Reader Request: Packing for a More Fashion-Conscious Country (or City)

One of the great perks of academic work in many fields is the chance to travel for research or conferences.  Four years ago I put most of my stuff into storage, packed up two suitcases with clothes, a few books and pictures, and went off to Spain for a year and a half. Sometimes, though, a shorter trip is in order.  I've gone to Mexico for research twice for a period of a few weeks or two months, and to Spain for a couple of weeks a couple of times.  One of our readers, Scuttleboose of Lose the Boredom, requested some tips on how to pack for a two-week research trip to a more fashion-conscious country in a carry-on, so I thought I would share my tricks.

If blending in with the locals is important to you, my first recommendation is that you do some internet research to see what the trends are in the country/city that you are traveling to.  Look at what the local style bloggers are wearing and saying and what the fashion mags are touting.  Ask friends who have recently traveled to those places or friends who live there what the locals are wearing.  Also check out The Glamourous Grad Student's City Chic series in case the city you're traveling to has been covered by anyone recently.  Even if you don't care so much about looking like you are from Milan, or Paris, or Buenos Aires, or wherever it is you are going, research the weather if you haven't been to the location before.  If you're traveling to use archives, I strongly recommend that you verify that the archive in question does not have a dress code and make sure that you know their policies about notebooks, writing utensils, whether or not they require you to bring gloves, etc. before you start packing.

Once you have a sense of these things, make a list of things to pack.  Think in terms of remixable pieces.*  Figure out a variety of combinations so that you can minimize the number of pieces you need to take to create two weeks' worth of outfits.  I'll give a few examples.  A jersey dress could be worn to the archives or the library with a cardi and a belt (many archives tend to be chilly even in the hot summer months) and flats and to go to dinner and drinks by removing the cardi, changing shoes, and adding a statement necklace.  Don the dress for another day at the archives by wearing it as a skirt and adding a blouse and a belt.  A pair of jeans could be worn with a blouse for the archives during the day  (unless your archive is like the Vatican and has a no jeans dress code) and a tunic for night and a tank top and your comfiest flat sandals for doing touristy activities on the weekend.  They could be worn with a tank and cardi back to the archives or library.




Find me on Polyvore

Items that I would not leave home without for a summer archival trip:
- a pair of versatile and comfortable flats
- a cardigan or two (I usually wear one on the plane because I freeze on planes and in airports)
- a dress that can go from day to night by switching shoes and accessories
- an umbrella
- laptop and camera and flashdrive
- necessary documentation to get into the country and archives
- power converters/adapters etc. for laptop, camera battery charger, etc.
- pencils (I never use them except at archives)

In order to maximize space in your carry-on suitcase, I recommend either rolling your clothing (this also minimizes wrinkling) or using vacuum packing bags.  (A friend of mine vacuum packed her ginormous down comforter and brought it with her to Europe, and this event solidified in my mind their miraculous powers.)  If you plan on taking a pair of boots, I recommend wearing them on the plane in order to gain some extra space in your luggage.  You can always stash a pair of flip-flops in your purse and switch out for a long flight.

I'll ask those of you who have traveled abroad for research (or for fun) to share your tricks for saving space in your luggage and your must-have items in the comments.  What's your methodology for packing for a research trip?

Oh, and don't forget to enter our CSN stores giveaway!


* Unless I sauce or wine myself, go to a smokey night club, or end up running 15 blocks in an item of clothing, I tend to wear pieces of clothing 3-6 times before washing them.  (Underwear excepted.) It's better for the life of the clothes and the environment.