packing strategy--only dresses?

If you wear the same pair of shoes everyday your feet will hurt because your shoes will be pressing on the same points of your feet everyday. Remember you will probably be walking a lot more than you do at home. You need to switch off. As for the clothing, wear whatever you find comfortable and that makes you happy. The only people who will notice what you wear longer than 30 seconds are you and your travel companion.

I would bring at least one pair of pants and a pair of closed in shoes. You never know when the weather will turn rainy and/or chilly. I arrived in Germany just in time for a killer heat wave. I knew it was going to be hot and my brothers, who were already there, told me to not bother bringing a jacket. They said it would be totally unnecessary. Fast forward a couple of weeks...we get to Amsterdam. It is cold. It is wet. I had to buy a sweater and my sister bought a pair of jeans. On the bright side, I still wear the sweater and it is one of my favorites. Maybe you can find a pair of long pants that roll up into a pair of capris. I have two pair of pants like that and I bring those. I would also pack a sweater that you can wear over the dresses and a waterproof jacket.

This isn't really a subject I should be replying to, but just let me say this; Of course women wear dresses in Europe and of course you won't stand out at all (not that you should really care if you did). Personally, I love seeing women wear summery dresses. As for shoes, most men I know who don't need dressy shoes for work, wear the same pair of shoes most of the time. Do their feet hurt? I know RS, himself only wears one. Do his feet hurt? I assume the key is having a good, comfortable pair of shoes. On the other hand, women do have lots of choices for ultra-light & easy to pack shoes, so maybe a back-up style wouldn't necessarily be a backpack-buster. If I packed an extra pair of shoes, it would add a pound+ and a heck of a lot of space.

I don't think it ever hurts to pack one pair of jeans (or khakis). If you hit some cool weather or rainy weather, a summery dress might not be enough.
I took one pair of jeans last summer and wore them every day for the first week due to rain and low temps. My first purchase in Amsterdam was a zippered hoody. You just have to prepare for those days when the weather is not optimal. I would definitely take a backup pair of shoes - rain, puddles.....etc

You'll be certainly in style wearing dresses in Paris. Unless maybe they are all tent-like beach thingies ...

However, I agree with those cautioning about the possibility of cooler or rainy weather. Barcelona might be southern enough that you'll be safe. But London or Amsterdam are notorious for summer days that do no deserve that name.

A common thread here is that you can buy what you need in Europe, if you need it, but I also have been caught in the cold in the summer in Amsterdam. I think your plan of taking dresses and a pair of capris (or longer pants to roll up, maybe) is fine.

Maybe you could bring a large scarf or shawl like a pashmina or purchase one in Europe as a warm layer over your dresses. They fold up very small but can add a surprising amount of warmth.

I'd also second the idea of taking another pair of shoes. It's always a good idea to have a second pair of broken-in shoes to turn to. I would make them closed shoes, so your feet will be warmer and drier if it rains.

In London, women of all ages (and shapes) wear long tops or tunics with leggings and boots or flats. It is comfortable as well as fashionable and cute!

"The only people who will notice what you wear longer than 30 seconds are you and your travel companion" is the sagest thing that has ever been said on this subject.

Cynthia, when you croak, give me a yell and I'll come chisel it on your tombstone.

hmmm...i had not even thought of being cold (though of course i assume i will be rained upon). maybe that's because where i live (in Pennsylvania) i'd never have need of anything warm in july or august.

thanks for the reassurance, and i'll consider a second pair of shoes, though i really don't think i have room for them. perhaps i can look into buying something more light-weight. i'm practice packing for a week-long trip to vegas (yes, yes, i know, vegas has no culture. but it has three foot tall margaritas and a pool, so i'm going!) so i'll know if my backpack, filled, fits the carry-on standards (as long as i don't stuff it past capacity, i think it might) but the weight restrictions might get me. hmm. i may need to do some reconsidering.

oh and no, they are not giant mu-mu type dresses! ;-)

Pack some leggings to wear under your dresses for cooler temps that may occur. Merrell does a sweet mary jane type shoe that I wear to work every day and since I go in the winter, I do not wear them. But if I were to go in the summer, I would totally wear my Merrell mary jane (I believe the model is Brio) because they would be great for my feet, great for walking, and look real cute with dresses and capris. I would totally wear dresses and capris in the summer in Europe because that is what I wear in hot humid summers here in St Pete Florida. I will even wear leggings under my dresses in the summer.

Take a look at them, copy and paste as I do not know how to hook up links:

http://www.google.com/search?q=merrell+brio&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Tracy- go with what is comfortable. I personally do all pants, but if you enjoy your sundresses, do it! I would take a scarf or shirt in your day bag if you plan to go into any churches. Many consider it offensive to go in with bare sholders. Also, if the dresses are really short, do wear leggings or take a pair of pants to slip on underneath for the churches. Also, I only take one pair of shoes- but they are black leather sneakers/walking shoes. You may really want to consider a closed shoe for cooler and rainy days. Yes, you can buy things there, but I didn't want to spend my time shopping for clothes.

