It’s almost time to go again. I’ve been very busy restocking all my travel needs, including refreshing my travel wardrobe. After three years of traveling, I still feel I can do better with my clothing choices and pack less. So once again as we depart for the third time, I’m narrowing down the travel wardrobe. My goal is to carry the perfect mix and match wardrobe that fits my style, my schedule and my budget.
Last year, my Travel Wardrobe blog was a big hit, so I thought I would write again about what I am bringing with me as we embark on our fourth year of travel. When we left the first year I had way too many things with me. It was a hard lesson learned. Last year for the Grand Adventure 2.0 I based my wardrobe around black and white with splashes of colorful mix and match items. But I’m doing it a bit differently this year.
For the Grand Adventure 3.0 I’ve chosen bottoms (both long and short pants) in black, khaki and navy. These staples will be the basis of most of my wardrobe. I have t-shirts, tank tops and blouses I can mix and match in dozens of ways with these bottoms. I have chosen bright colors that compliment my skin and hair color such as red, navy, coral, orange and turquoise.
Because I wear dresses a lot, especially in hot weather, I have purchased four new dresses. These are also in blue/chambray tones, bright oranges and corals and one black plaid dress.
Our itinerary this year (blog coming about this next Friday) has us visiting several Muslim countries as well as Israel where thoughtful conservative dress is both important and respectful. I have chosen some dresses with longer sleeves and some long sleeve but lightweight tops that I can wear with the navy, black and khaki pants.
As always my suitcase will include hiking clothes (long and short pants and tops), running clothes for both hot and cool weather, and yoga clothes, as well as a coat, sweatshirt, hat and gloves. I have one cardigan sweater (red), one pashmina (also red) and one scarf (teal blue).
I often get asked why I like linen so much for travel, considering how much it wrinkles. But for me, in hot climates, linen is the most breathable and comfortable fabric on earth. I sometimes steam wrinkles out in the shower, iron them, or hey just wear them wrinkled. Because my own body heat works the wrinkles out in no time. Linen is the fabric for me and my Grand Adventure wardrobe.
I didn’t buy a new swimsuit, because both my one piece and my two piece are in good condition. I have a new swimsuit coverup that I love and a new Kaftan to replace the one I wore until it fell apart. The Kaftan and the coverup serve like a bathrobe or lounge wear, in addition to beach wear. Both are colorful and comfortable. I also pack one cotton nightgown.
Underneath it all I have two running bras (Wacoal from Nordstrom) that are new. I have four everyday bras (Dominque and Victorias Secret). I purchased Chantelle lightweight quick dry panties from Nordstrom. I also have two pairs of bloomers (one from Bikie Girl Bloomers the other from Undersummers). I love both of these for wearing under dresses in hot weather to avoid that horrible thigh chafing so many women deal with (including me).
And what about the feet? Well, as usual, deciding what shoes to bring is my most difficult task. I have my running shoes that also serve as hiking shoes. I have a very comfortable tan colored walking sandal by Vionic that I can wear with most things and is great for my plantar fasciitis. I have a black flat sandal and my Keen’s which are great walking shoes and can also be worn in the water. That’s four pairs. Pretty sure that is all I am taking. That’s the fewest pairs I have ever packed.
To top it off I have a wide brimmed straw hat, a cloth floppy brimmed hat, my hiking hat and a baseball cap. I also have several headbands that I like to wear for running or to the beach.
So my entire wardrobe for nine months consists 29 pieces to mix and match (pants, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, dresses, blouses, sweater and jackets), 7 workout pieces, 5 hiking pieces, 4 pairs of shoes, 4 bras, 7 panties, 1 coat and one sweatshirt. In one suitcase. Boom.
I’m packing fewer earrings and necklaces too…I have just a couple of each that are my go-to for both comfort and style. Everything else will stay behind this year.
We’ve added a few new non-clothing items this year including a travel yoga mat, an REI nylon hammock that folds up tiny and a travel steamer/iron. These are all things we have discussed in the past we would like to have. These items join several other wonderful travel essentials such as our collapsible cooler, our titanium french press and battery charger. To see the entire list check out our newly updated blog What’s in My Suitcase.
Speaking of suitcase – The Grand Adventure 3.0 continues with the REI roller bags we purchased more than three years ago. We had to replace the wheels on one bag but other than that these bags have been worth every penny, serving us well on 95 flights so far. In addition Arne has his backpack (also three years old) and I have a carryon roller bag that I purchased last year. I also have a large “purse” that I stuff full on flight day but use a small over the shoulder bag for every day. And finally we really like our day pack that folds up tiny and weighs nearly nothing.
