What would you pack for 6 weeks beachside plus a side road trip? (ETA travel capsule photo and list) - YouLookFab Forum

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What would you pack for 6 weeks beachside plus a side road trip? (ETA travel capsule photo and list)

Jen W

I think I might be the luckiest person alive and I'm headed to Cape Cod for 6 weeks mid-June through the end of July with my 2 young boys to renovate a cottage and hang out with my cousins and their kids. I'm normally a minimalist when it comes to packing (it all usually fits in an everyday sort of backpack), but the idea of packing for renovating, shopping for furniture, heading down to the assessor's office, kayaking, beach time, kids' activities, 4th of July celebrations, and evening cookouts has me flummoxed. Throw in a day trip to Martha's Vineyard, Fenway, the MFA, a date night or two in MA, and then a drive down through DC to the space museum, and finally Nashville to visit the in-laws before flying back to the Bay Area, and I am stumped. Please help me solve my blessing of a dilemma! What would you bring? How much?

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Jen W

Greenjeans

Veteran

Lucky indeed! The Cape is beautiful and you're going at the absolute perfect time of year for it. Here's a start . . .

2 bathing suits (one to wear while the other drip dries)
Windbreaker
Hat
Sunnies
A week's worth of tees (to wear in town and for covering up on the beach, you may need more than one per day)
Beach shoes (sandals/flipflops)
Sneakers (or other comfy walking shoes)
A dressier sandal/shoe (for nights out)
Skirt
A sundress or two
Shorts
Long pants
Sweater

Helen11

Veteran

Lucky you! Travelling with kids requires regular access to a washing machine, imho. (Though that may just be my kids) So I always need less than I pack, and do washing all the time.
A couple of sets of renovating clothes (for painting etc) would be handy. You could always leave them behind if they get too stained etc.
I think Laura's list is a good one.
have a great time!

Anonymous

Agree Laura has a good list. One I may use for a future road trip. I would add to keep colors cohesive to maximize mixing of outfits, plus a dominant neutral color - easier to match shoes that way too. For me, nothing too high of a heel or too dressy, since your trip sounds pretty casual and I often find my dressy outfit doesn't get good play on a trip like that. Have fun!

lisaflex

Veteran

lucky you!!!

we are heading to the vineyard in august!

the vineyard is lots of walking so bring comfy shoes. a must! a sweatshirt and a raincoat too.

Chris987

Veteran

Lucky indeed!! Agree with all the suggestions so far....

It can get chilly on the MA coast in the evening even at that time of year so be sure you have a warm sweatshirt/sweater or two...and for me I always include some lightweight socks to wear with sneakers ets.

For Fenway the same stuff you wear on the Cape should be fine...depending on the weather....and you can always buy a Red Sox T or hat along with your hotdogs and ice cream......

For date night the sundress/skirt ought to be dressy enough. A lot of the restaurants you would lean toward as a visitor with kids will be super casual.

If you haven't seen it, check out Angie's 4 week trip capsule from about a year ago. She went to Europe and spent a lot of the time in cities, so you'd need to adjust, but it could give you some ideas.

http://youlookfab.com/2015/06/.....week-trip/

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I think it could still be chilly on the Cape in June. I recommend more than one sweater and also a rain jacket.

Jen W

Thanks so much for the ideas ladies! This seems much less overwhelming with your help.
Laura, your list is very helpful. I was feeling overwhelmed, but this made it seem very manageable. Great list!
Helen11, kids make a washing machine for travel a must for me too. I think your idea of stained renovation clothing that could be disposed of is fantastic!
lisaflex, thank you for the raincoat reminder. I always seem to forget that the humidity turns to rain. It will be great for the typical 4pm summer showers in DC as well!
Chris987, the link to Angie's travel capsule is a huge help. Her itinerary was varied too and I think it will guide me beautifully. I'll be studying it carefully!
UmmLila, sage advice. Thank you! A few sweaters and a raincoat are added to the list!

rachylou

Veteran

This is very informative! An east coast packing list!

Aquamarine

Veteran

I'd bring a topper for your sundress/sleeveless dress. A simple jean jacket would work, for example. It can get chilly on the Cape at night.

kkards

Veteran

So.....last year it was 70 degrees on July 4 in Boston.....(it was actually the same temp on July 4 as it was on Christmas eve), so my #1 recommend,is to check the weather a few days before you plan to leave. Beyond that, sweatshirts....as even in a normal summer, weather in the early mornings and Late evenings can be quite cool., and it can be breezy on the beach. (IMO, sweatshirts are more beach friendly than sweaters, but a sweater will be nice for day trips to Boston or dinner). I'd bring multiple hats as I find that after one week at the beach, between the sunscreen and the sand, they start to get gross, and need to be washed.

