First Cut at Travel Capsule for Barcelona in Summer - YouLookFab Forum

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First Cut at Travel Capsule for Barcelona in Summer

Chris987

Veteran

DH and I will be taking a very interesting trip in late June/early July. He has a two day conference in Barcelona so we'll spend a few days there. He just made the decision last week to go. I don’t usually go with him on his copious business trips but this one was too good to pass up. Time to learn to say please and thank you in Catalan!

The other part of the trip, which we'll do first, is a visit to a grad school friend of DH's who runs a B&B in an 18th century house in a tiny French village in the Pyrenees Mountains; a 3 hour drive from Barcelona. There is a lot of skiing here in winter, and in warmer weather hiking, visiting old churches, French dining etc. I have a good selection of sporty clothes for this part of the trip and have ordered a few missing pieces.

Probably 3-4 days in each location.

For the Barcelona visit I need to do some planning and would love your inputs. Temps will be between mid-60s and low 80’s with moderate humidity. A lot like where I live. Maybe breezy since it's on the Mediterranean. Below are some of my initial ideas for a capsule. I expect to pare it back some. I'm planning to order some footwear starting today so I have plenty of time to find good fits etc and I do have some backup options if nothing new works.

2 pr of shoes - one black sneaker and one silver sandal.

2 linen sweaters - will these be cool enough? (Linen sweaters are a new thing for me). Is a striped sweater too casual?

tops - Is the striped T too casual for a city like Barcelona? The black and blue Ts will be part of my French mountain wardrobe so could wear for Barcelona too

2 pants - black and grey. I'll have at least one pair of jeans too.

denim jacket and/or black blazer

might add a scarf or two

maybe a skirt or dress but I don't have many choices that seem suitable

black cross-body purse

p.s. I am quite comfortable with idea of a lot of black in a city travel capsule. Makes it easy. I'm also ok with the idea of doing a bit of hand laundry. Our friend in France probably has a washer/dryer in her house which will be very convenient

p.s. I have been reading through the various past postings on Barcelona and getting some great ideas! Also have started researching things to do of course...

Thanks in advance!!!

Ecco 'Soft 7' Sneaker

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Ecco Bluma Sport Sneaker

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Naot 'Lisa' Crystal Embellished Sandal

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Caslon Stripe Tie Back Tee

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Pima Cotton Tee, Elbow-Sleeve Scoopneck

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Pima Cotton Tee, Elbow-Sleeve Scoopneck

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Cropped Skinny Chinos

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Eileen Fisher Slim Ankle Pant (Regular & Petite)

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Eileen Fisher Washable Stretch Crepe Jacket

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a.n.a Long-Sleeve Denim Jacket

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Pull-On Knit Denim Pencil Skirt, Only at Macy's

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Sisi

Veteran

This sounds like a very interesting trip! You have all what you need - all the activities are covered. I think that striped tees/sweaters are ideal for a vacation. Nothing says "Holiday" more than a striped something! As per linen sweaters I do not own any but I have a linen jersey tee that is the coolest thing I ever had! This is a very pretty capsule! Looking forward to the evolutions

Christina F.

Veteran

I think this looks like a good capsule for Europe, though I can't speak to Barcelona specifically. You may want to switch out one of the sweaters for a lighter shirt once you can see specifically what the weather will be like (10 day forecast). But it's nice looking and cohesive.

Adela

This trip sound wonderfil, I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much! Barcelona can be very hot and humid at this time of year, but you said that you're used to that, so I have no doubts that you know what feels comfortable in such weather. But if you're asking for my opinion, I would definitelly take either a breezy, light dress or a skirt with me- maybe the one in black that you already have covers that?

barbaraq

Chris, I think your picks are right on track. I spent a week in Barcelona in September, which was probably much hotter than what you will encounter in June. Barcelona is sort of up on a hill, not directly on the coast, so not too windy/breezy. Be sure to take really reliable walking shoes - this city was made for walking. I travelled in very similar clothes to yours and felt just fine. (But be sure to admire the ladies who do dress to the nines, complete with 4 inch heels.)

