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My 12 piece travel capsule

Cococat

Veteran

I'm a lucky ducky to be going on a 2 week European river cruise in 3 1/2 weeks. My lovely mum bought it for herself to go with my sis but ended up giving it to me.

She's 88 and recently had a mini stroke which gave her a real shake-up even though she has recovered perfectly. She says that she prefers to be close to home these days and is happy for me to go in her place. So.....wow....how exciting!!!

As I've only got 20kgs I've decided to take a 12 piece travel capsule in a light medium sized suit-case. I've been reading about it and what different people choose as theirs, and I've pretty much decided on mine.

Bottoms
Black Metalicus tube skirt
Dark denim stretch pencil skirt
Black skinnies (or jeggings)
Dark denim skinnies

Tops
Grey Metalicus drape tee
Zara print tee in greys
Maroon drapey tee
Black v neck drapey tee
Black slim fit button down with roll-up sleeves OR a black dress (not decided)

Jackets/cardies
Black Metalicus biker style jacket
Print Tigerlily rayon jacket
Black CR merino V neck cardigan (for warmth if needed)

Shoes
Vionic leopard runners
Croc wedges because they're so comfy

Accessories
Large Camilla scarf (can be tied as a cape or worn as a top too)
Skinny Camilla scarf (can be worn as a belt/sash)
Striped Metalicus scarf
Knit poncho
Motto Betty belt
Rain jacket
Camisole
costume jewelry

Bags
Black nylon Longchamp backpack (for rain jacket etc on walks)
Orange Sass and Bide cross body

I figured that I have plenty of casual choices but also that I can dress up the black with the Camilla scarves for any dressier occasions. From what I've read on Tripadvisor, this boat will be full of Aussies who don't dress up for dinner anyway.

What do you think?

Oh, and PS.....I could never, ever have done this before YLF. <3

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Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Helen11

kimlee

Veteran

I think you've put together a fantastic travel wardrobe. Please be sure to share photos from your trip!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a gorgeous capsule, Coco! Love it! And how amazing that you get to do this trip!

Have you experimented with putting it into your bags yet?

And have you checked the long range for the area you'll be travelling to? I am concerned that these items might be on the warm side, depending where you are going, of course. I know European summers can be unpredictable...but they are still summer.

Also, the colour palette is dark, which is practical and easily dresses up and down, but again depending on weather might feel seasonally heavy.

Footwear choices look excellent and love your bag ideas. Scarves definitely add some fun and I love the idea of tube skirt to be dressed up and down as needed. Gorgeous asymmetrical sweaters.

Cococat

Veteran

I know Suz, it's a trip of a life time for me.

Thank you for your great advice. We start in Amsterdam and finish in Budapest. I've checked the weather and I'm told that the days are 20-25 degrees C and around 13-15 degree nights, with high chance of rain.

It's Winter here and the days are 20-25 (26 today) and nights can go down to 10 (but rarely). I'm thinking that it will be like our weather here. I've been wearing jackets and light wool jumpers because 20 degrees feels cool to me.

I'm wondering if I should swap out the black tee or shirt with some colour.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. Yes -- that's hilarious...your "winter" is my "summer" -- seriously!! We do get hot and humid here for a few weeks a year -- up into the 30s with high humidity and it can feel like 40 and I don't have AC -- but these very hot days are possible for about 8 weeks of the year at most and usually alternate with periods of about 25 degree, not too humid, and sunny weather.

Summer. I LOVE it.

I think because my climate is so grey and wintery/ cold for so much of the year, 25 degrees feels warm and extremely pleasant. But quite apart from temps, there is also a "summer" quality to the light that in my mind, at least, demands lighter, brighter clothing. This may be unique to me and purely psychological -- a way of dealing with our northern climate. But honestly, I had to get serious about this because "spring" temperatures here pass for coldest winter in other places (sometimes 0 centigrade) -- we don't really get warm weather until May or June here at all and still need boots and mitts and hats and puffers well into March most years. Yet the light has changed. So I had to buy some lighter coloured woollen and cashmere sweaters to get me over this hump time.

Anyway...my point is...black is an excellent fallback and if you enjoy wearing it you will be happy in it. For me, to wear mostly black/ grey in summer light on a constant basis feels seasonally off -- but I recognize this is personal. And again, I'd run warm in the specific items you are bringing at those temps, but then again, I am used to extreme cold, not extreme heat.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. Your Mum is generous, and good to hear that she has recovered so well from her stroke.

As lovely as this capsule is, I worry about you being cold on the cruise. First of all, it's on the water. And second of all - it's Northern Europe. The weather can change in an instant. When are you leaving?

Cococat

Veteran

Suz, I thought you'd have a chuckle at my "it's winter here and 20 degrees and I feel cool" comments!! I can't even imagine zero degrees. I've never experienced anything like it.

With my 12 piece capsule (which I'm yet to test in my suitcase, but I think should be OK), I thought I would have a little room to buy a couple of things in Europe, or Singapore on the way over.

I'm actually quite excited about the idea of taking so few things. My suitcase is usually full of things I don't wear. I did a watered down version of this when I went to Bali in Feb, but this is the real deal now!

