15kg of luggage - capsule wardrobe help!!

[spekky]

I’m travelling to the south of France and Italy in the summer. I’ve only got a 15kg luggage allowance on the way out, so need some help with how I can build a capsule wardrobe for the trip.

I like nice summery dresses, or shorts and t-shirts. For the evenings I have two sets of shoes & bags - one pair of gold slider style sandals and a gold bag, one pair of red heels and a red bag (pics attached).

I plan on doing a lot of exploring so day to day I imagine I’ll be wearing trainers a lot - I have a burgundy and cream pair of Adidas Spezials and will probably purchase a new pair of new balance 720s in preparation for the trip. Likely in white or brown.

I will have the ability to do laundry halfway through the trip.

Where do I even start?!

I find it hot as hell in the south of France in the summer. I don't even think you need a capsule wardrobe for 9 days. I would take three pairs of shorts (one denim, one chino, one linen); 7 vest tops; 4 or 5 dresses. Flat sandals (too hot to wear trainers except on the flight).

Does it matter if you look like you don't live in a place ?

I can’t walk in sandals! My feet get rubbed to shreds 😩

Are you just doing normal walking around cities, at the beach etc? If so, you're just wearing the wrong sandals. I couldn't bear to wear trainers during the day in South of France-type heat. They'd smell, my feet would overheat - & my freckles would end at my ankles!

Get yourself dressy(ish) walking sandals, & make sure to break them in properly first. I have these in several colours & have walked around Paris, Berlin, Rome etc in them all day without a single blister. They have similar ones on Whistles website right now - these particular ones are discontinued.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6521247252-whistles-silver-sandals

Have a look at the recommendations on this thread. Some are absolute horrors, some look pretty good.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5520911-flat-sandals-with-straps-that-dont-make-me-look-like-im-80

I’ve done this myself recently as I’m on a shoe string budget I used some Shein for 100% cotton stuff, some bnwt eBay, vinted but I followed a few simple rules so I can kind of just swap and change.

I went with staple colours that suit me and all compliment each other. So I got 3 pairs of linen pants in sage green, lavender, and blue. I got two different pairs of denim shorts in an acid wash and a dark navy. I got a few decent vest tops, 2 white, grey and a black. 3 looser Lacey style tops. 3 100% cotton dresses in single colour ( they look amazing on and were a bargain from Shein). Two baggy/oversized linen shirts to dress up/cover up and two long boho gypsy skirts.

i am really impressed with the dresses from shein, it’s a thick 4 layered but very light breathable cheese cloth type fabric. Washes beautifully and even better doesn’t need ironing. I also love the linen trousers. For the price they are absolutely fantastic and I’ve had compliments every time I’ve worn them, just matched them with a lovely pair of beaded sandals ( that go with everything I purchased) . I know not everybody likes shein but I’m on a limited income and have recently lost a huge amount of weight so can’t be spending money I don’t have.

It’ll be at least 20,000 steps a day, if not more. I can’t wear sandals to do that.

@spekky I’d definitely wear trainers for that amount of walking too. I usually walk that amount each day on holidays and having the right shoes is everything.

I’d rather have fewer clothes and do a bit of laundry when away than risk not having a couple of pairs of broken in comfy shoes that I can walk 20-30 thousand steps in.

For me, that means packing items that can be worn more than once in different combinations and choosing quick-drying fabrics as far as possible.

I’ve done that mileage regularly in heat by wearing walking-sandals. Proper actual hiking sandals. See: Go Outdoors / Blacks etc. Variety of soles (from city to off-road terrain), supportive, adjustable straps.

No way on god’s earth would I be schlepping round mile after mile in fashion trainers in South of France in summer 😆

I also think you’ll regret those red sandals after a few aperitifs on cobbled streets.

The shiny polkadot skirt fabric may well be regretted also in the Provençal heat.

It’s not shiny! It’s 100% cotton

I’m sorry, my mistake. The photo poss just made it look a bit shiny. Maybe just starched & thick cotton.
I’m really impressed you can make clothes. That said, I just don’t think that fabric would be a great choice for the a Provençal holiday capsule wardrobe (but that’s strictly my own taste and my knowledge of the styles of the area & the climate / environs).
However, I’m a big believer in wearing whatever makes you feel special, and if that’s the brown spotty skirt then deffo take it.

