YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:25:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Eliza on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1292243 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:00:30 +0000 Eliza 1292243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would get a couple of thin, but warm layering items if she'll be there late in the fall or winter. Something like the very reasonably priced heattech products from uniqlo, though sport stores also carry them. They are virtually weightless, come in various sleeve lengths and as leggings as well. They also wash and dry very quickly, while being soft and comfortable. Under fleece or a sweater, they could reduce laundry or dry cleaning. Something about damp cold that needs extra layers. Hope she has a great time! unfrumped on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1292197 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:19:52 +0000 unfrumped 1292197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for more suggestions. Size- wise she is okay, I think. I believe she is not going to do a lot of preparing here, but see how things go over there. I might have preferred getting some basics here in familiar setting and price- wise, but so be it. DonnaF on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1291834 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:29:05 +0000 DonnaF 1291834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm assuming she's not short and doesn't normally wear Petites?  I think Petite (versus merely small) clothing is fairly unique to the U.S.  By the same token, I am also assuming she's not a big girl, as Euro clothing doesn't seem to extend very far.  Oh, yes, and does she need an unusual size in shoes, like a Wide?  Back in the day (1975?), I remember a Japanese American friend couldn't find shoes to fit her in Japan because she took a size 8, and that was larger than she could find in the stores. As to other details, I'm clueless. pirouette on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1291599 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:55:20 +0000 pirouette 1291599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I live in Ireland. It rarely gets below freezing in winter but we get lots of rain and damp cold weather. Everyone wears puffa coats and add gloves and hats if it gets very cold. Ugg boots are very popular. Jeans jumpers and fleeces are also very common. People do dress up for socialising so heels and dresses are a must. greycat6 on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1287143 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 02:50:54 +0000 greycat6 1287143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm an American who has lived abroad as well.  I HIGHLY recommend purchasing small appliances like hair dryers, irons, etc. in country.  As Joy said, there is a high likelihood of getting zapped otherwise.  Phone chargers and computer chargers are fine.  Small electrics not so much. Another thing to consider is cell phones.  Make sure she has one that works internationally and with a reasonable coverage plan or plan on purchasing in country. Good luck!  Sounds like a fun trip. Anonymous on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1287130 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 02:32:02 +0000 Anonymous 1287130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Get a Rick Steves travel book on Ireland, even better if it's an ebook.  Remember that Ireland is quite far north so that summer days are liong on daylight and it gets dark very early in winter.  Layers are ideal, and I love the idea of wool tees.  I had a down jacket that fit under my coat and wore it all the time in May.  No to fleece.  She will want to buy one of the beautiful hand knit sweaters. Ireland is expensive.  I wouldn't plan for her to buy much there.  It also rarely gets below freezing, I understand.  I saw utility coats rather than trench coats on young people.  Jeans and some skirts would be good.  A pair of hiking shoes, ballet flats and some sneakers will take you most places.  I rarely saw heels.  The rain can come and go.  I bought an inexpensive umbrella there rather than tote one from home.  I left it for the return trip.  Umbrellas in my luggage have caused it to be searched on more than one occasion.  Ireland uses both British and European types of electrical plugs, depending on where you are.  Most we saw in southern Ireland were British.  It might work best to buy a hairdryer there.  Sometimes the converters don't work right and things get zapped.  If she brings an appliance that will work on both 220 and 110 volts, it might be good to remember to switch it when packing.  I understand that lots of people ruin theirs by forgetting to switch before plugging in.  She will still need the right shaped adapter plug or several.  DH bought them on Amazon.  Very inexpensive. She will have a wonderful time.  The college towns we were in were full of young people stylishly dressed.  In fact the college girls were the most dressed up of any group that I saw when they went out in the evening.  unfrumped on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1287067 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:39:49 +0000 unfrumped 1287067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such great input ! Suz , good approach-- I know you are an experienced traveler. Sarah A , thanks for the wonderful leads. Those sound right on target. abc, good point. Overseas shipping sounds very iffy. abc on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1287061 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:25:17 +0000 abc 1287061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm an American living overseas. YMMV but I've never had a good success rate with friends and family sending care packages. It's expensive and they tend to get lost or stolen. I'd say you're right to focus on which place is a better source for each of her needs. Good luck. Sounds fun. Sarah A on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1287060 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:24:18 +0000 Sarah A 1287060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just a moment to add thoughts as I sneak in a little YLF time ;) I think wool T's would be a fab idea, although they arent as durable as the synthetic gear ts they are much warmer/dry quickly/can be worn multiple times before getting stinky. My arxteryx one is my fav, 94% wool. 6% spandex. The new Patagonia wool T's are i think 70% wool 30% poly to help with durability, I have two of the older 100% wool ones and they have held up okay and are functional but all have holes in them (armpits/snag points) after several years of use so I think the addition of ploy makes sense. Same story on my Icebreakers,  love the variety of weights Icebreaker offers. I have a heavyweight short sleeve Icebreaker that I run outside in the 20's F in and am toasty warm. Other baselayers/long underwear I would look at Patagonia Capeline 2 if she typically runs warm or Capaline 3 if she runs cold. Rain shell -- I