The time when I look at my clothes closet
and wonder how I can simplify my wardrobe.
What can I purge? What should I keep?
I don't need many clothes for my casual retirement lifestyle.
Looking tidy, age appropriate, but not frumpy, are my priorities when it comes to putting an outfit together.
With a couple of trips on the horizon I am looking at pieces that will pack well and be versatile.
My wardrobe is basically black and grey so everything can mix and match...which makes for many more possible outfits with fewer items.
The one thing that I would like to find is a trench style coat, single breasted in a charcoal or black...one that I can add a layer underneath for warmth should the temperatures dip. I have not found one that I like yet...so many are double breasted and they do not work for me at all...far too wide on my short frame.
I plan to hop across the pond to Vancouver to see if Nordstrom's or other shops may have something that will work for me.
In the meantime, I did find a new basic that will travel well...
Bryn Walker swing coat
I like the weight of the fabric and it skims and flatters my curves.
Are you familiar with the brand Bryn Walker?
The pockets are handy!
I like to roll up the sleeves.
I've got some Eileen Fisher basic black pants and one of her black tank tops.
I will add a layer over top...
perhaps my denim tencel shirt worn as a jacket
or this jacket by Bryn Walker.
The other option is a cashmere cardigan or a vest.
I am already thinking of a minimal travel wardrobe
for 3 weeks taking only a carry on.
We travel this fall
fly to Rome
then we will go to
Tuscany
attend a week long cooking vacation
(with daily excursions)
rent a car
drive to Provence
stay in a villa near Aix en Provence
explore the surrounding villages
drive to Auvillar to visit our friends for a few days
hop on the TGV to Paris
where we will spend a couple of days before flying home.
I am already madly "pinning ideas" from Pinterest
that focus on travel and packing.
The planning is so much fun!
I'd forgotten...
it's been several years since my trip to Paris and the South of France
What are your "go to" travel items?
Do you travel with a carry on or do you check your bag?
What would you pack for 3 weeks in a carry on?
I welcome your thoughts and ideas...
Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
41 comments:
I can generally get my clothes in a carryon .the problem comes when adding shoes, toiletries and umbrella etc. Practical coat that you found. I roll up sleeves too. I think it's quite stylish to do that.
Exciting to be thinking of trips abroad! Love the coat.
Eddie Bauer has women's black single breasted trench style coats
I am currently in a packing frenzy myself. I am planning a 4 week trip to South America. The weather will vary - tropical (Iguazu Falls) to frigid (Anarctica) to windy and mountainous (Machu Pichu). I don't think I'll manage it all in a carry on, but am trying to plan as I don't want to be tethered to a ton of luggage. Planning is key. I agree that a limited color palette and layers are key. Your trip sounds amazing. I've never been brave enough to drive anywhere in Europe. It sounds amazing.
I love my Eileen Fisher pieces for travel. And I usually bring several scarves to add interest, and warmth, to my basic pieces. Travel cubes help keep everything organized and add some compression to make a bit of extra room. I bring a soap stick that I can use to remove stains and do some necessary laundry in a hotel sink.
Not clothing related but St Remy and Les Baux are 2 interesting places in Provence. Have a wonderful trip!
Barbour makes a light weight waterproof, breathable, mid length coat. It is part of their comfort care line. They block the wind. I bought 2. One for my son and one for myself. Lately when we have a rain, snow. sleet mix, I wear a fleece underneath and the coat works well. Your vacation wardrobe sounds to perfection. Susan
I am familiar with Bryn Walker. It is a line carried by one of our local department stores here in Dallas, Texas. I have a cotton top that I really like from Bryn Walker. BUT, I have never seen a coat in that line. Of course we have such generally warm weather that we don't need warm coats very often.
Like you, we are planning a trip. It will be about a month long--beginning in Osaka Japan and progressing by ship through some Japanese ports, a far eastern Russian port, crossing the Pacific to Alaska and ending close to you in Vancouver. We hope to pack lightly--even though we need dressier things for dinner on the ship, and layers for variable weather. I'm already planning--several pairs of pants---black, denim, maybe even white---various tops and some sweaters. A vest that is reversible and a wind breaker. This is just the beginning. But I am determined to be well dressed but efficient in my packing.
