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Travel capsule for Chicago... help

harmonica

Veteran

I'm off to Chicago in a few days and Day Vies, MaryA and I will meet!

I've been packing mentally for a while. Today I had some time to try it all out. Most of the time will need smart casual and business casual outfits + one dressy dinner. I've chosen items that are fairly lightweight, breezy, goes with almost everything, I can launder (I don't do it but I like the option). The trip is 9 days, including overseas flights.

The temp is high, 80-83 F. Most of my summer has been unusually chilly, 50-59F (!!). I love the idea of light & minimalist packing (i.e. one bag), but always end up with a big suitcase. I like to have some options, the weather may be changing and I don't do laundry when travelling.

What can I leave behind and is there anything I have forgotten about? I also need help to choose shoes, bag and scarf. Any comments and help are appreciated.

#2-3 Tops, sleeveless
Floral, light blue top
Sleeveless cream, silk top (Theory)
Black/white small dotted top (Marimekko)
Sleeveless black/white top (Helmut Lang)
Tee with palm trees print
Yellow tank top

#3-4 Tops/toppers, sleeves:
- white/red batwing sleeve sweater (breezy cotton)
- white linen shirt
- yellow cropped cardi (breezy cotton)
- Light grey linen cardi
- long grey cardi (thin wool, for the airplane and arrival at home)
#6:

- Bright Coral blazer
- White striped blazer
-Black leather moto (AllSaints)

#5 Bottoms
- White/yellow/grey Floral pencil
- Charcoal pencil (my best basic basic item!)
- A-line floral skirt
- grey jogger style pants

#7 Dresses:
Day-to-night Floral, black dress, a-line
Arty print dress (A MacQueen)
Casual Pink strap dress (breezy, works well with blazer)
Casual Black dress with slightly dropped waist (Boss Orange)

#1 Shoes:
Dark blue chunky heel pumps
Black gladiator sandals w wedge
Grey strap sandals?
Black wedged ballerinas or black sneakers or loafers or metallic booties??

#1 Bag:
Black studded clutch
Taupe cross strap bag (Marc Jacobs) or white/gold tote??

#1+4 Scarf:
Black pashmina or green pashmina or light grey scarf or bright green scarf??

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General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Kirstjen

JulieinMI

Harmonica, I live just across Lake Michigan in Michigan and our weather is often similar. Our son lives in Chicago and we do get there frequently. If you need to make shoe choices you will probably want to take the sneakers along. Walking is very popular in Chicago for sightseeing and shopping and everything in between! Sandals will be popular there next week yet. Everything looks great; have a wonderful time! It is a great city to visit!

Murph11

Veteran

I was in Chicago for the first time last fall and LOVED it! Your choices are beautiful and offer lots of variety. I'd pack a light rain coat, as showers do happen without much notice. We walked everywhere to see the sights, so choose footware accordingly. Few highlights: the architectural boat tour for great sights and history, Art Institute of Chicago (even if you only have time for one of the many collections or exhibits--warhol's huge Mao is mind-blowing!) and Eataly for all great thing Italian under one roof! Check out the CityPass for admission to a collection of sites. Have a wonderful trip!

Elly

Veteran

I'd take a few pieces out, but too heavy bags hurt my shoulders. The colors and options look great.

unfrumped

Veteran

All the pieces sound lovely, maybe not warm enough for cold-natured me if you spend much time indoors in A/C, but okay if okay for you.
I am wondering if you need so many items? I'm not at all good at minimalism for travel though, so that is more of a wannabe question!
If you take 4 skirts and 4 dresses, will you wear each one only once, or do you not intend day-to-night, and want to change for evening? Or perhaps plan so much outdoor/warm activity daily that otherwise you would need to do laundry. Similarly having 5+ toppers, though I could see that a thin shell + a thin cardi don't take up much space/weight.
So I am learning to try to do the "create outfits" thing and see how many I want and if plan repeat/remix. This if luggage is an issue.

