Packing Strategy??

TraceyLiz65

With cooler temps back for now and Joy's Ireland trip, I am thinking of my October trip... This is a very big deal and life long dream, but a very new idea for DH and I.... You see our vacations have been week-long tropical vacations where we change clothes several times a day and didn't have to worry about layering...This time will be two weeks and in the Fall with layering and different terrain making footwear choices important...I am planning this well in advance because this really is such a new concept for us and I do much better when I know what things are well planned out.

My husband thinks it's unreasonable to even consider us trying to do this with carry-ons only luggage. Thank goodness! I am thinking it might be feasible to each have a carryy -on and then one checked bag for us to share.

I need a place to start and came up with the idea that perhaps I should pick which shoes to bring and then build my outfits around them.

I know that we will have one more dressy event with a Church Mass to honor family that have passed with a huge family reunion in another location, immediately following. . I know my the men in my husband's family will all probably be in suits... So, a nice dress with pumps is a definite must have.

I am thinking right now::
Pumps for the Church Service,
Hiking boots for more rural site seeing,
Black Riding Boots(can wear these on travel days) ,
My Black & White Floral Keds for in town walking
Silver pointed toe Flats in town walking(these are very comfortable)

I just ordered these Pumas in grey as a possible last option....
http://www.6pm.com/puma-caroli.....uma-silver

I know that's six pairs and have to say that's really paired down since I take more than that on beach vacations lasting one week... DH thinks I should take whatever I want and not stress, but i want to do a paired down (for my maixmalist tendency) version...

Any thoughts, suggestions????

11 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Dee

Veteran

Two weeks is hard to pack in a carry-on, unless you're doing laundry halfway through, so checking one bag between the two of you seems reasonable to me. Six pairs of shoes sounds like a lot, but I'm more of a packing minimalist when possible. That said, this definitely looks like it covers all your bases. You might be able to take either the Keds or the Pumas for casual walking around, depending on comfort. You'll also want to make sure you leave room for outerwear, because it can get chilly.

11 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm not very good a packing either. I have a board on pinterest that's just packing tips I've seen. I'm not sure it will help, but if you can glean something from it, it might help.

http://www.pinterest.com/oppos.....nd-travel/

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

For two weeks I wouldn't do a carry on unless I could do laundry. For one week it's totally possible. We just did our 6 day London trip including formal events (same dress and shoes for both though) in carry on sized bags. I took 3 pairs of shoes - kitten heels for dressy events, flat oxfords and combat boots for everything else. Three jeans, one maxi skirt, 6 tops, 2 blazers, 1 cardi (actually my floral knit moto), big pashmina, trench coat. The 2 blazers were for the dressy events but I also wore them as extra layers for casual days. And three handbags, which is more than I usually bring. I had my everyday mz Wallace bag, my big longchamp (can double as an extra carry on bag) and clutch for dressy events. I wore everything except one of the tops. The trench was essential. I'm glad I brought it and not a leather jacket because although it never poured, it sprinkled a lot. The water resistant trench meant I didn't have to keep whipping out my umbrella every time it rained for 2 minutes and then stopped.

Note though I did not do any rural/country stuff so this is all for city stuff.

11 years ago

Aida

Veteran

One week is definitely doable with a carry on, but two is much harder. In October there's also the chance it will be too cold/wet for flats, so those may not be a viable option. I'd probably bring the pumps, the hiking boots, the riding boots, and one pair of fashionable sneakers. I might also bring the flats if they don't take much room, just in case. And for cool weather travel, outerwear is going to take a LOT more room than you might think!

11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, I rarely travel with a checked bag these days and my carry on is definitely on the small size because I dislike carrying anything wheeled or weighing more than 15 pounds, so keep that in mind when you read my ideas. Mr. Gaylene and I usually travel off-season to the UK and Europe so I'm a big advocate of layering especially if you find yourself in Copenhagen one day and Barcelona the next.

My travel wardrobe these days consists of the following:
Dressy Capsule:

A black EF 3/4 sleeve dress in silk jersey worn with a pair of black pumps that I can walk in for 4-6 hours on cobblestone streets.
My packable raincoat (mine is a Schneider made of some miracle Gortex-type fabric in a bronzey tone that looks good at the opera or walking in a field) worn with a pashmina scarf which can be used as a shawl or bundled up at my neck for warmth
A black cashmere cardigan sweater--worn for warmth and also for times when the trench coat would be too warm and just a shawl not warm enough.

