My Padders Sandals' Soles melted in the heat

 My shoe soles melted in the heat. Black sticky mess on the floor. June in London 2026 HAS A HEATWAVE.

This is not unique to Padders good value shoes but general. I have had the same from Marks & Spencer shoes. 

Once, when my shoes disintegrated, and I tried to return them, or at least register a complain about the composition of the sole, the staff asked me how long ago I had bought the footwear. 

Buying New Shoes

I also had a pair of shoes disintegrate although I had never worn them. I didn't wear them because they were a size too small, my feed are different sixes so one shoe was too small, and my weight and ankles had increased. I kept them lovingly because they were very pretty, bought on impulse in an end of season sale.

If your shoes disintegrate you might need to provide a receipt. The shoe or shoe box may have a number telling the manufacturer the date the shoe was made, as well as the date of your purchase.

From now on I shall be keeping my shoes in the shoe box with the receipt attached, and keeping a photographic record of the footwear alongside the receipt. 

I have now stopped saving shoes for a special occasion.  I am well past fifty and my dancing days are limited.  

Second Hand & Sale Shoes

Shoes which have been hanging around in the shop, or worn by a previous owner, might be nearing the end of their useful life. Another reason to wear them soon, whilst you can, and get your money's worth.

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Afterthoughts On Travel Packing

 

Packing nightmare. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

What should I pack? Clogs, Crocs, for the day. But something smarter for the evening.

Evening Shoes

Gold sandals for the evening. Gold and silver sandals would go with everything.  Not high heels. The conference centre had grass. I could keep to paths. But what if a group took a short cut? Or an evening walk by the lake to see the sunset?

Summer Sandals

Sandals for summery weather. Socks, or nail polish for my toes? 

Rain

What if it rained? Did I need closed toe shoes?

Travel Outfits - One or Two?

I needed five outfits plus one travel outfit. I could wear it at the end. It could be hand-washed and dry in between, if I wore the same dress on the journey down and the journey back.

Day and evening 

I wanted a day outfit and an evening outfit. Could I upgrade outfits with a smarter jacket, and a glittering scarf? I wanted a hat with a brim to shield my eyes from lights. But what about the evening? A sequinned cap. It was black, no good for crossing roads at night, but okay when I stayed within a conference centre.

Stationery, Books, Gifts

For a Writers' Summer School I pack books to sell, a display stand, stickers, flyers, business cards and free bookmarks.

My books. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Torch

Umbrella and rainhat and hooded raincoat. Waterproof bag for papers, notebooks and books and newspapers.

Coffee

On one trip, my husband did not like the coffee in the restaurant at the hotel. He made a round trip driving to the nearest town and bought a coffee maker and capsules. The following year we travelled there with the coffee  maker.

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Sandals for the Hotel or Holiday Swimming Pool Or Beach

 

The brand leader are Crocs.

I have a second hand pair of Crocs in yellow.

The real deal - Crocs.

You can wear the strap at the front or at the back. It rotates on a circular fixing.

The Yellow Sandals

In this picture I have matched up the yellow shoes with a yellow swimming ring. I found them abandoned. I washed them off. Because they were dirty. And somebody else had worn them. This was before Covid-19. For several months I did not wear them. They looked big and clonky. Then my other shoes were wet. So I tried them on. The Crocs soon became a regular alternative shoe, until they became my every day shoes.

I wear my yellow shoes all day indoors around the home. The shoes, or rather, sandals, look rather clompy with smart clothes. However, they are comfortable and quick to put on and off for photos or when jumping into the shower to cool down in Singapore. And when you come out of the shower with wet feet.

The latest Crocs were on sale at a store in Orchard Road in Singapore, in two shades or orange, dark and light. I liked them very much, despite the high price, even after the sale discount.

I would have bought them, but they were a size too large. I am a size 4 in one foot and four and a half in the other. I buy size five boots to be sure they fit. I can add a pair of socks inside boots, but boots which are too small on the foot or ankle are impossible to wear so size five is the best option 

The much cheaper pair I bought online are another brand, Surf2, and are shiny rather than matt.

However, size 5 in the clogs was still large so I re-ordered from another company in size 4. If they prove too small I shall hunt for size four and a half.

