crewsgirl

I understand the reasoning for the bike shorts, but just too bulky and layered for me. I am really going to try to develop the Europe capsule wardrobe for this cruise in June and pare down how many pieces of clothing I am going to pack. Everything will be worn, and I hope not to waste a lot of space with non necessary items. 

8 minutes ago, Anita Latte said:

I have liked skorts in the past but lately I am bothered by the double layer. I read a while back that skorts are indicative of American modesty Puritan roots. When a French woman knows there’s a chance her undies might show…that’s when she wears her prettiest ones! Lol

LOVE this! I doubt I want my undies showing while I'm touring,.....but hey, I get the sentiment! I like the hidden pockets for cell phone & cash. I think it's part of American sportiness....and fits with the athleisure fitness vibe of the US.  Here's a skort that could be part of a travel capsule

11 hours ago, 57redbird said:

The only pair I like is the blue striped one.....the rest are awful & I wonder if it's the choice of shoes the models have on --- they're not very flattering either...IMO.

The blue striped pair of pants look like they would be crumpled up and a wrinkled mess within 5 minutes of sitting at a restaurant. 

10 hours ago, Wayfairers said:

Love Love Love Skorts!  I usually wear a skort rather than a pair of shorts.  Looks nicer and so comfortable and I think cooler feeling than shorts (which really doesn’t make sense when you think you now have on 2 layers!)

Skorts are the new shorts for me. I can slip on a skort, feel like I am put together nicely, go anywhere and feel so much better than shorts. Plus, lightweight, easy to travel and works with tennis shoes. 

Okay, here's another thought for you ladies. How do we feel about SKORTS for casual wear while traveling/touring in the hot months? 

And these are cropped wide leg pants

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Widest point at which any pair of pants would reasonably be expected to end.  

Well, I haven't seen a pair that look flattering yet.  Those gray capris above are a good example (or bad example?) in that -- in spite of the fact that the model is stick-thin and her top /jacket are quite nice -- the capris just look like a big chunk of oversized fabric.  

 

I am noting that many of these "new" capris are longer than the older styles.  More like ankle-length pants ... do those have a name?  

All of the examples posted above are actually Cropped pants in my book. This is what a pair of capris look like

hmmm, I think one difference is the old ladies are definitely not going to be pairing these cropped pants with tall block heels, and that definitely elevates these pants in all of these examples. They do look very nice on these young ladies, and very fashionable. I will be doing Barcelona in my Hokas, lol! Definitely not as cute. And to be fair, all of these are more cropped pants than capris. Capri length is shorter in my book. 

38 minutes ago, wdw1972 said:

This is solely my opinion, so if others disagree that's 100% fine.  Those wide leg capris - HIDEOUS!  They look horrible on the model with the perfect young body.  They're not going to look any better on us 😉  Capris date you - and scream "old lady".  I'm 64 and gave them up many years ago, and thankfully never wore the wide leg version.  Shorts/skort or ankle-length slacks (preferably not wide leg "old lady" pants) would be my choices.

 

Sue/WDW1972

Ha, ha! I'm with ya, sister! Capris are dated, and wide legs are not helpful at.all. Skorts are really the best option and have replaced all my shorts during the warmer months, such a better option. 

Thought I would share this informative link that details what the stairs look like in the descent mode. This was shared on the Rick Steves Forum, my husband just said, nah, we don't have to do that. lol. 

Tower Stairs Descent Video

Love Eileen Fisher, doubt I will be baring any midriff for a tie shirt, but I love those pants. I am not a fan of a big drawstring that always seems to get in the way, so I like those! And slant pockets are another plus!

As a result of all your ideas, thoughts, comments, I actually just ordered these linen blend wide leg crops and I can wear them for lots of outings. Been a long time since I had any pleated pants, lol. But apparently, they are a thing. 

I am also following the Rick Steves travel forum on this issue, and they are quite frank, to be honest, I am now rethinking if I really want to climb the tower. I have had an ACL/MCL/Meniscus reconstruction Left Knee, and currently have a torn meniscus (healing) on the Right knee, it would be a nightmare if we started the trip with any issues climbing down spiral stairs in the dark, lol. I might pass on it after all. 

On 4/28/2023 at 1:16 PM, PattiPB said:

I'm having a terrible time getting tickets to Sagrada Familia on their website. I keep getting an error message when I go to pay with my credit card.

 

Suggestions, please!?!?!?

I had the same issue. Apparently it requires the verification code for our credit cards to book online. After I did the entire transaction, it then said, it didn't go through. I waited and the next morning I was confirmed. 

Or what do we think about these from Quince? These are performance fabric with rave reviews.

https://www.onequince.com/women/performance-tech-wide-leg-commuter-pant?color=navy&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__women%2Fpants__Pants__12

okay, I do have a great dress from TravelSmith, so I checked them out and this is their new look

What do we think of this? I like these, they don't seem like they would wrinkle, knit rather than linen or gauze, and I could use my money belt under this pretty easily. 

https://www.travelsmith.com/itemdy00.aspx?ID=121,3965&T1=MB2333+BK+S

On 3/25/2023 at 9:05 AM, geocruiser said:

What I do you a necklace (thin chain), I open the necklace and put one end of the chain all the way through a straw, then is clasp it to the  other end.  this way the chains  don't get tangled up .

this is pretty brilliant. I use a jewelry case, but I love this idea. thanks for sharing. 

44 minutes ago, Dermotsgirl said:

That's what I would wear.

 

As somebody in Europe, I had never even heard of 'skirted leggings' before, let alone seen somebody wearing them 

 

Capri's would be fine 

oh, then maybe it would start a new trend! lol, I love skirted leggings in the fall, gives a little more coverage than just leggings, and great for on the go. It also provides a concealed pocket (usually for my pickleball, but could work for cash/id/credit card, as well. Capris are falling out of favor according to the info I am reading, dated and for old women, lol. I need an update! 