Exactly.

@spekky Have you done a walking holiday before - such as a trekking/hiking holiday in the Alps or similar?

You keep talking about "sandals" as if they're all the same? Actual walking sandals are what people wear on walking holidays AND in cities when they're doing thousands of steps (whether on pavements or up hills) in the heat!!

There are quite a few linked on that thread you dismissed - also, as @ParmesanRealignment suggested, go to an outdoors shop & try some on. They are specifically designed to cushion the sole, support & align the foot & ankle & have minimal (usually Velcro) fastenings so that they're fully adjustable to your feet & do not rub. At all!!

You can even get them in red ... they are far more suitable than basic trainers (however comfy) for walking miles in the heat. Healthier for your feet too - & kinder for people nearby, as surely your trainers & feet would begin to honk ...?

https://www.teva-eu.com/en/gb/womens-original-universal-retro-sandal/198605607950.html

https://www.teva-eu.com/en/gb/women-sandals/original-universal-slim-leather-sandal/198605616396.html

I walk everywhere in summer in Birkenstock Madrids, never an issue.

@EleanorMc67 I know lots of people find walking sandals very comfortable but I have never managed to find a pair that I get on with. I’ve tried many different styles and types. A holiday where a person is going to do 20,000 plus steps a day for 9 days straight isn’t the right time to try out a style of shoe that they aren’t sure will suit their feet.

I also just know they won’t. They’ll rub the insides (my feet seem extra delicate there!) and across the top

Exactly, I wear Birkenstock trainers, all year round. I need the support for my whole foot.

I am another one who can't do 20k steps in sandals, no matter the sandals. I wear trainers with socks and have no issues with them smelling.

This is what I’d take

3 shorts - green, white denim
1 trousers thin fabric wide black and white pattern or khaki linen barrel leg
2 dresses (short and midi/maxi)
1 skirt or another trouser
5 vests black, stripe ,white, taupe, grey
2 t shirts
1 trainer
1 walking sandal
1 flip flop
1 smart sandal
Cardigan
White linen shirt cover up
bikini
swim suit
day backpack
Thin cotton tote for beach bag
evening
Short pyjamas or chemise
3 bras black white nude
7 pairs of pants - I cannot bear the thought of handwashing them or “rinsing them through”
4 trainer socks

I wouldn't recommend anything brand new for a holiday where you're walking a lot! I always, always wear new footwear in.

Like you @spekky I have feet that are really sensitive to rubbing & blistering - it's even happened with footwear that I thought I was fully used to. But the walking-style sandals I have, because of the support in the sole & the softness of the suede/leather, plus the absence of fastenings that rub against the skin, have been amazing.

I'll often wear trainers for city breaks, especially when it's cooler - but walking sandals have made backpacking in Mexico & India as comfortable as walking around Berlin or Budapest.

Shorts are great for all ages, what a weird take on them... I wear them all summer at home, so you'd think I was a tourist when I was just popping to the local Co-Op? Lots of adults look fantastic in shorts with a nice tan especially

I mean I live and work in L0ndon and wear shorts if it is hot, why wouldn't I? I am not sweltering because of some strange made up rule

The sudoku packing method, and it's the easiest way to build outfits that actually make sense when you travel. You're working with 9 pieces, 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 layers, from the same colour palate, including white. All intentionally chosen to work together. From those clothes you can make 27 different outfits.
Tops - think linen or cotton shirts, tee shirts,
Bottoms - capri pants, shorts, skirt
Layers - light jacket, cardigan, jumper
Add in a dress or two that can be dressed up with heels or down with trainers, sandals, some accessories, a wrap, statement jewellery, day bag and evening bag. Swimwear, kaftan, gym kit, nightwear, underwear.

Also buy your toiletries like shampoo, toothpaste etc at the airport so not included in luggage allowance

@redboxerclub out of interest, why can't you bear the thought of hand washing your knickers? I've got some very lovely delicate knickers that I wouldn't stick in the machine.

On holiday I'm very happy to handwash knickers and bathing costumes, if you had to take enough knickers and bathing costumes to cover a week there wouldn't be much room for anything else

I’m interested to know how this really works in hot weather though. Although your 3 T shirts might go well with your three bottoms to create different outfits, don’t the tops all need washing after walking around all day in the heat? I can’t imagine wanting to wear them for another 2 days.