maj

Rick Steeves just posted an article covering what he-- no, wait, what women should-- pack for a trip to Europe. While it has a couple of valid points, it still looks to me like a basic recipe for looking like a(n American) tourist, plus it's a little too Euro-centric for general travel advice.

Shop selectively: He pretty much wipes out on the first point where he recommends buying "travel clothing" from companies like REI and TravelSmith. I've tried this a few times, buying overpriced 'quick drying' science-fabric skirts with extra pockets blah blah blah. I'm glad to say I donated almost every article to an orphanage in Nepal. Just buy cotton for daily wear and one black synthetic skirt for a 'dressy' outfit.

Tops: His recommendations for tops (1-2 of each tank, t, and long sleeved) is a little better, but overly general. Pack for layers, of course, but just imagine what the warmest combo you have (ie wearing just about everything you bring) and the coolest (minimally decent for the culture you'll be traveling in) and compare that to the temps you expect to encounter. Again the "CoolMax" an other high tech fabrics just scream tourist.

Pants and shorts: He does avoid the usual North American death-trap by dis-recommending shorts. No one but people who can't afford more fabric wear shorts outside the States-and-Provinces.

Shoes: For walking shoes I've always gone for Docs and/or flip-flops (aka "thongs" in places where that don't mean undies). Shoes are the bane of the female packing experience. The only advice I can give is 'kill your darlings' -- give up on having the right shoes for all occasions. If you want good cover bring a long skirt or pants (black of course) so no one can see your shoes. Worst case scenario is a shopping trip, so really try and keep it to two pairs max.

Socks, underwear, pajamas, and swimsuit: Yeah, so, Rick? Don't talk to me about bras and undies. Please, just don't... If there's anywhere to splurge this is it. If you're walking around a lot and/or it's even a little warm you're going to want two pairs a day (you just can't feel pretty and dressed up in worn undies & bra, I'm sorry). Bras take a lot longer to dry than undies, especially underwire, so go for 2-4. Sports bras take extra long, but I agree with Rick that they can double as an impromptu swim top.

Toiletries: As if the panties stuff wasn't enough now he's talking about 'feminine hygiene'! OK, here's the deal, forget about bringing, or even buying all these things... just a)get a prescription for 'the pill' and skip the 'sugar pills' (ie the 7 fake pills at the end of a 30 day pack) or b)buy a Diva Cup. Either way you avoid messing up ancient, fragile, or non-existent plumbing, filing up landfills and taking up packing space.

Accessorize, accessorize: Rick really shows that he knows his way around a ladies' closest in the last point "Scarves give your limited wardrobe just the color it needs." Dang straight. I would throw in the importance of a sarong or two (aka towel, sheet, shawl, headwrap, and skirt), but otherwise he wraps up with some good points...