Packing Q - Italy/Norway (long) - YouLookFab Forum

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Packing Q - Italy/Norway (long)

carolbee

Veteran

Hi Ladies

At the end of next week we are off to Italy/Norway and the Arctic for 6 weeks. I have the Arctic portion covered its the Europe part I need help fine tuning.

Background: Approx 2 weeks in Italy, 10 days SwedenNorway. We are carryon only travellers. From Australia that means I'm restricted to one 7kg bag plus a personal item. My personal item will be just about full with 7" tablet, kindle and binoculars. I may be able to "sneak" a few extras into DH bag, but not sure until we do a trial pack at the weekend.

What I know so far:

Shoes: 3 pair max!!!!

1 x black trainers (for hiking in the Dolomites, general touring, plane travel), 1 x silver sandals. When you helped me select the silver sandals it was because I said my 3rd pair was black mary janes. Since then I've bought a pair of pewter slip on shoes. So 1st question: which shoes to bring for my 3rd pair - pic ??

Toppers:

1 x Blue jacket, 1 x grey "dressy" fleece (this had buttons and a shawl collar, mainly for the Arctic. Next Q: for my 3rd topper do I bring the longline black cardi (lite warmth, 80% viscose, 20% nylon) or the black ponte jacket (med warmth). Another Q - if I can fit in a 4th topper should I bring the red jacardi or a pashmina (I love the idea of the pashmina but never seem to use it, for plane travel I could layer the red jacardi over the black cardi. - pic ???

Tops:

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from carolbee

carolbee

Veteran

Arrrr, what happened. Anyway continuing on ....

Pants:

1 x Black ponte leggings (mainly for the Arctic), 1 x black trousers, 1 x black summer refined cargoes which can roll up to 3/4. Q: form y 4th pair do I take the lite weight dove grey pants or the white jeans, which are med weight with some poly and elastane so not as hard to dry as normal jeans - pic ???

Tops:

3 SS - grey T, black T, blue snakeskin shirt; 4 LS - Black T, Blue T (not shown, gearish for hiking and the Arctic), red/black pattern, red/grey floral; 2 Tunics - snakeskin (can layer T's under this) and black/white/grey pattern

All the usual other stuff, underwear, thermals plus scarves and a scarf like top that I can layer over a cami or T's to dress them up - pic

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Sounds like fun, may I come

I find travel capsules for men more helpful than most of the ones for women.
I think in terms of a dressy a mid-range & a really casual top & bottom, then the same with jackets - a cashmere hoodie or similar, a casual but dressier jacket & a blazer or heavier jacket/coat, depending on the weather. Wear the heaviest/weather proof jacket on the plane. Same with shoes. If there is any room left over I add more tops.

If everything works together you are laughing, but I find this really difficult to make work. At the very least though all the mid range stuff has to go with all the really casual & dressier stuff - so say jeans are your mid-range then they need to work with your casual & your dress shoes & toppers.
The photo below may make more sense than I do

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carolbee

Veteran

Not having a good day!!! The pics... Can't go back now and add pic no to the questions but hope you can figure it out. In pic 4 the top in the bottom RHS has already been taken out as its 3/4 sleeve and I have decided to go with only SS or LS.

If you've managed to get this far any comments or suggestions would be gratefully received. I really admire the ladies that post often, this has taken me an hour!!!

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carolbee

Veteran

Thanks Caro, that makes sense. I hope I've achieved partly what you said. We never go anywhere super dressy and the cruise is not in the normal sense of the word, so need to dress up on that either.

carolbee

Veteran

ARRR!!!! Told you I was having a bad day ... NO need to dress up on the cruise - very casual.

