USA Road Trip - Help me what do I need to pack!

[Stylelostinlabour]

Hello

We are off on a road trip for 2 weeks to USA California but what the heck do I need to pack so I don't look like dragged through a hedge backwards and then spun round.

We are heading to San Francisco and then heading down the coast.

Help!

Um, next to nothing? Two pairs of shorts or jeans, a couple of tanks or tees, a light sweater, flip flops and sneakers and a bikini? You are going to travel in one of the most casual places on earth, sleep in motels and travel light. If you run out of clothes, you can always buy more on the road in places like Target and Old Navy - clothes are cheap there.

A giant bag to fill with peanut butter M&Ms to bring home

Seriously, nothing much, the west coast is very casual. Also the US is not exactly what I'd call fashion forward.... some of my more London outfits get some

Frugal has it right - the perfect pair of denim shorts, a few great t shirts and a nice ish dress for dinner / a bar will be all you need. Oh and a light jacket - it will be hot during the day but the climate is temperate / desert so does get cool at night. Also the sea is cold - just warning you now!!!

I would add something that could be dressed up a bit, maybe a sun dress and a nice pair of sandals. San Francisco is one of the great restaurant cities of the world and you may want to try some of the nicer ones.

Next to nothing, as I'd head to Madewell first thing and get myself a new wardrobe

A warm cardigan for when you get into A/C. Some places use the energy worth to light an entire European state to keep cool.

Agree to keep it light and buy more there.

We did that drove years ago and it was fab in spite of random fog. Have fun!

It can be quite gloomy in San Fran. So make sure you have a couple of sweaters/cardis with you. Also, the a/c can be chilling to the bone in some places.

I agree with the others in terms of type of clothes to pack. Some towns are decidedly upmarket though (Carmel, Santa Barbara and even Monterey) so a couple of items that can be glammed up a bit. And remember, California glam is still understated compared to here.

Shorts and t's whenever you're near a beach, with a sweatshirt to pull on in the mountains as you go down the PCH.

Demin skirt/tshirts for shopping and sightseeing in SF and LA.

Pair of trainers and some socks. Cold and pine-needly in the mountains too if you're camping.

Jeans and nice tops in Santa Monica/LA.

One or two (depending on you really) nice dresses and shoes-as PP said San Fran and LA have some vair naice restaurants and bars and its nice to go and people watch.

Sunglasses.

Oh excellent thank you the only thing I need is some shorts and a nice cashmere jumper to keep the chill out at night

Now while I have you lovely lot - I have one chance for some shopping on route (the kids aint up to shopping strangely)

So where should I go to fill my suitcase with goodies?!?

I'm resisting the urge to say Rodeo Drive baby

But it's great.

Santa Monica a little more down to earth. Great Main Street, send the kids roller blading at the beach and meet for an early dinner.

Agree with others about clothes.

Just though, we did highway 1 from San Francisco about 10 years ago. Big Sur is stunning.

Oh excellent will send them off roller blading - sorry to make you jealous! I cant wait never been to USA!

Shopping: my fav place in the US at the moment is Madewell which I think is the cheaper, younger line of jCrew.
I think it's one of the few brands that doesn't have shops in Euope.
Marc Jacobs is also cheaper in th Us.

oh my god i am so jel

dh and i went to los angeles a couple of years ago but i would love go back again. and to do the whole proper californian road trip

agree with the others, pack light as it will be very hot this time of year

and enjoy

Love the look of madewelk right up my street - eeek exciting

Shopping in the US is good for basics - jeans, t shirts etc - but not for more stylish clothes.