Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[prepster]

I agree it is totally liberating! I have done two week cruises with carry on! Somehow the weather issue is getting to me. I was going to bring my hooded rain jacket, but I really think it is too heavy. It was beyond perfect for Ireland last year, but it was so much cooler there. I have a GAP white nylon little jacket with a built in hood that I picked up eons ago and have never worn. I am thinking this may be the way to go. It gives a little protection without the weight and space in the carry on. I am also taking a white cotton denim jacket and if that gets wet, it gets wet lol! Everything I am taking will dry easily. If i thought it was really going to pour, I would take my yellow rain slip on shoes. They were very useful in Ireland.

That sounds like a good plan!

I wear the same thing on the plane every trip: Dark jeans, low waterproof leather paddock boots from Ariat, a fitted long-sleeve cotton tee in black or white, a black blazer and a v-neck cashmere or cotton sweater tied around my shoulders. On the plane I fold my jacket on top of my carry-on in the overhead, (or the flight attendant hangs it up if I fly Business) and put on my sweater. I pack a lightweight packable short trench and mini umbrella in my backpack.

The carry on gets three white shirts which I send to the hotel laundry to clean/press as needed, another pair of jeans, black leggings, a pencil skirt, and a pair of black crepe palazzo pants. A silk blouse, H scarf, a few assorted tees and undergarments and I can easily go two weeks (or more), and am able to dress for any occasion from casual to the opera. For jewelry I take CZ studs, gold hoops and a long rope of Majorica pearls. I take a pair of running shoes, a pair of dressy but comfortable sandals or pumps, and another pair of flats for walking. I sometimes wash my own undergarments, but I do use the hotel laundry as needed for everything else, and for me it is worth it.

 

[etoupebirkin]

I have a long trip coming up that has a cruise as the lion's share of it. The cruise has a dress code and I have collected lovely pieces for it. I do not think I can fit into a carry on bag. My dilemma is what bag to bring. I have a nylon, cross body bag that's great for the day time. BUT I recently got a dream H bag which would be great, but I'm leery of bringing it, for fear it would be stolen. It's not easily replaceable, more so than normal for Hermes. I do have a cross body Bottega Veneta that I might bring.

And then there's my bands, rollers and other exercise stuff. So, I'm not traveling light.

 

[prepster]

I have a long trip coming up that has a cruise as the lion's share of it. The cruise has a dress code and I have collected lovely pieces for it. I do not think I can fit into a carry on bag. My dilemma is what bag to bring. I have a nylon, cross body bag that's great for the day time. BUT I recently got a dream H bag which would be great, but I'm leery of bringing it, for fear it would be stolen. It's not easily replaceable, more so than normal for Hermes. I do have a cross body Bottega Veneta that I might bring.

And then there's my bands, rollers and other exercise stuff. So, I'm not traveling light.

I never take anything that is irreplaceable, but I suppose that is a philosophy. To me traveling light and feeling free on a vacation is my priority. But I have friends that would feel very out-of-sorts without a selection of bags, their jewels and half of their closet. It seems like over time we all kind of work out how we're most comfortable. A friend came to visit me many years ago and did not just bring a few cotton balls for removing makeup, she packed the entire glass jar of cotton balls from her bathroom counter. She would never in a gazillion years attempt to travel light.

 

[gracekelly]

That sounds like a good plan!

I wear the same thing on the plane every trip: Dark jeans, low waterproof leather paddock boots from Ariat, a fitted long-sleeve cotton tee in black or white, a black blazer and a v-neck cashmere sweater tied around my shoulders. On the plane I fold my jacket on top of my carry on in the overhead, (or the flight attendant hangs it up if I fly Business) and put on my sweater. I pack a lightweight packable short trench and mini umbrella in my backpack.

The carry on gets three white shirts which I send to the hotel laundry to clean/press as needed, another pair of jeans, black leggings, a pencil skirt, and a pair of black lightweight wool crepe palazzo pants. A silk blouse, H scarf, a few assorted tees and undergarments and I can easily go two weeks (or more), and am able to dress for any occasion from casual to the opera. For jewelry I take CZ studs, gold hoops and a long rope of Majorica pearls. I take a pair of running shoes, a pair of dressy but comfortable sandals or pumps, and another pair of flats for walking. I sometimes wash my own undergarments, but I do use the hotel laundry as needed for everything else, and for me it is worth it.

