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South American Travel Capsule-Am I bringing enough? (photo heavy)

geargirl

I love reading about everyone's travel capsules. So here is mine, so far. I'm notorious for under packing. After our last cruise my husband sent me shopping for new dressy clothes. (Hanging head in shame.) This is for our 20th anniversary. A 14-day cruise from Argentina, to Uruguay and Brazil. Cruise meals are "elegant casual". I analyzed the stops and my best guess is: 4 travel days, 3 city days, 6 beach days, 2 hiking days, and a ship day. Temps: High 70's-90's. There is a washing machine down the hall in the ship. I'm packing:
pic 1: 2 pants (travel, city, dinner)
pic 2: 2 shorts (hiking, work-outs)
pic 3:1 dress (dinner-fancy),
pic 4: 2 work-out shirts (hiking, work-outs)
pic 5: 2 casual shirts (city, casual dining)
pic 6: 2 skirts (city, dinner)
pic 7: 2 cardigans (travel, dinner-I run very cold)
pic 8: 2 dressy tops (dinner)
pic 9: 2 swimsuits/sarongs
pic 10: hat and raincoat
pic 11: extra shirts??
pic 12: shoes: fancy shoes (dinner), mary-janes (water shoes, city), sandals (beach, dinner? they are sparkly), running shoes (travel, work-outs).

Help? Suggestions? Has anyone done a similar trip? Do I have enough clothes? All comments are welcome!
p.s. Can you see why I call myself Geargirl? Is it dressy enough?

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Do you have any dressier pants & tops? I'm not sure that jeans & tees are dressy casual - they are more casual imo, but I'm in Australia so maybe someone else will give better advice. I'd take the extra tops in #11 - it's nice to have changes especially if it is hot. Love your line up of shoes

Anonymous

Looks very inclusive to me. It sounds like you have identified your activities and have something planned to wear for each. I've not been on this sort of cruise but am not sure if you have much "casual elegant" going on. Maybe fewer tee shirts and more refined knit tops? I suspect that even the casual clothes you see are going to be more upscale or designer than gear. If what you are wearing is fitting perfectly and flattering, it shouldn't matter. (I'm not sure if this is making any sense. When I was your age I couldn't figure out why I didn't look like the other women on business vacations, etc. I think that they invested more in their clothing than I did and am wondering if that is what your husband saw. There is casual and there's a dressy casual)

geargirl

I do have some dressy black cropped pants. And a cream lace peplum top. I probably need to include them! Do you think they would work?
I'm from California, so this is REALLY dressy for me! Thank you!

rabbit

Veteran

What a great trip to plan for!

Wow, I'm impressed with your winnowed down packing (and impressed by your last European travel capsule).

I'm assuming that if you like wearing tights you might bring some in case your legs get cold with the skirts if the AC is cranked up anywhere on the ship.

I'd also myself think about salt-spray, and how I always want something non-salt encrusted to change into, you have enough items, but it might necessitate more frequent washing than sight-seeing in a city to my mind.

But having cruised before you probably have a good sense of all the practical considerations.

I would think it would probably be pretty easy to buy simple beach wear or t shirts or casual skirts if you need more during your trip, but the perfect dressy outfits and shoes might be harder to pick up quickly. On the plus side, you don't have to carry your luggage day to day, so you do have the option of expanding more in this direction if you feel like it fits the environment of the boat.

rabbit

Veteran

Adding on, I don't have much experience, but I think a lot depends on the cruise line/type of cruise as to the 'unstated' dress code. I'd look at the pictures of passengers in their advertising, but also I'd probably do a little googling for other people's vacation snapshots on the boat as well, if I wanted to get a sense of whether 'dressy casual' leaned more one way, or the other.

geargirl

Joy, you are right. On this type of trip, many women wear a lot of designer clothes, even their swimsuits! My husband is always perfectly groomed and dressed too. I'm pretty good at casual because that's what I wear for everything! But I do dressy so infrequently, it is a challenge to keep my dressy look "current". I appreciate your analysis. I think I look different mostly at dinner. Seriously on my last cruise ladies were wearing cocktail dresses for casual elegant and I was in jeans. I know...(shakes head...)
I'll include a few more dressy items. And jewelry. I always forget jewelry. I think I have some, somewhere...

geargirl

rabbit-great idea!

anne

Veteran

I think you need to pack more clothing suitable for cold weather. Out on the water it can get really cold, even in summer.