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Sisi! Yes it should be most interesting. Neither Barcelona nor the mountains of southern France are especially on my bucket list, but when opportunity knocks....plus having the benefit of visiting a friend who knows an area well can't be beat!

Great advice ChristinaF, I'll definitely not do a final paring back until I see what the weather predictions are close to departure date.

Adela, yes I'm used to hot/humid weather in summer and am not as bothered by it as some people as long as I stay hydrated. The black dress I have in my finds is a lightweight cotton knit like tshirt fabric and has a v neckline (hard to see in the find) so it's perfect for hot weather.

Chris987

Veteran

thanks BarbaraQ. Good to know about Barcelona being on a hill. I am definitely looking forward to observing the styles worn by the locals, it's always part of the fun of traveling!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'll be back to comment more later - but some important things upfront about Barcelona:

People dress WELL
Pick pocking is a thriving business run by women - MUST not leave your bag on the ground at all (at restaurants and the like).
MUST have a range of comfy shoes
Siestas are real. People have dinner at 9.30pm. Things are closed in the afternoon.
The tapas is SUBLIME

You've put together a great starting point, Chris.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Barcelona is gorgeous!
Your capsule is shaping up nicely. The only thing is it will be super warm in july and dark colored clothes always make me feel even warmer. Besides Barcelona is such a colorful city! Maybe add some white tops?

Adela

Oh yes, how could I forget to meantion the famous Barcelona pick pockets! It may be a good idea to bring a crossbody bag. As I remember Barcelona as a very hot city, I just checked and the average temperature in July is 28 degrees (in the shadow)- it means that some days are much hotter than that.

JuniperGreen

Veteran

Oo you're going to have such a fun time! I like your choices and agree a breezy skirt or dress would serve you well - I've also visited in June and it was already quite hot and humid. I also recommend a crinkly lightweight (cotton/linen) scarf - it seemed to me EVERYONE had summer scarves all around the Mediterranean. Helpful for covering your shoulders for visiting churches and popping in your bag when you don't need it. Then again, scarves are such easy souvenirs to buy while traveling so you could pick one up when you get there.

(If you're visiting La Sagrada Familia look into getting tickets ahead of time because the wait if you drop by for a visit is quite long)

Chris987

Veteran

Angie thanks for the info on pick pockets. I was planning on the leather cross body shown but it has a flap and no zipper so maybe I'll switch to a diff cross body with a full zip and never put it down. Also that late dinner thing is going to take some planning - buying of snacks early in the day to keep for later. Or bringing protein bars which I usually do when traveling since I tend to get hypoglycemic.

Anonymous

MUST SEES - since you are visiting in busy summer season, you should probably book first three on-line before you leave:
Basilica Sagrada Familia
Casa Batllo
Palau de la Música Orfeo Catala - best way to see it is to book a performance and arrive a bit early to tour the building, too.
La Boqueria Market - have lunch at one of the cafes

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
Parc Guell
Fundacio Joan Miro

Leave free time in your schedule to simply wander Las Ramblas, Gothic Quarter, El Born and Eixample neighborhoods.

I seem to recall packing generic weather-appropriate smart casual outfits and being perfectly happy with that.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh! Exciting news! I would definitely add a few lighter weight and lighter coloured pieces if this were me...but I understand the practicality of dark bottoms for sure. Another item you might consider -- lightweight (and light coloured) scarves. You might not wear them much (or maybe only in air conditioned museums) but then again, they might give outfits that extra "oomph" without a lot of fuss.

Style Fan

Veteran

I love Barcelona. Some friends of mine lost their passports and all their cash because of pick pockets. They left their bags on a chair a café while having dinner. No one noticed that someone took it. I always wear a crossbody bag with zippers and never take it off when I am travelling.

salt-sea

Fantastic recommendations already. I was just in Barcelona two weeks ago.
Cross body bag with a zipper - definitely - good choice.
Add a couple of breezy, lighter tops.
Maybe only bring one sweater. It was a little cooler than normal when I was there and I found a scarf and a light jacket sufficient for breezy evenings. It will be warmer when you are there. (but yes bring a light scarf)
Your sneakers and silver sandals sound good. I wore my eileen fisher sport sandals and a low platform pair of kork ease sandals.

