Help me pack for Cape Town! - YouLookFab Forum

I'm leaving on Saturday... going for 2 weeks, including travel time of almost 2 days each way. My daughter, who grew up in Cape Town, decided she wants to have her wedding there.

I've had my travel capsule roughly planned out for weeks. I think the weather will be not unlike May here, or August in Scotland, so I will revamp the favourites (including 2 raincoat options).

For the wedding I planned to re-wear the navy satin "balldress" that I got for her sister's wedding. This time I want to tie a white shirt overtop to create the effect of a long skirt; or depending on how cold it is, I have a navy cashmere crewneck sweater. The wedding is at a winery in Stellenbosch and I think much of it will be outdoors.

There is also, I just learned, a formal tea ceremony for the in-laws (groom's family is Chinese), that might need a different dressier outfit. And a welcome braai (bbq) the night before.

Now the latest glitch... the bride's sister arrived in Cape Town yesterday. But her luggage didn't, thanks to the chaos in the Toronto airport. She should get her stuff in time... but I am flying in a day before the wedding, and transferring through the same airport, so they recommended I put everything I will need in my carry-on bag.

I'm thinking in that case to bring a navy sheath dress, because it would actually leave room for size 11 shoes, which are less replaceable than clothes.

Any advice?

I will try to attach lists, clothing pics, and/or links to my previous packing posts, to this thread.

2 years ago

cat2

Veteran

I have sent ball gowns ahead via Fed Ex or DHL. Do you have time to do that? And then pack the sheath as a back up or for the pre wedding dinner?

L'Abeille

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....cking-post

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kkards

Gorgeous dress!
Agreeing with cat2, since you have family already at location, can you send ahead via Fed Ex or other shipper?
No ideas on what to pack, but how exciting for you and your family!

rachylou

I don’t know if anyone has this anymore… but there used to be cabin closets for carryon dressbags…

Joy

Beautiful dress. Have a good trip to celebrate this happy occasion.

Jaime

(website)

Congratulations! Your gown is beautiful and I have no advice but to enjoy! (And take pictures!)

Angie

Fashion Stylist

This brought a sentimental tear to my eye!

We have just come back from 2 weeks in South Africa - went for Greg's Dad's memorial service, and everything that goes along with it. 40 hrs of travel each way. IT IS A MARE of a commute. Luggage in the hold was absolutely fine. We DID pack our dressy memorial service outfits in our hand luggage though - just to be safe.

Pack all your event outfits in the carry-on!

LOVE YOUR NAVY BALL GOWN. It can be cold in CT at this time of year. You need a pretty wrap

We found South Africa very organized with COVID testing and protocols. There is an inside mask mandate and everyone abides by it, accept when you are eating indoors, of course. We kept our masks on for all three flights too. Flights to South Africa are mask mandated.

Hubs Greg is from Cape Town. I lived there for 13 years! We BOTH went to UCT, and were married in Rondebosch - in the oldest church in South Africa. The reception was at the President Hotel in Bantry Bay. It was perfect! Loved being by the water. Stellenbosch is stunning! I'm sure the wedding will be magical! Very excited for you and your daughter.

Rachy, those cabin dress bags are for those who travel business or first class.

JAileen

You look lovely in the dress. Definitely hand carry the dress and shoes!

Runcarla

That dress! ❤️

Style Fan

Gorgeous dress! I like the idea of a white shirt with it. Or a white blazer. Good advice to put it in your hand luggage.

Jenni NZ

Lovely dress. Looks very formal for the tea ceremony though from my experience of one Chinese tea ceremony (young female colleague, both bride and groom originally from Hong Kong) and my daughter’s Vietnamese tea ceremony (Kiwi bride and Vietnamese groom).For those dressy dresses but not full length were what I saw and wore.
So exciting seeing one’s daughter married! I loved it.

Sal

How exciting! Have a wonderful trip- the navy dress is lovely on you.

Zaeobi

Agreed with Jenni re: tea ceremony - ours was not overly formal either (also in HK). I think what you have planned there already would be ok (gorgeous dress!) with maybe another topper over the top (like the jumper you mentioned?)

Stagiaire Fash

What a gorgeous dress!!

I always take carryon luggage only. Many people find rolling to be the best way to prevent wrinkles. I’d start by laying the dress out flat, fold the skirt in so it’s a rectangle, then put something else at one end and begin rolling. Another option is to “line” the suitcase with that rectangle—center it on the middle of the bag, smooth it across the bottom and up the sides. Pack your other stuff in it, then fold the ends on top. Hope that makes sense.

Of course, you could also just ask them to scout out a place that will press it for you when you arrive.

Have a wonderful trip!

PS—we rarely take hanging bags, but when we have, we have told flight attendants, with a shy smile, that we were traveling to x occasion and would appreciate finding a place to hang our things. They have always come to us after all the the first/business class passengers have boarded to get our things and either hung them in remaining space or, on one occasion, taken them to an overhead bin they’d spotted where our garment bag could lie flat nicely. Flight attendants are not paid until the door is closed, so they are doing a big favor by taking time to help in this way.

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