Ask Angie: How to pack with style

traceyws

Not Angie, but I spent a week in London earlier this month with just a carry-on bag. I packed all knits and silks except two pair of cotton pant. Layering was key.

My packing list - all EF.
2 pr black pants - cotton (one pull-on, one straight-leg).
One sleeveless silk chiffon-type dress, black.
4 tops - all a shade of blue.
One black tank top, which doubled as as a pajama top.
1 black cowl sweater
i black cardigan
1 black silk bomber jacket
1 black cotton hoodie
1 pair waterproof fashion boots.
One pair walking sneakers.
One pair flats (I didn't wear ymmv).
one pair booties - worn only once.
pajama shorts
lingerie
1 pashmina scarf for the plane and cooler weather
1 silk scarf
i pair knit pants and heavier shirt for the travel days.

I wore everything at least once. On the coolest day I wore the silk dress with a cardigan, over the pull-on cotton pants, and the fashion boots. Layered further with the hoodie and the silk bomber. Some days I wore the hoodie under the silk bomber for additional warmth. I have fussy feet or I would have left one pair of boots at home.

Oh, the Milly backpack Angie loved a few months back was invaluable. It held so much while still looking fashionable.

Dont forget your folding umbrella - the weather can shift in a moment.

Most of all, have fun!!

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Many members have posted their travel capsules. My carryon plus travel wear for Europe usually allows for lots of layering. Start with sturdy very comfortable walking footwear. I usually wear the heaviest, like short boots, and pack at least one light weight pair of dressier shoes. I would take ballet flats and refined sneakers. I wear Ponte black pants and take another pair of pants and a skirt (3 bottoms total, although 2 total will work). Tops vary from sleeveless to long sleeves to allow layering, a couple of scarves, a topper that packs small and a good trench round things out. I use silk underwear to sleep in and it can be a warm layer if needed. Leggings are another idea for layering/sleeping. I take lots of black. It fits in everywhere.
ETA: an umbrella is needed but I don't take one anymore. Those folded ones goins through the X-Ray have caused too many luggage searches. Now I buy a cheap one there, use it and leave it there. No more luggage searches since doing this.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a fabulous trip!

You've already received great advice.

Another way of looking at it is to list the activities you know you will be doing, and making sure you have an outfit for each one -- in all possible weather conditions for the period.

I.e. Make sure you have a sightseeing outfit for warm weather, cool weather, and rainy weather. Obviously, there can be overlap (with layering). And you will need more than one outfit (depending on the number of times you are doing the activity).

But thinking in terms of activities you need to dress for vs. capsules can sometimes relieve the pressure a bit. It's great if everything mixes and matches (and gives you more possibilities) but just ensuring you have appropriate outfits is a first step.

I also take multiple pairs of shoes for a heavy walking trip. Yes, they take up room. Yes, they make your luggage more heavy. But switching your shoes makes more happier feet and also a happier soul. It is no fun going out to a nice dinner in inappropriate gear shoes.

I like Joy's suggestions. I wouldn't do ballet flats myself because they are not comfortable for me, but I would take at least one pair of dressier low heeled shoes.

10 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I'd start with the shoes first. It's going to be chilly in October, so I'd pack shoes you can wear with socks. You'll be walking a lot so pack mostly flats, with maybe one high heel option for going out. If it were me I'd probably wear a pair of tall boots on the plane, and pack a pair of dressy loafers, a pair of fashionable sneakers, and a pair of heels.

Then I'd go over to Vivienne Files, which I have been reading through lately, and take inspiration and packing tips from her.

Okay let's see if I learned anything from all the reading -- and travel -- I've been doing lately! If it were me and I was packing for just such a trip, here's what I'd pack - see pic....

Theme: neutrals in black/grey/cream + accents in cranberry/blush/red shades. For accessories I'd keep it to black/cognac/gold.

It's probably too much to fit in an international carry on though! So I might start with this and pare it down, if you can't or don't plan to check your bag.

For my pretend trip, I'd wear the black long cardigan, white tee, and black leggings (Theory - substantial weight) tucked into tall boots on the plane. These leggings are pull on but styled like 5-pocket jeans, so they double as regular pants. I've chosen just one coat here - a packable puffer - but depending on the weather nearer the trip, I might instead take my Burberry trench, which I'd wear on the plane.

Shoes:
I'd bring flat or wedge boots, not heeled - do not have a picture, so imagine. For heels I'd pack the leopard booties, because my feet get cold, and I can wear them with socks, which also prevents blisters, and I can actually walk quite a lot in these so they play double duty. I'd want a pair of bronze or cognac flats instead of these snakeskin flats, but I don't have those in my closet so I am working with what I've got here. But bronze or cognac flats would be more versatile, I think. The black sneakers shown here maybe aren't the most fashionable but I know I can walk forever in them, and they look fine with all sorts of pants.

Accessories:
I'd add a few scarves (not shown) - as many as I could fit - in the accent colors.
I'd debate extensively between a cross body bag, or a roomier handbag - here I'm showing a cross body, but I do like having a roomier bag for travel, because I can stuff my scarf or cardigan inside it. It would probably depend on whether I'm going with carry on or checking my bag. If carry on, then the cross body actually fits inside my second piece of carry-on.
I'd pack a clutch inside my luggage; I always do - useful to organize items, and nice to have a second bag handy.

