Someone out there’s going to Northern Ireland, and then over to England. Envy…. sigh….I know a couple of garments that are on the packing list, so I’m going to do some imagining around those few things.
For starters, let’s say that this is the travel outfit in question, and thus our color scheme is set:
Blazer – L.L.Bean; earrings – Wadarat Supasirisuk; pants – J. Crew Factory; watch – Olivia Burton; shirt – Lands’ End; bag – Deux Lux; scarf – Halogen; socks – Banana Republic; loafers – Munro; suitcase – Briggs & Riley
In addition to having a chosen color scheme, I’ve decided to focus on the tile-like pattern of the scarf, as well as the woven detail of the tweed jacket as our focal motif – a woven handbag, square earrings, etc. You’ll see this detail in more pieces of jewelry, as well as the nice squared plaid of the flannel shirt, too!Knowing that it can be cold, wet, windy and changeable in both locations, a nice warm outfit with waterproof boots is essential:
Jacket – Patagonia; earrings – Coomi Silver; wool headgear – Buff; jeans – L.L.Bean; flannel shirt – Uniqlo; black cashmere hoodie – L.L.Bean; waterproof booties – Aquatalia
And although this isn’t at ALL a dressy trip, something sort of nice and pretty is never a bad idea for indoor days – museum, historical houses, churches etc.:
Turtleneck – Uniqlo; socks – Paul Smith; scarf – Missoni; bracelets – Me to We; cardigan – Lands’ End; jeans – L.L.Bean; loafers – Munro
So if my friend only packs these 3 outfits, she’s pretty well set for a brief trip:
In addition to the 3 original outfits, there are more combinations – at least these 4:
However, I wouldn’t travel to Ireland and bet on being able to get laundry done. (if there’s a place on our planet where it is HARD to get laundry dry, it’s Ireland…)
So let’s evaluate everything we have so far, and see where we need to supplement our suitcase:
Gloves are small, and very important…
These are the additions that I’ve chosen to make to our imaginary suitcase:
Tee shirts – L.L.Bean; gloves – Saks Fifth Avenue; sweatshirt – J. Crew; ring – Bavna; earrings – Narinee
So this is NOW the entirety of our travel wardrobe:
Just 3 additional piece of clothing give you at LEAST 6 more outfits. Some time I’m going to sit down and see just how many different combinations are possible…
For the less cold among us, one of the tee shirts could be short-sleeved, or a sweater could be cotton rather than cashmere. But the general idea would still work, and all of the outfits would still come together perfectly.
Ireland…. sigh…
love,
Janice
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Long-sleeved T-shirts are a good option–you can layer if cold and they don't feel stifling if it warms up–compared with a turtleneck. I have some in a fabric that just looks so much dressier than the usual T-shirt jersey. It doesn't wrinkle either. In other words, if you want to be able to dress something up for going out to dinner or down for hiking around town, your fabric choice can really add that versatility.
Could you say more about your LS tees? Source? Fabric? I'd like some of those
Could you say more about your LS tees? Source? Fabric? I'd like some of those
Black Pepper – Australian based but shipping internationally – have nice ls t-shirts with a little satin trim round the relatively high neck. Good quality t-shirt knit and cosy. It's winter in Australia so a good time to get them. http://Www.blackpepper.com.au
Another good option, especially for layers for travelling, is blue illusion. They have lovely clothes, three shops in the USA and also ship there. http://Www.blueillusion.com.us but also check their Aus site for cooler weather options.
Robyn in Tasmania
Love that shade of blue – it just looks so crisp & bright and a few pieces would work well with my existing black and grey pieces and also allow me to add a few more pieces in navy, which I've been contemplating for the Fall. So many decisions to make, so many lovely colour options!
I'm headed to Alaska for 10 days next month and this looks like the perfect start for my cruise/hiking trip. Thanks so much!
Love this combination, and that shade of blue is gorgeous!
Hi Vivienne. I am hoping you can help me with an upcoming trip mid-Sept to mid-Oct. How do I pack for BOTH Iceland (1 week of hiking–puffer coat, hiking pants/boots, warm layers, rain gear) AND Paris (2 weeks of museums, cafes, and fabric shopping) AND leave room on my homebound trip for new purchases? I am flying on Icelandic Air, so am allowed 2 checked bags and a personal carryon item (small backpack so my hands are free to schlep those two bags around). My colors are the same as this post – black, mid-gray, mid-blue (outfits built around jeans in each of those colors, plus my black hiking pants). Thank you for any advice you can give me.
As a family, we traveled to Frankfurt and Paris for 2 weeks and then had a week in Sydney on the way home. Two totally different temperatures. We were able to pack all the required Sydney clothes in one case and left it in storage at Sydney airport. I'd suggest you leave your hiking gear in storage in Paris. There is minimalist packing and layering etc, but specialist gear should not be ignored for your safety.