Wow You are really good! I do some of the same things. Carry on in the overhead and the tote under the seat. If I take a decent bag it is small and in the tote along with make-up, liquids, travel docs. etc. Nylon crossbody day bag is packed and taken out at the hotel. I tend to need something to put the umbrella, water, tissues etc in. Blouse, black jeans, cotton jacket and slip on leather sneaker shoe for the plane. I usually take a black cashmere cardie, but I am so sick of doing that since I will be wearing a casual cotton denim jacket. . Not sure if I am taking an iPad this trip and may just use my phone to connect to the internet where there is free WiFi. I revisited the GAP jacket and it is definitely the one to take for rain. If anything goes to the laundry it will be something of DH and even then I hesitate since we are moving around so much. I launder my things in the sink. I should pare down to just one scarf instead of two. Taking one shawl. I am packing a black cotton blazer as it is unlined, flat and light. One pair of nice pants, and some more casual poly track pants that are pretty cute and a pair of white pants. Assorted color blouses which are all washable. One pair of Superga sneakers and one pair of Chanel slingback flats. I think that is it! Socks! No shoes in many places so you need socks.

Edit: This is DH"s mantra about not taking expensive things. He doesn't want us to worry about STUFF!

@etoupebirkin leave the exercise stuff home. There are gyms at hotels and on the ship. You will be going around so much, that will be your exercise.

 

[gracekelly]

I have a long trip coming up that has a cruise as the lion's share of it. The cruise has a dress code and I have collected lovely pieces for it. I do not think I can fit into a carry on bag. My dilemma is what bag to bring. I have a nylon, cross body bag that's great for the day time. BUT I recently got a dream H bag which would be great, but I'm leery of bringing it, for fear it would be stolen. It's not easily replaceable, more so than normal for Hermes. I do have a cross body Bottega Veneta that I might bring.

And then there's my bands, rollers and other exercise stuff. So, I'm not traveling light.

I have schlepped a Kelly with me on my last three trips. It wasn't worth it for me. If I go to a city like NYC or Chicago etc, then I definitely take a super nice bag. When touring around you don't need it during the day and you are just pulling it out for a few hours at night. It isn't worth it. I like to stay under the radar when traveling out of the country I use a black nylon bag similar to yours and it is non branded and holds a lot..

 

[eagle1002us]

I am a big proponent of traveling light. I've been all over the world and I never check a bag and have developed a uniform of sorts for travel. I use a wheeled carry on for the overhead and a backpack for my "personal item" under the seat. It holds my iPad, chargers, toiletry bag, Bose noise-canceling headphones, socks, wallet and ticket, etc. At my destination I never carry a bag. It gets stuffed into the hotel safe or locked in my suitcase and left in the room. Passport, cash, cards and a couple of bandaids go into a zipped nylon pouch that loops on my belt and is tucked into my waistband, not to be seen and next to my body. I love the freedom, I'm never a target for pickpockets or purse snatchers, and I have SO much more energy for miles of walking if I'm not lugging a bag. Just the thought of something hanging on my shoulder or arm all day makes me tired. I put a lipstick in my pocket and sometimes a small, thin comb if it is windy. My sunglasses go on my face or on top of my head. That's it. Easy-peasy.

Wow. You have this down to a science. You are a model for us all. I really should use a backpack.I never do.

 

[eagle1002us]

I have a long trip coming up that has a cruise as the lion's share of it. The cruise has a dress code and I have collected lovely pieces for it. I do not think I can fit into a carry on bag. My dilemma is what bag to bring. I have a nylon, cross body bag that's great for the day time. BUT I recently got a dream H bag which would be great, but I'm leery of bringing it, for fear it would be stolen. It's not easily replaceable, more so than normal for Hermes. I do have a cross body Bottega Veneta that I might bring.

And then there's my bands, rollers and other exercise stuff. So, I'm not traveling light.

EB, do you mind my asking what the dream H bag is?

 

[Genie27]

My lightest trip was two weeks with a lightly packed duffel +backpack - total weight 18lbs. I took a flat handbag for evening, packed a fleece and rain shell that layered together for the mountains, flights, bus rides, torrential rain, plus a stole/shawl and lulu lemon dance pants. One pair each of flats, sneakers and sandals. I did wash clothes every few days. A couple of crease free dresses, swimsuits, sunglasses and a compact towel for impromptu waterfall swims. And safety kit.