SandyG

Veteran

I'm awed by your trip. Take the lightest bag and personal bag possible. Here's a link I enjoy when the wanderlust calls me:

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/w.....-d4uv.html

Caro in Oz

Veteran

That should make it easier (insert laughter here).
I take one neutral & several more colourful scarves - they are great for adding some life to my old face when I'm tired

Sal

Veteran

My only comment is that white jeans could be pain to launder. Seats and travelling do mean a certain level of dust and dirt and for me white trousers only last one wear before needing a wash.
The red pashmina is lovely but if you don't wear it at home you may not start now...
Have a wonderful trip!

Anonymous

Looks great. One question...is the blue topper jacket water and wind proof? We have been drenched in Italy. "Water resistant" only resists for a few minutes. On the cruise you might want layers that cut the wind.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, what an amazing trip. And so far it looks as if you have a very cohesive capsule with some useful cross-purpose items.

Addressing one of your questions, I'd take whichever shoes (metallic or Mary Janes) are most comfortable. I have a soft spot for metallics myself, but again -- comfort and adaptability should rule here.

Now, I know you said your big concern was the Europe part of the trip, but as one who lives in a Northern clime, may I just say I am a wee bit concerned about the Arctic part? Do you have a down jacket? Gloves? Which parts of the Arctic will you be in?

Yes, it is summer there...but I have friends who went there last summer at this time. They are hardy Albertans. They were wearing their down on the boat and elsewhere. Mind you, one is an intrepid hiker. He said that others stayed on the boat and didn't do as much exploring as he did when they had stops. You do have thermals, so that is good.

Q2: Not sure which topper to advise on. In Italy you may be quite warm, yet might need something lighter for evening.

For a 4th topper if possible I would take the red sweater rather than the shawl. If you haven't enjoyed wearing the shawl up until now, the trip is probably not the time when you'll have that particular epiphany.

Q3: hard to say on the pants question. What will you be doing on the boat? Would you wear them there? If not, then might as well take the lighter pants and wear in Europe?

Good luck with the last minute arrangements, and have a fantastic time!

Gaylene

Veteran

Your trip sounds fabulous!

My own approach to minimalist packing is to plan an outfit for each major "activity" or scene, and then figure out how I'd adapt the outfit for warmer or cooler weather. I usually start with my "day" looks and, if necessary, figure out a "dressier" option if I think I'd want to wear something nicer in the evening.

Your ponte pants, trainers, T's, fleece, and jacket (which I'm assuming is wind/rain proof) sounds perfect for the northern cruise portion. Would you want a "nicer" outfit for this leg of the trip? If you were planning to wear your black trousers and a nice top here, which shoes--your Mary Janes or your pewter slipons--would work best if the weather was a bit blustery or rainy? What topper--a ponte jacket or a long cardi--would work best if you had to layer your blue jacket on top? What top would you wear if the weather turned warmer because of the long hours of sunlight? I find that working through these scenarios helps me pick which items will be the most functional.

In addition to my "outfits", I also throw in a pair of lightweight, drip-dry, backup pants (usually a legging, or yoga pant, or nylon pant--depending on the climate) to wear if I get a chance to do some laundry or to wear as a "robe" in the mornings/evenings or to serve as a backup if something happens to my other pants.

carolbee

Veteran

Thanks for all the ideas. As I said I was having a bad day.....

SandyG - great article, that sums up pretty much how we travel, I just want slightly more clothing options if I can fit them in.

Caro - yes, I always take a selection of scarves, will make final decision once all other clothes have been selected (and that make it through the actual packing process).

Kiwigal - yes, that is the main drawback about the white jeans. The grey pants are very lite weight and would dry in a snap.

Joy- the jacket is not windproof or rainproof and is for the Europe portion of the trip, but I must admit that it does concern me re rain, but this is dressier and a bit warmer than my simple rain jacket, not really sure what to do hear - buy an umbrella if need be lol.

Suz - Inside the ship will be a "normal" temperature so a top and topper will be fine. For excursions off the cruise company supply boots and give you an expedition parka, we had the same setup in Antarctica and that was fine. I am also packing inner and outer gloves, all the extras for the Arctic is what is making it all so hard to decide what else to bring. I may even need to cut down this list once I do a trial pack. Both shoes are equally comfy and both fairly lit weight.

