A Wrong and Skimpy Holiday Capsule (or, how to survive 7 days with 3 outfits) - YouLookFab Forum

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A Wrong and Skimpy Holiday Capsule (or, how to survive 7 days with 3 outfits)

Sisi

Veteran

Dear Fabbers, I would like to share with you my tragic/comic experience.

Premise: I have a very small wardrobe, and a huge wardrobe hole in the seaside/outdoor/casual sector.

Last week I have been on a vacation in Tuscany (in a farm). I left in a hurry, I had not the time to go shopping for the right clothes, so I quickly tossed into my trolley a few things: 2 t-shirts, 1 white blouse, 1 blue skirt, 1 pair of blue gym pants, 1 mint-green dress, 2 sandals (white and cognac). Oh, and my only 2 bikinis.

For all the week I had to "jump through hoops" trying to make do with what I had, also considering the different activities (beach, tours, a guided trek in the Maremma Park, dinners at the farm and at local festivals...).

This is how it worked:

Beach: white blouse (it is wonderfully breezy) and gym pants.

Trekking: see above

Tours: see above

Errands at the local village, dinners: white blouse + blue cotton skirt, or mint dress (wrong and expensive purchase, by the way, it makes me feel unhappy).

The 2 t-shirts were worn only once each, because the weather was so hot that they felt heavy.

I often felt non fab and rather miserable, but I tried to focus on the beautiful landscapes and wonderful sea rather than on my "unfabness" . I have been keeping in mind all the time the tragic/funny experience of a dear friend of mine, who lost her suitcase the very first day of a week-long pilgrimage to Poland! (but this is another story).

Conclusion: I survived, but now I have to seriously devote myself to fix this wardrobe hole!

Just for fun, I would like to ask you: has something similar ever happened to you?

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Sisi

Sara L.

Veteran

I'm sorry you didn't feel fab on your trip.

I've never had this happen to me, but I went on a Caribbean cruise with my sister who's luggage didn't show up until the third day in. She was coming from Indiana in March and had only jeans and a sweatshirt to wear. Luckily she's close to my size and I was able to share my clothes with her until her luggage finally arrived.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Sisi, that sounds difficult!! Travel with the wrong clothes is never, ever fun. But at least you learned that you need to fix this capsule! And maybe you have some time to do it before next year's holiday.

I have had the experience of bringing the wrong clothes for the weather, yes. On one of my first big trips. I graduated from high school, worked for a year to save money, and then came to Europe with my bicycle and a friend. Our plan was to bike through southern England and Wales and then cross the channel and bike in Northern France, Netherlands, Belgium, part of Germany, at which point we would get a Eurailpass and do some more travelling.

Well, we did all of this, but I was very cold the entire time!! I am used to Southern Ontario summers which have temperatures in the high 20s / low 30s centigrade and lots of humidity. So I packed shorts, light tees, a rayon skirt for dinners out, and one sweater and one pair of trousers. I could carry so little in the paniers of the bike anyway. And what did I know?

Until we got to southern Germany I was shivering all the time....

Anonymous

It's wonderful that you could focus on the beautiful scenery and other delights of Tuscany rather than let your packing woes ruin your trip. That's some great positive thinking!

I went on a ski trip some years ago, and my luggage didn't show up until the last day. All I had was the clothes I'd worn on the plane, which weren't meant for cold weather. I was able to borrow a few things, and managed to get out on the slopes quite a bit, although I certainly was not the most fashionable skier on the mountain!

And a couple of summers ago we were in Slovenia in the stunningly lovely city of Ljubljana. I had no idea that a summer could be so cold, and had hypothermia the whole time due to my light summer packing. I get cold just thinking about it!

Anonymous

I am so sorry. I know how important it is to me to have proper outfits that fit the activity. If I felt off, I know it would impact my mood.

We'll help you put together the perfect capsule for you!!

Jane

Veteran

Oh dear Sisi, I am sorry that your wardrobe presented you problems and not joy. The holiday sounds gorgeous though. I should think we have all had experiences like the mint green dress, I know I have.