I've only included one belt because pretty much everything I'm packing will not show off the belt; it's purpose is just to hold my pants up. I've done this deliberately because if I'm eating and drinking a lot on this trip, I am likely not going to want to tuck anything... belts don't take up too much room so I could add another.

Clothing:
I may actually skip the jeans entirely because I like to be comfortable when I travel, and jeans take up a lot of room. The BR Sloans I've shown here (http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=970102002) go with so much, and are way more comfy than jeans. The subtle B&W pattern would not show dirt either. But here I've settled on dark wash skinny jeans because they can tuck into tall boots. Straight leg would be my other choice. I've not chosen any wide leg dress slacks, because they would only go with the leopard heeled booties, and require a different type of top too. Basically I've chosen a silouhette here of fluid/loose over slim, so it all works together.

I've packed extra sweaters, which also take up a lot of room, because I prefer them, however, I'd likely pare down in this area if I couldn't get it all to fit in the bag. (Packing tip: Roll everything!). I haven't packed too many cotton tees because I find the blouses more interesting and they can be layered just as easily. Also all the blouses I've chosen would rinse out in a hotel bathroom quite easily and drip-dry by the morning. If I could find the perfect white tee in a travel-friendly material that can be washed in a hotel sink, that is exactly what I'd take. I just don't find cotton layering tees all that travel-friendly.

I'd bring one dress, because I love dresses. I've chosen a dolman sleeve sweater dress here, with forgiving waist (since I assume I'll be eating a lot on this trip!), but now that I think of it, it's probably too bulky, so I'd probably go with a packing-friendly jersey instead.

I did not pack any blazers/suit jackets because I'm assuming this is vacation, not for business. If it was a business trip, I'd swap out the grey cardigan with a charcoal blazer.

I did not pack any leather jackets because they take up too much room and a knee-length coat is much more versatile. However, I might manage to tuck in my black pleather cropped moto, which takes up little room and acts as an excellent layering piece, especially over a dress.

I'd probably obsess endlessly about which cream sweater to bring for layering: this v-neck pullover, a zip cardigan, or a boyfriend cardigan...

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10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great advice here. And sounds like a fun trip.

You have to take care of your feet because Europe is all about walking everywhere. So plan outfits around your shoes first. Wear comfortable booties, oxfords and sneakers - flat or low heeled. Take along plenty of options for back-up. Your trip will be ruined if your feet hurt, and I don't say that lightly.

Must take along quite a few trendy toppers. It's cold and rainy already, and wearing toppers will not only keep you warm, but create a chic effect. Pack an umbrella and bodyglide.

Try on all your outfits beforehand so that you feel good in them.

I like to take one scarf with me on holiday - my Burberry - and leave it at that.

Have a rough idea of what you want to wear now - but DO NOT PACK until the day before. That way you will have the most up to date report on the weather. That's extremely important, and a strategy that works well for Greg and me.

10 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I've travelled for four weeks in October in the UK and France, alternating between Paris, London, and the countryside in both countries, with only a small, international-size carryon. My packing list goes like this:

For the flight over:
Jag Malia jeans worn with leather sneakers, socks, long-sleeve T, cashmere hoodie, trench coat, and Longchamp Le Pilage bag containing my leather cross-body bag, umbrella, iPad, and flight essentials. Comfortable enough for me to sleep in, easy to kick off my shoes and get them on again (boots can be tricky if feet swell on an overnight flight) and looks perfectly presentable when I get off the Tube in the middle of London.

In the carryon:

Four tops (one dressy-- prefer knits since they pack easily and can be rinsed out in the sink and hung to dry)
Black pants (to be dressed up or down)
Leather moto jacket
Black booties (waterproofed--sleek enough for city evening wear with pants)
Black cashmere cardigan
Silk underwear
Undies ( 2 bras, 2 knickers, 2 pairs lightweight socks)
Two scarves--one cashmere, one silk
Small black clutch

It might not be the most exciting wardrobe, but it works. I get asked for directions frequently so I figure I resemble the average woman on the street, I'm always warm and dry (Honestly, layering silk underwear, a top, a cashmere sweater, a leather jacket, and a trench would see me through Arctic conditions--hypothetically, because I've never hit conditions that extreme), my cardigan and pants sub for a suit-like look, and I can comfortably carry a non-wheeled carryon up and down stairs and lift it into overhead compartments without assistance or strain. My carryon actually looks like the totes many women carry on the streets.

10 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

I travel a lot, and have two pieces of advice.

1. Start with the shoes and build around that. As others have said, comfort rules.

2. If you make a packing list map out your outfits day by day with a focus on layers and multipurpose items, you can avoid overpacking. It does not mean you have to wear the items as "scheduled," it's just a good way to think through the possible combos and options for day and night. Then you can go back through the list and make sure you have things covered for weather realities, any special events, comfort, etc., and edit as necessary. This is also a good way to make sure you don't overlook anything important. I check off items as they go into my suitcase and it works like a charm for me. I also save my lists and then can refer back to them and re-use or modify as new trip requirements warrant.

I hope this is helpful -- and safe travels.

10 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I have a whole Pinterest board full of travel wardrobe ideas: http://www.pinterest.com/msmar.....obe-ideas/

10 years ago

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