Jen W

I agree, rachylou! Fabulous to have the collective wisdom of so many fabbers to help with these kinds of dilemmas.
Aquamarine, adding a sundress topper to my list now!
kkards, great advice on both sweatshirts and washable hats. I forget how hats get with sunscreen.

I'm trying to put a visual together from my wardrobe, based on all this wisdom. I'll post it when I get it together. I wouldn't have thought to bring half of these items. As much as I like to travel light, I'm grateful for the larger packing list so I can be well prepared to enjoy the moment. Thank you!

anne

Veteran

If you don't actually have to pack light, I'd definitely go for more rather than less for 6 weeks. I have learnt this from experience! (not from a 6 week trip, but on a recent trip I could easily have packed more and would have appreciated it)

Jen W

You have a good point anne. There is no need to pack light, it's just my habit. The responses here been helpful since I don't know what a moderate amount would look like. But I will check luggage since I'm traveling with my guys solo while my husband drives our beloved border collie/black lab mix across country. She is too big to fly in the cabin and 6+ weeks is too long to be without her. There are lots of opportunities to bring a few extra things along.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Enjoy your trip-planning, Jen!

One more thought . . . When in beach-mode I've gotten a lot of mileage out of the oversized button-down (preferably linen) shirt. Can work as a coverup on the beach, as something of a jacket over a tee, or as slightly dressier but still comfy/casual alternative to a tee.

The Longer Length Linen Shirt

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rabbit

Veteran

Seconding the oversized button down shirt - I had a chambray one once that got worn constantly as an outer layer near a windy beach, or tied around my waist when it wasn't needed.

I'd pack any necessary gear first, as that's the hardest thing to work around if I find I've accidentally left it at home. Sounds like a great trip!

Chris987

Veteran

One other suggestion...if there are any thrift stores near where you'll be doing your reno work, you could skip bringing clothes for that and get some thrifted items that you leave behind when you are done. If you are REALLY organized you could wash and re-donate back to the same place before you head home

JAileen

Veteran

So jealous - we've had to go to Texas twice recently for family issues. Why couldn't my MIL have lived on Cape Cod instead? I'll be thinking of you splashing in the water when I have to go back again. Have a wonderful time!

Jen W

What a fantastic idea, Laura! I have several linen shirts and will play around with the colors of the travel capsule slowly coming together to pick one to come along. Thank you rabbit, I may take a chambray as well. They seem to fill many needs while traveling!

Chris987, that is a really wonderful idea. I've been scouting thrift shops for furnishings but hadn't thought to check for reno clothing. Love the idea of donating them back for someone else to enjoy.

JAileen, thank you for the warm wishes! The cottage came about when my extended family was together in November for the funeral of a beloved uncle and we decided to spend time closer to the remainder of that generation. I hope that your family issues manifest a little magic somehow.

Jen W

Thank you for the advice! I've consolidated everyone's wisdom and come up with a sample capsule for the trip. I think it covers all of the activities I've got planned, but if you see duplicates or a hole, please comment. This is a big travel wardrobe for me!

I added an additional pair of shoes because my plantar fasciitis flares up when I'm on the go for long days. The second pair of jeans I've cut off into crops. The Gibson cutout yoke tee is on it's way to me after Angie's post today. If it works out it will be for date nights paired with the crops and the bomber or Hinge jacket.

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Cindy Wyden

Member

The ladies have given you a list of things to pack but I would add an extra important thing and that is sunscreen, especially for your young boys. Even if the sun there isn't that strong (unlike in Australia where I live) but still there are sun rays which would damage your skin.

Chris987

Veteran

Love your capsule!

Would suggest you add a hat of some kind...

I am going to steal it for a long weekend in Maine I have planned for early June. I'll need to modify for slightly cooler temps (no one except super diehards would consider swimming in the ocean in Maine in early June) and fewer activities but this is a perfect starting point. Thanks!

Jen W

So glad the list and everyone's ideas could be helpful to someone else, Chris987. Maine is gorgeous in June, but definitely chilly for swimming. I have 2 hats on a shopping list after kkards recommended multiples due to how hats get with sand and sunscreen. I have an XL head so no luck yet. I will bring a baseball cap, but hope to find something that covers more skin as well. I hope you also have a fantastic trip!

Cindy Wyden, I felt like you must have know my kids! They are translucent for much of the year and sunscreen was the first thing I bought for the house when I signed contracts in March. Thank you of thinking of my boys!