Holy Holes

What do I like about the shoes? The back strap keeps them more secure than ordinary slip-on shoes. This means less clenching of my toes which if unchecked turns them into hammer toes. The Thick toes reduced the chance of your toes stubbing against a tree root or step. protects your toes. Yet the open back and the holes on top reduces rubbing against wet shoes. The skin has access to the air and the shoes dry quicker.

I have also seen oblong holes. Not quite so elegant and soothing as the round holes. I prefer round holes.

Update - Quick Delivry 

Unbelievably the shoes I ordered about six in the evening in London UK, on a Friday, arrived by early afternoon the next day, Saturday. I am a member of Amazon Prime and get free next day delivery. Usually I don't need it. I think I joined some time ago when I needed items urgently for repairs or furnishing for a flat for tenants, or to fix a water leak. I thought, it might be an allowable business expense, and if not I just must have it anyway, with the decoration needed for the tenants moving in. I think I then found the system handy or just never cancelled. If the rest of the family need stuff urgently, or I do, I make sure of ordering it on the prime account.

They are called 2Surf.

The symbol is a triangle with a C shape surf wave. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

When you are travelling and find your old shoes have fallen apart, and you need shoes in a hurry, or want to be sure they are delivered when you are there at home to sign for them, it's handy.

Useful websites

https://www.ebay.com/sch/footwear_online/m.html?item=274404280760&amdata

Performing On A Strange Stage, Home City and Overseas - What To Look For

A large stage demands that you stride purposefully from one end to the other so everybody can see you.
You can do a funny walk, look at your shoes, even lie down.

A small stage below the audience with surrounding immovable desks and a lectern hiding the lower half of a speaker is a challenge. Nobody can see your feet, no room to page and show gestures. A speech about feet or shoes or pirouetting is not a good idea.


Singapore flag

I went back to the UK from Singapore and gave a speech in a contest. The speech was about my experience in Singapore.

I had a humorous speech which involved my borrowing shoes from a person in the front row and clomping about.



UK flag

The area contest was at the London Business school, in England, UK.

Nobody could see me taking the shoes off the man. They could not see the size of his shoes.

My speech did not go down so well. The jokes were missed. I was demoralized and did not speak at my best. Later I realized I should have lifted the shoes in the air and made faces at them. I could have pretended to take them off and try to put them under my arms, on my shoulders, on my notes.

Those who knew the venue because it was where their club met had speeches prepared to take into account the venue and make use of its large screen.

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, speaker and teacher of business English and other languages.

What To Wear, Not Wear, And Carry On a Flight

Before you start packing, note the size and weight allowed for check-in and carry-on luggage. If you have multiple legs of your journey, pack for the most restrictive flight, unless you plan to mail items back home half way, or leave your heaviest suitcase with family at your first stopover, and carry on with a lighter bag.

DRESS FOR YOUR DESTINATION
The rule is, dress for your destination. However, you also need to think about your journey to the airport, going through security, and on the plane.

HOT DESTINATIONS
CLOTHES

UK flag. London - hot in summer, cold in winter.

Why dress for your destination? One year I wore heavy knee high boots and a long coat in London. I flew to India.

Indian flag.

India and Asia. Hot countries.

My luggage was delayed 24 hours. So I was left wearing my London clothes for snow in the heat of Delhi.

First, I was far too hot in Delhi. Second I had no spare underclothes. Third, I  looked daft and everybody stared at me.

If you are flying to a hot destination, you need a lightweight outfit either in your carry-on luggage or under your warmer second layer.

NOTE SEASONS
Australia has opposite seasons to the UK and Europe.

Flag of tropical Singapore which is hot all year.


Singapore
Singapore is hot all year.In Singapore, you need light single layer clothes for walking to and from the MRT train stations, or waiting in line outdoors for a taxi. You also need a jacket to wear indoors in the air-conditioned taxi, the restaurants and hotels and office meeting rooms.

Japan has four seasons.




















Korean flag.

Korea can be cold and snowing in winter. Minus fifteen at a ski resort I visited.

Thermals
I always take one thermal vest and a deerstalker hat which covers ears and a pair of gloves. They are light to pack. Even if you are perspiring in the heat at mid-day, if you take a trip on a boat, ferry or cruise ship at night, the sea breeze can be cold.

Vietnam


















Vietnam flag.