We went to Seville a few years ago, which was beautiful, but quite formal and my clothes were too casual. But even though my wardrobe let me down, our DS, then 10, really enjoyed choosing a couple of outfits from Zaras, and the stores in Spain are so much better than the UK ones.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I'm sorry your wardrobe didn't work, especially that it was too hot for tees. But it sounds like a fabulous trip.

I spent a year in Japan in college. A long time ago. They advised us to take very little and I never should have listened. Maybe only one pair of shoes? Or sandals and? And guess what, they didn't last all the walking, touring, etc. Well, they didn't have a lot of size 10 (then, 11 now) pairs of shoes there. I finally found a pair when we arrived in Tokyo.
I hadn't thought about that in years. Or made the connection to the following.
My DS2 studied in Germany for a semester. We ended up sending him his dress shoes in the mail. He didn't think he'd need them much, so he took an almost worn out pair. Well, his program involved visiting the EU and other formal places and his shoes wore out. In winter.

When I was younger we took a family trip to Mexico. My dad's luggage didn't show up, so he wore my brothers' clothes, mostly shorts, tees, and a swim suit. Every day he went to the front desk and they called the airport to locate his bag. Nothing. When we returned to the US he went to put in a lost luggage claim and his suitcase was right there.

We went to a family wedding in Mexico. I told DH, DS1 and DS2 to pack a swimsuit and change of underwear, at least, in their carry on. They gave me grief, etc. so I said it is your choice but I highly recommend it. When all of our luggage arrived DS1 and DS2 repeated that it was unnecessary. Then we arrived and found out other wedding guests luggage hadn't arrived. It took 3 days or so. They learned their mother wasn't being ridiculous.

Short answer, yes, it happens.

rachylou

Veteran

Reminds me of the time I went to the 'ancestral home' and didn't bring perfume. Scandalous! This was at a time my family was still dressing for dinner. My uncle went into town and came back with *like* 10 bottles for me. LOLOL!!

Sigh. The good ol' days.

The other thing I do, when I travel to hot places, is live in a cotton skirt and lightweight fitted tee - no matter what else is in my suitcase.

Astrid

Veteran

Once when I was a teen I 'forgot' to pack my windbreaker rain jacket which I hated when we spent three weeks on a North Sea Island in March. Luckily my mum was merciful and bought me a new one on the third day or so.

I usually pack fewer clothes than most, but I always try to be prepared for all kinds of weather. So if I take two pants I'd take shorts and long pants. Weather appropriate clothing is more important to me than having variety in the same style. Btw, I have been shopping for a similar clothing capsule lately, my summer wardrobe was in a bad shape... I'm happy I found a few new items so that I think I can make it work.

Nishaa

Sisi, I think you were lucky to only feel not-fab. Feeling cold is another matter though.
Like Suz, or me.
I went to a wedding in fall/winter. I'd packed enough warm clothes, even a fancy wrap/stole for the main ceremony in the evening. But I fell ill/was late while reaching hotel. So by the time I got ready and left for venue I forgot to take anything warm with me. Shivered all the looooong evening (it was an open venue, got pretty chilly at the end). Learned my lesson the hard way.

Sisi

Veteran

Sara L., your sister was lucky that she was with you on that cruise!

Suz, you were very brave to face all that cold! Despite this, that sounds like a wonderful tour.

Xtabay, wow, being at a ski resort without the right equipment sounds much worse! But I bet you were the best skier on the slopes ...

Sterling, thank you! Of course I will ask the wise YLF community to help me fill my wardrobe holes.

Jane, I think that for a tourist it is absolutely acceptable to be casual. You and your family enjoyed your trip, and this is what matters.

Barbara Diane, how many amusing stories! Thank you for sharing.

Rachylou, it is interesting that your family considers perfume so important. And what a lovely Uncle!

Astrid, your strategy is very wise. I know that recently you put together a very pretty Summer capsule!

Nishaa, I know, I know .... I have had some experiences with cold in the past. I don't know what is worse: frying or freezing ...

