Emigrating to Vancouver, need a capsule wardrobe.

[MrsKoala]

We are emigrating in July and not taking anything but a suitcase each. I need advice of a capsule wardrobe which will fit in a suitcase for summer to autumn. I will then ship a winter capsule wardrobe over in September.

I don't want to shop much in Vancouver, so would like advice on good easy to wear/washable clothes.

DS will be 10months. I am tall with long legs, broad shoulders, small boobs, chunky thighs, small waist. I have bad knees and back so don't do heels.

I think it's quite hot there in the summer, and often rains.

Cheers.

[BadgersRetreat]

you need:

wellies
mac
brolly

[MrsKoala]

oh sod off!

Not in the summer surely ?

[pocketandsweet]

I've gone the other direction ( vancouver to uk). Weather is not unlike uk. It is not often what I would call "hot" in summer. Well maybe hotter than here but not hot by Canadian summer standards typically. It rains you need wellies. You don't mention if you are working or not but I would be a bit wary of buying everything here. Canadians are generally much more casual in their dress. Unless you have a job that requires a specific formal dress then you will probably find everyone more casual. People in Vancouver wear loads of gorgeous sportswear type things that will be different than what you find here ( and probably cheaper there too). Think Lululemon type stuff. As a wild generalisation I would say most people in Vancouver look like they are going/coming from a posh gym a lot of the time.

Also North America is probably cheaper for sports/ casual stuff. Places like Old Navy are good for cheap things and great for kids clothes. Last time I was home people were impressed by things like Hunter wellies ( god awful expensive there)..... Not sure if this helps or not

[pocketandsweet]

And re: rain. It does rain alot but I think people deal with it differently. Less people walking around with umbrellas and macs and more often just trendy gore tex top layers. It is often just sort of light drizzly rain ( that messes with your hair). It is a great place though have fun.

[BadgersRetreat]

haha it's ok MrsK i'm only kidding sort of

i lived there for 3 yrs and the summers were definitely better than British ones.

pocket speaks the truth - very casual bunch the canadians. And clothes here are cheap IMHO

[MrsKoala]

oh bollox. i don't really do sportswear, i dress in smart trousers, shirts, wrap dresses, pearls and brogues

[pocketandsweet]

Oh and there is a place called Mountain Equipment Coop ( or MEC) and for joining ( cant even remember if you had to pay if so it was almost nothing) is the best place to start looking for any sports gear ( clothes or otherwise). They are online but the stores have lots more and they do great goretex, kids fleeces etc. It is one of the places we always go when we go back home.

[MrsKoala]

stoppit Pocket, i may cry!! goretex!!! fleece!!!!!

[pocketandsweet]

mrskoala you may be in for culture shock. ;). It's ok dress however you want but be aware that everyone around you might be a lot more casual ( esp. for instance if you are sahm).

[MrsKoala]

and no, i wont be working.

[MrsKoala]

maybe, i'll ham up the Britishness and they will think i'm quirky...or something.

Just looked at lululemon - it's just yoga clothes. people don't really wear that outside do they?

[HerRoyalNotness]

MEC, yes it's only $5/year for joining

//www.mec.ca

How long are you over for? I take it this is a year or so, rather than a move, lock, stock and barrel?

It's hard to say what to pack without knowing what you'll be doing. I'd say, having emigrated temporarily various places with just a suitcase, you'll need about 3 each.

[pocketandsweet]

Oh baby. Goretex and Fleece..... Mark my words in a year they will no longer strike fear in your heart. :). Wear whatever you want REALLY no one will think you are a freak or anything ( they might think you are a foreigner but then you will be).

And there is Goretex and then there is GORETEX.... Same goes for fleece. Right now all you can probably picture are lumpy shapeless garments ( maybe with pictures if wolves on them) but truly there are fabulous flattering things out there especially if you are prepared to spend some cash. I do think you are going to have a culture shock though so maybe don't buy too much unless 1) you are positive you love/need it and 2) can't buy it there ( and probably cheaper)

[HerRoyalNotness]

Apparently Vancouver is THE place to be seen in Lululemon, apparently.

[MrsKoala]

no, we're emigrating. we've just decided to start again with nothing.

[pocketandsweet]

And yes they do wear yoga stuff EVERYWHERE. It's like a frickin Ashram ;)

[MrsKoala]

i thought everything was more expensive over there? is that not the case?

I have bought a north face arctic parka - it's the most casual thing i have ever owned. I don't even wear jeans. I do have skiing stuff which is nice...

[HerRoyalNotness]

Woah! You're brave!!

As soon as you get here then, go on ALL the clothing websites and sign up for emails, you'll get a load of discount vouchers coming through. I never pay full price at banana republic. Weekly there will be 40% off for instance.

I'd say just bring your absolute favourite things.

[BadgersRetreat]

I don't own a scrap of goretex....and we camp. I might have the odd fleece type thing....

the good news is that anything you buy in the UK now will be the height of fashion summer 2015 in vancouver

[HerRoyalNotness]

Yes I find clothing expensive here, anything not manufactured in US/Canada/Mexico has additional duties on it.

[MrsKoala]

well they can keep their downward facing dog to themselves, no one's getting me out of my twin set and pearls

[BadgersRetreat]

you will LOVE banana republic. I do.

[MrsKoala]

HerRoyal - i think brave is another word for fucking insane - yes 1 suitcase. We also need stuff for a fast growing DS.

[MrsKoala]

i was thinking of dressing down, going all casual slumming it and purchasing some GAP clothing

The thing is my figure suits tailoring, i am very 'structured' and slouchy materials look bad on me - unless it's 40's tea dresses.

[HerRoyalNotness]

Sign up for GAP and Old Navy emails at the same time as BR, plenty of discounts with them too. Occasionally I order stuff from Gymboree in the states, they have some good sales. H&M is here, the kids stuff seems popular. Also Tommy Hilfiger - they often go into sale quickly or you will find there stuff at Winners (equiv of TK Maxx). There is also Mexx and Zara with quite good childrens selection.

Have a search for outlets around Vancouver too, there must be plenty.