London travel capsule planning ETA Final choices at the end - YouLookFab Forum

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London travel capsule planning ETA Final choices at the end

Astrid

Veteran

I have time until Thursday to get things sorted, but because of laundry stuff and being probably quite busy next week, I thought I'd start the planning early. I don't want to do everything the day before I leave.

First question is, what shoes and bottoms to take - that will definitely be the basis of my capsule. I think I'm definitely taking my peacoat as outerwear. It keeps me fairly cozy even when it's cold and left open isn't too hot when it's moderately warm. I know that weather predictions might still change a bit, but at the moment it looks like 4-15°C, cloudy with maybe a bit of rain. I need clothes for four days.

My options for bottoms and shoes are my black booties, wine red sneakers, jeans and skirts. That makes for several options:
- just taking booties with a skirt and some jeans that work with them (my slouchy skinnies/BFs)
- just taking the sneakers and wearing only jeans because the sneakers don't work with skirts
- taking both shoes (with the sneakers in the bag) with either one skirt + one pair of jeans or only jeans

What would you do? I'm leaning towards the version with two pairs of shoes, but I'm not sure whether I should take a skirt or not. It's also a question of which jeans to pack, because my most comfortable pair are wider straight legs that are not that stylish and only work with the sneakers because I can't tuck them in.

General

31 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

carter

Veteran

I vote 2 shoes/jeans/skirt combo. It's good to have options so you're ready for whatever comes up! BTW...if you leave Thurday this is NOT planning early. I leave in June, and I've already been planning for several weeks:-) Please show the whole capsule when you finish putting it together. Hope you have a ball!

dustt

Veteran

definitely 2 shoes jeans and skirt - wear the chunkiest shoe and jeans on the plane because they take up the most room in the bag!! - I, like Carter, like having options!! - You will too!!

E

Veteran

2 pairs of shoes for sure! That way you can alternate them and give your feet & shoes both a break.

I always take a skirt when I travel, because I think it's easier to adjust for varying temperatures & formalities with a simple skirt and pair or two of tights, plus skirts just make me happy!

Usually I'd argue for more versatility, but since you only need clothes for 4 days, taking a skirt that only works with the booties and comfy jeans that only work with the sneakers would still work, as long as you're happy alternating bottom/shoe combos. Do you have tops or toppers that work with both the wide-leg jeans and a skirt? (And remind me again: do you need to dress for anything other than general sightseeing?)

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Carter! I'm leaving Friday in the early morning. I want to be packed and ready to go the day before so I can sleep as long as possible, just have breakfast and grab my things and go. I'll take public transport to the airport so I need to get up early. And yes, I'm definitely showing the whole capsule when I'm finished.

Thanks Dustt! Two pairs of shoes it it. Although wearing the booties on the flight I might end up wearing the skirt for travelling, depending on which pair of jeans I take.

Thanks Eva! I'm only doing general sightseeing, yes. I don't need to dress up so I'm going to be fine wearing one of my casual practical looks. Lots of running around all day long, so I want to be comfortable. I'd have no problem with alternating the bottoms and shoes combinations, although it might be better to also wear the booties on the flight back. Which would mean wearing booties and skirt on the travel days and the jeans and sneakers on the two consecutive days in between. So it might be better to pack one of the jeans I can tuck into the boots after all. ETA Tops that work for both skirt and jeans are an issue. I have either my blackwatch plaid skirt which is a bit too big now and sits fairly low on the hips (I could wear a simple blue t-shirt untucked with cardigan over that) or my black fuller skirt which is fairly highwaisted in comparison (I would definitely need to tuck my shirts in if they are also long enough to go with jeans). The full plaid skirt is better to pair with longer tops and also sits better than the blackwatch plaid one, but it doesn't look as good with the peacoat over it.

Joyce B

Veteran

Great topic. I am just tagging along so that I can refer to all the helpful suggestions later on.
The only thing I would say is, make sure your shoes are comfortable so that you can walk for a long time without getting blisters.

E

Veteran

Hmmm, yes, that could definitely change things. Why would booties be better for the flight? The lacing issue (do you have to take shoes off for security or is that a US thing?)? I just loosen my laces while I'm in line so I'm not holding people up and can pop them off when I need to, and then grab a chair at the other side of security and put them back on.