Cococat

Veteran

Oh no Angie....do you think it could be cold? We're leaving on July 2nd. I will be packing a 100% cashmere cami which keeps my body very warm under clothes. Maybe I should take a thermal undergarment so I can layer over.

I just checked the 14 day forecast and the weather is almost identical to here. I should be ok...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

HA!! Angie's worried you'll be COLD and I am worried you will be too WARM!!!

And the truth is, when I went to England as a 20-something in June, I froze my bum off. I had no idea it was so chilly there in summer!!

That's another thing I'm not really bearing in mind -- that 20 degrees does not always feel the same. In the damp air it may feel much cooler.

So I think Angie has a point about layering. Hmmm. Maybe our Northern European friends can weigh in...

Cococat

Veteran

Please weigh in our Northern European friends.

I was feeling such a smarty pants with my 12 piece capsule too. Ha!

Although, if I take my cashmere cami, and a short sleeved thermal (which I have because it's SO COLD here in Oz!), I could be covered for both scenarios with everything else I have...don't you think??????

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I really love your capsule, Coco. Sooooo glad you're going to do this trip!!!!

Now all these comments about weather have me worried. I have a trip planned myself in July.....better ask the forum for their wisdom.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do think. Assuming your raincoat has enough heft. You can layer for sure.

Another thought -- the tees or a silk shirt or two take up basically NO ROOM in a suitcase and weigh zilch. So you can always stuff an extra or two in. If it does turn out to be hot, you will want to be able to change tops out more frequently or launder.

Gaylene

Veteran

From my experience travelling in Northern/Central Europe both Suz and Angie could be right. Average temperatures don't help if there is a heat wave or a extended cool/rainy spell during your trip.

I almost always travel with a VERY small carryon and found the key to managing these fluctuations is through layering. My approach is to start with two outfits: one skirt-based and one pant-based. I use my skirt-based outfit as my hot weather alternative so will pair it with walking sandals/tank top/short sleeve top/light sweater or jacket combinations. My pants outfit is walking shoes or boots/short-sleeve top/long-sleeve shirt/cashmere cardigan/rainwear outer combination.

Then, depending on activities and space, I might throw in an extra pant, or dress, or dressy top and dressy shoe, or whatever, but these pieces are just nice-to-have. As long as all the items in my two core outfits work together, I can cover almost any temperature and occasion by mixing and layering.

Generally I try to keep the colors in my skirt combinations on the lighter side and the pant combinations on the darker side. That gives me some visual relief so I'm not always wearing black.

My formula works well for me and I've travelled everywhere from Norway to Italy with just a carryon. The hottest temperatures I've ever encountered during July and August were, oddly enough, Paris and Budapest. Both cities were having a heat wave at the time and were sweltering in 100F temperatures. Like Suz, I've also experienced colder than normal summer weather in London and wore five layers just to keep warm!

ETA: These examples from The Vivienne Files are a good illustration of the concept:

http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....k-for.html
http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....k-for.html
http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....ather.html

rachylou

Veteran

Ye-es, I'd be packing one of my stuffable sweater weight puffers... It's like SF - 'coldest winter I ever spent was summer in SF.'

!!

jenanded

Veteran

Coco I am a fellow aussie so hearing you. First time I took a light but still wool black carla zampatti suit because the temps were the same - ha! I genuinely think I got heat stroke. Having said that now I take a silk thermal tank, the CR wool cardi, light water resistant jacket with the weight and colour level of the wardrobe you have here. With 1 or 2 light coloured ts, I can go across the weathers - a bit chilly on goes the cami, cardi, scarf. When warm the skirt and lighter tee. Your shoes will work. Oh and I have done 3mths in Europe with hand luggage so know that combo works. And for some reason things don't get as stinky as they do here in our humidity so you don't need a lot of stuff. Sounds a brilliant trip.and this is a very stylish wardrobe!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great advice, Gaylene, and what great illustrations on the Vivienne files! I wish my capsules looked so cohesive!!

jenanded

Veteran

PS you will be in some of the biggest cities in the world and yes they sell clothes! Toiletries for that manner too. So you can always pick something up if needed... personally apart from 1 or max 2 lighter or brighter tanks or tees i think you are more than good to go imho...

Vildy

Veteran

You've got a great looking travel wardrobe there - and lots of good advice to regard the weather. I looked up the website for the Camilla store because I'd never seen a scarf like the one you have. WoW. I don't think I've ever seen the like of such maximally patterned clothes. They have Dolce and Gabbana beat by a mile.

Joy

Veteran

Gaylene gives excellent advice. I freeze in the summer in much of Europe and always take a black cashmere pullover. It is often the most used item that I bring, but prepare to dress in layers. Another thing that can be very handy is silk long underwear separates ( long bottoms and long sleeved top). It an add warmth under an outfit if needed and can be used as pjs and takes up very little room. I use my trench as a robe if needed. Leggings might replace the silk bottoms. Heat is often off by a certain date so no heat even if it is cold. There may also not be air-confitioning in places that seldom need it. But you can always go shopping.
Remember that what you wear on the plane counts toward your total outfits. More than once we have had to sit for hours in a plane on the ground with no air conditioning, so layers can be needed there too. I usually wear a silk black tank under a sleeved shirt ( usually sheer and patterned) under a light jacket or cardigan and possibly a trench or utility coat over that for air travel.