Vietnam's weather can change from hot to cold between Xmas and New Year. I arrived in light clothes in Christmas 2018. By Jan 1st 2019 I needed a warm hooded jacket to protect my head and neck from the winds when waiting at bus stops.

LAYERS
However, don't wear too many layers. On a couple of occasions I wore two jackets. This meant lighter packing.

JACKETS
Actually I grabbed the second jacket at the last minute when I opened the front door in London and felt the cold air at dawn. I remembered the dreadful cold draft which hits you as you trundle all your luggage from the place where the taxi to the airport drops you, from the outer building to the inner building.

 I had to remove both jackets at security. Undressing all the layers delayed me so I was well behind my husband, who was impatiently waiting.

On the first occasion, I remembered my second jacket and had to go back to collect it.This should have been a warning.

The second time, I went back and my jacket was gone.

PONCHOS AND SLEEVELESS JACKETS
Alternatives are a poncho or sleeveless jacket. Make sure you can wear your shoulder bag or cross-body bag easily under or over the poncho.

A poncho can double up as a warm cover if the airplane is cold.

LIPSTICKS
No Lipsticks Nor Medicines
On one trip I put my liquid medicine and my lipstick in a  lovely case in the little plastic bag in a separate container. I lost it. the lost property office was miles away.

When I went online, you had to describe your item. No room for three items, you could only list one.

Luckily I had a second lipstick in the same lovely case. But I never travelled with it again. One solution is to pack a lipstick. On board only carry a lipstick which is almost finished, with just less than one centimeter at the base. Use a lipstick brush to apply it.

Or pack your valuable lipstick. Take a cheap, current colour,  and easily replaceable one for the journey.

No Metals
Metals will set off the metal detector which you might need to walk through. This means:

CLOTHES
1 No shoes with metal tips or metal ended laces.
2 No boots nor shoes with metal eyelets for laces.
3 No belts with metal buckles.
4 No all metal belts. Not loose ones threaded through loops on jeans, nor holding up the waist of long dresses so you don't trip. No fixed sewn-on half belts on the back or sides of jackets.

5 No jackets with metal eyelets.
6 No shirts nor blouses with fixed or removable metal collar ends. (Old shirts used to have whalebone strips to keep collars flat. These were replaced by cheaper plastic strips. Then the fashion was fixed tips so the collar lay flat and did not fray. Then metal corners you could clip on became available.)

BAGS
7 No bags with metal chain shoulder straps nor reinforcing triangles where the strap meets the bag, nor stud patterns.

Lightweight bags are less weight on the shoulders as well as keeping within your allowance. 

A sturdier bag might protect a laptop or by pickpocket proof. A reversible bag gives you more colour options. If one side gets dirty, you can reverse it.

I pack a small bag inside a bigger one.

If I have space in my carry-on bag, I can put my heavier shoulder bag inside it and have a hand free at the airport. The smaller neck bag can carry a passport or ticket or boarding pass.

Another handy item is a neck pocket which can carry your spectacles when you are asleep, or your phone or toothbrush when you hop out to the toilet.

ACCESSORIES
8 No pendants or necklaces with heavy metal chains and heavy metal pendants. (You might find a fine gold choker necklace goes through without a problem.)
9 No metal brooches, rings or bracelets.
10 No hats nor baseball caps with metal shields or symbols on the front, nor buckles at the back.

HIGH HEELED SHOES
Don't wear high heeled shoes for longhaul. Or keep them separate to wear at the far end.
1 During those long walks at airports such as Heathrow and same transit airports in the USA, your feet will ache.
2 Also, if you have to evacuate an aircraft, you have to remove high heeled shoes because they would rip the slide fabric as you hurtle down the slide from the plane to the ground.

Small Items
If you do have to remove small items, try to put them inside something else, such as a zip up pocket or bag, so they don't roll out or get forgotten or take up extra trays.

Keep track of how many items you are collecting. Wear brightly coloured items you can identify and which others will not take by mistake.

If you are asked to step aside to open an item for inspection, try to watch out for your other items. Alternatively, list the number of items you need to collect and ask another member of your family or group to keep an  eye out.

Remember that items apparently left behind at security may be whisked away by the staff so that a moment later they have vanished.

