Travel capsule - 12 days in England - YouLookFab Forum

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Travel capsule - 12 days in England

Runcarla

Veteran

In less than 2 weeks DH and I will be leaving on a jet plane. Our destination is England - for a trip of pleasure and to attend a family wedding. We will spend the first 4 nights in Richmond-Upon-Thames with plans to visit Kew, Richmond Park, and the Thames walks if the weather is fair, and museums and shopping if it is rainy. We then travel to Cambridge for 6 nights. 4 days of exploring Cambridge proper, and 2 days of wedding festivities. The night before our departure will be spent in London.

I’ve started to follow UK weather reports. The forecast for Richmond on the days around our arrival are temps of 15-16degC (60 degF).

Pics below are what I plan to wear/pack. It all fits in a roll aboard, and with undies, socks, and toiletries weighed about 16lbs.:

3 pair pants

4 t-shirts

3 sweaters

Light weight turtleneck

Sleeveless lace tank top

Raincoat

Lightweight puffer

Stretch jacket

Loafers*

Sneakers

2 scarves (1 pashmina, 1 silk)

Lepliage tote

Wedding outfit (dress and flats)

*if weather forecast looks bad, I may sub out for boots

Other:

Missing/shopping - a small dressy bag to go with the wedding outfit, and possibly a hat/fascinator that I will shop for

DH is packing an umbrella

I plan to use the matching suit as the base for my travel day outfit…

Concerns:

I run cold, but on recent walks with DH, we both got overheated after about 30 minutes of activity and the temps were colder (10-12degC). Jackets were off, and we were comfortable in just a sweater and jeans. Should I add a couple of button downs? Should I add a skirt?

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are an expert packer, Carla! You must be getting excited. How fun to go on a real trip again! And to see those gardens you missed when Covid hit.

Is that the dress you are wearing to wedding? Love the idea of purple floral with your lilac coat (if needed).

But you don't get to wear the new yellow slingbacks! SOB.

If it were me, I'd be wanting to add more light coloured items to signal spring. But that's personal, and I see you do have a few brighter pieces. Excited for you!

Runcarla

Veteran

Items I can add or sub in…

- boots instead of loafers (both are all day footwear)
- white jeans instead of blue jeans or joggers
- button downs (in addition to, or instead of, a (black) sweater. (I would keep the navy cotton sweater and multi striped sweater.)

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I would definitely sub in the boots if you plan to be doing as many outdoor activities as indoor. I like the idea of bringing a long-sleeved shirt as well.

For most of our time in Europe earlier this month, I wore tanks/camis under sweaters or my sweatshirt, but with a lot of moving, I was definitely most comfortable with just a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt or tee under my puffer. Kiddo spent a few days in London and said it was colder than the places we went in western Europe, and low 60s sounds like it'll still be pretty chilly with the damp. Either way, including at least one long-sleeve top with give you maximum layering versatility.

I probably wouldn't do white jeans, just because I like to be able to sit down on a park bench or lean against a ledge without worrying too much about stains.

CarolS

Veteran

This looks like a very chic and versatile capsule, Carla. It's no small feat to plan for sun, rain, dressy, casual, airplane travel, and more -- and fitting it all into one small bag. Well done!!!

Sal

Veteran

I would add one more bottom (skirt or pants) and one less jacket or sweater... But that's me. In terms of the swap out of shirt for sweater - I think it depends if you plan to layer and how that all ties in.

I think temperature is very personal - I think the UK can be similar to here (unpredictable and breezy and damp) but not truly as cold as what you are used to.

Have a wonderful wonderful time and have a HobNob for me (my favourite English cookie!)

Irina

Veteran

Maybe a puffer vest? Can be useful if a puffer over a sweater feels too warm.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I spot new ECCOS! Wooooohooooooo!

No yellow slingbacks

YES to bringing the boots!

I vote another pair of bottoms - but not your white jeans unless you can have them laundered. And bring the long sleeved shirt!

FWIW, I take my travel outfit out of the capsule, because I don't wear it again until I travel back - unless I have it laundered.

LaPed

Veteran

Nice and concise, my kind of travel capsule! Love that you keep track of how much it weighs.

What topper options are you bringing for the sleeveless lace top? Only the blazer? Just thinking about no sleeves at 15° makes me cold. I would swap out the lace top for one of the long-sleeve button-downs, and definitely bring the boots, but that's just me. I've never regretted erring on the side of being too warm. And I would definitely stick with the darker coloured jeans, because I have the opposite of Angie's superpower (Stain Magnet perhaps?). But YMMV. Have a wonderful time!

Kate

Veteran

Beautiful dress!!

We are leaving about the same time for 16 days in Finland, Denmark & Germany, and I'm taking packing lessons from you. That's a nice tight wardrobe, and I hope to do something similar.

Have a wonderful time!

Bonnie

Veteran

Your wedding guest dress is lovely. It sounds like a fun trip and your capsule looks right on. I took a trip to England and Scotland a few years ago the last two weeks of April and the first week of May and it rained most days but was raining lightly so glad I had my raincoat and fleece coat with me.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a fun trip and you have planned beautifully for it. Warmth and comfortable feet would be my priorities so yes to the boots and do not assume you will feel warm in a damp 15C.

slim cat

Veteran

Great dress and perfect planning! Fun trip !

