WIW and packed for the UK - YouLookFab Forum

Hi everyone, I haven't been around much here for a bit, and one exciting reason is that DH and I went for a month long trip to the UK (and Rome).
We haven't travelled overseas for ages and it was a big deal. We had a wonderful time and I walked a LOT.

Anyway we've been back for nearly 2 weeks now, and I thought I should write done my dressing thoughts before I forget them.
I took
Warmer weather

1 fitted tank (black)
1 tee - white with black spots
denim shorts
pinstriped black shorts
black sleeveless jersey dress (and cami)
black and white gingham maxi

Cooler weather

straight blue jeans
3 long sleeve tees - white, black and striped
1 lightweight sweater, fuchsia
blue fitted hoodie
denim jacket
black long sleeve tee shirt dress

leggings

Gear

running top and bra
lightweight pink jacket

Outerwear

knee length lightweight black puffer
rain jacket
scarf

Shoes

sandals
running shoes
fashion sneakers
mary jane flats

Observations

I brought my running socks and wore them most days - they were great!! Ordinary socks get too big for my feet
Sandals were barely worn - they were not comfortable for the amount of walking we did
Mary jane flats were barely worn either - though handy for the plane trip back
I was worried my fashion sneakers weren't comfortable enough - but they were.
More warm weather tops would have been good
My denim jacket doesn't layer under outerwear comfortably
I was in Rome in the heatwave, and even in the evening, a maxi skirt was too hot.
A lot of my items were sleeveless, and this isn't so comfortable for wearing a (day) backpack.
My scarf got mixed up with my cross body bag and annoyed me - but came into its own in the Vatican when I needed the shoulder coverage (and I could dip it into water in the heat)
I forgot to pack running shorts, and did 4 parkruns in the english humidity with leggings which wasn't pleasant. Plus it ruined the leggings to wear for bottoms until I could wash them.
My cross body bag was recommended me by a colleague and I loved it - and was only $20 from Uniqlo

Despite these nuances, I was fairly happy with what I had brought.
I'll post this and then try to add some pictures to illustrate.

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1 year ago

Sisi

Veteran

I like all these outfits, they are very nice and adequate to the occasion. You look very chic in # 1! (I immediately recognized where you are ). I also like a lot # 6 - interesting neckline and necklace. Glad to know that you had a great time.

anne

Thanks Sisi, those were probably my two most glamorous pictures of the holiday! (and only two days in Rome, so only most famous spots)
I have added some more from DHs phone. There is an awful lot of me wearing the same jeans and hoodie! It got very grubby. I have ordered another coloured one since I got home.

ChristelJ

Sounds and looks like a super trip. So useful to analyze the packing afterwards. You look prepared and effortlessly cute in the photos. I just love how your hat, necklace, scarf and sunglasses glam up your simple black items. Instant, portable style.

RobinF

Sounds like a great trip! Hard to believe that you needed a puffy coat part of the time but good thing you had it. Bummer your sandals didn't work out.

Dee

Looks like a great trip, with lots of different weather conditions to contend with. Your outfits all look casual yet stylish. Glad most of the items you packed worked out, and some interesting observations discovered for the next trip.

bj1111

You look so great and appropriate for the situation/weather.

Packing for cold and hot must have been challenging—hurrah for success

pirouette

Active Member

Lovely photos glad you had an enjoyable trip. It is really difficult to pack for two types of weather. You look very relaxed in all the pictures. I especially like picture number one you look so stylish.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looks like you had a fab trip and were well prepared! WELL DONE. Happy for you and hubs

Great that your feet were happy! The most important part of what you pack in my book.

You are adorable, Anne.

slim cat

Great trip! Glad most of things worked out - you looked relaxed and happy! Pic #1 as a favorite .

Cardiff girl

Glad that you had such a great trip.Looks like you went from one endoif the weather spectrum to the other between London and Rome.

Suz

Anne, it sounds like a wonderful trip and what a lot of varied conditions you managed to pack for. I love your scarf as shawl with the pretty necklace and hat in Rome, and adore your sneakers and socks looks also! I'm so glad you had an opportunity to travel.

Helena

Excellent, versatile travel capsule. I love those pinks on you!

rachylou

Brilliant observations. You looked really nice! I think I’ll bookmark this, I find this travel wardrobe sensible and good looking!

ps: I’m impressed you went for runs on top of all the walking of a trip!

Sal

What an excellent trip - and some wonderful photos. I agree that sleeveless and backpacks can be a tricky combination - and that travelling really tests out your footwear!!

Did you do the same park run in the UK or a variety of runs?

Carol

You look great in the parka, and that jean jacket/summer pink scarf combo in the last photo is great--I would like to try something like that.

Jaime

What a fun trip and you look great! I love the picture next to the phone booth.

kkards

Sounds like a great trip! Packing for such a diverse trip is so hard, but it looks like you did a good job.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments.

RobinF - the puffer was very light, and probably wouldn't have been necessary if I had a heavier layer underneath - but I wanted something light and scrunchable (and also ok for watching my daughters' soccer games back in the Australian winter) DH has a lightweight puffer he just about lives in - he even wears it to bed sometimes, and he wore it without a sweater, just a long sleeved thickish tee underneath. Also, I feel the cold (Not inside though - almost every place in the UK was very warm. I didn't even have a cover a few nights. And I brought my bedroom slippers and didn't need them most places)

Cardiffgirl - London was reasonably warm so I wore some of the same clothes as in Rome - the cooler pictures were from further north in the UK (PS I did have one afternoon in Wales, and thought of you, though I was nowhere near Cardiff!)

Thanks Angie - yes the feet are super important!

Rachy and Sal - Parkrun "tourism" is quite a big thing! I went to 4 different ones, in Bristol, Liverpool, Penrith and London (Bushy, the original) But usually I run 4 times a week, so cutting down to a single 5km run was quite a cut and I'm still working on getting back up to my normal amount.
I wasn't very fast either - the English summer was quite humid. But speed didn't matter - was just about the experience and the community.

Jaime - the funny thing about the phone picture, was that just around the corner there was another phone and a line of about 30 people waiting to take a picture with it. We hadn't thought to, but when we came across that one with no-one around it seeme like a good opportunity.

Bijou

Brilliant photos and it looks like you packed perfectly for the trip and dealing with all sorts of weather. When doing lots of walking, I like wearing enclosed footwear too, even when the weather is warm. I love how you dressed down your LBD with sneakers in #13.

I have only done the local parkruns (and have retired from running now) but I know a few people who do them where-ever they go. Such a fabulous concept and fun way to get a feel for a new place!!

Sally

Looks like a great trip. My son has just got back from a school trip to the UK. He was playing cricket most of the time but managed to get me a nice t-shirt. I think you managed to find a nice compromise between style and comfort. Feet are really important and even through I find birkenstocks really comfortable I can't wear them for a great length of walking...only sneakers really do. I enjoyed reading your observations as I think they are good points for anyone contemplating a long haul trip. I agree that denim jackets don't go well under outwear...I can't wear them under wool coats even.

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