Laptops and covers and accessories
You might keep all your accessories together so as not to lose anything and not to have to count, nor to get delayed. However, you might need to remove your laptop from your carry on bag. One solution is to have the laptop already outside the cover. Use the cover to protect one side of the bag.

Use another bag or a light item such as a jumper or neck pillow to cushion the other side of the laptop and its sides. Once you are through the security area, you can  place the laptop back in its secure cover for the rest of the journey.

Leftover Wine
When clearing out your fridge, you might give leftovers to a neighbour, send an email to yur family reminding them which foods are about to reach their expiry date.

Leftover wine in the fridge might be used in cooking or for cleaning, or dyeing clothes. You won't be allowed to take it with you in Platy Preserves. You might be allowed to take on board 100 ml. Stock up with a couple or more 100 ml bottles if that is the maximum allowed on your airline.

If two of you are travelling and your spouse does not drink, you might be able to give them a bottle to take some for you.

Food and drink
Don't take on board items which will get you into trouble.

I was told that I could take cut flowers, but not plants with roots and soil, into Singapore.
Check the latest regulations before you fly, in case rules have been tightened or relaxed.

Apples from your home or hotel breakfast table, into the USA.

No fruit and vegetables into Australia.

Meats are banned in some European and Asian destination.

Knives
Also watch out for knives, scissors, needles. If you have a small, padded envelope addressed to yourself, and stamped, you might be able to post back to your home any item that adults or children are found to be carrying at the airport before you check-in.

Some airports simply throw away confiscated items.That multi-function Swiss army knife with the bottle opener, in your backpack, is an expensive and useful item you might not want to lose, especially if it was a birthday present.

Sometimes airports will store them for you to collect on your return. Ask. Allow time for delays over such items.

Once, my husband had accidentally taken as far as security a banned item he could not afford to lose. to retrieve his carry-on luggage and retreat back to the check in desk. This took half an hour, because they needed a member of staff who was not busy checking in passengers. She had to go to the office on the other side of the terminal to collect a form and bring it back. The form had to be filled in. Then through passport checks and security again.

Don't swear at security or you might get locked  up. Not advisable!

My best journey was travelling light with only a carry-on bag.

Happy travelling.

Useful Websites
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/baggage/baggage-allowance/
https://www.skyscanner.net/news/tips/7-ways-to-beat-ryanair-cabin-baggage-rules
https://topjourneymag.com/15-things-you-should-never-wear-during-a-flight
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/baggage/baggage-restrictions/

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Heel pain solutions found: support socks, heel cups and more

Problem Painful Heel
I had really bad heel pain. Could not walk. Worse in the morning. Worse on the right heel than the left.

Answers
I had to give up running up and down stairs and take the lifts at stations and plot my journeys to avoid long interchanges at stations. Is that the problem or the answer? It was only temporary relief.

Medical Plantar Fasciitis?
I searched on line to find out what was wrong. I was worried it might be diabetes and I could end up losing my foot or leg. I was relieved when it seemed that my problem was plantar fasciitis. I had a label but neither cause, prevention nor cure.

I looked online.

NEW SHOES?
A lady on a station in Singapore suggested I needed new shoes. I looked at my sandals which I wore every day. Lovely Josef Seibel sandals. Two-colour sandals which co-ordinated with my clothes and did not look too sporty as if I were hill-walking on rugged terrain, but suitable, elegant enough for indoor group meetings.

Worn Heels
Underneath they were wearing on the heel on one side. In the old days you wore leather shoes and when they wore down you took them to the menders and chose heels and had them re-heeled.

Unfortunately, today's synthetic moulded shoes cannot be fixed. When will somebody make sandals and both inexpensive and inexpensive shoes which can be repaired? I suggest shoes which can be taken apart easily to that one part can be changed, or two pairs can be combined to make one new pair.

Shoe Discounts
Another solution would be a buy two get one free offer, so that your favourite colour and design will continue to be in your cupboard so you can ditch the oldest and still have one pair which looks smart and supports your feet. Hotter sometimes does seasonal offers on buy two or three pairs of shoes and get a reduction.

Second-hand Footwear
I tend to buy second-hand sandals and shoes because you can never be sure whether shoes bought by mail will fit so I don't want to spend a lot of money. Even paying return postage and wrapping up items and taking them to the post office is a nuisance and wastes time.