While some people do get away with only one pair of shoes, I would never consider that, especially if I am wearing sandals or other style shoe barefoot. Socks erase some of the issues with wearing the same pair of shoes day after day. But with bare feet inside your shoes, even if you wear comfortably well-broken in sandals, you can develop hot spots and blisters with all the walking you will be doing. I think it's very important to have a second pair to change into from time to time. And as suggested, a pair of closed-toe shoes is good to have, as it may well not be hot and sunny every day.

You can get some really lightweight, packable Mary Jane and "slide" styles by Merrell, Privo, Keen, etc. that would be good for a backup pair and wouldn't take up much room at all in your luggage.

I love the leggings under the dress idea in case the weather turns cool. I too love to wear dresses as soon as the weather allows so I think your packing list is good. And you'll look much better than your average American tourist.

One thing to consider is that you'll be doing a LOT of walking, which means you risk the dreaded thigh chafing -- especially when it's warm and sticky (I speak from experience here). So I'd suggest a pair or two of above-the-knee leggings like bike shorts, or a stick of BodyGlide, or both. Bonus: the bike shorts will make riding a bike in a dress totally feasible!

bike shorts. brilliant. seriously brilliant. i ride my bike to work frequently, and wear pants with my dresses. i look very funny walking in to work before i take the pants off in the restroom. this would eliminate even that problem. i cannot believe i did not think of this before. deleting capri pants, adding bike shorts. thanks!!!!!!

Tracy, the bike shorts are a good idea, but I would take at least one pair of pants. London and Amsterdam (don't know about Paris) can be very cool and damp. They can also be sweltering.... but always plan on one back-up outfit. Lightweight cotton-blend pants are very practical.

Like London and Amsterdam, Paris can be either sweltering or down-right cold in the summer. You never know what will blow in from the Atlantic. Bringing a warm but thin sweater or shawl, as suggested above, is an excellent suggestion, as are the Merrell Mary Janes (I just bought my fourth pair).

i look very funny walking in to work

Well, do you think that same outfit would look less funny walking in Paris? If your original concern was about "looking our of place in Paris" by wearing a dress the combo with bike shorts might be more comfortable but will not address the above concern, I'm afraid.

i look very funny walking to work...wearing actual pants with my dresses. i'd be wearing form fitting bike shorts under my dress, which would not be visable any more than my underwear would be, unless i'd be riding a bike.

Tracy,

Before you purchase Tevas, try on a pair of Chacos. They have a synthetic footbed, Vibram outsole, and adjustable nylon straps with no velcro. They have excellent support and come in several colors. I wore mine everyday during a 2 1/2 week trip to Italy, and the next year for 2 weeks in Germany. This year, my Chacos are taking me through France. Actually, I wear my Chacos constantly from April to October, with shorts, casual skirts, sundresses (they look better than Tevas), jeans, whatever!

With a pair of Chacos you can walk, hike, kayak, bike, jog, swim, and walk in sand, travel. I have done those and more. They can double as your shower shoes if necessary---in fact, I washed mine in the shower daily while in Europe. At home, you can throw them in the washing machine to clean.
Can you tell I LOVE my Chacos? All 3 pairs!

@Ellen--great suggestion. Even looking at them online I can see how they are more stylish (if that word can be used to describe athletic sandals!) but my are they expensive! I think I'll have a very hard time convincing my husband that I 'need' another pair of shoes for this trip (I've already bought three pairs to 'try them out'!) But likely I'll just order them and they will arrive, and he'll get over it! ;-)

Hi Tracy, I see leggings have been mentioned a few times, and also note that you're rtying to fit everything into a backpack.

I was just thinking you could buy the leggings once you're in Europe and maybe dump them before you go home. They don't cost much at all- here in the UK you can get them in almost any clothing store and in Primark they're only £3 (about $5). Most stores they're about £7-10. Almost everyone wears them here (well, not the men of course!).

Same thing with flip-flops, if you need a change of shoes. Of course, having bought them in Europe, you might want to take them home as a souvenir. That happens to me quite often. I now have an extensive collection.

Hope you have a great vacation!

I agree with Ellen about Chaco sandals. I just bought two pair for my month in Paris (I leave in 3 hrs!!!!!) and they are amazing.

I want to second (or third) the bike short idea. I live in Southern California and wear bike shorts under my skirts and dresses all the time, unless it's cool and then out come the leggings. I'm also planning to take mostly sundresses on my trip this August. I feel like I will be able to take more variety in less space.