Minaminu

Veteran

Weather in UK can vary quite a lot and I'd continue to monitor the forecast in case of temperature changes! This year, it seems that we are running behind the seasons (March was very wet, April was cold) and I'd not be surprised if there would be a mini heatwave in May,

I'd add one of the blouses that you show in the second post and a lighter dress. I understand that you run cold, but I think the blazer and trench could be combined if necessary and would sub the puffer jacket with a light pocketable wind and rain proof jacket that you can keep in you bag.

Hope you'll have a fab time!!!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’m not good on capsules but I support Irina’s idea of taking a puffer vest. Adds warmth and it’s easy to pack away if you overheat.

Have a great trip!

Anonymous

Love the dress for the wedding! Looks like a good capsule to me!

Katerina

Veteran

It looks like an excellent travel capsule for this trip! I would bring the extra long sleeve shirts and boots, and also the white jeans (besides the blue ones), but I am a bit of an anxious packer and like to have many choices and things ”just in case”. Lovely dress! Have a wonderful trip!

salt-sea

Absolutely inspiring packing! I like the idea of subbing in a button down or two. As the forecast fills in you can see. I’d bring fewer sweaters and more lightweight shirts, if you’re doing a lot of walking, and since you have good jacket options. But I don’t run cold.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Very exciting! I am in awe of anyone planning and packing a small bag for such a trip.

I detest being cold while traveling, so I’d make sure to have all kinds of warm sub-layers (Uniglo or silk tanks) just in case. They don’t take up much room, are very lightweight, and usually fit just fine under most tops.

I guess this is why I overpack.

Cee

Veteran

Break a leg, kid !

Runcarla

Veteran

Thanks for comments and advice. I will take the boots (wear on the plane) and leave the loafers. Button downs in, and black wool sweater out. Having experienced warm/hot weather in both April and September (past trips) I do want something to cover that eventuality. I don’t own a puffer vest, but think I may need one!

In addition to monitoring weather reports, I’m watching 10 minute YouTube videos of London street style! The videos get uploaded regularly, so I can see how folks deal with the temperatures.

*this weekend I sprayed my footwear with waterproofing! LOL!

kkards

Veteran

I’m a notorious overpacker, so I really don’t have anything to add to your packing capsule. Not sure how you feel about hair hats, the last 3 years have made me a huge fan, that would be the only thing I’d be tempted to say is missing.

Have a great trip!

Women's H2Off Rain Bucket Hat

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rachylou

Veteran

Fun! I would take a skirt and shirt and boots. I’d want a pair of warmer shoes and, lol, a couple of things that can be ‘uptight.’

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You have done a very impressive job of packing for the British climate.This is why we all have alot of clothes over here,it’s never the same twice!l would go for a pair of boots and a long sleeved shirt as well.l hope you enjoy it ,sounds like a great holiday ahead.

Anonymous

Pretty dress! Looking forward to seeing the hat/fascinator that you pick up. Great travel capsule. Vote for adding boots too. Love John Denver “Don’t know when I’ll be back again”/

Rejoiceandbe

If you are looking for a hat and fancy bag for the wedding, I suggest that once you are there you check out local charity shops. Hats are pretty standard wear for weddings (unless it's a Registry office or very informal) . However once the wedding reception is over, noone knows what to do with their hats, so they give them to charity shops.....
I would also check with the bride's family on when she is planning to remove her headdress. In very formal weddings, female guests can't remove their hats until she does. But maybe your event will be less stuffy......enjoy your trip.

Runcarla

Veteran

It was a dark and rainy day, so I spent some time playing in Finds (and trying things on) and created a bunch of ‘Ensembles’ with the 25 items selected for the travel capsule. Taking different bits of advice, I’ve added boots (and edited loafers), added a button down (and edited a sweater), changed out joggers for wide leg trousers, and added a skirt.

If you click on the link, you can see thumbnails of the combinations. There are no exact repeats, though I do wear some items more than once!

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....e=ensemble

A particularly fun ensemble was the black skirt with combat boots and blazer. The skirt can be worn with the dressy flats for a completely different vibe (nice restaurant? Theatre or concert?)

The plan, now, is to monitor the weather forecast for the next 10 days, figure out the hat situation (warmth? Sun?) and tweak as necessary?

Thanks so much for helping

@ Rejoiceandbe - brilliant! I can do some internet sleuthing for charity shops in Richmond and Cambridge! Thanks for the tip on hat protocol.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

The link doesn't work for me, Carla -- it comes up blank!

CarolS

Veteran

Cool idea to share, but the link took me to my own ensembles.

JamC

Veteran

I was able to find your ensembles by clicking on your photo, then ensembles.
Your small collection of items combine into many different outfits for the different weather you will likely encounter in British spring.
I would need a pair of gloves and a knitted headband to cover my ears if wet and windy!
Enjoy your trip!

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