We depart in less than two weeks and I have begun to organize and sort all of the above as well as our medicines, first aid, toiletries and other items that we will take on our journey.
PLEASE watch for a blog next Friday for our FULL ITINERARY for The Grand Adventure 3.0. We are so excited to share the incredible places we are going. Countdown to lift off 11 days!
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27 Comments
Great wardrobe! I love the colors, though they wouldn’t all work for my coloring. Looking forward to the itinerary
August 30, 2019 at 7:06 amThanks Amy!
August 30, 2019 at 7:53 amLove this. When Brenda and I spent a month in France, I did only carry on. I stuck to mostly black with a splash of color. Other than washing my undies in the sink, I only had to find a place to do laundry once (The Latherie). Brenda had checked bags. She never had to do laundry but traveling on trains, buses and the metro was much easier for me. Less is more.
August 30, 2019 at 9:22 amThanks Kathi.
August 30, 2019 at 2:16 pmOh and stick deodorant works really well with that thigh rubbing thing.
August 30, 2019 at 5:03 pmIve heard that but haven’t tried it. Will give it a try!
August 31, 2019 at 11:06 amSo glad you mentioned you will be “visiting several Muslim countries as well as Israel where thoughtful conservative dress is both important and respectful.” This is something we Americans often forget about. But I’d like to add that men are also expected to be conservative and to dress respectfully…and not just Israel and Muslim countries. Please, guys, DO NOT visit the Vatican or other holy Christian, Muslim or Jewish sites wearing shorts and a tank top. (long cargo shorts are borderline OK) The same kind of modesty is also expected in various other religions.
August 30, 2019 at 1:35 pmVery true.
August 30, 2019 at 2:16 pmOne of the things I absolutely hate about travel is trying to decide what clothes to take! Will definitely take some of these wardrobe tips on board!
August 31, 2019 at 5:41 amThanks Gabby!
August 31, 2019 at 11:05 amWow, I just struggle packing appropriately for a weeks travel. I can’t even imagine knowing what I’d want or need for 9 months! Incredible. Thanks for sharing. You are truly inspiring!
August 31, 2019 at 5:52 amThanks Sue!
August 31, 2019 at 11:05 amSupercool wardrobe choices. I love the kaftan, and that bright dress, and everything else here. Really suits you!
August 31, 2019 at 9:50 amI agree! Thanks so much!
August 31, 2019 at 11:05 amAlthough I am good at planning ahead for my travels, I am always undecided on what to pack for my vacation. You have great tips here which I can look up again later – Pinned it.
August 31, 2019 at 9:53 amThank you!
August 31, 2019 at 11:04 amI love how much color you included! I am about to go on my first long-term travel adventure so have been doing a lot of research but everything is often so basic and drab with just black, gray, and navy so thanks for the inspiration!
August 31, 2019 at 11:07 amGood Luck! Hope we inspired you a little bit!
August 31, 2019 at 11:31 amLove the kaftan and linen outfits, they are so comfy. The variety of clothes just makes the packing experience exciting.
August 31, 2019 at 12:18 pmThanks Sharon!
August 31, 2019 at 12:49 pmThanks for reading!
August 31, 2019 at 12:49 pmI find packing quite the challenge so I love how much thought you have put into this! You’re going to look just grand. I love the colour palette. I hope you have a little room in your luggage in case you want to buy some new piece of clothing on the road! 😉
August 31, 2019 at 2:50 pmThere is always a wee bit of room…LOL! Thanks!
August 31, 2019 at 3:20 pmLove what you have packed. Love all the colors mixing matching etc. 9 months wow. looking forward to hearing all about your travels. I wear a lot of bamboo pants and t/shirts when traveling. I wear undies on long bus trips that are designed to trap in sweat etc…however when short touring etc I wear easy to wash and dry. I will check this out again before I have to pack for our 4 weeks…yes only 4 weeks but 10 days of that is a cruise on the Baltic….by the way I take new clothes when i travel….xx
September 2, 2019 at 3:03 pmThank you so much. I’ll have to try bamboo!
September 2, 2019 at 11:13 pmYou have a beautiful sence of style and fashion 🙂
September 2, 2019 at 10:29 pmThank you!
September 2, 2019 at 11:13 pm