I've also done 3-outfits per day/no laundry whatsoever trips, and I think I could get used to those.

 

[chaneljewel]

I definitely need to learn how to pack lightly from some of you. A couple of times when I made myself do it, I discovered that I didn't need all the extra stuff I usually pack. It actually wasn't so confusing either.

 

[chicinthecity777]

It is hot and humid in Japan and moving around a bit for 2 weeks. My DH doesn't want to check any bags so we are trying to do this with two Rimowa carry-ons and a couple of soft tote bags. Since I have filled either of them yet, I don't know how successful I will be. I would like to leave some room for purchases.

Japan for 2 weeks! I am so jealous! I know most people go to Japan in the Spring for the cherry blossom but I much prefer Asia in the Autumns. Although I have never been to Japan but one of my best uni friends lived there for a few years until last year.
I think you have got a lot of very good advice already! I must confess that for a 2-week trip, I would prefer a check-in luggage. But if you must, I suggest wear the bulkiest things on the flight if possible. I would bring a cross body bag for sight-seeing. e.g. my Massai cut with long strap. Or better still, go to Muji when you arrive and get one of them superb light weight travel bags (cross body or others). If there are any dressier occasions planned, then I would pack my Jige. It's easier if you are moving around because repeated outfits won't be too much of a problem. I would plan 3-4 outfits and repeat.
Enjoy your trip and report back to us how it all goes!

 

[Genie27]

I love muji for travel stuff - I use their silnylon packing cubes to sort and organize my outfits.

When I did my 18lb trip I used space saver bags to compact everything- it worked beautifully. But I sorted by type - all socks in one pouch, undies in another, tops in a third etc. It was a pain to open 6 pouches to get dressed in the morning. Now I pack complete outfits together and have a separate pouch for extras. Much faster getting dressed because I have already matched my top to the appropriate underpinning.

 

[prepster]

Wow. You have this down to a science. You are a model for us all. I really should use a backpack.I never do.

I had an older version of the Louis Vuitton Montsouris backpack that I carried for 16 years, which was lightweight, held a ton of stuff, and really took a beating. I am looking for a replacement now but have not found anything yet. I did look at a nice backpack recently at Bally, but didn't buy it.

I love muji for travel stuff - I use their silnylon packing cubes to sort and organize my outfits.

When I did my 18lb trip I used space saver bags to compact everything- it worked beautifully. But I sorted by type - all socks in one pouch, undies in another, tops in a third etc. It was a pain to open 6 pouches to get dressed in the morning. Now I pack complete outfits together and have a separate pouch for extras. Much faster getting dressed because I have already matched my top to the appropriate underpinning.

Great idea!

 

[prepster]

When I was in Italy a while back I really was in the mood in the evening for something easy, maxi, sexy, and swishy. Something with long sleeves in a wrinkle-free knit with a low V neck or maybe off the shoulder, that I could just pull on with sandals to go to dinner. Every so often I see something close from Halston Heritage, but so far nothing just right.

 

[Mindi B]

Love all these great packing tips! I am what the kids today call an "EMO" dresser, meaning I like to be able to dress according to mood (at least to a small degree) as well as climate and activity. So if it's a city getaway, I'm likely to bring too much, just in case I have an unexpected sartorial "feel." On the other hand, I've managed to pack in a 7kg duffle for a trip to Singapore and a similarly-sized duffel for two weeks in Africa, so when the chips are down I can do it! I agree that it is no fun to feel weighed down by one's stuff, literally or psychologically, when on vacay.
Since I need options (unlike the admirable Genie, there is no way I could plan every outfit in advance), I try to pack so pretty much every item can be paired with pretty much any other item, and in layers, to allow me to "build" my OOTD. But I do bring a selection of good jewelry, because frankly my at-home lifestyle doesn't allow me to wear it much, so by golly Ima gonna swan about a bit on holiday!

 

[chicinthecity777]

My problem is always toiletry and skin care products! They take half of the space in one of my carry-ons and all of them are under 100ml to comply to airport rules! No matter how much I take out, I still always end up with too much "essentials". *sigh*