Elle

Veteran

I love your capsule - both the size and the color palate. I always travel with black and dark colors - they don't show the dirt and are easy to dress up. I think you should be fine with what you have planned and if you need anything else, you will be within reach of stores.

My one suggestions is to take a lightweight packable down vest. They take up very little room, are great on airplanes and easy to layer over your sweater. I have a cheap uniqlo one like this

http://www.uniqlo.com/us/produ.....e&utm

JamC

Veteran

I did a river cruise last early August from Bucharest to Budapest. The days off the boat seeing the sights were very warm to hot. I would be prepared for a lot of city walking in the heat. I am not sure the weight of the skirts but suggest a pair of light weight trousers for sight seeing. And at least one short sleeve top for days. My theory is no duplication; it is better to have one thing that works for each weather possibility. If it's hot I will wear X, if cool I will wear Y. Have fun on your cruise!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is the other thing I think I was thinking....central Europe is different from Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France -- it is more like central US in temperatures there. Not quite as extreme, for sure, but definitely warmer than England!!

Layers are clearly key here.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I agree with Gaylene and Suz, and have lived in Europe. The weather turns overnight! You need to pack layers, and for both cool, warm and hot weather.

We were in Europe for a month in June a year ago. Everything from daytime highs of 15 to 32 degrees. And I wore ALL my stuff over and over again.

Gaylene

Veteran

Temperature is so hard to predict. The average temperature in the BC Interior ranges from 23-27C in the summer, but there are always fluctuations. A few summers ago, I was in Osoyoos when the temperature was a sweltering 40C+ (104F+). I saw a heavily sweating man walking towards me in a flannel shirt and heavy pants. He and his wife were on their first trip to Canada and had packed winter-weight clothes. What he had on was his lightest outfit!

And Suz is right. Central Europe can have some blisteringly hot days, especially in cities, where the sun reflects off of the stone walls and streets. But it's equally true that the same places can have some unseasonably cool, wet weather in the summer so I always pack a wind/waterproof layer and a scarf just to be on the safe side.

Shopping is always an option, of course, but it can be hard to do in an unfamiliar city, especially if your stopover is brief. In reality, it rarely works unless you are staying put for a few days and enjoy shopping as part of your overall travel experience--or you are OK with slogan-embellished sweatshirt from the local tourist haunt.

Carole

Veteran

I thought I would chime in to give you my two cents as I've just returned from our 2 week European trip; 1 week on a Danube River boat cruise and another week before and after the trip in Munich and Budapest. My tips would be..

The most important and most used item was my lightweight waterproof rain jacket. It rained heavy one day of our trip while we were out on an excursion but this jacket kept me dry. The weather ranged from mild and pleasant temps, light drizzle, rain to muggy and hot. I wore this jacket most days we were touring and carried an umbrella in my tote.

Bring layers..tanks tees, with light sweaters/jackets, comfortable closed toed walking shoes/sneaks. I brought two skirts (midi & knee length) to wear when it was super warm or for dinner.

I realize the temps might be cooler coming from the north but by the time you get close to Budapest be prepared for hot and muggy.

Shopping tip- save the souvenier shopping for the big market on the Pest side of the river. We could've saved lots by shopping exclusively there.

We had a wonderful trip...I hope you will too. Bonus pics of all the fountain pictures we took along the way.

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Elizabeth P

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My gut reaction when I read this was that it seemed a little heavy, both in weight and colour, for the summer. You've got some great advice and tips, not much more I can add.

But I just have to say that today, here, June 9, it was 12 freaking degrees. 12. Cold for your winter, and it's supposed to be almost summer!!

Sigh.

Have a WONDERFUL trip!!

Tanya

Veteran

The capsule itself is gorgeous, I love the many asymmetrical pieces. I would listen to the wise advice you have already been given regarding layering and temperature, and perhaps pack a sweater or two.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hope you have a great time Coco. The capsule is lovely. I would heed the advice and take plenty of layers because I think we are acclimatised differently to Europeans. It is 21 here today and, just like you, I feel quite cool!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am following carefully. The most important thing for me to remember is that it rains in the summer in other places.

Cococat

Veteran

Wow! What amazing advice I've woken up to!

Thank you all so much for your input, the links, the pics you shared...so fabulous.

From everything I've read and digested, I think my 12 piece will suffice. For the cold I've got layers such as cashmere tank, tee, merino cardi, jeans, closed shoes, scarf. For the heat I've got 2 light skirts and loose flowy tees and comfy sandals...but I might pack an extra 1 or 2 tees in lighter colours (which means I will break my 12 piece rule..ugh). I do have a light puffer vest but I think that it will take up too much room in my luggage and I feel I have enough cashmere/wool to keep warm if needed. I definitely have a good waterproof jacket with hood and will pack a fold up brolly.

I might have a look at some of the heattech things from Uniqlo. The tees are on sale for $9.90. http://www.uniqlo.com/au/store.....ttech.html

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