I have been looking very carefully at the soles of second-hand shoes. If you only want to wear them for an evening talk when you are sitting down except for the ten-minute interval, the tops matter more than the underside.

However, I often need shoes or sandals you can wear all day, with lots of walking to the station, at station interchanges, 500 metres or ten minutes walk from the station to your destination. You might be walking around an exhibition or art gallery or conference or show.  Then you need shoes or sandals with support to stop getting pain.

Observing Others' Shoes And Stepping
You don't want to be walking lopsided in down-at-heel shoes. I look at people ahead of me on the escalator.

Flat Shoes and Flip-flops
On the marble floors in shopping malls, I hear people behind, alongside. I look at their bare feet in flip-flops, making a noise. I see old people shuffling along in flip-flops. (In Australia and New Zealand called thongs.) You can hear the noise of their shoes dragging along the ground.

I come out of a shower and wear completely flat towelling slippers or synthetic toe-post shoes.
If I wear flip-flops around the house, it's good for letting feet breathe. However, I notice that I don't lift my feet. When I change into sandals and set off down the street, and up and down steps, on uneven pavements, I keep tripping. Why? Because the front of one of my sandals has hit something and I am not stepping high enough over slight obstructions from uneven paving stones.

Heel Supports
I looked in a pharmacy or drug store in Singapore in the food section and found heel supports or liners to put inside shoes. They cost a lot of money, about the equivalent of £20. They would not suit sandals. They would slip out.

Amazon Products
However, today, weeks later, I found what looks like the solution. I had started searching for snadals. Then I clicked on kitchen clogs, protective shoes for chefs and ktichen workers. Underneath popped up protective shoes, liners, support, suport for the arch of your foot, items for people on their feet all day and more.

I wanted not support for arches, but padded socks. They fit around the ankle so they should not slip off when wearing sandals.

You can buy heel cups for closed shoes, and what look like socks with open toes, or socks with the fronts cut off. Both Amazon and Ebay had them.

Reviews Of Heel Cups and Liners
I looked on Amazon for the reviews. What could go wrong? If your feet are large or your ankles are wide the sock style liners in one size fits all might be too tight. Other reviewers said the items disintegrated in use - the gels rubbed off under pressure from shoes and straps, or went sticky.

Other reviewers, writing both when they had just received the item and after wearing, said the results were ok or wonderful.

Prices
Prices ranged from about £1 from China with free postage, or up to ten pounds or twenty or even thirty.

Should you go for the dearer ones on the grounds that you get what you pay for? Or go for the cheaper ones on the grounds that

a) If they don't work not a great financial loss
b) If you are cured in a day or two, they don't have to last forever.

NHS
One advertiser says their socks or inserts are approved by the NHS (National Health Service in the UK). Does that mean I can get them free?

Happy
Anyway, I am so happy to have found the sock-type solution, which can be worn inside a sandal. An alternative would be to order and wear the flat shoe liner or 'cup' support which might slip out, but secure them inside a pair of your own socks.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please bookmark and share links to your favourite posts.

Buy Travel Goods and services; discounted, or get them Free!

MAPS!

All over the internet for free

Countries , cities and surrounding countries from:

www.wikipedia

www.wikitravel

www.wikivoyage

Photograph your local area map to visit parks and shop.

Photograph similar in your holiday destination.

Maps of London underground are at stations in racks. You could also do a panorama of the map inside the station or train. Mainline city centre stations such as Euston have a map with the small area around the station.

I saw this map produced by Rent-a-car. 

http://www.rentalcars.com

When I tried to make the typed link live, they sent me an affiliate link. I wish I knew what to do with it.

We had already booked a car with another company and thought we had the cheapest deal but I did like their map.  

http://www.rentalcars.com/?affiliateCode=google&cor=gb&label=generic-81_VZpeFBa*rXXunHBqMQwS177283651678&ws=&ppc_placement=&ppc_target=&ppc_param1=&ppc_param2=&aceid=&adposition=1t1&ppc_network=g&feeditemid=&ppc_targetid=kwd-28173230&loc_physical_ms=9045963&loc_interest_ms=&ppc_device=c&ppc_devicemodel=&gclid=CjwKCAjwssvPBRBBEiwASFoVd2pd-5s_104wTSRWrkRREniCtQLjNhWjFVKwiaWLk43YkX_6oiwgVRoC4AAQAvD_BwE

Looking at their map, it was worth remembering your favourite places, Bucharest, the capital is in the south, Brasov, second city, due north. Ask the car company for the map. Usually there should be one in the car, but maybe the previous drivers took it and the car company forgot to replace it. Alternatively, they might tell you that the nearby tourist office has one.

