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My sister and BIL left for London on Monday for five days. Each took a huge checked bag. BIL wore a sports coat and carried his overcoat. Mostly dressy clothes. OK, they were going to the theater, but I just don't understand the need to have tons of dressy clothes. Even if I were going out to a fancy place for dinner every night, one nice outfit would work for five nights. (Knowing me it would include black jeans, a black sweater and a couple of scarves.) I just don't understand the need to dress up when traveling. Who are you going to impress? No one will ever see you again. Now, if it's an event where I'll be with the same folks for a week and going to a variety of social events, that's very different, but just vacation? I don't get it.
I've stayed in the nicest hotels in the world, eaten in the nicest restaurants and I get really good service. Probably because I'm a nice person. It's certainly not because I'm dressed like I have a lot of money.
And for the hiking boots--no I would never wear then on the airplane. Too uncomfortable. I like to have shoes I can slip on and off. Of course most of the time when I'm taking my hiking boots (California is the general exception), I'm on an overseas flight. Last time Ethiopia, before that Bhutan.
I always find I've packed stuff I don't wear, so I'm constantly trying to cut down.
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K. "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,700
Quote:
Originally Posted by manneca
.... .I just don't understand the need to dress up when traveling. Who are you going to impress? No one will ever see you again. Now, if it's an event where I'll be with the same folks for a week and going to a variety of social events, that's very different, but just vacation? I don't get it.
I've stayed in the nicest hotels in the world, eaten in the nicest restaurants and I get really good service. Probably because I'm a nice person. It's certainly not because I'm dressed like I have a lot of money...
Have to agree completely. I've been treated well as a walk-in at a Michelin 2 star when dressed in jeans and a nylon jacket.
On the other hand, I go to a lot of FT DOs and many of us regulars recognize each other's travel wardrobes since we all tend to pack the same travel clothes time after time. Clothes last forever if you only wear them a when away from home once a month or so.
but I just don't understand the need to have tons of dressy clothes. Even if I were going out to a fancy place for dinner every night, one nice outfit would work for five nights. (Knowing me it would include black jeans, a black sweater and a couple of scarves.) I just don't understand the need to dress up when traveling. Who are you going to impress? No one will ever see you again.
I dress up for the pleasure of it. I'm not trying to impress anyone, I'm not picking up men, I'm enjoying my leisure travel in a way that is pleasurable to me. I like looking my best, I enjoy wearing nice clothes when they suit the occasion. Some venues - theaters, certain restaurants or events - deserve the respect of dressing appropriately, and so do the other patrons.
My mother, when she saw someone in jeans in a nice restaurant/theater/church, would always say "Were they born in barn? Do they work on a farm?" I'll admit I kinda feel the same way; when I see someone in jeans in a nice restaurant I think they are showing contempt for both place and the people around them.
Programs: CO 1K (or whatever it will be called), HH Gold
Posts: 2,080
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDTraveler
I dress up for the pleasure of it. I'm not trying to impress anyone, I'm not picking up men, I'm enjoying my leisure travel in a way that is pleasurable to me. I like looking my best, I enjoy wearing nice clothes when they suit the occasion. Some venues - theaters, certain restaurants or events - deserve the respect of dressing appropriately, and so do the other patrons.
My mother, when she saw someone in jeans in a nice restaurant/theater/church, would always say "Were they born in barn? Do they work on a farm?" I'll admit I kinda feel the same way; when I see someone in jeans in a nice restaurant I think they are showing contempt for both place and the people around them.
Actually, I was born in a barn. Grew up on a farm. If it pleases you, then do it. I don't particularly like to get dressed up. I will on occasion, but usually, not. I don't get how I dress shows contempt for anyone. And when I'm traveling, I don't want to give anyone the impression I'm wealthy. (I never want to give anyone the impression I'm wealthy.) I don't want to take the risk of being a target for a mugger. I don't wear my Habitat for Humanity T shirts to a restaurant--it's a nice, plain ladies T shirt or sweater, but it's jeans and a T shirt none the less.
I must say that much of my travel is in the developing world, so standards are a bit different (tho I do try to get to Europe once a year).
Actually, I was born in a barn. Grew up on a farm. If it pleases you, then do it. I don't particularly like to get dressed up. I will on occasion, but usually, not. I don't get how I dress shows contempt for anyone.
When one goes to a formal restaurant, part of what one is paying for is a certain ambiance, a certain standard. If you don't understand that jeans are not what others want to see when they pay for formal dining, then nothing anyone else says will ever open your eyes.
As for your remark "If it pleases you, then do it." - that's the typical justification I hear for selfishness and a lack of consideration for others, most frequently from someone shouting into their cell phone in a public place - "But I want to make this call right now!" so the rest of us have to listen to it.
