Figuring out what to Pack--Part I, long

MsMaven

Okay, this is not a post for people who pack everything into one carry-on. From many years of business travel DH has exalted status and a lot of travel miles. So we are going first class. Unfortunately, it won't be fun because we're going on the red eye, SF to Paris. DH always wants to take a huge suitcase, which is a pain, and this time I rebel and are taking two smaller ones to check, plus carry-ons.

My biggest problem is shoes, and I will probably wear the SAS lace ups on the plane and carry a lightweight second pair and pack 3 pair. I have had lots of problems with plantar fascists and other foot problems, so shoes have to work. I will be wearing the lightweight compression stockings from Nordstrom as much as possible.

So now I'm really hung up on bottoms. At home I wear mostly jeans or yoga pants when I'm not going out. Rarely wear dresses or skirts.

Okay one print VC skirt--subtle black and white.

A pair of BR light gray skinny jeans--long but can roll.

A pair of black ankle pants, cotton mix.

I planned on taking a pair of Paige dark wash Manhatten slight bells, which will work when I have to wear the ugly SAS.

But, for the airplane, I want to wear my very comfortable Rag & Bone BF jeans, distressed but no rips or holes. I also will want to wear them in Paris.

That is four pair. Should be enough. Why am I considering the beige ankle pants? Because I'm worried about going around in Paris always dress in jeans--well, most of the time.

Shoes: for sure, SAS lace ups

Munro slip on beige sneakers--why didn't I try slip ons ages ago?

Beautifeel sandals--pretty good for walking and decent looking.

My DIL told me how comfy Sketchers are--even for walking. I bought a pair of Sketchers walking slip ons, and they are really comfy--but! I wore them to the grocery store one day and by the time I got home the arches were aching.

If I wear the skirt to a nice place I'd want to wear pantyhose, and may have to compromise and wear sandals.

I thought of the Vionics thongs, but they aren't that comfy. I have a pair of SAS sandals that might work.

Or I could take a pair of older Munros that won't work so much for walking, but could make it a few blocks to dinner.

I hope this isn't too confusing. I will take five pairs of shoes. But which ones. Taking photos has helped a lot.

Big question is whether to take the beige pants instead of the what? I think the gray skinnies look reasonably nice and with a longer top won't be so jean-like.

Any advice will be appreciated. No time or energy to try on, but tops will follow.

Bottom and various shoes:

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10 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Cococat

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gosh. This is tricky. The bottoms look great. I say if you have room for the beige ones, bring them, but don't stress if you don't. Your tops look as if they mostly go better with the other bottoms?

Will you need something in case it is warmer? They've been having a heat wave in Europe, I think. I'd be too warm in many of these in summer...

I don't really recommend the thongs. Anything that isn't comfy at home won't be comfy on the road. Do take a pair of sandals or dressier shoes for sure, and aim for variety in the shoes in terms of how your feet sit in them, if you know what I mean. A change is as good as a rest with shoes, in my opinion. I am all for variety of footwear when travelling.

10 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Suz, I tend to run chilly or even cold. Most of the summer I need something at night because of the marine breeze that cools things off, unless of course, there is a heat wave and nothing moves. The jeans are fairly lightweight--if it did get really warm I could substitute the skirt.

It dawned on me I'm worried about looking like a tourist, and of course, I will. No matter what. The tops are fairly lightweight, especially the N+Z. I need to keep my arms covered if I can--enough skin damage already. The purple top has roll up sleeves.

At home I change shoes a lot--sometimes 3 times during the day and not to go with a different outfit. It does help.

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

How many days will you be gone? Will you have the ability to do laundry or have it done by the hotel?

10 years ago

shiny

Veteran

When are you going? You didn't mention.

I was in Paris in August for my 40th birthday (nearly a decade ago) for 10 days. It was a year with a big heat wave. I'd say 1 day was cool enough for jeans (which I ended up rolling) and 1/3 of the days were cool enough for pants. The rest were so sweltering I wore breezy dresses, even though I wasn't much of a dress person at that point (maybe that was the turning point?), and I confess I took off my non-cotton panties because I was sweating way too much! That is also the same year I came back home and invested in bras designed for hot sweaty temperatures. TMI?

That was NOT (supposedly) a typical summer for Paris.... but global warming and all that...

That said..... and please I hope no forum members from Paris ding me on this one: the Parisians were all wearing long pants and jackets. I assume they were traveling to work to AC'd office conditions, whereas I wasn't. But also, there were fleas in the subway system. So my ankles got bit to death on the subway, wearing my breezy dresses or capris. In other words: pants are good!