MuseumGal

Veteran

You know what? I think you need to own your geargirl look. I bet you are youngish and and quite fit, and believe me, those ladies in their expensive designer outfits and expensive jewels would trade them all to be a sporty fit gal. And even if you are less than young or fit, this is who you are, so rock it.

That said, you can class your gear up quite a bit. A plain dress from Title 9 or Athleta or Patagonia can be dressed up with a silk scarf of even a rocking pair of earrings. Or you can just wear it on its own and flaunt your active self. You're on that cruise to have a great time with your husband. Focus on dressing for that, not what some random and anonymous people might think of your gear.

rute

Veteran

I did to Italy on last July. You'll need more then just 1 dress for dinner (people dress up for dinners).
Add 1 or two clucthes, some jewelery for fancy dinners, some scarfs (perfect to add a chic touch to the jeans and shirts outfits.
I did my cruise with a lot of Italian and Spanish women and they love to dress up!
I would add two kaftans for the beach / pool
Have fun!!!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was going to suggest adding a couple of jersey dresses -- they pack beautifully and look fantastic. How about some from Kamalikulture like the ones that Angie has recommended to us? Inexpensive, but on a fit person they look like a million bucks. Also, they would wash in the sink, (if you wanted). And, I am here to tell you, they are just as comfortable as gear. I wear one when I'm home watching TV with my husband -- curled up on the couch. It stretches and then pops back into shape -- perfect! You could get one that is dressier looking (maybe black with lace or black sleeveless) and one that is a little more casual or covered.

I might add a pair of drapey trousers, maybe the Eileen Fisher silk track pants, for instance, to wear with your pretty heels.

At dinner on a cruise, jeans don't seem right. But I have never been on a cruise, so what do I know?

I would also bring some kind of light sweaters or toppers for evening air or frigid air conditioning. I see you have the cardigans -- I might want another or a jacket in a slightly different style, just to shake it up a bit.

You will still be able to get this into a small suitcase, I'm sure.

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Have fun!

carter

Veteran

Good heavens, woman, pack some more clothes! Your clothes look like they're lining up in pairs to board the Ark. I would add another couple dresses and/or nice top and skirt/dress slack combos. It's your 20th anniversary...knock him dead every night!

rabbit

Veteran

omg I can't stop laughing at the ark line Carter.......hahaha

Geargirl, I'm not laughing at you at all, I'm totally on your team, and if I was on the cruise I'd definitely be seeking you out to sit with and get to know at dinner rather than the ladies in designer bikinis. You have your priorities in life straight. Plus you are clearly a lovely person who is good fun, adventurous, and well-organized.

I see Carter's point though that sometimes it's also fun to dress up a little for dates, I've been married over 20 years and still do that when I'm in the mood, even just going to a coffee shop, and he appreciates it

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, I'm certainly an advocate of packing light, but I think you might want to consider some of the above suggestions to up the "dressy casual" side, especially given your husband's reaction on your previous cruise.

I'd think of creating two distinct capsules--one sporty-casual and the second dressy-casual. From your pictures, you've already got a good handle on the first, more sporty capsule. The second "dressy-casual" capsule, though, might take more a bit more planning.

Maybe look for similar items as your first capsule, but in better fabrics or more interesting cuts. A silk knit t-shirt instead of a cotton one. A summer-weight cashmere sweater instead of a cotton cardigan. A linen jacket. A perfectly fitting pair of summer trousers or crops. An asymmetrical top or a floaty midi-length skirt. The point is to find more refined versions of things you already wear.

