walking. I had worn these boots all day for several days in Brussels a year ago, but either they have broken down a little or my feet have gotten more sensitive. I went back to the Clarks and stuck with them for the rest of the trip and the foot pain improved within a few days, although it’s not completely gone. Never wore the Reikers at all. Outerwear: my insulated EB trenchoat which is waterproof and has a hood. I considered bringing another coat but it would have required checking a bag which I didn’t want to do. The coat lining is quilted and makes the coat warmer than most insulated trenchcoats plus it zips close so acts like a windbreaker.  The coat was perfect for London, including the one time it rained where it was way too windy for an umbrella, so the hood was a godsend. However, in Oxford where it was noticeably colder, I was not quite warm enough even with multiple layers underneath, scarf, had and gloves.    Accessories: Light blue wool scarf (not shown), knit cap, lined leather gloves. One bag – my black nylon Bagellini cross-body. I love this for travel because it’s lightweight, waterproof, zips completely shut, is a perfect size for everything including small gifts I might buy, and leaves me hands-free. Two “indoor” scarves, minimal jewelry including long pearls I did not wear. Umbrella that I never used. I got a gel manicure before leaving, in a classic dark red, which worked really well because it actually strengthens my nails a bit and lasts a long time.    Pants: 3 pairs of straight leg jeans in darker washes, 1 pr black ponte slacks. Could have taken one fewer pair of jeans.  I brought the black slacks because I don’t like to wear jeans to church, but because of my foot pain we ended up going to a church very close to the hotel, to a very casual “family friendly” Christmas day service where the minster was in jeans! Could have brought one fewer overall. Toppers: camel faux leather jacket and grey/brown moto sweater. This was ok but probably didn’t need both, I wore them mostly for warmth when out and about. Tops: This part of my capsule was quite disappointing. 3 cashmere crewneck sweaters, plus two long sleeved under layers and two short sleeved.I find cashmere too itchy to wear without underlayers, and with those underlayers I was too warm in restaurants, which was a bit of a surprise.  Outdoors I had to add a topper under my coat to be warm and my neck was a bit cold even with a scarf because the sweaters were crewnecks. The sweaters were solid colors (camel, blush, black) and honestly were boring even with the jewelry I brought, plus they pilled quite badly,probably because I was wearing them every third day (brought too few) and always wore them under a topper. I need to spend some time with my defuzzer when I get home, and I need to find a different approach next time Mr Chris traveled with two pants, two walking shoes, two dress shirts (plaid, solid color), one heavy sweater, a sweater vest, a wool blazer, ,a couple of underlayers. and one waterproof jacket. He’s done a lot of business travel including halfway around the world and has this down to a science. In-room laundry is required but overall it works really well. I need to learn from this, although I don’t want to wear button down shirts every day like he does. Further research required….perhaps a better approach would be a mix-n-match assortment of sweaters, denim shirt, lightweight tneck, light down vest. I wish I could remember some of my past travel capsules because I don’t remember being disappointed like this before. :-)  Underwear, socks, PJs…all good.   I tried Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes for the first time and LOVE them for travel. They replaced the eye makeup remover and skin cleanser that I would have had to include in my liquids bag, and they are not drying so I was able to skip night time moisturizer, at least in a damp climate like the UK. Some wants for next time: <ol> <li>a replacement wallet on a shoulder strap for passport, cell phone, other check-in essentials. Mine is old and fits a passport but not quite big enough for a cell phone.</li> <li>A backpack that fits a laptop and can work as a carry-on bag. I have one that I think will work and I’ll try it at least once before buying anything else.</li> <li>Maybe a water resistant puffer coat…don’t have one but thinking about it.</li> <li>A better assortment of tops/toppers and probably fewer of them.  </li> <li>A second pair of all day walking shoes – I have hiking shoes that would work but already want to get some leather ankle boots like this. </li> </ol> The trip home was long and we had to figure out if we were going to be able to get into the driveway, since it snowed a bit while we were gone. We live on a busy road and if there is more than a few inches of snow the snowplows create quite a pile at the head of our driveway, but it was all very manageable this time. Glad to be home and sleep in my own bed. My two kitties, who were well looked after by a neighbor that they love, are also glad we are home. :-)