Everyday City Capsule

Straight-legged black pants that mimics a suit look when worn with the cardigan sweater. Usually worn with my low-heeled black walking shoes or dressed up with the pumps.
A couple of tops to wear with the pants--usually in a pattern and with sleeves so they don't get easily spotted and look good worn by themselves with the pants.

Casual Times

A pair of well-fitting jeans worn with nice sneakers or pair of waterproofed leather boots (usually worn on the plane)-- my choice varies depending on the time of year and what we will be doing.
My cashmere hoodie (also worn on the plane for snuggling purposes)
A couple of cotton T's (maybe one a layering turtleneck if I think I'll need the warmth)

Odds and Ends

A silk tank for extra layering warmth; also looks good worn with pants and pumps for evening
Gloves
Hat
Extra scarf/jewelry/Undies
Umbrella
Yoga pants and PJs (my yoga pants and hoodie are my robe equivalent)
Birks-style sandals (good for the room, the beach, with the dress or pants for casual bistros evenings and warm days in the city

My dress, black/yoga pants, 4-6 tops/Ts, and cardigan fit easily into a packing cube along with my undies and pjs. My gloves, hat, scarves, and small stuff get stuffed into my pumps and walking shoes so they retain their shape. All of the above, along with my smallish toiletry kit fits easily into the main compartment of my carry-on. My Birks slide easily into the outer pocket along with my cables and folded up coat.

My Le Pilage bag holds my crossbody bag, my umbrella, electronics, plane stuff, and pashmina.

The above is enough to let me travel for four to six weeks because, oddly enough, I don't get tired of my limited travel wardrobe. Maybe it's because I'm seeing so many new things that, as long as I feel appropriately dressed, I feel just fine wearing the same uniform over and over. I do have to wash out my undies and the occasional item in the sink and I do plan to do a spot of laundry at least once or twice on a month-long trip but I'm happier not having to haul around a heavy suitcase full of dirty, or unworn, clothes.

11 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Exciting trip:) I would not just do a carry on, but take checked luggage and not stress about it.

I think you could prune your shoes for a two week trip. Shoes to me are the hardest things to pack. I think 4-5 pairs would be about right.

Unless you are doing lots of farm/forest walks I wonder if New Balance trainers would mean that you do not need the keds and the tramping boots. Most sight seeing outfits would then either work with the silver flats, the riding boots or the new balance.

Alternatively the riding boots could be left behind unless they are super comfortable for day outings. On the plane I don't like boots as my feet swell and they can be a pain to take on and off for customs and sleep. If they are a great city walking option you may be able to swap out either the silver flats or the keds. If you are mostly happy with trousers and jeans during the day boots will be very useful as I don't think Ireland will be very warm!

My footwear options for a similar trip would be

Smart heels - church and dinners out
Trainers - farm walking and city walking, maybe even for the flight
Smart comfortable flat boots for walking
Converse

11 years ago

danskogirl

Active Member

I've done 3 weeks in the fall with a carry-on. It's certainly possible. Did laundry at a laundromat once; sink washed the rest of the time. Granted, I didn't have any events where I had to really dress up. But there were some nice dinners that I dressed for.

My packing strategy in general is much like Gaylene's, and I make sure to keep to a restricted color palette, and to make sure things are layer-able for variable temperatures. And I have extremely fussy feet so I build my outfits from the shoes up.

If you're looking to pare down your packing list, I'd start with the shoes, packing just the pumps and hiking boots, and then picking just one -- at most two -- between the riding boots, flats, floral Keds and Pumas. (Keeping in mind that it could be rainy in October, as Aida said.) Then build your outfits from there, keeping layering in mind. Try to pack items that can do double or triple duty. For instance a nice dark-wash pair of skinny jeans might work for rural hikes as well as in-town walking.

But if you're not looking to pare down, then no worries. Pack away!

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Wait. Where are you going and for how long? How many different places will you spend the night? If you change accommodations every three nights, I'd so so travel light.

11 years ago

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