I am excited for you about your trip to Rome. We love Rome and think you will love it too. We also love Provence. I look forward to your future posts as you prepare for this trip.
I think I need clarification on what you consider "carry on" first. I say this because many people talk about this but when I see all that they are carrying - I truly get confused.
For two weeks in Europe I carry a 20" suitcase (the largest one I own) and while technically I could take this onboard - there is no way that I could lift it into the overhead bin. This is the case that I check. Then I take my tote bag onboard, along with a cross body purse. I see photos of people taking all of this onboard (and often the purse is what I'd call tote size) and calling it "carry on" - at 5'2" and with the narrow aisles on planes I just couldn't manage it.
I know that there is the outside chance of luggage getting lost (hasn't happened yet and I'm 65 and I've been taking planes since I was 3), but that's what my tote is for. I carry a change of undies, socks, a shirt & nightwear, along with my toiletries and makeup so I'm fine for a couple of days at least. The longest I've ever waited for my suitcase is about 20 minutes - not what I'd call unreasonable for a plane carrying hundreds of people.
Since you'll be driving once you arrive I wouldn't restrict yourself too much. This is the chance to take a wee bit extra - like a lovely dress and an extra pair of shoes - items to have for a nice dinner out.
I pack light and rely on mixing and matching - like you I stick to neutrals and rely on a couple of cardigans and scarves for pops of colour. Your wardrobe sounds perfect for travel. The weather could be tricky in the Fall so layers are your best bet. You always look very smart so I don't think you have much to worry about - but enjoy the process - it's all part of the trip.
Sounds like a wonderful trip, can't wait to hear the details of your cooking vacation. Is it with Divina Cucina, by any chance?
J Jill also has some nice travel friendly options that wear well, are comfortable and can be washed in the sink and hung to dry in a pinch. I love the slim wearever pants, it's the closest to being in PJ's, and there's a long cardigan looks great with it and is very versatile.
Happy planning!
Oh yes to Les Baux...fabulous ..
Ali
I’m so excited for you. I think we will be in the South of France a bit later in the year. Looking forward to hearing more about your plans.
Ali
I wear the heavier items on the plane...only 2 pairs of shoes and minimal toiletries. The trench coat needs to be versatile and look good...still hunting.
I am excited to be going abroad...I was so sad after my mom passed away that I thought that I may never travel again...the sadness has lifted and I am ready to go!
Will look at them ....thank you!
Oh my you will need a variety of clothing...maybe not a carry on!
Happy holidays to you!
Can I just say that I love everything Eileen Fisher?
The soap stick is a great tip! I have a couple of packing cubes and roll my clothes in y carry on...I will wear one scarf and perhaps buy one or two? :-))
St Remy YES!!
Will check out Les Baux...
XO
Our waether has been fairly mild but I walked this morning with a friend at Butchart Gardens and there was a lot of ice...I think I will include a vest as a layering piece under a coat.
Your trip sounds exciting!
Hope you have a delightful trip. Keep us in the loop and please share some pictures.
I cannot remember the exact Air France measurements for their carry on guides but it is also weight restricted...and it must fit into the overhead compartments.
I have a Longchamps tote that I keep as my personal item...not a lot of room for extras. Just try to keep the important things safe...passport, tickets, itinerary etc..
The cooking vacation is in Groseto...
Oliver is the chef and he has a restaurant in London.
We do not have a JJill here in Canada but I will lokk at their online shop.
Planning is so much fun! Thank you.
If you are there in October....we must plan to meet up!!!
We need to plan a meet up so we can chat...maybe we can find a date in February before we both get busy in our gardens?
When I went to France in 2015 for a week. I checked a bag that I shared with my teen daughter. We had to pull our jeans out and put in our carryon tote as they added too much weight for the Air France restrictions. I purposely packed bubble wrap and washi tape, so I could create space going over for bringing souvenirs back. I read that tip somewhere & thought it was fabulous. We brought back Hermes macarons for the family to enjoy, scarves, and candy. We had a lovely time in Nice, Monaco, and Paris. Definitely measure your luggage as some companies like United changed their sizes even for a personal bag last June. Their measurements included wheels. Grrr.
YES!!! but how about 2 or 3? ;~)
I've done three month's travel using just a weekend bag, so consider myself a bit of an expert. I always start with the shoes - scope out your activities and then work out the absolute minimum of footwear, which will hopefully be two pairs. Wear the heavier pair on the plane and pack the light pair.
