Susan, you’ve put the perfect words to the crazy feelings of confusion and agitation I feel when packing for a trip to an exotic, new destination; thank you thank you (and for your humor)!! I’m currently packing for two weeks in Japan over Xmas / New Year’s… argh!
I also obsess about packing, but I've developed a system. Pick two colors (I like navy and khaki) and make sure all pieces coordinate within the scheme. Light layers are good for airports and late night outings. Comfort more important than style (NO ONE there is looking at you). Bring old clothes and shoes and leave them along the way so they will get another life and you can buy all those fabulous Indian textiles. Safe travels -- I look forward to your impressions.
Very excited for you about your trip!!I am a terrible packer. I find it hard to imagine weather in the same ways you describe and I always pack "wrong". FYI- shop in India!! Amazing clothes.Seriously great clothes.... I brought very little and shopped there. ( don't wear shorts, only tourists wear shorts in India!) I always brought an empty bag the four times that I've been there. The evenings can be cool. I always bring a lightweight UNICLO down jacket. packs into a ball and is surprisingly cozy. Have a fabulous trip! Looking forward to reading your travel tales!
You captured that feeling of disorientation and bafflement about packing for a trip that I never realized. That's what good writing does! Thank you, and I will remember this on each new trip.
I'm traveling to India in January and just starting the packing musings... which is unusual since I'm usually a last minute packer. Your pink/ navy comment is very helpful (of course pink = navy in India, that makes so much sense) Also, shirt dress obsession may be contagious .
Just returned from a 16-day international vacation where I packed poorly yet again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. The Frank & Eileen RORY Maxi Shirtdress is a versatile staple - I have black linen & recommended it.
this is so good I laughed out loud several times! hope you won't find it cheat-y when I suggest that one of the best uses for ai I've found so far is asking it to pack for very specific travel scenarios, including outfit concepts and limiting items to pack. its pretty good and also highly entertaining -- editing required. and PS COS has some great shirt dresses :).
Ah, I forgot about COS! Ok, going there immediately. I won’t stop until I have the stupid shirt dress! (PS so glad you enjoyed the column.) And I did use AI for itinerary suggestions on another trip and it was quite good. Makes sense that it works well on that sort of request.
I understand you’re stressing about the trip… reminded me that in 1967 my parents took us 4 kids(ages 11 to 17 yrs) on my father’s business trip to Europe for one month… we each had 4 outfits each. Our ‘uniforms.’ It will be fine 😊Safe travels… look forward to hearing/reading all about it! Xo
Susan, you’ve put the perfect words to the crazy feelings of confusion and agitation I feel when packing for a trip to an exotic, new destination; thank you thank you (and for your humor)!! I’m currently packing for two weeks in Japan over Xmas / New Year’s… argh!
I have the exact same response to trying to image what a different temperature in a different place will actually feel like, it’s very confusing
I also obsess about packing, but I've developed a system. Pick two colors (I like navy and khaki) and make sure all pieces coordinate within the scheme. Light layers are good for airports and late night outings. Comfort more important than style (NO ONE there is looking at you). Bring old clothes and shoes and leave them along the way so they will get another life and you can buy all those fabulous Indian textiles. Safe travels -- I look forward to your impressions.
Very excited for you about your trip!!I am a terrible packer. I find it hard to imagine weather in the same ways you describe and I always pack "wrong". FYI- shop in India!! Amazing clothes.Seriously great clothes.... I brought very little and shopped there. ( don't wear shorts, only tourists wear shorts in India!) I always brought an empty bag the four times that I've been there. The evenings can be cool. I always bring a lightweight UNICLO down jacket. packs into a ball and is surprisingly cozy. Have a fabulous trip! Looking forward to reading your travel tales!
Check the humidity,and the air quality.shirt dresses may be exactly what you want. Enjoy the colors.
Lovely read from you this evening, Susan, I'll look forward to reading your next piece, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
Thank you, Karen!
I always take TOO MANY clothes and I'm only going to Chippenham.
You captured that feeling of disorientation and bafflement about packing for a trip that I never realized. That's what good writing does! Thank you, and I will remember this on each new trip.
I'm traveling to India in January and just starting the packing musings... which is unusual since I'm usually a last minute packer. Your pink/ navy comment is very helpful (of course pink = navy in India, that makes so much sense) Also, shirt dress obsession may be contagious .
Speaking of fun clothing stories:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a62227943/ottessa-moshfegh-interview-2024/?utm_source=facebook_ign&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=ign_Remarketing&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMQABHQ3oGbPtq3EeikvpSugf3OxUi97Hyvr8ae1z4ZxkW5ZSQyUxn2tItMtQEQ_aem_pXG_qZbrFWL4TE9kXNhgyA
How cool!
Just returned from a 16-day international vacation where I packed poorly yet again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. The Frank & Eileen RORY Maxi Shirtdress is a versatile staple - I have black linen & recommended it.
I was about to order that and found something very similar and cheaper so grabbed that instead. Black linen seems the way to go.
Hilarious and relatable
this is so good I laughed out loud several times! hope you won't find it cheat-y when I suggest that one of the best uses for ai I've found so far is asking it to pack for very specific travel scenarios, including outfit concepts and limiting items to pack. its pretty good and also highly entertaining -- editing required. and PS COS has some great shirt dresses :).
Ah, I forgot about COS! Ok, going there immediately. I won’t stop until I have the stupid shirt dress! (PS so glad you enjoyed the column.) And I did use AI for itinerary suggestions on another trip and it was quite good. Makes sense that it works well on that sort of request.
This was hilarious! Thanks for the laughs, and safe travels!
I understand you’re stressing about the trip… reminded me that in 1967 my parents took us 4 kids(ages 11 to 17 yrs) on my father’s business trip to Europe for one month… we each had 4 outfits each. Our ‘uniforms.’ It will be fine 😊Safe travels… look forward to hearing/reading all about it! Xo