Dress however you like, but understand that others will form the basis of their opinion of you on how you dress.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CDTraveler
Quote:
Originally Posted by manneca
Actually, I was born in a barn. Grew up on a farm. If it pleases you, then do it. I don't particularly like to get dressed up. I will on occasion, but usually, not. I don't get how I dress shows contempt for anyone.
When one goes to a formal restaurant, part of what one is paying for is a certain ambiance, a certain standard. If you don't understand that jeans are not what others want to see when they pay for formal dining, then nothing anyone else says will ever open your eyes.
As for your remark "If it pleases you, then do it." - that's the typical justification I hear for selfishness and a lack of consideration for others, most frequently from someone shouting into their cell phone in a public place - "But I want to make this call right now!" so the rest of us have to listen to it.
Dress however you like, but understand that others will form the basis of their opinion of you on how you dress.
Or not. As the case may be. I have gone to the Met Opera for instance wearing jeans on some occasions and a tux on others. But it is based on my mood. I have enough problems of my own without worrying about those of others. Either what I think of their clothes or what they think of mine.
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Before this gets too off topic, "packing lightly" and "dressing inappropriately" are not necessarily related -- as many folks have mentioned further up in this string, it's quite possible to multipurpose a core set of clothes and dress them up or down when deemed necessary.
In my world, those same black pants and DKNY cozy that kept me warm and comfortable on the plane for 10 hours can still be very appropriate when re-arranged and paired with some kick-... shoes and cool chunky jewlery.
And for what it's worth, I think some people can look awesome and appropriately dressed in jeans, even in more formal settings, while others can "overdo" to the point of being distracting (I'm thinking too much make-up, too much boob job, too many outlandish prints, etc.)
But really, why should any stranger care about my opinion anyway?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GloverParker
Before this gets too off topic, "packing lightly" and "dressing inappropriately" are not necessarily related -- as many folks have mentioned further up in this string, it's quite possible to multipurpose a core set of clothes and dress them up or down when deemed necessary.
In my world, those same black pants and DKNY cozy that kept me warm and comfortable on the plane for 10 hours can still be very appropriate when re-arranged and paired with some kick-... shoes and cool chunky jewlery.
And for what it's worth, I think some people can look awesome and appropriately dressed in jeans, even in more formal settings, while others can "overdo" to the point of being distracting (I'm thinking too much make-up, too much boob job, too many outlandish prints, etc.)
But really, why should any stranger care about my opinion anyway?
I agree with all of what you are saying here. Clever thinking is the key to packing light. And skill in folding. I did a RTW earlier this year carrying a B&R rolling cabin bag and a briefcase (Red Oxx metro). And I had to pack dress clothes (suit) since the trip included a dinner at a US Ambassadors residence. But often you can make for a good appearance for any occasion with a flexible mix of items.
Before this gets too off topic, "packing lightly" and "dressing inappropriately" are not necessarily related -- as many folks have mentioned further up in this string...
Or, maybe they are. I always take my thongs and bow ties on international trips (I switch to either my own or airline slippers inflight and leave them onboard). Often when wearing either (or both) people have commented they are inappropriate. But, both "pack lightly". If you're wondering what type of thong I'm referring to, see here: http://www.louisvuitton.com/au/flash...uctId=YRPT3PAG .
Location: DCA's home, AA hubs and spokes are where you'll usually find me
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BowTieGuy
Or, maybe they are. I always take my thongs and bow ties on international trips (I switch to either my own or airline slippers inflight and leave them onboard). Often when wearing either (or both) people have commented they are inappropriate. But, both "pack lightly". If you're wondering what type of thong I'm referring to, see here: http://www.louisvuitton.com/au/flash...uctId=YRPT3PAG .
BowTieGuy, your location gave you away -- I lived in Sydney for five years so I understood it in the first read!
Or, maybe they are. I always take my thongs and bow ties on international trips (I switch to either my own or airline slippers inflight and leave them onboard). Often when wearing either (or both) people have commented they are inappropriate. But, both "pack lightly". If you're wondering what type of thong I'm referring to, see here: http://www.louisvuitton.com/au/flash...uctId=YRPT3PAG .
Oh, BowTieGuy, please tell me that your thongs are shoes and not underwear
Oh, BowTieGuy, please tell me that your thongs are shoes and not underwear
They're called flip-flops in the U.S. no?
I have just returned from a costume party (it's about 12.50am here = early morning). I was Maximus Decimus Meridius aka Crowe from the Gladiator movie. The costume was awesome, although I was a bit underwhelming...
The point is, that super-stomach shield I wore for about 6 hours was about as unpleasant as the the t-back (thong) I once wore!
. I received the other type as a present once; very uncomfortable. Needless to say I prefer thongs on my feet 
.