18 hours ago, geocruiser said:

How about just the plain leggings and a long top?

Yes, I could do that as well. I am now considering wide leg knit capris....as an update to leggings. What do you think of that? 

9 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Wider volume cropped pants seem to be everywhere in Europe (as opposed to leggings or skinny crops/capris). And they are cooler in the heat. Last year I got a pair of gauze wide crops by Eileen Fisher at the end of the season and they are great -- don't wrinkle like linen but light and cool. They are made in a way that there is a double layer of the material, so they're not see-through or too limp. 

 

If I was going to Europe this summer, I'd definitely take them for a situation like this.

Gauze pants! Great suggestion, I can do that. 

2 hours ago, slidergirl said:

Take a look at Rip Skirt Hawaii.  4 different lengths of wrap skirts and a sport skirt.  Sizes 0 to 22.  I’m thinking of getting a length 3 to use as my “going to the church “ skirt.

 

But I wear leggings with very short insulated skirts in the winter.  Taking one or two of them on my Alaska cruise this weekend.

Love Rip Skirt Hawaii, those are great! So fun. and yes, leggings with skirts are perfect for Alaska. You will have so much fun. Those skirts make me think Caribbean fun for sure! 

Hiking pants don't seem so dressed up, anyway and skirted leggings are a bit more feminine to me.I am planning a few casual knit dresses, but they all seem to hit right at the knee or above, not sure that is the best for climbing down those stairs either. 

I may get rebellious, and say to heck with it, and follow the lady on the Rick Steves forum that said, "When we were at Sagrada Familia in October 2022 there were women in short shorts and tank tops, and plenty in mini dresses with spaghetti straps. Wear whatever will make you feel most comfortable walking down the stairs."

Or the next commenter there that said, "We were also there in October 2022 and no one checked any for modesty. It isn’t like in Italy."

Now, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.....that's different. Maxi dress all the way. They don't have 504 spiral steps in a dark, narrow crowded space that I am going to climb down. 

We booked a SharedShuttle.com and have space available from the port of Civitavecchia to Rome City Center at the end of our cruise. I thought the price of 80e for 2 of us with luggage was pretty reasonable. On their website, you can easily find the day you would like to travel and if there is a group, you can join, or make your own group. Hope it works out. 

Here's the link if you would like to try here. 

Shared Shuttle

Thank you so much! Sounds lovely, and I am sure the Palau de la Musica was fabulous.  I ended up booking at the Tablao de Carmen for tapas and flamenco, after reading the Rick Steve's travel forum, and for the convenience of getting to one location. We are so excited, I hope it's a lovely evening. 

22 minutes ago, Anita Latte said:

I would avoid the leggings and skirt combo. Not just from a looks stand point…if you’re concerned about heat, then I think anything too fitted is a mistake and definitely the double layer seems stifling to me. I did a quick read about the towers and the articles I read said, “the stairs are narrow, dark, and very crowded.” So definitely don’t be dealing with a skirt of any sort.

 

Ive recently purchased some lightweight jogger style hiking pants that I think are street worthy. Paired with some classic street sneakers, you would fit right in with what I observed when I was in Barcelona the one and only time I was there.

 

https://www.rei.com/product/187025/athleta-trekkie-north-jogger-pants-womens

 

Why I would choose these pants…comfort, breathable, water resistant (I’ve sat on damp benches and not had them affect these pants), and IMO street worthy. Zippered pockets are a plus. They are also snag resistant so if your rubbing against a tower wall or others… and the jogger style will also keep others from accidentally snagging you or potentially stepping on your billowy fabric in the worst case stairwell of my imagination.

Yea, I agree, that longer skirt is ugh..ugh...ugly. "Narrow, dark, and very crowded" doesn't sound like my style either, ugh again. But, the view at the top is supposed to be amazing, and a lifetime experience. Our best Germany trip was to the outside top of the Cathedral in Cologne, and I don't remember what I wore, but it was amazing! I have some hiker pants that are again, pretty ugly, but more similar to your link and I can come up with something. Actually, the skirted leggings in my first picture are incredibly lightweight and super comfy, would be great for plane wear as well, so the double layer is not stifling at all in that first pic, great for exercise while still being well covered. I just can't hack that long skirt, lol. 

yes, the longer skirt is fine, and checks the boxes, but a bit awkward looking to me, its still better than the one on the travel blog link I posted above. Or, I could probably just do lightweight slim fitting pants. I am still in the process of planning this travel wardrobe. Definitely doing the maxi dress in Rome to the Vatican. 

hmmm, crisp linen is lovely, but I hate looking all wrinkled with creases everywhere by the end of the day. Probably not going to happen. I am reading Rick Steves and a few other travel forums, including this informative blog about travel skirts, and while I don't love the one she selected, the very first one on her list is a skirt with leggings. It meets all the criteria of being culturally correct and being covered in a conservative manner. https://www.women-on-the-road.com/travel-skirt.html A billowing flowy skirt doesn't sound like the best thing to descend the tower in either...... 

I use a NYX matte setting spray after I apply a tinted SPF foundation. Works great. Less is the way to go. 

I am debating on bringing a pair of skirted leggings to Europe. We are planning to tour the Sagrada Familia and we will climb one of the towers. Yikes, would it be horrendous to wear a pair of skirted leggings? Basically, I am thinking black and a conservative top. See attached picture. I had planned a maxi dress for the visit, but just read that coming back down the stairs is a real jaunt/workout. I don't really want to do it in a long dress. Interested in your ideas. And what good alternatives you might suggest. I don't love shorts, and of course, they can't be worn in the churches. I am planning mostly easy care dresses for our other excursions. TIA