Planning:
When I was getting ready to go on my summer study abroad trip to London, I was aware of a few things. Number one: I needed to be able to carry all of my luggage by myself pretty easily. Number two: Even though I was packing light (or light-ish), I still needed to be outfitted for a whole summer. Number three: This trip was going to include a lot of class-related activities, so I needed to be able to look somewhat professional most of the time. And number four: I was going to be walking. A lot.
Therefore, I knew I needed to bring clothes that would look professional enough to wear to meet with not only my professors and classmates but also with professionals in the field, but that were also appropriate for off-duty activities. I also needed to make sure there were things that would fit in at slightly dressier venues, like the theatre or a nice restaurant (this is London, after all). I also needed to make sure that I was prepared for a range of weather, since I knew London summers could range from cool and drizzly to hot and sunny, and I had to be ready for either. Because I was going to be there long enough to need to do laundry, I needed to be sure that everything I brought could be washed in the dorm laundromat or hand-washed in the sink; no dry-clean-only clothes at all!
London’s a pretty formal town, so I went heavy on dresses, though I like dresses anyway. You get a whole outfit in one item, which means less to pack, and depending on the style, they are comfortable to wear, since they aren’t tight and don’t restrict your movement. I realize this is a matter of personal preference; I certainly know people who find dresses uncomfortable, though I suspect they might not have encountered the joy of a soft, loose t-shirt dress before. All the freedom of no pants without the scandal – how could you go wrong?
Because I knew to expect a lot of variety in the weather, I made sure to have some variety in my clothing, as well. I took several dresses ranging from long sleeved to sleeveless, and the same variety in tops. I took a denim jacket and a black jacket for layering, and a raincoat for rainy days. For pants, I took a pair of black jeans, which fulfilled the need for professional-looking pants without having to take any sort of wrinkle-prone slacks or dress pants, which, to be honest, I didn’t have anyway. I also took a pair of regular jeans and a pair of shorts, just in case I needed them. This ended up being a good idea, since the last week I was there saw an intense heat wave striking London, necessitating cooler clothes and midday showers.
My Packing List:
For course work:
My laptop
A few books that were assigned reading, plus an e-reader
A plug converter
To wear:
2 pairs of jeans, one black and one plain denim
1 pair of shorts
1 light floral pattered kimono-style jacket
An assortment of t-shirts and tank tops
2 nice tops, one sleeveless, one long-sleeved
1 pink cotton sleeveless dress
2 short-sleeved dresses, one solid and one patterened
1 striped three-quarter-length-sleeved dress, blue and white
1 sleeveless fit-and-flare dress, brightly colored, wearable as a sundress or over a t-shirt
1 long-sleeved black dress, patterned
1 black lace maxi dress, major Stevie Nicks vibes
1 denim jacket
1 khaki rain coat
Pajamas (light long pants, shorts, and tank tops)
1 bath robe/dressing gown
Undergarments (look away, boys):
Socks and drawers for two weeks; four bras, two black, two nude, one of each a more t-shirt-friendly style, one a little more… suited toward evening wear; one black slip (for that lace dress)
For my feet:
1 pair black Converse high-tops
1 pair black-and-white bebops, aka saddle oxfords
1 pair black patent-leather sandals with a chunky heel
To carry my stuff:
1 carryon-sized suitcase
1 backpack (Hershel Supply Co. Little America)
1 small black purse
1 cloth messenger bag, (technically a diaper bag, but it’s not obvious)
Additional items:
Small collection of jewelry
Toiletries/beauty kit
Nalgene water bottle
Microfiber travel towel
The Verdict:
So what did I think about my packing selections? Overall, I did pretty well. The different sleeve lengths and jackets were a good solution to fluctuating temperatures. The London girls took it a step further and wore black tights under their dresses or shorts on chilly days, which allowed them to wear their summer clothes even if it was chilly. I don’t know if this was a normal part of their early summer routine or if it was a fad that season, but it actually seemed like a good idea.
The black jeans were a good choice, too. Study abroad classes and excursions generally don’t seem to be overly strict clothing-wise, but I did feel the need to dress up a bit more than a pair of regular jeans. This admittedly may have more to do with the fact that my undergrad university had a pretty formal class dress tradition than the true expectations, but I would recommend the black jeans either way. They have a sort of vague “black pants” appearance, but unlike dress pants, they don’t normally require ironing, and they won’t look out of place in non-class or work environments.
Another item that I really enjoyed having was a robe. I am admittedly a big robe person, which I know is not true of everyone. If you never wear a robe at home, you might just skip over this item and lighten your suitcase a bit. I really enjoyed having it to slip on at night after I got ready for bed but before I went to sleep and especially in the mornings when I got up and had breakfast before starting my day. If you jump out of bed and immediately get dressed, it might not be much of a necessity, but if you are slow to wake up, you might appreciate it. In London I shared a flat with four other girls, and so I was glad to be able to throw something on over my pajamas before encountering anyone. Mornings can also be chilly, so it’s nice to have an extra layer on while you’re drinking your morning coffee and checking the weather to pick out your outfit for the day. You could also use something like a sweater or hoodie for this purpose just as well.
My shoe selection was another packing victory. The Converse high tops were comfortable and were a really popular footwear choice in London that summer, and I always appreciate it when I can blend in a bit. The bebops had hard, sturdy soles and good support, so they were also great for walking They later became a popular footwear choice in London. Coincidence? I think not!). Having two different shoe options on a trip where you’re walking a lot is nice if you can manage it; not wearing the same pair of shoes every day helps keep your feet from getting tired or developing blisters. My sandals were dressy enough for every need I had, as well as being comfortable enough to get me there and back again.
Anything I would’ve done differently?
Although my diaper-bag-messenger-bag was nice, good quality, well-organized, and boasted a handy wipe-clean interior, it was also a little on the heavy side. I would’ve probably done better to bring a lightweight tote that could’ve been rolled up into another bag and wouldn’t have had much weight on its own. I ended up putting pens, pencils and a little notebook into my purse for most of my class events, so although it was convenient to have the option of a larger bag, it wasn’t entirely necessary. With the amount of walking I ended up doing, light would’ve trumped organized.
I really could’ve done without the Nalgene. I know it’s important to stay hydrated, but I ended up not bothering to carry around that big, bulky water bottle most of the time. It was nice to have on planes and trains and coaches, but otherwise I mostly just kept it filled up in the mini-fridge in my room. Maybe a smaller, lighter, more streamlined water bottle would’ve worked better, but for the most part there was always somewhere where I could stop for a drink if I got thirsty. It might be more important if you were doing an outdoorsy trip with lots of hikes or adventure activities, but for walking around cities, I really didn’t need it. I also never really needed the travel towel. Everywhere I stayed provided linens, so I could’ve left it at home.
Overall, I did a pretty good job packing for my trip. The lessons I learned were more about planning ahead and packing long enough beforehand to not be in a last-minute panic than about what to pack or not. I was reminded that lighter is always better and less is more, and anything you don’t have you will usually be able to find at your destination. There are few packing mistakes that can’t be corrected!