Here's the map of the route taken by the Bucharestcitytour open top bus. While waiting for the bus (buy tickets on board) I photographed the route to memorise it and plan where to get off.

http://bucharestcitytour.ratb.ro

BOOKS and Guidebooks
Amazon : Travel guides. Maps.
Ebay
HMSO (Her Majesty's Stationery Office): Maps
Map shop in Covent Garden, London, England.
Most bookshops.
Motorway station shops and petrol stations: UK Newsagents such as W H Smith with local books and maps.
Racks of free local attractions and County attractions, often with a local map on the back marking the cities, roads and attractions.
Similar free brochure racks are in many supermarkets in tourist areas, as well as local coffee shops.
Free brochures, local maps and hotel cards from most Government or local Tourist offices.

CLOTHING
Look for anti mosquito or anti-insect clothing (NOSILIFE), anti tick socks (sold in Singapore at the shop at the base of the Bukit Timah uphill trail); anti sunburn clothes and swimsuits, and pickpocket proof clothing with double closure, multi-pocket jackets, especially ski jackets with inside pockets and double front closure of press studs with a zip underneath.
You can buy concealed pockets in hats, belts, tee-shirts.
Another travel item is the coat or long jacket with multiple pockets for going on airlines which charge for luggage.

Craghoppers N o s i L i f e insect repellent clothing such as ladies and men's shirts.
https://www.clothingarts.com/products/pickpocket_proof_business_travel_pants
Stocked by several companies such as Blacks.
www.craghoppers.com

Clothing Arts Warehouse
Questions and enquiries about orders, call tel:646 422 9222
email: info@clothingarts.com
3611 14th Ave Number 403
Brooklyn NY 11218

'Wearable Luggage'
Beat the baggage charges, or Pay Less For Luggage:
https://www.skyscanner.net/news/best-wearable-luggage-jackets-reviewed-beat-airline-baggage-charges
Brands reviewed are:
Rufus
Basket
Jaktog

FOOTWEAR

Shoes
www.sportsdirect.com
American websites say sneakers. The British websites say trainers.
Boots
Sandals
Customised

FOOTWEAR Brands:
Sandals for walking around the city:
Clarks; Hotter; Josef Seibel.
You can also buy second hand on ebay - and sell this season's to somebody else if you like to keep up with fashion.
I have articles on buying sandals in
travelwithangelalansburyblogspot.co.uk

HOLIDAYS / BUSINESS
COMPLETE PACKAGES
ACCOMMODATION+FOOD+ENTERTAINMENT
Club Med.
Sandals.
Some hotels in Scotland, such as
Peebles Hydro, especially in school Easter and summer holidays, Christmas, New Year and half-term breaks.
Golfing Hotels.

Country Clubs
Accommodation attached to country clubs - your home club may have reciprocal arrangements, but clubs vary as to whether non-members, in booked accommodation, or visiting for a meal, can use only the restaurant or all the sports and entertainment facilities.
Websites:
www.Tripadvisor.co.uk
www.Lastminute.com
High street travel agents with nationwide branches.
Accommodation advice and bookings at tourist offices in many airports in Arrivals, but may only be open during the working day.

BAGS & SUITCASES SOURCES

BAGS
T r a v e l o n sell anti-theft bags, waterproof items, RFID blocking locking zipper, hidden compartments, chain link construction to ward off slashing of panels and slash resistant straps. Prices range from $45 for a small bag to $80 for a tote and $110 for a backpack (prices Oct 2017).
https://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft-rfid

The British word is luggage; the American word is baggage.
You have to decide, heavy and robust, or lightest and flimsiest. I want little, lightweight luggage, with four wheels.
https://www.skyscanner.net/news/cabin-luggage-guide-hand-baggage-sizes-and-weight-restrictions

Where to buy bags? (Americans say purse for a handbag).
Amazon
www.amazon.co.uk (There's another version www.amazon.com .)
Department Stores such as John Lewis.
https://www.johnlewis.com
Sports Shops.
Supermarkets
Ebay
Airport Shops

SUITCASE Brands:
Samsonite.
Verify brands, check latest styles, then look for prices.

