The Summer Wanderer Series: Packing Advice for Warm-Weather Travel, Part 2
In Part 1 of the Summer Wanderer Series I shared some practical advice on how to choose a wardrobe for summer travel. Now it’s time to test my theories and see how well these pieces work. Below is about a month’s worth of outfits built from the items I chose; each is (loosely) inspired by a European city.
A few overall reflections: I think these outfits demonstrate the versatility of my fictional travel wardrobe, but there are definitely things I could’ve done better. I should’ve packed belts and a black bag (some outfits reflect these additions). I could’ve also used some black sandals and maybe a few more/different scarves. Still, thumbs up to the wardrobe workhorses: the navy skirt, black skinny jeans, grey tee, cobalt trousers, and brown tote and sandals. While it gets a little boring to see the same bag and shoes show up over and over again, I think it’s a realistic reflection of a limited wardrobe and proves how crucial it is to pack good accessories.
Also crucial– not packing things you really don’t need. A few days before I’m set to leave for a trip I lay out every item I’ve chosen and create possible combinations. Any piece that doesn’t go into at least three outfits suffers the cruel fate of rejection. In my virtual culling process I realized I probably wouldn’t use some of my “just for fun” pieces, especially the pink and gold skirt and some of the sequin pieces. If I were packing for real, they’d be out of the game, and I’d put in the aforementioned bag and shoes in their place. More accessories=new ways to wear dresses, which exponentially increases outfit options and work well for day to night looks.
What would you have packed if you were wandering Europe this summer? Which outfits are your favorites? Any you particularly don’t like? Share your advice!!
I think I love them all! My favorite is probably Positano, or maybe Marsailles. I like the ones with the red and blue. And I’m so impressed that you made all these outfits!!! I can’t wait to use them for planning.
This is perfect! I love all the outfits, but especially Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Berlin. I guess I’m oriented to Northern Europe, eh? Can’t wait to copy these exact outfits. Is that plagarism? Nah!
Definitely not plagiarism!
I have to say, none of those clothes fit my lifestyle (though I do really like Ulysses. And maybe I could get away with the cardigan.) You should do one for Trinidad.
That’s v tricksey of you…
And that’s very creepy of you!
I love love love that navy skirt! Can you tell me where it’s from?
It’s form Desire Clothing (www.desireclothing.co.uk) but I think it’s sold out. Bummer!
This is the closet thing I was able to find after a quick search. Not as cool, I think, but similar.
http://www.target.com/p/The-Webster-at-Target-Jacquard-Eyelit-Skirt-Navy/-/A-13976140#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage
Thanks Emily! That’s great!
I adore all these outfits! They’re completely amazing, and show how easy it is to mix and match. I love the girl ones the most, especially Amalfi Coast, Venice, and Vienna. And Cannes! I love the day to night look there.
I love this! Great ideas! My faves are Paris, Rome, London, Athens, and Munich (but without the boots – don’t think I could pull those off!). Also – I really like the Cannes outfit with the day/night option! Wish I had more exciting summer travel plans and some funds for a new wardrobe!
I think my favorites are Athens, Cannes, Venices and Rome. At least for this time…..I am sure if I look at it again I will like even more of them, like Kelli, except the boots….don’t think I could pull those off either.
Thank you for such great ideas……now to dream about those places to go.
Please, woman, you could rock those boots like nobody’s business!
I am so bad at packing for trips because I hate planning outfits ahead of time. I dress based on my mood, so it’s hard to plan for my whims. You did a great job here, though. Jealous of your superior skills!
Why thank you! Word on the mood issue! That’s why I usually take neutrals as my base and then some pops of color and mad accessories. That was I can stay calm or go wild, depending on the day.
I can’t decide which I like more the casual, girl-next-door looks or the more glamorous ones. I think my favorites are both so I’ll go with Rome/Paris and Marseilles/Salzburg. Oh and Gibraltar! That one is so classic and cool.
I only brought one scarf! Argh! What was I thinking? Going to Rome tomorrow, so I will have to stock up. In typical European fashion, the weather has changed from 90 during the day to 59, windy, and cloudy—which while quite cold makes everything a whole different kind of gorgeous. I’m saving this page open offline to pore over when we get back to our apartment, which has no Internet.
Scarves! They’re always the key! Lucky you, getting to acquire more awesomeness in Rome. So many co-Emily memories from there. “It’s beautiful! What is it?” Bring me back all the beautiful things you see, please! And thanks!
I LOVE THEM ALL! Please come to my house and dress me. I’ll even give you a clothes budget if it means you’ll make me outfits like all of these. I love all the yellows, blue, and the bit of pink. So gorgeous.
Love these sets! Cardiff might be my favorite! My last longer trip, during which I was dependent on just a backpack, held lots o’ basic tees, bottoms, and 2 simple dresses. Brought statement necklaces to try and feel a bit stylish, but—I’ll admit—I kind of wish I had done better at stylin’ it up (eh, no worries. Norway & Scotland were still pretty darn rockin’ ;-D). Think I’ll have a carry-on suitcase this summer, so hoping for some basics and quite a few day dresses I can wear multiple times…and lots of jewelry, since it barely takes up any space. We’ll see how it goes!
You’re going to rock it and I’m going to be jealous.
Since I’m basically in love with your fashion sense and any outfit that has a book as an accessory, I wanted to emerge from creepy-lurker status (after following your blog for a while, thanks to links from both Tanya and the other Emily, and having just repinned just about everything you put on Pinterest). I’m overjoyed that you’re back from your travels and posting regularly again. Keep up the nerdy style tips. We grad students need you (and scarves, and that navy skirt, and red Toms…..).
Thank you darling! The stuff is so great!!
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Em! I’ve been catching up on my blog reading and reading your travel guides were like finding candy in my dashboard. Seriously, these are awesome! I have to ask, since you featured the red Toms shoes a couple times, are those really comfortable? I just got a gift card to Toms and haven’t ever owned a pair, and was wondering what to use my card on …
Also: as much as I loved your traipsing-through-a-field header, I really like the font and typewriter in your new one!
I seriously wish I had this ENTIRE wardrobe. I don’t think the reuse of shoes and bags is monotonous; in fact, a versatile bag is one of my favorite things, and I would only ever carry one purse if I could.
I love it all! My fav is that black and white tank. Where is that from? There is also something about the backpack that just makes me happy.
You are genius!!!!