Astrid

Veteran

Joyce, both pair of shoes are broken in and comfortable, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Eva, we do need to take shoes off sometimes, but I was thinking more of luggage space. Depending on how much I end up with I thought to either take my travel bag or just my backpack. The sneakers take a lot less room to pack, especially if I buy something I want to take back with me.

E

Veteran

Oh ok! That makes much more sense. (Hence why I always end up wearing boots when I'm travelling, hehe.) If you wanted to guarantee room for souvenirs, you could wear the sneakers on day 1 and the booties on day 4.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, you're right, I hadn't thought of that! That's a good idea. Although I'm thinking of leaving the straight legs at home after all. Then I have all the options with the shoes.

Astrid

Veteran

I had another look and I'm not taking one of the plaid skirts. The full one just looks off with the peacoat and that's what I'm going to wear during the day and the blackwatch skirt is too big. It looks great with the peacoat, but it really needs some taking in because it's always wanting to shift around my hips. That leaves my black skirt. I can do that one, but it would mean going fairly dark with my outfit(s), it's a lot of black then. Or two pairs of jeans, but in that case I think I would leave the booties at home.

E

Veteran

Hmmmm: photo time perhaps? I agree that full skirts & outerwear can be tricky. And that's so frustrating about the shifting skirt!

Are you going to bring your new blue cardi?

Kim

Veteran

In case you are wondering some jeans weigh more than others, and the skirt will probably weigh less than either (or both) pairs of jeans. I'd wear my heaviest shoes (boots) and jeans, and put my skirt into my bag for weight, (or I might do that on the way home so that I could meet the carry on weight requirements of 22 lbs with shopping extras. I'd do 2 pairs of shoes for sure to enable maximum mix and matching, and mileage on my feet. My feet get tired and if I change my shoes during the day I get a "second wind".

Also remember that if your bag goes over there's no limit on how much you can wear on the plane LOL

Astrid

Veteran

Eva, I'm glad I lost some weight, but it's really not all that practical with a small closet. I do think it can be taken in, but I didn't have time for that yet. The new blue cardi goes great with the black skirt, but I can't wear it the jeans because it's too cropped. I'm wondering how important it really is for the clothes to mix and match when I have four looks that work?

Getting the camera out now...

ETA

Thanks Kim! That means I have to take the pants that work with the booties though. Not sure. I'm going to take some pictures of the options.

Anonymous

Sounds like your getting all sorted out Astrid. I think two pairs of shoes is always a good idea, as well as both skirt/dress and pants/jeans options. Have fun!

Diana

Veteran

I definitely vote for 2 pairs of shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and you need to alternate shoes so your feet stay happy. (Also, just in case one gets wet or something, you have an alternative to wearing wet shoes).

I would also bring both the skirt and jeans. I think you said you are going for 4 days, right? So my rule of thumb is generally same number of tops (by which I mean like the inner layer top, like a tee or blouse, not overlayers like sweaters which obviously don't get as dirty) as days (or maybe minus one if you think you're not going to sweat a lot) and half the number of bottoms. I find that on trips where I'm out and about doing a lot of sightseeing/running around (as opposed to just sitting in a conference all day or something), my clothing gets dirtier faster than it does in my normal life. So whereas I could wear a pair of jeans 4-5 times normally before they get dirty enough to need washing, when I'm walking around all day, they start to feel grungy after 2-3 wears. And I hate airplane smell on my clothes!

E

Veteran

For 4 days, I don't think mixing & matching is important! As long as you're happy with the outfits, who cares? You could wear the same thing every day & only your camera would know.

I hear you re: weight shifts. I'm always so impressed with how you manage with such a small closet, but I'm sure it's more work than you'd really like.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, as many shoes and as many bottoms. if pressed for space, take out the skirt.
Make sure stuff can layer well. I think Suz was freezing last year and layering saved her.

Will chime in again later, have to run now.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Claire!

Thanks Diana. A lot of good points, especially about the wet shoes. I agree on the number of tops, I definitely want four when I'm running around all day. I agree on the jeans too, I can't stand the grungy feel.

Eva, I would like a slightly bigger wardrobe and a few more options, but it all comes down to budget. So I make do with what I've already got. I think it's fantastic how you can find such great things thrifting on a budget, secondhand isn't really an option for me here in Berlin, I've never found anything.

