WIW - My trip to Montreal - YouLookFab Forum

On the last week of Sept, I went to Montreal for a week, for meetings and a conference. And because I know there are a ton of people on here as obsessed with packing capsules as I am, I thought I'd share what I took. I did NOT EVEN TRY to do this in a carry on.

This is a tough one, packing wise. A very varying itinerary, with meetings, conference, walking around, evening socializing, formal banquet, receptions, and dinner with a couple of friends. Not to mention the temperatures for the first couple of days were in the high 20's, and then dropped to high teens.

I tried to base everything on white, black, navy and cobalt. I didn't get photos of everything, but I do have the stylebook collage!

1. To travel. I then shed the jacket to meet a friend for the afternoon, which turned into drinks and dinner.
2. Saturday morning meeting, then lunch.
3. Saturday night dinner with an old friend, at a swanky restaurant.
4. Sunday afternoon bus tour of Montreal. Really the only down time in the whole week.
6. Sunday night opening reception
5. Monday conference all day.
6. Monday night event, followed by dinner
7. Tuesday conference all day
8-9. Tuesday night... lots of walking between venues, to receptions hosted by various companies.
10. Wed conference all day.
11. Wed night banquet
12. Travel home. OK, this looks awful in this pic. Pretty sure it wasn't so unflattering in person!

Conclusions... I did take too much, but I was happy to have a variety of options, based on what I "felt" like, and the weather, the temp in the conference center, etc. I was also glad to have so many shoe options, because I ended up with a blister on one heel from walking too much on Friday, and another big blister on the ball of my foot from walking too much some other night, so I was very glad to have some flexibility. Some outfits I'd planned on had to be swapped out because of footware (last year I sprained my ankle on day one so also had to make some
adjustments to outfits based on wearing sneakers to my conference... so
this year taking some dressy flats only made sense!!) . Next time I'll take one less pair of shoes, a couple less tees (not all got worn) and maybe one less top to go out in the evening in.

Any thoughts on anything... styling, packing, whatever, are welcome!

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11 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Sounds like a complicated week, outfit-wise, but you made it work. I personally have never been sorry to have too many shoes on a trip. If my feet are happy, I am happy.

Suz

(website)

Well, you know I vote with my feet -- and I always vote for extra shoes! If you can carry them, it pays to carry them. Especially for city trips.

You had a great-looking capsule and it seems as if it served you really well. Those VC tube skirts make great transitional weather travel pieces; I've brought mine on work trips where there will be some "out in the evening" stuff, also.

And you are doing Danier proud with your leather jackets!

CocoLion

Looks like the boyfriend jeans and the striped skirt got lots of wear … taking notes for my next trip! I think the way your hair works with the striped skirt is just brilliant, so #11 gets my top vote.

I don't think it hurts to take extra tees. They roll up easily and don't take much space. Plus if you're me, you'll spill coffee on them so having extras makes sense!

jackiec

Fantastic travel capsule, Elizabeth! It's nice to have options when you're away, and a little bit of choice to wear what feels right that day. Love it all.

Elizabeth P

Thanks Jackie, Suz, Denise and Aquamarine. I knew you guys would understand my need for shoes!

It was actually interesting "building" this capsule... because I KNEW I was taking too much, however the things I did take, gave me tons of options for casual/business casual as well as warm/cool weather. It was as if as soon as I let a coupple of pieces go, my options reduced themselves considerably. It was more building a WARDROBE capsule than a packing one. But that is what this conference is like...

Meredith

Someday I will pack like this. Well done.

Karie

You had a lot of different activities and it sounds like you packed well for them. It's hard to pack when you have so may different things going on. Well done!

Firecracker (Sharan)

You did a great job, Elizabeth! I love those striped skirt outfits on you--super fab. And I love #6 for the opening reception--that jacket is gorgeous.
If you wanted to pack lighter at all, you could try three toppers. I could see you working these outfits with the black leather, the white, and the lace jacket, for instance. I don't think having extra tees is a bad idea; as Denise says, it's good to have a backup or two in case of spills or even just a change of heart about what is appropriate for the many occasions you faced! Multiple shoes are crucial, too, for exactly the reason you pointed out--blisters will happen!

Jaime

Great capsule and I like the colors you chose on you very much. Definitely agree that comfortable shoes are the most important thing when traveling!

Sveta

If you suitcase room allow it is always better to have extra choices than not having enough. I think you built a great capsule and I echo Suz - you did Danier proud!
BTW did any goodies find way home with you from Montreal?

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