Need help with wardrobe for London August 2017
Jul 18, 2017, 4:26 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,731
I guess I'm confused about what we're looking for in bags 
My my about-town bags when I travel, I tend to use a somewhat larger crossbody nylon bag - I have a couple le sportsac hobos, pacsafe citysafe 200, and a smaller ebags (I don't use that much - it's pretty small - could use around town locally) If we're doing something like a picnic, we'll bring the backpack my husband uses as his personal item on the plane, or if I needed more space, I typically use a tote as my personal item on the plane I could re-purpose. My favorite totes for that use are a Timbuk2 version or a sailbag (both lightweight with zippered tops) I have a B&R I'll use for business trips - it has a padded handle and laptop padded space - but it's not really big enough for the other airplane items I want....
I only use the super lightweight for groceries or last minute shopping for the apartment on the way back....
My my about-town bags when I travel, I tend to use a somewhat larger crossbody nylon bag - I have a couple le sportsac hobos, pacsafe citysafe 200, and a smaller ebags (I don't use that much - it's pretty small - could use around town locally) If we're doing something like a picnic, we'll bring the backpack my husband uses as his personal item on the plane, or if I needed more space, I typically use a tote as my personal item on the plane I could re-purpose. My favorite totes for that use are a Timbuk2 version or a sailbag (both lightweight with zippered tops) I have a B&R I'll use for business trips - it has a padded handle and laptop padded space - but it's not really big enough for the other airplane items I want....
I only use the super lightweight for groceries or last minute shopping for the apartment on the way back....
To clarify: I used a very small purse (LeSportsac small Cleo) for important stuff: ID, money, Oyster card, lipstick.
Everything else for a day's outing went in the tote. The tote did not serve as a piece of luggage for me, it arrived in England in a suitcase. Never let it be said I travel light...
Part of the reason for this was a devious plot
to make my companion take equal turns carrying the bag. No more "Mom purse" weighing 20 pounds!
Jul 18, 2017, 6:39 pm
#62
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,415
We usually travel to Europe in cooler temps. My husband has a nice (non-sporty) goretex jacket with oodles of pockets, many internal. I will load him up like a pack mule! But yeah, otherwise I'll carry everything in my bag...but it's usually all my stuff so I guess I can't complain too much.
My favorite is a stainless water bottle full of wine. It can get cold walking around, you know :-)
My favorite is a stainless water bottle full of wine. It can get cold walking around, you know :-)
Jul 18, 2017, 7:14 pm
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLE
Posts: 1,886
I really don't want to buy another tote, so I'll just use my nice B&R Excursion backpack. Very nice and padded shoulder straps and can hold plenty. It's khaki colored, an older model which matches the 25" spinner, but I'm taking the International widebody carryon. The TB looks nice, but maybe another time.
Jul 18, 2017, 8:24 pm
#64
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,731
I really don't want to buy another tote, so I'll just use my nice B&R Excursion backpack. Very nice and padded shoulder straps and can hold plenty. It's khaki colored, an older model which matches the 25" spinner, but I'm taking the International widebody carryon. The TB looks nice, but maybe another time.
(previous trip)Also, my tote was a freebie. It says "See's Candy" on the side.
Jul 18, 2017, 9:18 pm
#65
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
We have some nylon shopping totes (bought at Monoprix for 1E a few years back) that I always travel with for grocery shopping (I use canvas totes for groceries at home) Easy to fit inside my purse or jacket pocket in case we do some impromptu shopping while out & about.
Trip sounds lovely except the temps ;-)
Trip sounds lovely except the temps ;-)
Jul 19, 2017, 3:12 am
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLE
Posts: 1,886
Jul 19, 2017, 7:15 am
#67
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,415
And, you know, explore a new part of France, yadda yadda yadda
Jul 22, 2017, 3:46 pm
#68
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
We only do "useful" souvenirs now (with an occasional Christmas tree ornament) which usually means I'm bringing back food or beauty supplies, but every few months I ask my husband when we can go back to France so I can get some new Monoprix bags
And, you know, explore a new part of France, yadda yadda yadda
And, you know, explore a new part of France, yadda yadda yadda
Aug 10, 2017, 3:38 pm
#70
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,441
Big fan of the commando skort slip. I wear skorts all the time, but the skort slip is the next best thing.
Sep 16, 2017, 6:49 pm
#72
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLE
Posts: 1,886
I want to do a trip report as I have lots of photos but I can't figure how to post photos. As for my clothes, I was spot on. Capris only worn once at Herne Bay Airshow. Otherwise, black trousers and jeans worn. Had a jacket everyday as the temps were variable. Once I went out for the day and became chilly, so I bought a nice jacket. Had my umbrella with me everyday and glad I did. Transport on the Tube was easy. My Helsinki Bag came in handy. Lightweight and held a ton of stuff.
I also shopped at Muji and Uniqlo. I know the clothes, designed in Japan run small but they fit me just fine.
I visited: Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, imperial War Museum, Art museums, Museum of Natural History. Plus lots of shopping and eating; well I managed to lose three pounds I have no idea how. One day I logged over 30,000 steps on my Fitbit. Went to Harrids and bought a few things; souvenirs.
I ate finally at Dishroom, had lots of street food, chicken curry, sushi, etc. I ate a modified full English breakfast. Actually I think I ate a lot of Asian food.
I never made it to Highclere Castle. I became ill from the chicken curry the night before or had a 24 hour bug; who knows?
Muji had organic socks on sale for Ł1, I bought several pairs. They are so soft.
My take? Shoes. I brought Adidas UltraBoost X (black) and Asics DynaFlyte (multicolored). The Adidas has a very good arch support and I didn't need an insert.
Of course I bought way too much stuff and had to buy a duffelbag. When my stash of tea runs out I'll guess I'll make another trip over.
I also shopped at Muji and Uniqlo. I know the clothes, designed in Japan run small but they fit me just fine.
I visited: Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, imperial War Museum, Art museums, Museum of Natural History. Plus lots of shopping and eating; well I managed to lose three pounds I have no idea how. One day I logged over 30,000 steps on my Fitbit. Went to Harrids and bought a few things; souvenirs.
I ate finally at Dishroom, had lots of street food, chicken curry, sushi, etc. I ate a modified full English breakfast. Actually I think I ate a lot of Asian food.
I never made it to Highclere Castle. I became ill from the chicken curry the night before or had a 24 hour bug; who knows?
Muji had organic socks on sale for Ł1, I bought several pairs. They are so soft.
My take? Shoes. I brought Adidas UltraBoost X (black) and Asics DynaFlyte (multicolored). The Adidas has a very good arch support and I didn't need an insert.
Of course I bought way too much stuff and had to buy a duffelbag. When my stash of tea runs out I'll guess I'll make another trip over.
Sep 17, 2017, 7:22 pm
#74
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,731
It sounds as if you had cooler weather than we did. That's a good thing.
