Trip Report: WIW (and what I didn't)

Here's the full collection of what I brought.

I'll report on some other fashion moments from the trip and what I saw others wearing in a separate post. But let me start with my own outfits.

First, I took a lot -- a medium-large suitcase which I checked. In the event, I wore almost all the clothes. Things I did not wear, I did not wear because the weather wasn't suitable. But it might have turned out differently, i.e. we might have had more days of heat and sun and fewer days of drizzle (or downpour) and/or cool sun. Had the weather flipped that way, I'd have worn all the things I didn't wear this time. :)

On repeat:

  • The raincoat. (Worn 8 of the 10 days.)
  • The Wit and Wisdom wide legs. (Best travelling pants ever. And I also wore them several times during the trip.)
  • The Everlane Curve jean. Wore them multiple times. 
  • The Paul Smith blazer.
  • The oxfords and sneakers.
  • The scarves.
  • All the bags. (Brought 3! and used them all.)

What I didn't end up wearing:

  • The red Mary Janes. The weather was too wet and cool most days.
  • The skirt. Ditto to above. I had planned to wear my skirt and brocade top for Mr. Suz's birthday dinner -- but in the event it was cool and pouring, so I ended up switching to the cool weather alternative of wide legs, silver top, military jacket. 
  • The brocade top.
  • The floral cotton top. 
  • The denim shirt. 

I wore everything else at least once, and most things more than once, because I often changed during the day. I could have done with fewer items, yes. But I was not sorry to have the options. I didn't get many outfit pics but did try for a few. 

Thanks, all, for your thoughts on packing ahead of time. I felt perfectly prepared for any weather eventuality and was happy in everything I wore. 

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25 Comments

  • Dee replied 8 months ago

    Wonderful to hear that your last minute Lole raincoat purchase turned into one of your MVPs for your trip and would work so well over all your lovely outfit combinations, Looks like you packed a nice variety of colours and patterns to mix and match as suited your mood, occasions and the weather conditions. Happy it went so well.

  • Mirjana replied 8 months ago

    OMG, you were so polished and elegant , great outfits. The red pants and vest are to die for, love, love so much. The next are #1 and #6 with new shoes.

  • ChristelJ replied 8 months ago

    It's so useful to review the packing choices after the trip, right? It sounds like you chose really well, getting all your outerwear, pants and most shoes right! When I pack, those feel like a priority to me, whereas tops can be worn or not and usually don't weigh much or add much bulk.
    I agree with Mirjana your dark red set is superb! All others are also terrific  outfits too. Glad you felt prepared and happy!

  • Suz replied 8 months ago

    Thanks, all. The burgundy or cranberry suit was an NAS purchase. It's cross seasonal -- I could wear it on all but the hottest days in my own climate. The vest can be worn as a top. Tanya also got it. 

    I wore mine several times this fall/ winter but it actually feels even better as a spring suit, to me. I cropped the pants a bit. On me, what looks cropped on the model was somewhere between the new full length and some nondescript length, LOL. So I had them shortened to just above the ankle bone, which makes them work better with most of my footwear. 

  • Bonnie replied 8 months ago

    Your red, white, and blue palette works so well together that I'm not surprised your trip wardrobe was a winner. Love your military jacket and your new raincoat. 

  • Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 8 months ago

    Suz, these looks are all so cute!  Congrats on having a wildly successful travel wardrobe!  And better to pack a few extra things and not need them, than the other way around.

  • Angie replied 8 months ago

    You look radiantly stylish and fably practical thanks to a successful travel capsule, Suz! WELL DONE :) 

    WOOHOOO for the best Spring travel topper!

    WOOHOOOO for bringing THREE bags and using all of them!

    It was wise to have packed for all sorts of weather. It doesn't matter one bit that some items were unworn! Good thing you had warmer alternatives. Nodding along with Mary Beth

  • Sal replied 8 months ago

    You look wonderful - love the outfits!  So stylish indeed.  Great layering indeed. 

    The raincoat was the perfect addition. I am a bit boring in that whilst in theory I like trenches they require a very specific situation for them to work... (commuting to work on foot on a chilly morning that is not too cold nor too wet) - and then the lengths are hard with skirts - and often you need an umbrella - and in the car they aren't that comfortable.  So overall I am pro the anorak or parka!!

    Spring travel requires options - winter or summer are easier to predict.  