Thanks for the tip about laundries in Ireland. We've got 4 weeks of travel so I will have to take a few long-sleeved tee-shirts that can probably be worn layered for a few days. Gloves definitely need to go in the bag. Or I could buy a pair in Ireland…I have a couple of tops on my Wishlist at LL Bean. I should probably get them. You have really influenced me to look at LL Bean and House of Fraser online. Their selections are varied and their prices affordable. It's Canadian exchange and duty that holds me back sometimes. Merci.
I learned the hard way to always pack warm gloves, a hat and a scarf when I travel anywhere in Great Britain, especially anywhere more north. They take up just a bit of room, keep me happy and I don't have to use fun time shopping for practical items.
Deb from Vancouver
Neck warmers bought or hand knitted take up a lot less room in luggage than a bulky warm scarf and do the same job of keeping neck warm. Carol S
I have a pair of microfiber gloves that are in the bottom of a pocket in my carry on daypack. They weigh nothing and take up such a tiny amount of space that they have become a permanent fixture. I love this wardrobe (but as usual I would probably try to fit a pair of blue jeans in there somewhere! – nancyo
Janice,
I have missed your posts from the past few days, but I'm now catching up ! I would definitely include both turtlenecks and jewel collared tops for the variable temps in the UK ! I was so very grateful that I had packed a turtleneck for the cold, blustery August day when we visited Stonehenge ! Nice slacks, a long sleeved tee , with scarf, earrings, and a bracelet were perfect for our various hotel dinners, along with a cardigan or blazer.
Just a referral back to the post a few days earlier for the Gustav Klimt post — I, too, am a person who loves color, and am in in agreement with your color selections from that painting, as well as a posts from Amy and Lena, I think, about having 4 accent colors in a 32 piece wardrobe, but using two for a trip, depending on the length of the tripi of course. That's what I love about your site ! You provide something for us all !
This is such a great travel wardrobe! Love the blue! I would need another pair of pants I think,especially if this is a week long or longer trip. I think I will try this packing by outfit approach on my next trip!
Dreaming of a trip to Ireland with the family… This post and one you did a while back as a guest post are in my photo archives for the day I can start planning my packing! First thing on the list to buy is a pair of waterproof boots. I've been trying on different brands and styles as I find them in the stores and have made notes about fit and comfort as well as appearance and pricing. That way I know what I like and what price I will be willing to pay (while watching out for a good sale!). I was disappointed to fall in love with a particular pair only to find out that my size was unavailable AND they have been discontinued. Still searching, but I have time on my side.
Perfect timing for this post as I'll be traveling to Northern Ireland in mid-September with an additional week in Ireland. The last time I was in Ireland was B.J. (before Janice. I overpacked and came home with half a suitcase of unworn clothes. We went in mid October for 2 weeks and the weather alternated between summery warm days where all you needed was a long sleeve T shirt and cardigan or a sweat shirt to my Columbia snow jacket with fleece lining. Combine the temperature swing with wind and the infamous Irish rain and you have to be prepared for just about anything.
My packing list definitely resembles the items you've selected in this post – with the exception of outerwear. I plan on taking an Eddie Bauer quilted lightweight down field coat (also comes in jacket length) that is suitable for spring/fall and roomy enough that I can add a sweater or sweatshirt) plus it has the added bonus of being squishy enough to pack into an extra large Ziplock bag. And I'll also take a mid weight brushed twill anorak that can double as a casual jacket instead of a blazer.
……forgot to add that I would also pack one of my favorite pieces of clothing – a vest – either fleece or down but probably fleece.
Oh, yes! I love traveling with a vest. Perfect for layering. I am always on the lookout for the perfect cut, color, and my most important requirement in outerwear: several zip pockets. – nancyo
Just returned from Norway, Iceland, and Scotland…expect rain at some point in every day. Oddly the weather was about 65 degrees which was not that cold. I didn't need a layer under my rain jacket with hood, which I wore every day. I put it on, took it off and tied it around my waist and put it on again several times a day. My children opted to wear fluffy light weight parkas and take an umbrella, as they are not waterproof. Another family in our group wore fleece, which was good for the temperature, but had a waterproof jacket in their backpack. All combinations worked well for the on and off rain, but not very cold temperatures.London was warmer but again, rainy/sunny in the same day. Note to self: remember the British Museum is always very crowded on a rainy day!(But worth going!!!)
Pretty and practical – my favourite wardrobe words! That blue tiley scarf is calling out to me …
Robyn in Tasmania
Hi, just stumbled on this site yesterday and have been amazed at the great advice. Have already rearranged my wardrobe by colour and realised the accessory gaps that make my wardrobe not work as well as it should!!! I live in Northern Ireland and at this time of year I think the heavy coat wouldn't be necessary. I'd advise taking a lighter rain proof coat (with hood) that could be layered and taken off and put on as the rain showers come and go. I'd also consider one pair of shorts/skirt or light trousers, the sun does shine here (occasionally) in the summer! Looking forward to reading more of the posts, thanks for all of the help.
Great collection but probably wouldn’t take 2 button down tops in the same color. If one were a cardigan it would seem to be more versatile. Love the additional long sleeve T-shirt’s and the blue sweater.