Some sightseeing advice - definitely get tickets for Sagrada Familia and Park Güell in advance.
The Palau de Musica Catalan is well worth a visit - as Ryce suggested see a performance there. If you're staying in a hotel ask the concierge to help you book it.
We also enjoyed Palau Güell, which is right off La Rambla.
There is a fantastic museum - Museu d'Historia de Barcelona - that explains the history of Barcelona and has wonderfully preserved city ruins from the Roman times through 7th century Episcopal church.
There are some lovely parks and beach restaurants. Some of the best sangria I tried was at Bambu beach bar, a beach restaurant (open 9-10), where you can look out at the Mediterranean and enjoy some light tapas.
Brace yourself for the late evening meals. It's worth it, and if you are traveling from the US don't try too hard to reset your body clock. Seriously, people were out having dinner at 11 with young kids. I was proud of myself for 9:30/10:30 dinners, normally being an early bedtime person. I'd also suggest enjoying a glass of sangria and a few tapas in the late afternoon; that might tide you over for the late dinners.
The Metro is fantastic; easy to figure out. They have 10-ride passes you can share with your travel companion(s) as well as individual person multiple day cards.
I found everyone we interacted with very friendly. I attempted Spanish and occasional Catalan, neither very well, but like anywhere, I think the attempt is appreciated.
A couple of tech recommendations - on your phone, on Google Maps download the offline maps for Barcelona; get the Microsoft Translator app and download the Spanish dictionary. You can use it to take pictures of signs and it shows you the translation superimposed on the photo. Do not use while driving Dependent on your mobile provider - if you have AT&T they have a few international data packages that are inexpensive and make it easy to get a little help from your phone now and then.
I love Barcelona. I hope you enjoy it.

carolbee

Veteran

Chris, I'm watching this with great interest. Late August we fly into Barcelona and then go north to the wine region. Then 8 days in Slovenia, followed by 4 weeks in Italy and fly home from Rome. I am also planning a black and grey capsule, carry on bag only. As we are away 6 weeks I will probably add a pair of light grey breezy sneakers to the black walking sneakers and grey walking sandals I plan to take. Will be very interested to hear an "after" report on how your capsule performed.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks for all the great updates, will get back in more detail later. And consider "message received" about the pickpockets. Such an important thing to plan around, and I'll be passing this on to DH. Really appreciate all those who mentioned it.

Lena

Barcelona is really great! It's a lovely city that combines art, beaches and food and – as some others have pointed out – you will probably spend your days walking. Anyway, you will find so many fun shoe stores in Barcelona, so it's easy to pick up some new sandals when/if your feet starts to hurt. I'm going there two weeks before you and will make sure to leave room in the luggage for some shoe shopping.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chris, I think the next step is to try on the outfits that you have in mind with these items, and make sure you feel that they have enough pizazz. People do dress up - especially at night.

I like the suggestion of scarves, and you also need a fun hat.

Sophia Alice

(website)

You have all what you require every one of the exercises are secured. I surmise that striped tees/sweaters are perfect for a get-away. Nothing says "Occasion" more than a striped something! According to cloth sweaters I don't possess any yet I have a material shirt tee that is the coolest thing I at any point had! This is a pretty container! Anticipating the developments

Chris987

Veteran

Ryce THANKS for the must-see list especially the guidance on reserving ahead. I don't normally travel like this in mid-summer so am not used to the planning required when everyone else is on holiday too

Thanks Suz and will definitely add a few scarves. I seem to be thinking of some colored tops too as you suggested. You are probably en route to Iceland as I type this

Stylefan - great advice, although not so great for your friends. I'll definitely be sharing this info with DH.

sea-salt thanks for all the great suggestions, I will definitely study your inputs again.

carolbee, wow you have a much longer trip to look forward to!

Lena thanks!

Angie, great advice on putting together outfits ahead of time, I will definitely do that. And I was thinking I do need a hat...I have one straw hat but it's got quite a large brim and feels "beachy" so something a little more streamlined/packable/sophisticated would be better.

THanks Sophia Alice!