Latest packing challenges - YouLookFab Forum

I've got some spring travel rapidly coming up in March & April -- this time, not all of it is for work! These are separate trips but each presents a different fashion challenge. I think I'm mostly sorted -- except for bolded questions & the 3rd trip (see below) -- please chime in with any items you think are "must have's" that I may have forgotten to add to my packing list, as I'm going nuts trying to contemplate it all...

1. Iceland (stopover long weekend) then onward to London for a week to visit my daughter who's doing a semester abroad.

I've been to Iceland before (one of my favorite places) so I think I'm covered there -- will go with Sporty Lux and shoes that won't slip on the inevitable ice which appears, melts, then reappears. I find it is actually warmer in Iceland than in Boston, because it's more humid, and all that steam heat means it's extremely warm inside, everywhere you go. Bathing suit (old ratty one) is a must for the lagoon. Plan to stop by North 66 because my favorite gear I bought there years ago needs replenishing. Will bring my packable puffer for outerwear.

As for London, I'm going with neutrals (navy, grey, black, white) and outfits that will work with my most comfortable booties, the ones I can walk forever in. I worry that wearing the same booties day after day is unwise -- but I am striking out finding a second pair that can stand up to lots of walking. Any footwear suggestions?

I will bring just one dress, the BR midi, which can be worn with the booties. The rest will be a uniform of - black ponte knit pants, tee shirt, scarf, cardigan. I.e., layers. Will bring one or two dressy blouses as well. Debating about bringing my EF skirted leggings - yes/no?

Handbag: I recently ordered the Rebecca Minkoff backpack in white -- thinking it would be very useful for this trip in particular (for peeling off layers, and carrying an umbrella, and to save my back) -- but I'm on the fence about it as I fret it may be too big in scale for my 5' frame... so it's either that, or pink coach...

What about a coat for London? Will temps and weather conditions in early March be okay for my Burberry, assuming I layer underneath?

My daughter is living right in Paddington area, she is surrounded by shops so there WILL be shopping while we are there... if I don't have it, I can probably find it there. What should I look for that I can't get here? What shops should I be sure to check out?

2. Tampa long weekend -- to get a break from the unrelenting snow and visit my best friend.

This one is easy --- bathing suit, a couple of maxi dresses, a dressier dress + heels for going out to dinner, jean jacket, wear the EF leggings or R&B printed sweatpants jeans on the plane to & from .... done!

3. San Diego - work during the week; two weekends for vacation visiting family.

I'm less sure about this trip as I have no idea what the weather will be like, and So-CA style is foreign to me. I've been there a couple times but that was far in the past. Once was in August - but will it be that hot in April? Otherwise, I just recall feeling colder than I expected because you all don't have proper heat in your houses. Help!

10 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like an amazing journey ahead of you!
I can't comment on the warmer climates, but for the UK, I would say yes to the skirted leggings if it's something you usually wear. They're light and packable, and great for rainy conditions.
Weather in March: check a weather site and look at averages. A warm trench with the possibility of layers should be warm enough.

Nannabella

Active Member

Definitely bring an extra pair of walking shoes for London--if your booties get wet, you'll be glad to have another option. I find comfort brands like Born or Ecco make good, sturdy walking shoes. I generally have a pair of black ones that are not the most fashion-forward footwear but which are fairly unobtrusive and practical for stomping around when touring.

As for warmth with the trench, if the forecast right before you go is lower than 50s or if you'll be out in the cooler evening, I'd consider adding a compressible puffer if yours doesn't take up much space. I dragged mine along to southern California a couple of weeks ago and pulled it out on a couple of cool evenings--I was glad I hadn't succumbed to the lure of extreme minimalism then.

As for shopping in London, I always try to pick up a couple of bras there. I'm a hard to find size and find better options at much better prices there!

Have fun! Sound like fabulous trips!

shiny

Nannabella, I want to minimize the amount of outerwear I take for that trip, but I'd planned to take my short packable puffer and the trench coat. I don't think I can layer that puffer under the trench though (then again, I've never tried, hmmm), and the puffer is not going to work in wet weather.

