Before embarking on our epic overseas adventure, I shared my tips for planning a travel wardrobe to weather all weathers.
I’m all about fashion from the real world so wanted to share how it actually panned out!
I think I did pretty good! My t-shirts, shorts, jeans and black leggings all got a work out, as did my khaki anorak.
So what here’s what I didn’t wear – the items that languished in my suitcase for a month …
1. Exercise Gear
Although I had the best of intentions, I didn’t actually hit the gym on our cruise ship once. As it turned out, we were just too busy visiting different ports of call – and we got plenty of exercise too, walking around, seeing the sights.
2. Black Long Sleeved Tops
Black long sleeved tops are a great wardrobe basic – so how come these didn’t get an airing in the four weeks I was away?
Turns out the weather was a lot warmer than I was expecting. Even in London, I just didn’t need the extra warmth because even during chilly weather, you are in and out of central heating, at the shops, in museums, on the tube – and I found I overheated quite quickly, so preferred just a t-shirt underneath my layers.
3. Leopard Print Pants
I adore these leopard prints pants which I splashed out on at Sussan last year, and threw them in my suitcase to give me a change from denim or plain black leggings. But I just didn’t need them.
4. Statement Necklaces
I packed three statement necklaces that I would often wear at home; but didn’t even touch two of them. I wore my cruise card on a lanyard around my neck for the two weeks in the Mediterranean, making any necklaces a bit redundant. Oh, and the hubster might have spoiled me with some jewellery for our silver wedding anniversary (a necklace, earrings and a ring, all featuring a garnet, my birth stone). In one way it was a complete surprise; but I wasn’t surprised at all that he did so well, he’s always been a bit of a champion in the gift-giving stakes!
5. Makeup
As I always like to say, the sign of a good holiday is when you don’t bother wearing any makeup. The exceptions were lip gloss or lipstick. I had a feeling this would happen because I’m lazy but packed my makeup kit anyway “just in case”. Who needs makeup when you’ve got that holiday glow going on?!
Which way do you tend to go when packing for holidays – do too many clothes go in your suitcase, or too few? What about makeup and jewellery – yay or nay?!
I need the details of your anorak. Have you shared them before? Every pic of you in it has me wanting it more.
It came from Millers, was $50 but they often have good sales 🙂
Oh this is great!!! I remember when my husband and I were going to Europe I had way over-packed and Mum came round the night before and took out nearly half of my clothes! Turns out it was a good thing, because I really didnt need them all!
The only thing I needed but didn’t take with me, was a sweatshirt – and that was intentional! I knew I wanted to buy a tourist-y one – a navy one from Santorini filled the bill and was perfect for London 🙂
As we are going to Europe in 3 months I have been keenly following your trip from the planning through to what you wore. Whilst I am really excited about the trip the part I am not looking forward to is the packing. I always worry about not having the right things with me, either taking too much or not enough.
I can assure you though that I will definitely be wearing makeup!
You will have a blast! I admire your commitment to wearing makeup … I’m just too lazy esp on holidays!
I wouldn’t of used my exercise gear either. Glad you had a great trip, you are glowing.
Well done! There wasn’t too much.
I had some very warm cardigans and long sleeved tops that languished as it was much warmer than we thought in Europe in April…so warm in fact that I had to shop!
I love that you came home with more jewellery than you left with 🙂
I can totally relate to your story Janet. On my recent cruise to NZ I took so much in the way of clothing that I didn’t wear. As I’m going on the same cruise next year I will be so aware of what NOT to pack which will leave room to buy more 🙂