  • Suz replied 8 months ago

    Sally, you are so right -- both about trenches and about spring weather! The hot days were truly hot -- sandal weather hot (I wore my white oxfords and sleeveless tops and my Dries van Noten cotton-linen pants). But the cooler days required removable layers and a coat. And the rainy days...well....you know what they required! 

    Thanks Angie, Mary Beth, Bonnie, CristelJ, Mirjana, Dee. 

  • Jaime replied 8 months ago

    Not at all surprised that raincoat was a winner. There is no way to predict the weather in London so I think you do very well to pack for different contingencies. I especially like outfit #2 and #5 but really these are all so good. Thanks for sharing!

  • Runcarla replied 8 months ago

    Too bad it rained so much.  The quality of light at the place you stayed is beautiful.  YLF in all your outfits!

  • MsMaven replied 8 months ago

    Great selections for your trip. I'm struck by how chic and sleek you look in the two photos with the blue scarf. Really beautiful. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 months ago

    You are a stylish traveler, Suz. (You and Carla are so inspiring with your travel outfits!) These pics are just so, so fab. No on would guess you were living out of a suitcase. That coat is wonderful on you--what a great find. Best of all is the joy you had on your trip and the feeling of having what you needed in order to look and feel super chic.

  • avicennia replied 8 months ago

    So stylish! My favorite is pic #1 — it’s darling!

  • Suz replied 8 months ago

    Thank you all so much! 

    Carla, it didn't actually rain all that much, I mean, for England. :). Mr. Suz -- who strongly dislikes rainy weather -- keeps saying the weather was great! In reality, it was mixed. Much like the Pacific Northwest but with a particular English twist. The day we arrived was cool (ish) and grey but by the evening, there were sunny breaks. The next day was fully sunny and warm. I didn't take outfit pics and can't remember what I wore. but I'm pretty sure I didn't need the coat until the evening. The day following was grey and cool until the late afternoon, when it warmed up some but still required the raincoat (as a windbreak). The next day was downright sunny and hot. I was in cotton-linen pants, and a sleeveless top all day. Anyway -- you get the picture. There is no consistency to weather at all there. The rainiest coolest days happened to be Mr. Suz's birthday and the following day. 

  • Cee replied 8 months ago

    You are beyond polished... You could be a NASA deep space lense !

  • kkards replied 8 months ago

    Yay for packing so well.  Double yay for a good rain hat!  And wow so impressed that you traveled with and wore your blazer!   

  • lyn67 replied 8 months ago

    Wow, what a fab fresh and crisp set of outfits out of a suitcase-all really well put together! Did we tell you look wonderfull in navy/blue&silver, LOL-killer to the power of killer! Raincoat is a scor and and the red hat  is the cherry on the cake(pun intended:-))!

  • RobinF replied 8 months ago

    Sounds like a great travel capsule! I love that you had an option for the birthday dinner when it was cooler than expected. You look so stylish and polished!

  • Irina replied 8 months ago

    You looked fab! Happy to hear that the most of your travel wardrobe served you nicely. It is an achievement, so difficult to predict the weather at the destination and to plan accordingly. Well done!

  • catherine replied 8 months ago

    Your outfits are perfect and reflect what I see as your usual polished and lovely style, which can be challenging on a trip.
    Thanks very much for posting these.

  • pirouette replied 8 months ago

    You look great in all your outfits. It’s really hard to dress for such mixed weather when you are travelling. It was a great achievement to have outfits for all occasions despite the weather. Well done and I’m glad you enjoyed your holiday. I admire your restraint not going into a shop that you liked the look of I know I wouldn’t be so strong!!

  • Star replied 8 months ago

    Well Done Suz!  You are clearly a Master Travel Capsuler.  

  • avicennia replied 8 months ago

    I’m sorry you didn’t get to wear the red Camper Mary Jane’s. I do wonder if they would have been good for a lot of walking? I ordered a Camper flat recently and decided not to take on my trip to Mexico earlier this month, the soles are so thin, I was certain to feel every cobblestone.

  • Suz replied 8 months ago

    Yes, Avicennia. I wouldn't have wanted to wear them on the cobblestones! Especially for long walks. I thought they'd be good for evenings we stayed in our neighbourhood or for going out for dinner. And they'd have worked great for that -- had weather cooperated. But not for 17,000 to 25,000 step days, for sure! 

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