Need help with travel clothes - trip to Europe w/ crusie

Anne

I am traveling with my husband and kids to Europe for 16 days part of which includes a 10 day Med. Cruise in December. I don't feel the need to proudly say I got it all in one carry-on, but I don't want a ton of luggage either.

My first concern is shoes. I need walking shoes that you can walk on uneven, cobble-stoned streets and through ancient ruins,etc. Of course I still want them to look good! Any suggestions?

I am also trying to figure out how to navigate the dressier aspect of the cruise. A simple black dress with sleeves that travels well seems like a good place to start. Any ideas?

Other than that, I am overwhelmed! Please help!

13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

qpswan

Active Member

How exciting! To plan a holiday wardrobe, I start with a colour palette. I choose a neutral such as black or navy and add a second neutral such as grey or tan. Then I add a punch of colour like red or fuschia.

Next I look at the pieces I have or need.
-trousers (1 pair)
-capris (2 pairs)
-skirts (2)
-dress
-tops (7ish)
-cardigans (twin set + a hoody)
-a light weight raincoat
-pyjamas
-bathing suit & cover
-underthings
-shoes (2 pairs of pretty walking shoes one neutral, one in my accent colour, light weight sneakers, flip flops and/or sandals, heels for the cruise)

The shoes in the photo were perfect for Europe; I walked for miles in them and they worked with skirts. I kept on ordering from Zappos until I found the perfect pair. The rubber soles very comfortable.

Finally, I add accessories such as belts, scarves and jewelry. (I never take anything special because I don't want to lose it).

Hope this helps!

Bon Voyage

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13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I would get a walking shoe flat with a sole that looks something like the Hush Puppies Sonnet (below). I, for one, end up walking A LOT when I travel. The thin soled ballet shoes people will say are great to walk in - I find they are not up to travel walking.

I would probably avoid mary janes, flats with straps. I did that once, and the straps cut.

These days, I personally would probably take Crocs Crocband Flats. Waterproof, cushy, and pretty cute IMO. Although, of course, not dressy.

My biggest advice is this, though: Count how many times you will be getting on and off a plane/train/boat/etc. with your luggage and how many times you'll be in sleeping in a new place. It gets really old, really fast lugging A) more than one bag and B) a big and/or heavy one (awkward). Also it's harder to keep an eye on your stuff. You will not believe what people will make off with and how fast.

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13 years ago

LizL

Active Member

Where are you planning to visit. In December, some places may be cold and/or wet. Rome could be a bit cool and possibly wet, so ballerina type shoes may work in Greece or eastern med, but you want something warmer, depending in where you are visiting.

13 years ago

Anne

Active Member

We will be in Italy (Rome and Naples), Greece (Athens and Olympia) and Turkey (Izmir and Istanbul). QPSWAN - I love those black flats. So you have a brand name that i could trace to Zappos?

I am planning on black, gray and fuschia for my colors...

13 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I have never been to those places, but I once spent the better part of November and December in Valencia (Spain) and I was totally freezing at night. It's pretty common for houses there to have no central heating, so I ended up putting every blanket I could find (including the silver mylar emergency blanket from my hiking kit) on the bed at night. So bring some warm socks to sleep in!

13 years ago

Beth

Veteran

How about a pair of smoking flats in a sturdier version? You could slip an insole in them if needed.

Also, be sure to pack some moleskin for blisters. I've packed shoes that were comfortable and stood the test at home only to find that they tore my feet up when walking all day long on a trip.

13 years ago

Anonymous

December can be cold, rainy and snowy, so I would start with a good pair of flat or low heel boots or booties, that could be waterproofed and a sturdy raincoat, jacket or coat. I would add a scarf and gloves, just in case.

As far as what to pack, it depends on the level of dressiness you are comfortable with. I have found that for sightseeing, museum visiting etc, I feel most appropiate in very casual clothes. I would pack a couple skinny jeans, a couple sweaters and turtlenecks, and 2 or 3 fun tops. If I choose a coat, scarf, boot and bag that complement each other, I can pretty much switch my top and bottom items and will still look put together. I think Angie wrote a blog post about that shoe, bag, coat and scarf complement.I usually don't bring anything too dressy. Oh, I also include a nice, fancy outfit, in case I end up going to a nice restaurant or show.

I cannot advise on cruise attire. because I have never been to one.

13 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Yes, yes to the possibility of it being cold, wet and even possibly snowy. Definitely you will want a warm coat and I would recommend flat leather boots, which have been waterproofed. Also a small umbrella. Gloves, hat and light scarf do not take up much room. There is also the possibility of warmish days, especially in Izmir, so a cardigan with shirt underneath might be useful.

I think you are on the right track with a simple black dress for dinners. Dress up with funky tights and jewellery.

I have been to Rome and Istanbul so please ask if you would like advice. Istanbul is one of my favourite cities. Also, in Rome, if you get to the Spanish Steps and have a moment, there are a couple of little shops that just sell leather gloves - but in every colour possible. I have some amazing bright blue ones.

13 years ago

N-Marie

Veteran

My only advice is to make sure you really break those new shoes in before your trip! I made that mistake on a trip to Europe which involved lots of walking and ended up with terrible blisters that no amount of band-aids or moleskin could make comfortable.

Sadly, it's one of my strongest memories from what should have been a blissfully romantic trip with my not-yet-then husband!

13 years ago

Anne

Active Member

You ladies are the great! I am going to look into boots or booties that will be good for walking all day. I hit Nordstrom Rack over the weekend and started working on scarves, etc....

Londonkiwi - would love Rome and Istanbul advice....

13 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

How exciting for you and your family! A lot has been said already - find yourself a pair of warmish boots/booties. I would bring riding boots, flats, sneakers and heels for the cruice. I would bring jeans, a few tops that can be layered easily, some of them in wool. The difference of day and night temperature can be rather surprising. A warm jacket, gloves and a hat are also sound advice, and outerwear that can stand some rain. A simple dress that is easy to accessorize, and a skirt that matches some of your tops would complete the travel capsule, I think. Plus accessories like scarves and jewellry. Remember to take a lot of pictures!

13 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Anne - happy to help. Perhaps send me a DM with what days you are going to be in each port (some sites are closed on certain days), so that your thread doesn't go too off topic.

13 years ago

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