just got a new (warentee replacement) Mountain Hardware that I quite like but also looked at Helly Hansen. If I wouldnt have gotten the (many years ols)  Mountain Hardware replaced for the waterproof coating wearing poorly at the neck seam taping there was a striped trench style Helly Hansen that was very attractive looking online. DH swears by Patagonia shells. Fleece or no? I would vote no. I just dont think most fleeces are that warm. I would replace fleece with a lightweight down "sweater" jacket to layer under the rainshell or use on it's own. I have the EB First Ascent one but also Patagonia and a number of others LL Bean/Lands End etc, have released them. Consider adding a vest too. The vest makes a great indoor layer to keep the core warm too. Then you can do vest + jacket + shell and adjust as needed for weather. I love Soloman trail shoes for their super aggressive tread. Montrail might be another one to look at. Timbuk2 would be my go to brand for a super water resistant messenger. Socks: Goodhew wool and Smartwool For getting top brand gear for the same price as moderate budget gear i check: sierra trading post.com altrec.com backcountry.com rei outlet tab on rei.com website patagonia website web specials section moosejaw.com 6pm.com That's about what I can think of now but will add if I come up with more. Hope DD has a fantastic trip! Suz on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1287051 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:02:45 +0000 Suz 1287051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like you've got a great start here. And Astrid's Scotland threads are a brilliant aid. Others who have travelled to Ireland may also jump in.  I think the rain coat/ jacket is the first order of business. I would definitely start trying them on and getting a sense of what might work best for her. The North Face makes some decent ones. So does Helly Hansen. Not sure whether she should go the liner route or not - it may depend how long she ends up staying.  I agree it would be smart to buy trail runners here. They are quite lightweight so although bulky they won't add a lot of weight to her bag.  A lot of people love fleece. I don't really wear it except as true gear, to be honest. For hiking in the mountains I brought layers that could also (mostly) be used as regular clothing -- sweaters in wool, cotton, and thermal underlayers. This suited me fine. But it's true that I wasn't worried about quick dry in that environment.  Ways to approach: I'd determine her dates and check typical weather conditions for that time. Then I'd make a list of her known activities. Then I'd come up with "outfits" for each known activity in a couple of different weather conditions. Then, I'd look for places to subtract items from the total by looking for items that could cross outfits/ mini-capsules.  Good luck! unfrumped on "Advice for outfitting a DD for Ireland--( long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advice-for-outfitting-a-dd-for-ireland---long#post-1286966 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 22:21:52 +0000 unfrumped 1286966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One of my DD’s, who is in her late 20’s,  may be going to Ireland—northern coastal area-- for what could be an extended stay .  Probably traveling later this summer. I’m hoping to help outfit her, to some extent-but ultimately she’ll decide what she thinks she needs.  So I have some questions about things to wear, naturally. But, since she may be over there for several months, possibly longer, before making a return visit to U.S., I’m also interested in advice on what are the best items to pack, bought in U.S., vs. what items are easy to get there or even better to get there, including purchase costs and cost of checking luggage, which I’ve not yet researched, or cost of sending “care packages” . She will be in one place and have laundry facilities so does not have some of the same issues as travelers.   It will  not be convenient for her  to  just run out to a major department store at any time. But, OTOH, she will have a much better idea of what she needs once there, and so part of outfitting is budgeted for  that, rather than overbuying here. Outfit goals at present are casual and utilitarian, possibly a combination of   normal-young-adult-casual (jeans and knit tops) and gear.  Astrid’s Scotland trip thread sounds very useful.  DD might pack  a few items for other occasions but is not a dressy person. DD  does not have much weather-proof gear ,  such as good waterproof items,  plus being prepared for more cold and maybe damp indoor conditions compared to here. Also DD is not a big shopper, so we probably do not want elusive brands and lots of choices, and shipping/return  costs for fit. In the interests of her privacy,  I won’t have a lot more  specifics,  but thought the fabbers might still  have some good advice and “things to think about”.  As her mom, I’m thinking,  warm and dry!  My possible “wish list” ,  not all of which I would expect to get or supply, includes: --Waterproof hiking shoes, not heavy boots, much like Astrid and Suz talked about, that work for day hikes and sporty casual—hopefully something easily obtainable in a B&M store (for trying on), or on-line like Lands End/LLBean, or Nordies of course, or, we do have specialty hiking stores here—but prefer not super-expensive. Thought these might be best shopped for here. Later, if she stays through winter, maybe waterproof taller boots. --Good rain jacket with hood, low-hip length—something like EB, LLBean. Also, possible very lightweight rain jacket/pants that stash in bag—here, or there? --or, should we try to get a jacket as above but with removable liner?  She has a kind of fleece jacket but it’s a bit worn. Otherwise I was thinking layers, and at some point a warmer coat. --Thermal underwear—silk or poly—for layering. I would want to get these pre-trip. --Trekking –type pants sound nice if we could find some reasonably priced—as a quick-drying alternative to jeans, no snag. --Layering longsleeve T-s –she has mostly cotton. Possibly  a couple of washable lightweight merino wool types but not sure of itchy factor for her. Or a sport-fabric type might be better. --Good cozy warm cardigans/pullovers—a couple at least for layering --where would you rank fleece items in terms of recommendations. I can see modern fleece as being practical and easy to launder, and warm, rather than wool sweaters, for a young person --warm pj’s—for me this would be essential. But again, not sure what indoor climate control will be like. --“special” socks? Wool, SmartWool types, or other non-cotton ? --Gloves! Hot water bottle! Umbrella! --info on whether to take any American appliances + get an adaptor,  or buy regulation appliances there.  Mainly hairdryer. She may get more info on that herself or maybe there are ones to use there already. --Messenger or cross-body bag, possibly very waterproof, instead of fabric  bags and purses used here.   Those are some of my initial thoughts. Thank you for reading! I appreciate any input, from specific items or brands to  just “ways to approach”.