Shoes: your array looks really good to me. If i was going back to Paris this summer, I'd want your shoes! You will want walkable comfy shoes. But also know that you can pop in a store anywhere and buy shoes if you haven't brought the right ones.

Bring a backpack -- either a trendy fashionable one for you, or a practical one for your hubby. My hubby brought his and we would stuff it with a blanket, baguette, bottle of wine, glasses, and then when our feet needed a rest, have a picnic somewhere.

10 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, I travel light, but my sister prefers to check her luggage and just carry a handbag on the plane, especially if she is going business class. Both travel styles have their advantages and disadvantages.

If I was checking luggage, I'd definitely concentrate on good footwear, especially if I had foot issues. I think it would be perfectly reasonable to pack a couple of extra pairs of walking shoes, in addition to the ones I'd be wearing on the planr. I'd also pack a pair of nice sandals to wear for evening, but with the proviso that they'd have to be comfortable enough to walk several blocks on cobblestone streets. Judging from your comments, I'd be inclined towards the SAS, the Munro sneakers, and my next most comfortable walking shoe to use as an alternative. i'd also pack two pairs of sandals--one a bit dressy--that were comfortable enough to walk in for at least an hour. Pain and vacations do not go together in my books.

I'd also decide if I wanted to wear skirts and/or a dress. I've gone for a month in Paris and London, in the summer, in only pants. I wore my jeans, a pair of slim black pants, a dressy silk crepe pant, and a full-legged linen pant. Those four pairs of pants covered every circumstance from hiking in the Downs, going to the theatre in London, visiting a beach resort in France, walking around Paris, and going for dinner at a swanky Michelin starred restaurant. Not wearing a skirt simplified my footwear choices, and, I think, helped me blend in since almost every other woman around me was attired in a similar way. Wearing only pants also made it easier to pick out tops, jackets and outerwear. Grab a good city bag, a nice tote bag, and a couple of scarves, and you'll fit in nicely.

10 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Shiny, we are going to Paris. We will take a day trip to Normandy and possibly Chartres. We'll be gone 8 1/2 days counting air.

Gaylene, the skirt is the VC tube skirt that I can just roll up and stuff in a corner. I thought about a dress briefly, but the dresses I have haven't worked out that well for travel. I wish I had a pair of dressy pants--I have some ponte pants but they will be too warm for this time of year.

Shiny, I've wondered about the humidity. There is something so awful about a bra that gets sweaty. You've reminded me to take a couple of the lighter weight ones. They may not hold me up as well, but they will be cooler. I plan on washing out my underwear once or twice.

Wearing the compression socks has really helped. Another big thank you for YLF'ers. They help keep my feet and ankles from swelling so much, which makes it easier to stay on my feet longer. Not so great if it is really warm.

I'm going to hold out the beige pants until the end and see if they fit in. I do see a need for some variety in pants for travel. I don't have any patterned pants right now.

If I need one I will buy a hat in Paris, also I hope to get bags and yes, good idea to look for a back pack.

We were in Switzerland a couple of years ago and I had a really hard time in the old cities and the cobblestones. I hope my feet are in better shape this time--I've been working on them.

Thanks for all the good suggestions. Fleas! I hope not. I have indoor flea-free cats and I'd hate to bring them a flea present.

10 years ago

Anonymous

How exciting to be going to Paris! Comfortable walking shoes are a top priority. I think the skirt is a good idea and will give you a change from jeans.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ok, I *am* a minimalist packer, but 8 1/2 days isn't that long and looks like you'll be moving that suitcase a lot... I'd eliminate a couple of pants for shoes... And trade one of your light sweaters for a warmer one from your other post.

10 years ago

Cococat

Veteran

I was in Paris this time last year and it was mostly cold with a couple of warm days in between. I took a pair of comfy ankle boots and sandals and ballet flats for the warm days. The boots were perfect for the cold rainy days. I would suggest to take a pair of closed in leather shoes.

Funny story, one day I decided to walk to and back from the Eiffel tower to where we were staying in St Germaine. It's quite a way. Half way back, one sandal fell apart. It was a public holiday and stores were closed. We went into a restaurant for lunch and the proprietor saw my broken shoe and offered packing tape to wrap around my shoe and foot. I agreed because I didn't really have any other choice. It held up half of the way home and then came apart. I had to walk through the streets of Paris with one bare foot and one sandal. Tres chic!

10 years ago

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