My Ireland trip is only 2 weeks away and have been too busy at work to do as much as planned. Also why not so present on the forum--I'm sorry! Still here I am asking for advice.

We will have about a 24-hr travel day to, then 7 days there, then one "day" back. Temps may be highs 60's (or just) and lows 40's , of course rainy times. Aiming for pretty casual, not sloppy but our plans don't include special events. Mild hiking, short casual day trips, 2 days (barely) in Dublin. Also only carry-on bag plus some kind of messenger/tote.

Here are some starting points. Color scheme is grays, berries, black maybe for pants only. Might be able to add some more lilac . Pants for bottoms. Tops worn untucked, some are curved/hi-lo but a couple just straight. Toppers knits or comfy, see knit blazer.

Main rain/cold layer: LLB rain parka—had for years; it’s actually a little too
big but have not identified one I like
better, and works well for layering. also plan to get a very lightweight stuffable
hooded rain jacket for when it “looks” sunny but may change. Rain pants are very popular there; might be worth buying a lightweight pair here to carry in tote.

Toppers: Main contenders are : --unlined gray-dot knit blazer; brick
red merino BF cardigan. Have more options especially if seems like may wear one
every day & get sick of just 2. Or maybe a heavier pullover look. I found a lined charcoal knit blazer but it actually doesn't "go" with the grays as well as the dot one.

Pants options ( also could add more black): 2 definitely-maybe
are:

1) EB gray straight chino for a breathable cottony option. 2) EB Travex pant
(slight bootcut) synthetic, dries quickly. Then, maybe, black Leith poly track pant ?—hand washable, dries,
can layer under. AT “skinny” gray pant option to look more “modern” (!) May be able to have that in black instead. the latter tapered options stay out of the wet, but may look odd with the hiking shoes! Should I make room for jeans? The pants shown may be more comfortable than my jeans. Woo-hoo, black OR gray pants choices!

Tops: Warmer: JC lilac merino swter; AT brick merino v-neck Lighter weight: JJ striped berry knit; pink longsleeve knit;
burgundy knit shirt (cottony); AT gray rayon curved hem knit top, forgot pic, but I like. White tops available, worried about dirt/stains. Thoughts on more or lesss wool, more cotton or blends?

Even lighter: Have many short-sleeved T-top options if seems
prudent to take for unexpected warm spell. Could take a couple to use as layers instead of tanks, since will not
wear tank alone.

Scarf (ves): plaid multi wool shown; I like the lilac/teal/gold and goes with burgundy also. Can try
out more once pick clothing, have some with more pink, white. Goal is
lighter/springier/happy colors to make up for generally dark clothing choices

Shoes: still in flux. Oboz Sawtooth waterproof hiking shoe is a
contender—locally only in a tan color and I'd prefer gray/cool tone footwear. Have a very comfortable black suede
lightweight oxford-sneaker that is not actually waterproof, but easy to pack
and trade off/dry out. Area we need to walk at one of our accomodations is partly muddy/puddly
and if it were possible to pack an actual comfy short rubber/rain boot, it might get some
use, but may not be versatile enough.

Layers: will need 1 or 2 washable options for wearing under my pants, such as
footless tights and/or silk thermals, since I run so cold--these are lightweight pants to me. Could also use a thermal top,
but would likely just layer “real”
clothes.

1: parka 2: knit blazer and lilac merino sweater 3: EB cnino and Travex, pants and track pants 4: AT pants and matchy merino cardi and V-neck 5: 2 berry knit top options 6: the 2 merino sweaters again 7: plaid scarf 8: knit shirt and a print cardigan-top option thrown in

Other thoughts: Hat? For sun as much as rain. Umbrellas are kind of discouraged by our advisors, I have attached rain hood but don't like hoods if not pouring. Messenger-strap day bag vs tote--I'm used to shoulder bags so if straps were comfy, I think my shoulder is already molded! Should it be truly waterproof?

So, I’m starting to get focused. I think the color palette may be a little dark, due to using my warmer options--but aimed for tops to be some of my happy colors. I can shop closet for
completely different options, these are just some of my most comfortable, mix
& match, and layerable. Haven’t figured on numbers of each. All pants, no
skirts—3 pants only? Is 4 too many? . Next step will be organize into actual
outfits and check for the
range of temps that I can cover with what items. Then may play with trying to see if should introduce different color to get different looks, or just not fret about it. Stick with solids, add some prints?And soon need to practice to see what actually fits in the suitcase!

Love to hear your thoughts--so many experienced travelers/packers on YLF!

ETA: new decisions and ponderings. Added pics 7-13.

7 is the Marmot rain jacket.

8 is the down jacket with poly shoulders/cuffs. I am keeping, but need to think whether to take on the trip. It does stuff into pocket-bag to about 6x3x3"!

9 --hello, SYC! These are my existing Khombu, waterproof boots for our occasional light snows. Know they fit very comfortably. Why sweat over something new that might just about duplicate these ? I guess I thought of them as "winter" but it will be 38-50 degrees there as best we can tell.

10-New waterproof low-cut hiker to trade off.

11--Existing BR sweater I like, so may sub it in.

12--old microfleece shirt. Should I take? The not-so-fluid shirt + the "roomy" EB chino do skew the frumpiest, but play well with other items. Or, upgrade if there is time?

13--BR lined wool tweed trouser closeup of fabric. Question: should I take a warm trouser as one of say 3 pants ? The 3 or 4 pants shown (not sure I will take the AT pants) before are not warm and totally rely on underlayering.. This tweed breaks capsule rules because it doesn't "go" with blazer, waffle sweater so it'll end up with the burgundy tops or gray knit + vest.

Not shown--plain gray fleece vest I might stuff in somewhere. Merino long underwear, with black crew top that can be worn as a top.

Removing from capsule contenders: 1) dotted cotton shirt. Was for layering only, and re-discovered I don't like sweaters over cotton button-down, it's why I don't wear that IRL. 2) EB cotton knit half-placket shirt; love the shirt & outfits , but think it's for a warmer trip.3) Pink and/or purple cottony knit tops. Will take only the pink striped and the gray rayon as non-wool tops.

If you're still alive, these are the new round of thoughts : take or leave down jacket, take fleece shirt and/or vest, take tweed pants despite limited partners, pants to not take. I'm pretty keen on the Leiths for a different silhouette and they roll up to almost nothing.

Still will need to count up and maybe pare down again.