The other thing is footwear. I would be sure to have 2 options that are totally walkable for hours. For me that leads almost to travel-specific footwear that blends gear with fashion, such as a sneaker and a sport sandal that work with your skirts and dresses, and then maybe a still-comfortable but not-hiking option for evenings. That is because even my comfortable-est work footwear is not what I would take on vacation when I could find myself walking more blocks than intended and not able to bail out. That, or some people carry one type of "emergency" shoe such as a foldable flat in your day bag, but my goal is to create outfits with sporty-breezy-style with road-tested footwear.

But, if you are doing more of a work deal and will have transportation to spare your feet, then you may be able to take different footwear.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you JulieinMI, Merpheleven, Elly and unfrumped!

I'm thinking that I need an evening/dinner outfit for at least 4 days, but I can probably wear the same dress twice. And if l get very hot, I'll need to change the top or to a dress. That's why I have so many tops, but I will try to leave some of them.

Shoes: the gladiator sandals are all day walking shoes and I can wear them for dinner if I want. The pumps are for the dressy events. I'll pack them for sure, but only wear them for dinner. On the flight and for long walks the sneakers are great. Do I need another pair? The ballerinas are really comfy, but not all day walking shoes. The same goes for the loafers. I think I'll leave the loafers. The grey sandals are super comfy, but casual. But take up minimum of space. The booties are roadtesed and lasts for hours, but they take up more space.

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks for the Chicago recomandations! I love boat trips and will definitely check out some museums. Good footwear is essential. I love to see new places by foot.

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks for the Chicago recomandations! I love boat trips and will definitely check out some museums. Good footwear is essential. I love to see new places by foot.

Which bag to bring along? The white tote feels fresh and I can carry a lot. It will also work well for the conference I'm attending. But may be impractical at the airport and the flight. The taupe crossover bag is a favourite and great on the flight and airport. But it isn't as fresh and have less space, especially if I put the black clutch inside.

harmonica

Veteran

I do have pair of foldable coral ballerinas, but they might be too warm?

I'm not used to the temp, so will probably feel warm.

How about scarf? The black pashmina is great on the airplane and at the evening. The green pashmina isn't as comfy and it's smaller. The neon green is fun, but not as warm. The grey has less variaty due to smaller size and not as warm.

Windchime

Veteran

Based on my recent week in New York City, I strongly agree with everyone encouraging you to make sure you have very comfortable walking shoes--ideally two pairs, so you don't wear the same ones two days in a row. My DS, aged 15, didn't believe me about this, and we ended up buying him shoes in NYC because his feet were killing him.

Be sure to check out Millenium Park-- it's wonderful!

Have a great time in a great city!

Beth Ann

Veteran

So excited for you! The trip will be terrific! Your color palette is gorgeous -- great for summer and sophisticated, as well.

I'd encourage you to plan on alternating footwear. The sneakers are sleek and supportive and are a great choice. The Gladiators should work for walking distances, too. I'd also recommend that you plan for the powerful A/C. Your lightweight cardis could always go into your white tote!

Staysfit

Veteran

My first thought was you have a lot of shoes. I would bring the gladiators, the pumps, and the sneakers. If you have space, maybe add in the extra lightweight sandals, maybe not.

It gets cooler at night, also it can be breezy especially if you are staying close to the lake. By cool, I mean mid 60's, which may not sound cold, but when the daytime temperature is in the 80's it feels cold.

I love your color palette. I agree with everyone else here who says that layers are a good idea. Chicago has rainstorms, so make sure to bring something like a light weight trench, or an umbrella.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Lovely capsule, with beautiful colors. I would definitely take all the shirts and tops, and most of the toppers. Perhaps add a pair of jeans or stretchy slacks, said because my impression of Chicago in early fall would be cool breezes and downright chilly in the shade or damp/rain, but certainly a great time of year to visit. My favorite areas: river walk, Navy Pier, lakefront running/walking paths, Grant Park, Art Institute, State Street, Michigan Ave. and loop shopping areas, Millennium Park. Have fun on your visit!!

