Need some help with packing for Portugal!

I am so sorry I am not very active on the forum these days but my work is so busy now as I am trying to clear everything out for my upcoming long(ish) vacation and also get ready for my trip. Hopefully I will be back in full force in the second part of March!
I am still pondering the travel capsule for Portugal and would appreciate some help. I have decided to take the following bottoms:
- straight leg dark wash Paige jeans (pic 1)
- micro-houndtooth slouchy trousers (pic 2)
- polka dot jersey dress (pic 3)
What I am not sure about is my BF jeans. Should I take them or not (pic 4-6)?
They are pretty light and distressed wash so I am not sure they are appropriate for Europe trip in general. On the other hand they are very comfortable and work with all my footwear choices... Just to remind you I will be traveling for 17 days with a lot of walking around, taking public transportation and moving from city to city on frequent basis. I am trying to fit everything into a carry on bag and limit myself to 16 pieces of clothing. Do you think I should add BF jeans to my '3 bottom" capsule for this trip or am I better of to take an extra top or jacket with me instead of these jeans?

Thanks a lot!

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12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sveta, that is a tough one.

I hope Rute will jump in to say if she feels they are too casual.

For comfort I can absolutely see bringing them. And they look good. But you don't want to feel out of place, nor have more than you need.

Have you practice packed to see how your things fit the bag? That might be a start.

Vildy

The BF jeans look very casual and worn in - I know that's the style/point. Are there any street style blogs for Portugal? I was wondering if this look is sported by grown women there.

Inge

Moderator

Your travel capsule is looking good, Sveta. I'm not in Portugal but see no reason why you couldn't take the BF jeans. They are "big" in Europe as well, and I don't think they are too casual for walking and sightseeing actually. Especially not the way you tend to wear them: polished and ladylike looks. Oh and I just read that they work with all the shoes you are bringing. I vote bring your BF jeans too!-)

jayne

I find it very rare to see BF on grown women in scandanavia....and I would be just a touch worried of looking the tourist going the so casual route. Portugal in may, when I was there, seemed to have women in dresses mostly (not necessarily fancy or office ones) and heeled sandals...and jeans always! But rute is absolutely the one to ask...you could PM her.

moira

I just don't think they are that versatile for the limited space requirements. Your other pants can work for day or evening and be dressed up or down, but the BFs are only going to be casual, by definition.

There is that possibility, too, that if you take 4 bottoms, one should be a skirt. So skirt/ dress/ 2 trousers. This is what I am thinking of for London in March. But it is only a week, and while sightseeing will be the main thing, it is city sightseeing and theatre, so different needs.

sarah

Sveta,

I'm so curious about this - we are traveling to France/England in late March and I'm on the fence about my BF jeans, which feel very casual/sloppy to me. But Inge has weighed in, and she knows better than me. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip.

Ingunn

What Inge said!

I'd say anything smart casual/casual is appropriate in Europe, so I vote yes, particularly as I've come to know you as a very stylish lady, Sveta. I agree that the Portuguese ladies are a lot more dressy that Scandinavians, but I think nonetheless that a casual pair of jeans could provide some comfort for a hardworking business-woman in her time off! If you have room for it, bring it.

celia

Hello Sveta, I didn't know you were going to Portugal. Where to exactly?And still in February?(You do know I am Portuguese, right?)
I know I haven't been to Portugal in almost 3years but my really honest opinion is that bf jeans are not the best for a travel capsule for Portugal.If you lived there, had many more options to dress I would say go for it but just with a capsule wardrobe I wouldn't do it.

Parsley

Sveta, my experience is more with France than with Portugal, but I think the BFs are too casual to be versatile enough for your limited travel capsule.
They might be fine for casual daytime touring, but you probably wouldn't be comfortable in them for a decent restaurant, for example. Your other jeans and the gray pants, on the other hand, will take you just about anywhere. That way if you're out and about you don't have to worry about going back to the hotel to change before dinner if you don't want to.

If you're going to take another pair of pants I would suggest something like black jeans or a pair of casual trousers.
Here's a pair I'll be taking to Paris next month. They're so versatile- they can be dressed up or down but are super comfortable. (mine are the black ones)
http://www.vince.com/ponte-jea.....n,wbottoms

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carolbee

I can't comment about the suitability of the bfs for any particular country, but for 17 days I would suggest making do with one pair of jeans, less is more when travelling carry-on only PS If once you get there you decide you do need another pair of pants, then you can always buy some!

Sveta

Thanks everybody for your help!
Suz, I did a pack test and everything fits so this is not an issue at all.
Vildy, this is exactly why I am not sure if I shold take them!
Inge / Ingunn, thanks for bringing the European experience!
Jayne, Moira and Parsley - thanks for pointing out the casualness of them, this is a good point to consider.
Sarah, you can really understand my dilemma then!:-)
Celia, of course I remember you are Portuguese. I hoped you will chime in! We are going in the beginning of March, staring in Lisbon and finishing in Porto and whatever we can see in between.
You really helped me to make up my mind: BF jeans stay at home. I think it is the casualness factor which really bugs me ans like Parsley pointed out I would rather have dressier outfits for day sightseeing in case we don't have time for changing before going for dinner or other entertainment. With a limited travel capsule it is a right choice I think.
Suz, I also considered the skirt but decided against it. I can dress dress like skirt with a sweater or shirt on top so another skirt will not give me more versatility. I decided to replace BF jeans with my new black tuxedo jacket and also throw in a couple of extra tops - they all weight less than BF jeans
I still have 2 weeks to ponder...

Lisa

I am very interested in this thread, thanks for asking Sveta. I am going to Lisbon the end of April and have been wondering what I will pack.

I plan to bring only one pair of jeans and in a darker wash, I don't have the impression that the dress is as casual as they are here.

I planned to pack some black trousers which I can dress up or down, lots of scarves, and comfortable walking footwear. That's as far as I've gotten with my packing plans.

rae

ah ah I was going to say yes, bring the boyfriend jeans, because they are the edgiest bottoms. But if your goal is to be dressy then I understand if you don't want them.

Jaime

You look terrific in the dark jeans and slouchy trousers, so they probably will do the trick. You look great in all of these outfits btw!

jenanded

I am so glad of this post and all the comments on casual clothes etc for my trip, includinga short trip to portugal. I will pack my dark or black jeans over my light jeans then. Thanks! And have fun. I might ask some advice, insights on portugal on your return if that is ok.

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