12 Piece Wardrobe

[LMW1330]

If you could only pack 12 pieces of clothing for a trip to Europe in the Spring ( please don't include pjs, undies, socks, shoes) What would you bring?

[SadieN]

Rain shell, thin cardigan, 2-3 bottoms, 7-8 tops. This includes what I'd wear for travel.

 

No European outfit seems to be complete without a scarf. I'd buy one there.

Edited February 14, 2015 by SadieN

[Bethwte]

I actually just something similar for a thread where I was checking to make sure my packing list for my Western Med cruise in March sounded alright:

 

• Black Rain Jacket
  
• Grey Blazer (this is a nice thick ponte knit so can serve as a jacket as well)
  
• A couple sweaters/cardigans
  
• Some medium to lighter weight long sleeve tops
  
• Couple of pairs of dark jeans
  
• Black skirt and formal top should I need to dress up (both of these pieces also work with other tops or jeans)
  
• Wrap dress
  

 

I didn't count camisoles/tanks as I wear those under everything and consider them to be more of undergarments than anything else. And like Sadie, I would buy some scarves there. If it was a bit later in spring obviously this would be adjusted slightly for warmer weather.

[Hoyaheel]

1 sleeveless black knee length dress

2 pr pants (black, khaki)

2 cardigan (black, red)

2 long sleeve tees

3 short sleeve tees

1 coat (water resistant, weight depends on forecast for my trip)

 

Rest of my wardrobe would be stuff you said not to count - 2 scarves, 2 pr shoes, undies/ bras.

[Floridiana]

Where in Europe? Iceland? Greece? March, April, May? Huge differences in temperature.

[crystalspin]

We are doing a TA in April, with 16 (!!!) ports in Europe (western Med) after the long sea-days. So this is a fun preliminary for actually packing (as we travel with a 22" spinner and a daypack each).

 

HER:

raincoat (yellow).

reversible dress that is black on one side, red floral on the other.

lightweight striped cardigan that goes with either side.

linen pants that are red/black mini-stripes (above cardie works with these, too)

lightweight jeans ??? maybe...

....They don't dry well if washed in sink, and do shrink if given to the ship...

....so maybe a pair of culottes instead.

mediumweight black poly pants that stand up to being worn multiple times per wash.

FOUR knit tops, two short sleeved, two long sleeved, in bright jewel tones

teal merino cardigan.

red thin-but-warm hoodie.

 

HIM

raincoat (blue).

nice slacks (navy).

Travelsmith blazer (navy).

thin nylon cargo pants.

mediumweight poly cargo pants.

heavier weight cotton blend cargo pants.

THREE synthetic shirts, all long sleeved (but roll-up-able).

one white cotton shirt.

gray merino cardigan.

black leather bomber jacket.

 

All of my husband's pants and shirts will be shades of blue or gray.

These lists may seem "heavy" on the outer-layers, but shirts and to an extent pants can be hand-washed or given to the ship -- no self-laundry on our ship :( --

not so readily jackets and sweaters.

 

Also the above DOES include what we wear on the plane. If that was not supposed to be included (OP did say PACK 12 items), then the lists would be the same, but with one more shirt apiece as we would wear one of the outer layers (me, the wool cardie, him the leather jacket).

Edited February 15, 2015 by crystalspin

[LMW1330]

Where in Europe? Iceland? Greece? March, April, May? Huge differences in temperature.

 

 

Western Mediterranean in May France,Spain,Italy. Throw in a side trip to Greece and to Turkey.

[cruise kitty]

Hi, I basically did this last May, except I took 14 pieces, not 12 :)

 

I posted photos on my thread on this board.

 

Very, very doable. :)

[crystalspin]

I changed my color scheme from my previous reply to this thread. Actually, I'm in the process of changing my color scheme(s) in my entire wardrobe; I wonder how much that packing for this trip inspired the sea-change (see what I did there?) and how much the other way around... kind of a chicken and egg question.

 

I'm going to try to embed an image, of a Polyvore board, here:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/0f/98/b00f98b7e446d10ee7960d15c55d11d0.jpg

 

I think that is a link to (or through?) Pinterest not embedded. To keep it to twelve PACKED items, take out one of the print t-shirts and put in my raincoat!

[Froufie]

I would like to give it a try (as a die hard overpacker! LOL)

 

1 pair long black pants

1 pair long white pants

1 pair black capris

1 pair white capris

 

1 black waterfall cardigan

1 hot pink waterfall cardigan

1 white hoodie

 

3 t-shirts

2 dressier/blingy tanks

 

On the place I usually wear my black yoga pants, black/white striped t shirt and warmer hoodie!

 

Guess I may have to wash the tops? or lose a bottom for more tops? LOL

 

And I guess I need to add bathing suit/cover up (beach bag/snorkel gear, water shoes, sun hat) - you get the picture! LOL :D:D

Edited March 15, 2015 by Froufie

[SadieN]

I would like to give it a try (as a die hard overpacker! LOL)

 

1 pair long black pants

1 pair long white pants

1 pair black capris

1 pair white capris

 

1 black waterfall cardigan

1 hot pink waterfall cardigan

1 white hoodie

 

3 t-shirts

2 dressier/blingy tanks

 

On the place I usually wear my black yoga pants, black/white striped t shirt and warmer hoodie!

 

Guess I may have to wash the tops? or lose a bottom for more tops? LOL

 

And I guess I need to add bathing suit/cover up (beach bag/snorkel gear, water shoes, sun hat) - you get the picture! LOL :D:D

 

 

I'd exchange a hoodie for another top.

Edited March 15, 2015 by SadieN

[crystalspin]

Changing out a topper (hoodie) is one option -- but washing out a top (blouse or tee) is another. My original list for this challenge was heavy on the toppers because they are difficult to wash (and DRY, particularly).

 

All of my bottoms (three pants and a culotte) are either rayon or polyester -- all jokes about Polly and Esther aside! -- I believe I can wash these out in the sink and drip dry overnight, as is true of all my tops. I may wear one cotton tee on the plane, this might take into the second day to dry (but it's cute!).

 

The clever thing with the 12-item "wardrobe" is -- you probably can get more than 12 things in your carry on (speaking of a carry-on sized suitcase here, not a "personal item"). So paring it down to 12, then adding what else fits -- is liberating!

[ducklite]

I'd first say WHERE in Europe?

 

Packing for the Med will be different than packing for the UK.

 

I'm going to assume it's the Med.

 

1. Black fitted T

2. White fitted T

3. Fuschia fitted T

4. Black slim fit cotton pants

5. Tan slim fit cotton pants

6. Black poly knit tank dress

7. Black lightweight sweater

8. Tan cargo shorts

9. Black cargo shorts

10. Blingy black tank

 

I'd bring a handful of scarves to dress things up and change the look. I'd wear black leggings and a black lightweight tunic on the plane.