Lisa

Veteran

Yes, I was caught off guard with business meetings that popped up the day before so often, I finally buckled down and created a proper business capsule wardrobe. Prior to doing so, I would be out the night before looking for anything that even partially fit in the stores to use the next day.

Sisi

Veteran

Lisa, you have been clever to create the right capsule. I know how it is going around stores looking for the right thing at the last minute ...

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm so impressed with how you made the best of it and enjoyed the activities!
I am sure this happens to real travelers, as you can see from replies!
I don't havd a good story but I do have a goal of getting more prepared to take off on short trips with less fuss and packing time--and to pack a little more lightly. So I am working on better travel capsules that are more versatile and on super comfy shoes.
Sure I want to look fab, but am trying to Identify JFE -- Just Fab Enough! because I'm finding for travel, it's important to me for items to reasonably GO together and be washable also not look too precious for the occasions, where family are usually quite casual.
So, I learn a lot from your post and travel packing lists and stories about what items go the distance.

Gail

Veteran

I typically overpack and try to cover all my bases however last February I went to Pittsburgh and forgot my toilet bag and entire make up bag! I must have been so focused on the horrible snowy weather and warm clothes it was left behind. I got to the hotel and had to get the hotel shuttle to drive me to a Rite Aid before it closed at 9pm LOL.

Sisi

Veteran

Unfrumped, there wasn't anything else I could do ... Anyway an effective travel capsule is not easy to put together. That's why I like so much "travel capsule " posts here on YLF!

Gail, oh no, the toilet and make-up bags! But we are lucky that in our world we can find everything everywhere.

But let me tell you the story of the lost suitcase, because I think that this experience has taught me something. Years ago I went on a bus trip to Poland, organized by a curch. First night in Wien, and then off to Poland. When we arrived in the late afternoon a woman of the group (let's call her Ann) realized that her suitcase had remained in the Wien Hotel. What to do? Asking the hotel to send the suitcase was too fussy and expensive, so Ann decided that she would just pick up her suitcase on our journey back (the last day we would be in Wien again). Next morning she bought herself some underwear and borrowed a few items of clothing from a couple of women of our group. I accompanied her to a chemist's (she does not speak foreign languages) where a lovely lady-chemist was happy to help her find some herbal replacements for the medicaments that she used to take. I was so distressed for her! I thought I would have been desperate if something like that had happened to me! But Ann surprised me. For a whole week Ann lived in a couple of tees and a skirt, always happy and in a good mood and enthusiastic of everything. I was puzzled .... Then I finally realized that for her (a woman of great faith) the most important thing was ... being there! In good company, in places full of spirituality that made her so happy. The clothes, oh well ..... I think she gave me a life lesson.

Sorry for the novel.

Helen11

Veteran

Sisi, I love travel capsule posts, too. It's not fun to feel un-fab on holiday, but I'm glad you could make the best of things. Thanks for sharing your friend's story, too. There is certainly a life lesson there : )

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It's no fun to arrive without the right clothes but glad to hear you still enjoyed the trip. No matter where I travel I always carry one small carry on (think extra large handbag) to include at least one full change of clothing and any items that cannot be purchased such as medication - in case my checked luggage is lost.

Isabel

Veteran

Sisi, I LOVE your attitude. You made it and that is what counts. You also learned from it. That is how we discover "holes". I think it would have been worse if you had spent a whole bunch of money in a hurry and then found it all wrong.

I once attended a meeting in Northern Vermont in the middle of nowhere. After we arrived, I discovered I had not packed any underwear. Nothing besides what I was wearing. I had to tell my boss and we had to rent a car then drive 2 hours to an outlet mall to buy underwear. My boss, who was female, was really great about not being "accurate" to our male VP as to why we had to leave the meeting, rent a car and be gone for 5 hours...... ; )

Sisi

Veteran

Hahaha, Isabel ! Too funny! Luckily your boss was a woman! Can you imagine tell a male boss: " I will be away for some hours ... You know, I need to go buy panties." Hee-hee.

Helen 11 and Texstyle, thank you for your comments (Texstyle, how organized are you?!)