As I get older, I've found it's easier to dress down my dressy casual to sporty casual than vice-versa; that notion of dressing up a beach-style dress with jewelry worked in my youth but now just looks strange. On the other hand, wearing a designer cocktail dress may look good, but it makes me FEEL equally strange. But put me into what is basically a dressed up version of my everyday boots/jeans/sweater look--a pair of gorgeous shoes, cropped slim pants, and a drapey cashmere sweater--and I'm totally in my comfort zone. And those pants do double duty with my walking sandals and a cotton cardigan, while the sweater looks just as good with my white jeans.

SandyG

Veteran

A suggestion: I found a simple yet classy little black dress from Athleta that works great for travel and dinners, and to the beach too. Change out accessories and add a scarf or topper and it looks different every time. Because it's gear material, stretchy for walking and travel, and a perfect fit, it has replaced a few 'fussy' cocktail dresses in my closet. Less is more and I feel terrific in it. Good luck!

geargirl

rabbit-Sorry, I just realized I saw your second reply before your first! The tights idea is good. I usually go bare legged but need my arms covered. I did look up photos from the cruise line. Lots of tuxes. oh no.

rute-ummm...yeah...this is the only dress I own...see Suz's comment. Do you think the dresses could come by Monday?

Suz-I just checked out those dresses and they look awesome! I usually wear separates because I'm a pear and really small on top. I can get a better fit from different sizes.

Carter-LOL, I know...right? Poor hubby. I am planning to pack more clothes. Dressy stuff. The YLFers have spoken!

Gaylene- I am so with you! The problem is that I live near San Francisco and have almost no summer/hot weather! So my usual dressed-up boots/jeans/trench coat look will look weird in a tropical environment. It is hard to buy these clothes because they are worn only on vacation!

SandyG-great idea! I'll check it out. I've had trouble in the past with fit from Athleta though. The scoop necks were too scooped! My husband might like that though.

Ladies-Thank you all again. I really need your input! Hugs to all, and if you are still reading, please check out my next post...Casual Elegance or just casual...

geargirl

MuseumGal-Thank you! I LOVE your cute style. But I'm afraid rocking my Geargirl self disappointed my husband on our last trip. Check out my next post to see my photo of SHAME! The husband and kids gave me a lot of grief for that outfit. Trying to step up my game this time! No kids.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Do you have time to shop before now and then? Those dresses might come in time, but then what if they didn't fit right? I do think they will work for a pear shape, though. They have no darts or anything -- they're just a thin stretchy (but nice quality) jersey. They work great on Angie and me -- we are both slim hourglass/ rectangles and I, in particular, have a really small bust. Others with other body types have found them great as well.

geargirl

Suz-I just ordered 2 dresses from Zappos from your link. I don't think they'll come in time, but if they work I can use them for the next trip. Or maybe even a dinner out with my long-suffering husband! I do have more dressy separates that I can pack. I really just have a skewed sense of dressy since my environment is so casual! What others see as elegant casual, I see as quite dressy. I need to adjust my style radar when traveling-if that makes any sense!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Crossing fingers for you! If nothing else, you will find them super comfortable (assuming they fit). And yes...I find that even our climate can influence how we see these things. Being on this site has been an eye-opener that way.

Isabel

Veteran

GG, the things that Suze linked to are awesome.

I would like to throw in a black or color "active " dress that you can hike in, sight see in, or have dinner in. I have go on about the PrAna Quinn dress before. It is a miracle dress for my "mixed activity " trips. It doesn't wrinkle, is not see through, washes my hand or machine , dries really quickly and looks great. I own FIVE. LOL I have a black and 4 prints. The new prints these year are gorgeous. It makes me want more, more, more....

They are on sale at 6pm for $49. The fit on the model in the back is not great. It falls beautifully in real life. I sized up a size because I am pear shaped and I didn't want the dress tight around the hips and bum. HAVE FUN !!!!

http://www.6pm.com/prana-quinn-dress-amethyst-tile

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