It's hard to say right now since I'm mired in snow, but when I look back at my WiW's from last spring, I was wearing the trench in March here in Boston -- with layers underneath and a scarf -- and recall being just right warm...

I may also have room to pack my Vince leather jacket. I discovered that it can be worn under my puffer coat. The colors are harmonious too, so it looks rather cute worn layered together, and adds additional warmth -- my legs just freeze then. But I will be taking fleece leggings.

As for the booties, it took me forever to find the pair I have -- Munro's. I am worried I won't find a second pair in time. Ideally I'd find white booties. I ordered some white Munro's in a different style, but unfortunately they aren't working (cute as can be but rub annoyingly on my ankle and the zippers make too much freaking noise!). I could possibly duplicate the ones I do like in cognac? However if there's any possibility that the weather may heat up a little, then that opens up more possibilities as I could take oxfords or loafers instead...

Diana

I have worn a trench in London in March and I was fine. Bring layers for underneath though. I would definitely bring at least two pairs of shoes. Oxfords would probably be my choice to be honest as long as they work with socks under your planned outfits. Bare ankles would probably be still too cold.

If you are by any chance going to be in Oxford, you must buy a British Wedding Hat.

https://www.google.com/maps/vi.....038;headin

ETA: San Diego. I was there at the end of March last year. It was for a scientific conference but here are some of the outfits I wore. Weather was gorgeous, in the 60s-70s most days, cooler at night. You need a light jacket but bare legs are fine. As you can see, it was warm enough to go to the beach (although not to go in the water.) My friend from the area was lamenting how it was "SO COLD" (I think he said, "I actually had to put on socks today, boohoo") but coming from Boston I thought it was great. =)

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Well, I'd be buttoning in the lining for my trench for London and packing the wool socks...

But Iceland! I'm so jealous! I've been thinking a lot about a vacation there.

Rachy, I'd invest in the cashmere liner for this trench, but I don't think it's offered as an option for the one I have.

unfrumped

NO suggestions, but I love your posts. I dream of being able to pick and pack travel outfits the way you do. Reading and learning.

Thanks Diana! That is very helpful. I am weird in that I find 60-70 degree weather the most challenging to dress for. I either like it cold or I like it hot -- none of this "in between" stuff! Plus it's a dry, not humid, climate, so "real feel" is cooler. For San Deigo I think I'll be fine for the conference with my usual work "uniform" - ponte knit pants, blouse, and booties or loafers. Simple. For the weekend I'm thinking EF skirted leggings, EF drapey jersey pants, dresses (maybe worn with sneakers?), jean jacket, leather jacket, knit tops, spring-weight sweaters... sound about right? Oh and I think the R&B printed sweatpants jeans for sure... I keep studying Rae's WiW's and will take some cues from her!

I really hope the trench will work... because my weight has sized me out of most of my coat options, and it's slim pickings in the stores. Plus, I don't know if I want to invest while my weight is up, since I have been losing. Maybe by March I will be back to a slimmer weight and will fit in my cobalt Jcrew coat again? I can barely button it over my chest right now... sigh... Likewise, I do not want to invest in anymore jeans until some of this weight is gone! Unfortunately what with all this traveling... that may derail the weight loss effort...

Unfrumped - it's a lot easier to pack up & go when your weight is stable! With the travel, comes the price - in pounds, and I don't mean British pounds, unfortunately! But on the plus side (no pun intended), I have an excuse to buy more clothes.... stretchy clothes...

Rachy - DO go to Iceland!!!! It's fantastic. We are going primarily because I figured out that it is half the price to do a stopover in Iceland, rather than a nonstop to London. Icelandic air has a stopover feature where you can make your stopover any length you want. So we figured, why not do a long weekend there on the way? DD is going to fly up from London to meet us.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I also vote for oxfords as a good travel shoe.

DonnaF

Re: San Diego. I assume your conference will be downtown? Do relatives live inland, upper county, or actual in SD proper? There's a lot of micro climates out that way, and when they tell you SD temps it is in the middle of Lindbergh Field or some other place where no humans walk the earth so it's only good for birds.

SD is generally mild, 60s & 70s, often a light breeze if you are near the coast. Inland of course is more extreme. Uber casual dressing.

Category