Postmortem on a Travel Wardrobe

For the first time in recent memory, I spent time planning my wardrobe for travel. And it was fun!

pocket purses that are large enough to hold glasses, phone (for pix), passport and credit card

I made sure that every top had multiple pants to match and the reverse. I also kept checking weather.com, right up until we boarded the plane. I was in denial. I so wanted it to feel like crisp fall weather.

Part of my deception stems from my first trip to Europe in my twenties. I was living in Austin TX where it is hot, hot, hot in June. We went to Germany and it was cold (to me). I layered clothes that should never have been layered. I have traveled overseas quite a bit since that first trip but the idea that Europe was cold stayed with me.

As it happens, the geography and weather in Europe varies. Duh. What is a trip overseas if it is not an opportunity to learn a little geography? I now know that my current home town and Seville Spain are at approximately the same latitude. And we've had a very hot humid summer. In fact it still feels like summer here in the middle of September.

So here is what I wore a lot, rinsing the pieces out over night.

I also wore a pair of white canvas pants a lot but they are still in my laundry.
L to R:
Sewing Workshop MixIt Top in cotton print
Sewing Workshop Urban pants in cotton cross weave (black and white)
Sewing Workshop MixIt top in white shirting
Sewing Workshop Eureka top in cotton pique

Here is what I wore some.

L to R:
Sewing Workshop Ivy tunic in organic cotton knit
Folkwear Egyptian shirt in linen (plus Gaudi scarf, a fun souvenir of the trip)
Sewing Workshop Helix knit pants (2) - one in red, one in black
Sewing Workshop tunic in rough black cotton
Grainline Studio Lark tee in rayon stripe

Here is what I could have left at home.

L to R:
Sewing Workshop tunic in china silk
Sewing Workshop Plaza pants in 4-ply silk
Sewing Workshop Now shirt in cross dyed silk
Sewing Workshop Hudson top in cotton Ikat
Cutting Line Designs Hearts A Flutter shell in 4-ply silk

And here is what I wanted to wear and never did.

Sewing Workshop Soho coat shortened to a jacket.

A raincoat only works if it is (a) raining and (b) cool. It did rain one day but there was no way I was wearing a coat. An umbrella was the only thing that made sense.

My shoe choices worked just great:

Gray Vionic flip-flops, the most comfortable and supportive shoe ever.
Black leather Vionic ballet slippers - great for dinners and other evening activities
Sketchers in cream lace with add'l orthodics - the best for cobble stone streets and standing in museums 

And I was ever so glad that I packed some talc - great for stinky shoes and other spots!

Lesson learned - the weather won't be ideal but it should not get in the way, either. I had a great time!