Once you've decided on footwear, the clothing follows more easily. If you wear separates you need three bottom halves, and then a mixture of tops that will go with them. A good way to work out how much you need is to make sure you leave all the clothes you wear over a set period on a chair in your bedroom. You'll probably find that with repeat wearings you don't actually wear a great number of garments over a couple of weeks.
You mentioned perhaps buying a couple of scarves: you can always buy other stuff too...toiletries etc, so if your miniature size stuff runs out it's not an issue.
I'm sure you'll manage beautifully and will have a wonderful time.
Oh how exciting to read of your travel plans, and the coat is lovely. We are also planning our next trip and might just miss you - we will be in the south of France on a tour in September, then will fly on to Ottawa to see our daughter, plus hopefully some Autumn leaves. I am already thinking through the wardrobe options too, covering two different climates over about 5-6 weeks. I agree with the last commenter who suggests starting with shoes, something I often do. Then I work in threes - 3 x tees, 3 x long sleeves, etc. Lots of neutrals, and a shot of colour, different each trip, planned to mix and match with them. Looking forward to reading about your plans.
It's fun to be planning for a trip. We are going to Europe this summer - to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, for 3 weeks. I always go with a carry on. My method is 2-3 pairs of shoes (one pair is often hiking sandals and very lightweight), and no more than 15 articles of clothing. I learned that from the old Vivienne Files on yahoo and copied it out and saved it. Underthings, scarves, and accessories are extras.
Planning is half the fun, don't you think?
I did 17 days in Paris with carryon sized luggage. I always check my bag because I can't easily reach the overhead compartment and I travel solo. I follow Janice Riggs and choose my neutral and a couple of accent colours. I only take 2 pairs of shoes, no hair dryer and limited product. I've got a blue linen Bryn Walker duster coat. They sell Bryn Walker at a shop in the Netshed at Granville Island. I would love to find a single breasted trench coat. My London Fog must be 8+ years old. Will you be travelling in late autumn or early?
I'd commented but not sure where it is. I know that brand and love it. Great jacket. I learned how to pack because I was an overpacked for years, lugging big heavy suitcases around, and only wearing a few things - usually the things on the top of the open suitcase. I don't tire of wearing the same things when traveling or really even in daily life - I love a good uniform. I think you'll love your trip and I did a cooking trip in Tuscany with my mom years ago.
Perhaps! They don’t take up much room in a carry on!
I will check the sizes of the carry on...mine is very small and I plan to wear the heaviest items on the plane.
I only plan to take 2 pairs of shoes...2 pants, one skirt a dress and a couple of tops. I need a sweater and a vest plus the raincoat. It’s going to be fun!
Your travel plans sound like fun and that’s a good long time. Enjoy your holidays!
Planning IS such fun. Your trip sounds fabulous. Janice at Vivienne Files and Susan at une femme are so knowledgeable when it comes to packing.
I hope we both can find that flattering single breasted trench style coat. They are so versatile and classic.
I see the comment this morning. Not sure where the other one went?
My closet has been pared down so much since retiring and I love the ease of getting dressed. I don’t need many outfits and like you I am content wearing the same things regularly. Simple and comfortable items that mix and match work well.
Try Marks and Spencer online for the trench coat. Bought a taupe and a black one a year or so back. They came in regular and petite for my dinosaur length arms!...Gonzales beach cottage
Have you heard of Tom Bihn bags and the community forums over there? I have had one of their backpacks since 2012 (the Synapse 19) and another messenger style bag (the Parental Unit) since 2014 and they have served me so very well. I “one bag it” on most of my trips. The forums are super helpful for packing lists and getting ideas!
I do love Eileen Fisher capsule wardrobes and I add a couple silk scarves to mix up the black and white looks. I also limit myself to one pair of chic but comfortable shoes plus a pair of simple ballet flats for evening events. Limiting the shoes helps to keep myself to just one bag!
Last spring I found a London Fog trnch in black that I like. Has a good which I was glad to have on multiple occasions while traveling when surprise or light rain. Sturdy fabric, lots of buttons, pockets button close, knee length. Found in black. When it's chilly bout I can wear down vest as first layer.
Autospell typos sorry. I really like the hood on trench coat.
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