Thanks Ornella! I'm wearing my wool coat, so I don't think I will be cold. And the weather for the weekend shouldn't be that bad either, at least they say that at the moment.

Okay, I've taken some pics. I did it really quickly and didn't have a look at the pictures before I changed again, but you get the idea of the pieces. I'm wearing the dark navy T-shirt in all of these, but you can exchange that for one of the other T-shirts in your mind. And I'm not taking all these scarves, but would decide one one. Looking at these I would say I should take the BFs, that way I can wear both pairs of shoes with the jeans.

#1-2
Straight legs.
#3-5
BFs.
#6-8
Skirt. The green and the black cardigan work best both with the skirt and with the jeans and also go with the colors of the rest.
#9
T-Shirts. I could replace one of these with a longsleeved shirt, maybe. I thought about taking a pullover, but I think I like the version with T-shirt and cardigan better.
#10
Scarves.
#11
My bag.

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E

Veteran

Oh I really like all of those silhouettes! I agree w your preference for the BF jeans, assuming the difference in comfort isn't too dramatic. It looks like you're sorted, and the darker colours are probably better for travel anyway: minimise the chance of staining. Personally, I'd pick the middle scarf, or perhaps take both the middle & green ones so you have 2 options there too.

You're going to have so much fun!

(And if you ever find yourself in Texas, I shall take you thrifting.)

Astrid

Veteran

No, the difference isn't that big. I can definitely wear the BFs. The middle scarf is my go to scarf when I'm wearing the sneakers because the scarf bookends those nicely. I might take the green one too, although I don't really need to. The other one should look good with everything.

(And yes, please. )

Diana

Veteran

I like the bfs on you so much!

And by the way I might be going on a short trip to London and environs next month so I'm keeping an eye on your posts!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Diana! I'm definitely going with the BFs. I'm going to post some pics of the clothes when I do my actual packing and maybe some pics when I'm back. There are enough people there with me to take a picture, maybe you'll get to see some outdoor shots.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, very spiffy. Go for the BFs, skirt, and two shoes. That's my vote. Also, I like your bag...

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks, I think I'm going to do just that.

The bag is great for travelling - enough room for all my things and it also can get rained on and the contents stay dry. And it has not only velcro but two fasteners, so I'm always feeling my things are secure when I use it in crowds.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, I am late here - but you look AMAZING and I love your planned outfits.

Ornella is right - I was freezing there last March (despite a ton of layers) but it was an unusually cold year last year -- extremely rare -- so I expect it won't be bad for you at all. I hope you have a wonderful time!!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Suz! I remember last year in March, it was freezing in Germany too. I think we had snow at Easter. It's much warmer now.

Astrid

Veteran

Okay, so I've changed it all up again. Unfortunately I've gotten a cold and I don't want to wear the skirt, I prefer bundling up with jeans being under the weather. I'm taking my BFs and my slouchy skinnies. (Keep your fingers crossed it gets better until Friday! I'm holing up at home tomorrow with lots of tea...)

So my tops just need to go with jeans, not a skirt. I've kept two T-Shirts and will wear the black cardigan over them, then I've added my navy knit turtleneck (warmth at the neck!) and my cozy plaid flannel shirt (and the green scarf to go with it). Plus two layering tops. (I'm obviously adding socks, underwear and pajamas.)

And I decided I'm taking just the sneakers with me. They are really comfortable and in the past I wouldn't have thought about taking two pairs of shoes on a trip like this. And the weather forecast says no rain at all, so I don't think the shoes will get wet (and they can stand a bit of dampness with no problem). This means more room in the bag to take something back with me. I might even shop for some shoes - my sister wants new sneakers and I told her I would help her decide on a pair in case we come across a nice store.

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great choices Astrid! I think taking both scarves will really give you a nice added change up and I understand taking just the one pair of shoes - I did this on our trip to Paris and had no problem and was glad in fact I had the extra room in my bag.

Eat soft boiled eggs (they are high in Lysine which is supposed to be anti-viral). Be well and have a fun time!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Texstyle! I'll try the eggs, thanks for the tip. I'm sure we're going to have a lot of fun.

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