Travel capsule (UK in May!) - YouLookFab Forum

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Travel capsule (UK in May!)

Runcarla

Veteran

Attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is an inspirational goal I’ve had for as long as I’ve been a gardener - and this year I have tickets! DH and I have booked a 2 week trip to the UK. Once there, we will be travelling by train, and have already booked accommodations in a National Trust apartment in Birmingham for part of our stay! Activities will be urban adventures for the most part, with day trips by train to places of interest, and possibly a mini-bus tour or two. Lots of walking. Geographically, we will be in the West Midlands and Thames River Valley area, with London at the end.

Below is my first try at a travel capsule.

#1
5 long sleeve t-shirts
2 sleeveless tanks
2 light weight sweaters
1 long sleeve button down
white cropped jeans
dark straight jeans
red pleated skirt
jean jacket
red trench raincoat

#2
Lepliage navy tote
red leather cross body
silk scarf
white loafers
red converse
Travel outfit: navy striped button down, OTF 7/8 pants, light weight gold puffer, pashmina, black converse.

Not shown - the support acts of undies, socks, PJ’s, etc.

DH is packing his collapsible umbrella, but I’m looking for a red or navy bucket hat to use as a sun/rain hat. I’m also keeping my eyes open for a packable (mesh?) dress with a large floral pattern - for the garden show!

What do you think? Am I missing anything? Temps high 18degC/low 10degC per historical averages.

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Ledonna N.

MsMaven

Veteran

Oh lucky you! I swoon with envy. I've wanted to go to the flower show ever since I first heard about it decades ago.

We did our own flower/garden tour of England & Wales about 20 years ago, but it was a month or two later in the year. Who knows what to expect these days, but I've always needed a lightweight coat/jacket in London no matter what time of year.

Looks like you have everything pretty well covered. What will you wear on your feet if it rains? I hope you find just the right dress for the show.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Wow! I am a bit jealous too. Maybe one day. I will say I have been lucky enough to have had 6 trips to England in my life, and always love to visit National Trust properties and gardens. They used to have a fab garden map for the whole country.
Re the clothes, my impression is always that the UK is colder than one expects! And rainy!

Runcarla

Veteran

LOL! @ Jenni - I’ve been to the UK 3 times for a month each time (April, September, and mid July to mid August) and all 3 times it was warmer than expected and the only items unused was our rain gear! I’m not going to tempt fate, so would bring my red rain coat!

@msmaven - nothing special for rain, but would wear the rubber bottom sneakers - same as I do at home on rainy days.

notsaf

Veteran

Haha, Carla: yes please bring the lovely weather with you when you come visit!

nemosmom

Veteran

This looks like a great capsule, Carla! How will your feet fare for two weeks of heavy walking in cons?

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Your capsule looks great,very colourful but practical ,just right for a trip to the UK.Do bring your raincoat because that will guarantee a heatwave and we could do with one!You will love Chelsea,l have been many times and it’s always a joy and has usually been warm and sunny so I will keep my fingers crossed for you.Thats made me think a squashable sun hat would be a useful addition to your packing .

Runcarla

Veteran

@nemosmom - I have inserts for ALL my shoes, (arch support and gel cushioning). I’ve lost all the padding on my feet, it seems, in the last 5 years. I’ve actually gone down a half size in shoes! Super feet and Air Plus inserts save the day. I’m sure I’ll have barking dogs, however, because that’s always the way on a vacation like this!

@cardiffgirl - that’s wishful thinking!

CarolS

Veteran

Sounds like a wonderful trip, and it's a great capsule. I envy your ability to make Converse work -- they are so cute. It looks like you have the bases covered.

Glory

Veteran

I think you’ve done a great job building this capsule. I’m always worried about being warm enough but I think you have that covered with shirt, light sweater and rain coat which can all be layered. I’m excited to hear the trip report!

SW prof

I love your capsule - colorful but not overboard.

I've spent significant portions of my life in SE England, so I thought I knew what to expect in terms of weather, but on a visit last June I ended up buying a quilted raincoat: the light rain jacket + fleece that I had brought with me was not sufficient. When I got home afterwards, I bought the hat shown below in Finds in preparation for our return to the UK this summer. It seems quite effective against rain and squashes down small.

ANGELA & WILLIAM Foldable Water Repellent Quilted Rain Hat w/Adjustable Drawstring, Bucket Cap

View Info

Top Pick

3

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FABULOUS. Gorgeous palette and fun outfits.

Watch the weather. May can be anything in the UK

slim cat

Veteran

Great collection. The only extra comes to mind is sweater/cardigan: light cashmere, cotton/wool blend or fleece. I get cold in windy/cloudy places more easily. Great colors - pack like a pro!

Jane

Veteran

It will be a lovely trip and it sounds very well planned. I think you have a lovely capsule wardrobe. Beautifully pulled together. In May, it is the early mornings and evenings that are cool to me - so anything before 9am and then after 5pm. Definitely good to have your puffer and trench. Maybe I am thinking that perhaps you might need something more on your legs beneath your puffy - would you wear tights under your jeans at a push. I might be a little bit concerned that your ankles might not be warm enough? A floral dress for the flower show would be fab!

rachylou

Veteran

Somewhere along the way I promised myself never to go to England without a wool sweater and wool socks...

Bijou

Veteran

Carla I visited the UK in June and at the last minute put into my case a sweater and trench coat. These ended up being my most worn items and I was so glad to have them.

Sisi

Veteran

Beautiful capsule. Agree with Angie - check the weather forecast. Personally, as someone who runs *very* cold, I would not venture to Northern Europe in May without a pair of booties and a wollen sweater ...

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think you should consider a striped shirt

RobinF

Veteran

Sounds like a fun trip! Hubby and I are considering a week in London this fall. Love your capsule, all the stripes! Agree with the others about making sure you are warm enough and what if the cons get wet? Will you have alternatives?

Joy

Veteran

How about some silk long underwear separates from someplace like LLBean or Lands End? They pack very small but can be a valuable base layer if you need a bit more warmth. I also use them to sleep in, if needed.
Take enough footwear that the wet ones have time to dry out between wears.

Anonymous

Looks like a good capsule to me! You definitely need something floral though

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I'm from around there! I'd echo what the others are saying about checking the weather, but don't trust it too much - it's wise to bring both a sunhat & an umbrella! Possibly sunglasses, too? With the sleeveless tank tops, you may want a cardigan or big shawl to wear over the top (on the days where a coat may be too heavy but it's still too chilly to have completely bare arms).

Have fun & smell all the flowers for me!

Helena

Veteran

Double up on socks quantities in case of cold or wet feet! I'm going for a short hop to Ireland mid-May and will be referring back to this list!

Runcarla

Veteran

@TG - Ireland is out of this world amazing!

karen13

Veteran

I am favoriting this for inspiration for my one bag 3+ week trips! Great looking ensemble. Sounds like an amazing adventure to look forward to.

Would it be possible to find a matching mesh print top and skirt for a two piece dress? That is on my summer travel search list. Also second the sun hat. I might also toss in a warm beanie and water resistant gloves, in case your weather good luck streak breaks. Of course those can be purchased locally if needed.

Bee

Wow, that sounds like such an amazing adventure! I've been to London in September and in December, and both times were much warmer than expected. My only suggestion would be swapping one of the Converse pairs to a more weatherproof sneaker that would be rain-resistant in case it's rather wet, though if that works for you at home, there's no reason it won't work in the UK! Enjoy the trip!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I cannot wait for the pictures.