James Perse stretch canvas surplus pants | still gone from the site…
Splendid layering top
Lululemon cardigan
No6 Clog wedges (mid-wedge) | I’m selling my size 38, hardly worn
Admonish leather tote bag
This is it…I made it! 🙂
A few fashion-y, packing observations:
- One pair of shoes is enough for 5-6 days in Atlanta in February. I did wear my clogs a little yesterday and today, but I didn’t need to have them, and they took up a lot of room in my carry-on suitcase
- My sister’s new puppy tore holes in both my James Perse and Splendid leggings while I was here. My mom stitched them up for me, and they’re wearable, but they won’t last very long like that. I did go to target a couple of times while I was here and thought I should grab a pair of leggings, but I didn’t. Oh well. It’s nobody’s fault but mine – maybe I should rethink the need for $70 leggings? Yes, and no. I have a few pairs of black leggings from Target but I didn’t bring them because I’d rather have my favorites with me. Also, the James Perse leggings are the ONLY pair I own that actually fit me perfectly and are the right length for my short inseam. So, I do own cheaper leggings that I would otherwise wear in a situation like being around a puppy, but I didn’t bring them. What’s the lesson? I don’t know…but I’m not giving up on my James Perse leggings.
- A good scarf/shawl is indispensable. I almost didn’t bring my Virginia Johnson shawl in favor of my Lululemon rulu circle scarf (sold out) to have something darker and smaller (and washable), but I’m glad I did end up bringing it. It’s perfect as a blanket, as a scarf, as a shawl, as a pillow…whatever. My shawl is 5-6 years old and has been more than worth the $195 I paid for it (here’s a great pattern on sale now for $97). I never travel without it.
I’ll deconstruct more later, and I wanted to do a video of what’s in my tote while I was here, but I never got around to it. All in all, I’m okay with how I packed and what I brought. I wonder (again – always) why I worry so much about it. About everything, really. But that’s for later!
Happy Monday!!!
I always travel with something soft to wrap around me. It’s kinda like an adult security blanket, only mine is cashmere. Sorry to hear about the holey leggings. I’ve had animals destroy clothes before. Maybe sis could help pay for replacements? Just a thought. Sounds like you had a great trip, and I’m sure that you’re happy to be heading home!
So glad you made it through the week! I’d be pretty upset about the holey leggings. I, too, am torn between travelling with things I love (that might be more delicate and expensive and higher maintenance) and things that are more durable and washable and disposable. Always a fine balancing act. Glad you picked up a few pointers for the next trip. I’m always trying to perfect my packing list. It’s hard to cover every eventuality, including puppy accidents! Have a great trip back.
RJS, I’m with you on the cashmere travel wrap. The one I always take me with me is the CZ Falconer cashmere poncho. I twist it lengthwise and wear as a scarf when it’s not a poncho. I’ve even worn it as a skirt in an emergency. Very handy.
Laurel, I just checked the poncho out online and it’s lovely. It’s on my shopping list, thanks! I like discovering new cashmere wraps. Your styling suggestion, of wearing it as a skirt made me smile.
Gretchen, just a suggestion, Pure Jill (french terry — love it in black and dark charcoal, of course : ) at J.Jill and Starfish (cotton plus spandex) at Landsend for both leggings and their slim leg pants, really nice. Landsend also have a very nice French Terry pant, but at the moment only in plus sizes. And if you can combine sales plus a 30% off promotion (they do come around often), you’re set. My favorite for wearing at home, but also for casual wear and travel. Also like some of the Wearever at J.Jill.
I ALWAYS carry a giant scarf with me whenever I travel. Like you say they double up as a blanket/shawl/pillow… It’s almost like a comfort blanket for me now – I feel lost without one! Shame about the leggings, but I think you made the right decision taking them. I always think it’s a shame to keep your fave items for ‘best’ in case they get damaged.
thanks luna! i’ll check out j jill, although i’m not sure where there’s one here. i walked through one in austin a few times and was quite impressed with a lot of their basics.
ok. now i need one of those. but please explain how you wear it as a skirt???
this is why i don’t wear the things i love as often as i should…because i’m afraid they’ll get ruined and then i won’t be ABLE to wear them. or not wear them as it were…it’s sort of silly though. unless i’m going somewhere i KNOW i’m going to get very dirty or scraped up, or whatever, i should WEAR the things i love.
anyway, the holes are sewn up, so no one can tell but me. which is also something i should try and get over: the need to replace things as soon as they show any sign of wear. i didn’t used to be so picky about that. after all, we buy things now with holes already in them…i should embrace the holes 🙂
Keep in mind that this was a skirt emergency. 🙂 I was staying at my in-laws near Vancouver, and it was a warm, sunny day, which rarely happens there so I only had long pants with me. I was sitting on the deck and my legs were burning up. So, I put on a belt, took the CZ Falconer cashmere poncho, wrapped it width-wise around my waist, and draped one layer on the outside of the belt and one layer on the inside so the belt was holding up the “skirt”. (This is the same trick that you can do with infinity scarves; American Apparel used to have videos on its site showing how to do this. I did that successfully with an AA scarf in Rome and I wore it out and about as a skirt.) The hole part of the poncho gets hidden around my waist. No one else saw me, and I doubt I’d have gone into town looking like that, but it did the trick in a pinch.
thanks niki – i agree, and i keep way too many things around just to have them and never wear. that’s a terrible waste. of course it’s a waste too when they get ruined, but that doesn’t happen very often, really.
haha! i don’t think i’ve ever had a skirt emergency 😉
so brilliant though, i do love multi-tasking items of clothing. i had a reversible skirt once (one side was silk, the other cotton) and i loved it, but never wore it “reversed” LOL
I meant to say, I find these run a bit large (size 10, but size Small for the above). Also, the fabrics are very similar to E. Fisher’s, stretch viscose jersey==J.Jill Wearever, french terry==french terry, ponte==ponte.
I love the pants. Do you know if these will be available again?
i don’t know..i will try to find out though. you could call the dallas JP store and ask if they still have any in stock: 214 379 2144 – they’re the stretch canvas pant, ask for simone and ask her about the pants grechen bought. if you find anything out, lmk! i’ll also do some reconnaissance on my end…