City Holiday capsule packing

by Kay
(Cardiff UK)

QUESTION

What to take on holiday if you're a Petite Hourglass and only have limited space.

We are going to Washington, Philidelphia and New York in the summer with washing available in the first two but not in the third where we'll be for a week.

It is a city holiday, seeing the sights, shopping, musemums and lots of eating out.(I am Winter Cool and have had my colours done)

ANSWER

Hi Kay

Although wonderful places to visit, you'll be experiencing the height of Summer heat at around 28°C to 32°C (83°F to 90°F). You’ll also find quite high humidity and a risk of thunderstorms.

You know your body shape so make sure you flatter your silhouette whatever your take. Check out how to dress for your individual shape if you have any figure challenges to cope with.

You'll need the lightest of Summer clothing with a small umbrella – maybe even some rain protection.

Obviously you'll need to feel and look smart for a City Holiday so whatever your shape, my advice would be to stick to neutrals as much as possible so that you can ring the changes.

Ok let's go with the minimum! As you are a Cool Winter, choose either black or navy as your base neutral.

If you're a trouser girl stick to this dark neutral for your bottom half, city length shorts, wide legged trousers to keep cool, or jeans if you're more comfortable. Black or navy will cope with smudges of travel better than anything else and keep the eye high on your body.

Then you can fit in several easy care cool tops – white or ivory, or some of your lovely bright tones - they will take up very little space. Shirt styles in cotton mixtures will be more comfortable than closer fitting jersey type tee-shirts.

If you're a dress girl you'll find it easier to pack, probably keep cooler and have no problems with mixing and matching. Look for fabrics that will pack well of course - plain colors are more versatile but you may find that prints for daytime look fresher for longer.

The one thing that's most useful is a lightweight jacket to top everything off. If you can find one in ecru or a natural color (linen mix looks good) it will top every outfit and bring everything together smartly. I’ve had one for years that is 67% polyester and linen mix, it never creases and washes like a dream.

I'm quite impressed with the range Next is offering this year and it's certainly worth a look. They have a couple of light jackets and some very versatile and keenly priced linen-mix dresses. Many of them have good reviews about packing well and being quite crease resistant.

You'll also find some good ideas for color co-ordination with black or navy.

For evening the minimum will be one smart dress, perhaps black again or any solid color. Teamed with your jacket and a pretty scarf you’re fit to go anywhere.

As in any city, cotton underwear will be your best friend and of course ‘comfortable’ footwear. The minimum will be sandals or flats for sight-seeing and, for the evening a pair of evening sandals and a clutch bag.

Don’t forget sunglasses and a few extra accessories: a couple of scarves, easy to wear jewellery etc.

You will cope with far less than you initially think you need but you can add to the basics according to space – do check out How to pack a Holiday Wardrobe for more generalized advice.

Have a great time!

best regards

Pamela