Gaylene - umm, haven't tried the blue jacket over those tops yet (it is new) but it is roomy, but this is something I need to check. I was tending towards the grey pants rather than the white jeans because they are very loose and comfy, and had thought of using them as "robe".

Most of these items are able to be washed in a sink and dry overnight, with a couple of obvious exceptions, although we will have access to a washing machine a few times whilst staying in apartments.

Deborah

Veteran

Carolbee your trip capsule looks amazing. Things like this make my head spin. My method is pack black everything and throw in some coloured/patterned scarves and some accessories

I think which every third pair of shoes is most comfy. Both of them will work well with the pieces you are taking and the metallic ones being lighter in colour will bookend your hair so they would be fine with any black bottoms.

Im not sure what to advise re jackets because I am not seasoned traveller at all:(

The red cardi would be my choice, primarily because you have said you don't tend to use the pashmina. The Pashmina would look quite glam and dramatic as you sit in First Class (?!?!?) sipping champagne.

With the extra pair of pants. Which do you think will be the easiest to clean and maintain while your travel? Looking at the tops you are taking, either white of grey would work perfectly.

Your choice of tops looks great. You will be a very well dressed tourist. And have room for them it doesn't hurt to throw in quite a few scarves. Great way to refresh an outfit that you have been repeating frequently.

carolbee

Veteran

Lol Deborah, I won't be in first class sipping champagne, but will be doing it in business class. This trip has been planned for 2 years so we decided to go "the whole hog".

I had to buy some new long sleeve tops (such a hardship) as most of my winter gear takes a while to dry and all of my tops must be able to dry overnight, so some are viscose, some poly, all with elastane for comfort.

Have pretty much discounted the white jeans, as they will get dirtied quicker, take longer to dry and the grey ones could be used for robe purposes and even pjs if needed

Although I would love to take the pewter shoes as they are fairly new and bemoaned current, my practical side says take the black mary janes.

And if I can fit it in I will take the red jacardi, its also lite weight, now how much can I sneak into DHs bag......

carolbee

Veteran

Why has more current turned into bemoaned current, the auto text on tablets sometimes drives me crazy.

And just to top off my day I seem to have a swelling/lump on my gum on top of one of my eye teeth, so have an emergency appointment at the dentist tomorrow.

Astrid

Veteran

Oh no, I'm sorry for your poor tooth! Hope it's nothing bad.

Your capsule is great, so minimal and your planning seems sound - the only thing I'm concerned with is that the blue jacket isn't waterproof or windproof. I know you said your rain jacket is thinner, but it's probably actually warmer if it's windproof. Of course it's June, but it could be quite wet and chilly all the same (especially in Norway). In my experience you should be prepared for (almost) anything and the weather can change fast. I personally prefer using an umbrella to a rain jacket at home, but then I have my whole wardrobe to choose from one day to the next.

EveningMood

Your trip sounds awesome, but a nightmare to pack for, I couldn't do it! If you plan to hike (or stroll) in Italy, I suggest a pair of shorts and a super light top. We are bound to get hit by some Cyclops anticyclone over the weekend, temps might rise to 95 F in the south. Good luck with the packing and the dentist!

carolbee

Veteran

Astrid, we have quite the collection of umbrellas that we have bought when travelling, lol As carry on travellers our motto is that we can always buy it if we need it. Still pondering what to do about the jacket, the advantage of the blue one is that it has zip off sleeves to become a vest, plus it has plenty of pockets of various sizes so that when we catch a European flight where we are only allowed one bag I can stuff our electronics in the pockets and wear it on the plane.

EM, thanks for the suggestion. I don't "do" shorts anymore but the black cargoes roll up to 3/4 and I wear them during our long hot summers so these should be fine even if it does become quite hot.

Only 10 days to go .....