If leaving anything behind, I think one of the gray cardis and one of the print skirts might stay home since they seem like duplicates; the pink dress and the arty print dress look too summery for the transitional season. Personally I would substitute a trench for the leather jacket for practicality, because a trench would layer over a cardi or blazer, but the moto would not. Chicago fashion culture = black puffers in winter, tan trenches in spring and fall (not that you want to totally disappear in the crowd.)

Which pieces are you planning for the dressy dinner? Will that outfit be worn any other times?

ETA: The crossbody bag would be more practical than a tote for any sightseeing or shopping, mostly because it would be hands-free, always easier in the long run.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, all! Very glad you all seem to like the colour palette. It just fell into place during the process. I wanted the floral pencil for my presentation and the A-line midi skirt for casual warm days.

Sorry for replying so late. I'm running between work preparations, household chores (want to make everything slightly tidier before I leave), activating the boys (I need some of their energy, enthusiasm and creativity!!) and packing. I'll be glad when I'm seated on the Chicago flight!

Windchime: the gladiators and sneakers are great walking shoes. The ballerinas and pumps could be for evenings. Both are very comfy.

Millenium Park is on my list.

Beth Ann: The cardis will be in the tote! Thanks for reminding me! Also thanks for all the great advise. It makes everything easier.

Staysfit: Gladiators, pumps, sneakers and ballerinas are coming along. Might bring the grey flat sandals, too. They don't take up space. Shoe options are good for the feet right?
Good point about temp. Mid 60's sound wonderful, but I totally see how that can feel cold when day temps are much higher.

The last week has been wonderful here with temps between 68-77 F. Great preparation for temps to come.

chj: Great input! Instead of slacks or jeans, I'll bring some tights. They don't take up space, are lightweight and make my charcoal pencil wearable for casual and work, cool and warmer temps.

The grey cardis have different purposes and can easily be layered. One is very thin wool (keeps me warm on plane and evenings), the other is linen and breezy, still nice for evenings. I'll keep them. Thanks for helping me think of the actual difference and why I want both.

The print skirts makes me happy. The shape is very different, pencil vs a-line. Hmmm... I have to pack both

I'll bring my trench instead of the leather jacket. Great advise!

The tote is lightweight and can

easily

be packed flat in the suitcase or the hand luggage bag I'm bringing. I'll take both.

I'll leave some of the tops. Hopefully, I'm not over-packing way too much.

JulieinMI

Harmonica, You will want to leave room in your suitcase for a few new things. The shopping in Chicago is the best!

harmonica

Veteran

Sure, JulieinMI!

I borrowed a large suitcase from a friend. We call it the America suitcase because it is large and I've went to NYC with it a few years ago. America suitcase was also an expression in the 19th century because about 800.000 Norwegians emigrated to America. They brought everything they owed in a big suitcase, hence America suitcase.

lyn67

Veteran

The yellows and your print skirts makes me happy, too-such a coordinated travel capsule! You did it so well!

Kirstjen

Veteran

Have fun visiting Chicago. It's the city I call home & it is a wonderful place to live or visit!

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks, lyn67 and kirstjen! I'm leaving the house in 8 hours.

Still pondering about leather jacket vs trench. I want the leather jacket, but the trench offers more variety and is easier to bring along.

Does dark jogger style pant go with a beige trench coat and black sneakers?

Kirstjen

Veteran

You probably don't need either the jacket or the trench as it's been pretty warm here lately, so bring what you prefer.

My opinion is that the jogger pants would go better with the trench than with the leather jacket. But that is ONLY my opinion.

If you are downtown Chicago, it's a pretty forgiving place - lots of tourists in t shirts, shorts, sneakers... I think you will look much more stylish than most.