NYC part two: WIB(rought) - YouLookFab Forum

Not a What I Bought (since I didn't buy any clothes on this trip), but a What I Brought!

This was for a five-day trip to NYC, temps from 0 - 10 Celsius, some rain. We took the Amtrak down, and all travel once we arrived was by foot (averaged about 15 km/day, pretty remarkable with a 9yo and a 12yo in tow) or by subway. I packed everything in a newish (last year) 30-liter travel pack. I love it! Enough room for everything, but not too big to use as a daypack once you get where you're going.

The two-layer coat (a waterproof shell and Nanopuff liner) really pulled its weight; it was so perfect for these temps and conditions. I hemmed and hawed over whether to bring two pairs of boots, or boots plus sneakers. I went with the warmer/dryer option since I run cold, especially hands and feet. I was perfectly comfortable, but would have been fine with a pair of sneakers too.

My 12yo niece approved of my sporty little "sac banane" (a much better name than fanny pack!). DH and I took turns carrying a daypack with kid snacks, water, and extra layers.

Everything was worn at least once, most of it two or three times. Could have left either the jeans or khakis at home, along with either the vest or the cardi, but everything fit and it's fun to have options! I would've been fine with one pair of shoes, but absolutely wanted the backup in case I got caught in heavy rain and ended up with soaked feet.

Not shown: one set of sleep clothes (shorts + tee) and my insulating baselayers (silk long johns and merino cami). Also: navy blue knit gloves and a handknit beanie in an amber-colored wool/silk yarn (I really need to get a photo of this one to add to Finds; it's so yummy). Palette might be too neutral/solid for some, but between the patterned scarf, golden beanie, and colorblock bag, I never felt boring! Any more color/pattern elements and I would have felt too busy.

The newest items I brought with me are the sweater vest and the heather grey ribbed top, both purchased in January. Five of the items (the jeans, the cognac boots, the two jackets, and the black ribbed top) were bought in 2022, the black joggers in 2020, and everything else between 2016-2019.

Overall, I was really satisfied with this travel capsule. I can't think of anything I would change!

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ALEX MILL Francis Cardigan Vest in Donegal

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Everlane

The ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan

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Custom Find

by LaPed

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Nordstrom

Madewell Fine Ribbed Crewneck Long Sleeve Tee

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Blundstone Blundstone Women's 1448 Chelsea Boot

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1 year ago

Anonymous

Yay for a successful travel capsule! The olive coat looks great! Was the nanopuff part of that?

CarolS

Veteran

Oh, this is great, La Ped - thanks for sharing! This is inspiring!!!

I'm still waiting to see what weather is going to look like when we go in a couple of weeks, but I am thinking I will pack a good pair of walking shoes and either Blundstones or Ecco Soft 7s as a second pair.

Our trip will also be a bit longer - two travel days and six full days in NYC.

Runcarla

I like the sac banana too! Did you wear it bandolier style that is all the rage?

Jaime

(website)

Perfectly planned. I would never travel with just one pair of shoes. There are so many ways that could go wrong for me.

kkards

Having been caught in absolute build an ark downpours in NYC more than once, I would never visit without at least 2 pairs of shoes!
And there’s something about how the city is built especially if you’re taking the subway- but in the winter it can feel like on of the coldest places I’ve ever been to. And of course in the summer it can feel like you’re in an oven. So layers are always needed.

RobinF

Looks like a great travel capsule - mix and match. I love that vest and am glad you included it!

ChristelJ

I love a good packing post and it sounds like you got your tight capsule just right! Amazed you fit everything into a pack the size of a day pack. Love that scarf and wish we could see the golden beanie! But impressed by your high functioning, smart looking choices.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Glad the capsule worked out! Satisfying indeed

rachylou

I’m impressed you got all that in the travel pack while also being impressed how lean you packed, lol. Do I need a new travel pack?

Tanya

What great neutral capsule! I can imagine everything working well with everything. Excellent job.

LaPed

Suntiger -- Yeah, the black puffer and olive trench functions as a 2-in-1 coat, but the pieces are sold separately. The Nanopuff snaps into the shell at the collar and cuffs, but the attachment points are so subtle you'd hardly know. I'd been wanting a long puffer in a spring/fall weight for a couple of years, and was very excited to find this one at the consignment store. Then I went down a rabbit hole tracking down the shell (this one turned up on Worn Wear, Pata's official resale website).

Carol S -- I bet spring will be in full swing while you're there! Can't wait to go take a look at your packing list (and jealous you have a full week --five days was a miracle with five different work/school schedules to accommodate).

Runcarla -- I've been wearing the little Pata pouch bandolier style for the ~5 years I've had it, and use it almost daily! I find that a fanny pack worn around the waist is a bit uncomfortable and inconvenient, especially with winter outerwear, but worn cross-body it's hands down (hah) the best style of bag for my minimalist self.

Jaime -- DH always wants to just bring one pair of shoes, and I always insist he bring a backup, which he then proceeds to not wear and declare useless. One of these days I'll make sure we get caught in a downpour just to prove myself right.

kkards -- I know *exactly* what you mean about the deceptive cold/wind tunnel effect. Most of my trips to New York have ended up being in Feb/March, and this is definitely the warmest I've ever experienced it at this time of year. Lots of early bulb flowers about to bloom! I've been a couple times in midsummer, and the heat and the crowds are miserable. Much prefer to do my city travel during the colder months and spend the warmer months in the mountains.

RobinF -- I've been wanting an Alex Mill vest for a couple of years, but couldn't find one in a colour that excited me until this navy donegal showed up. It's perfect! I love tweedy/heathered blues.

ChristelJ -- I'll add a Find for the hat, for sure!

Angie -- thanks!

Rachylou -- I love, love, love shopping for backpacks. I'm always looking for an excuse to add a new one!

Tanya -- I've been very neutral-happy for a few years now; soothing and stress-free for me. I have some one-off bright pieces, but I rarely bring them on trips because I have to be in just the right mood to wear them.

Irina

What a neat vacation capsule!
I was especially interested in seeing your bottom options. I turn to jeans as a default option for everything and want to see what else works for others (other than ponte pants).

Irina -- I used to default to jeans too, but I've been leaning more and more on other options. The olive pleated trousers are slouchier on me than in the stock photo; they have a sort of polished-chill menswear vibe that I really love. Pleats are a bit fussy to travel with; I work around that by wearing them on the first day rather than packing them. The joggers are a unicorn item for sure -- not too poofy at the hips or too tight on my calves, nice smooth drapy fabric that dries really fast. I wanted something quick-dry since there was the potential for a lot of rain in the forecast! Also, both of those layer better with thermals; I find long johns under jeans can feel a bit too bulky, whereas with a slightly lighter, looser pant plus a base layer I'm more comfortable in a wider range of temperatures.

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