More will be added in blogs on this website which I am in the process of creating:(www:luxurytravelforless.co.uk/blogs)

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Shoes and Boots With Changeable Height Heels

Cinderella - my free biscuit from Intu shopping mall, Watford, came in this promotional wrapper. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. High heels such as those of the brand Jimmy Choo certainly make an eye catching first impression.

Jimmy Choo, second from left. Photo by Jerine Lay in Wikipedia from Flickr.

But can you walk in them comfortably? And for how long? Even model Naomi Campbell, who must be more conscious than most of how to walk, fell over on the catwalk when wearing a pair of high heels.

Problem
I have shoes which are too high to walk in. Whether for a day out, a day on holiday, I need walking shoes for the day and higher heels for the evening? What can I do?

Answers
1 Shoes which can be prettied up for evening with clip on bows or straps.
2 Shoes which fold up small as spares for travelling home.
3 Shoes with changeable heels.
4 High heeled shoes which claim to have a more comfortable design.
5 Pick pretty flat shoes and sandals.

1 Ebay And Clip Ons
Ebay has a selection of one off second hand shoes, or as some prefer to say, pre-loved.
Amazon
Amazon has various clip on fur or fur style pom poms:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ERaBLe-TM-Clips-Women-Decoration/
Cost from about £6 to just under £20.

2 Roll Up Shoes
http://rollasole.com

3 Shoes With Changeable Heels
Mime Et Moi
https://mimemoi.com/en/

Tanya Heath, Paris.
https://www.tanyaheath.com/en
Heels from 3 cm-11 cm, costing 175-205 Euros for the shoe without the heel, then about 50 Euros for each heel. They come in a large number of colours. I was offered 15% for signing up to their newsletter.

4 Designed For Comfort High Heels
Thesis Couture
http://www.thesiscouture.com

5 FLAT SHOES & SANDALS
EnBrogue
www.Enbrogue.com
Blog about flat shoes and boots.

6 Indoor-outdoor Slippers
Slippers with detachable soles so you can wear them outdoors then remove soles when you come indoors.
https://mahabis.com

7 Elegant Sandals In Silver And Gold
www.Hotter.com
They have a catalogue to mail to you, online ordering, and shops in malls such as Intu in Watford High Street, NW London, England. You will periodically get offers of reductions on one pair or if you buy two.
Shoes and sandals with touch and close fastening and pretty colours and also gold, rose, gold, silver or pewter.

When buying silver and gold shoes to match a handbag or other item, silver comes up in at least two shades, a dark and a light shade, and the same goes for gold, which also comes up in rose gold. If you can buy your evening bag and shoes from the same shop to match that's easiest. The alternative is to buy one item, then tour the shops until you get the right shade to match.

Hotter shop window in Intu, Watford with a 3 for 2 offer. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

(More details and pictures later.)

Jimmy Choo High Heels
http://www.jimmychoo.com/en/home

Problems Caused By Shoes And Heel Heights
http://www.parkerpodiatry.com/blog/multi-height-heel-could-be-solution-for-some-foot-pain.cfm

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have earlier posts on sandals, hiking boots, carry on luggage, learning languages and destinations. Please bookmark and share links to your favourite posts.

Welsh word look alikes and sound alikes

Problem
How do I remember Welsh words?

Answer
Look for patterns of letters and meaningful phrases.

Welsh - English
e s g i d i a u - shoes (sounds like yes giddy eye)
c r y s - shirt
m e n i g - gloves
n e w y d d - new
s a n a u - socks
s i w t - suit
t r o w s u s - trousers

English - Welsh
gloves - menig - the last letter of m e n i g is the first letter of gloves. Imagine a mirror image. The e in menage is second to last in the mirror.
New - n e w y d d (the first three letters are the same)
shirt - c r y s (looks like a crease in the shirt belong to Chris, creating a crisis, making us cry)
socks - s a n a u (pronounced san - eye; sanitary socks, I washed them. Both words start with the letter s and have five letters.)
suit - s i w t (The first and last letters are the same  s..t .  Both have the letter i. u an e are similar.)
trousers - t r w s u s  first two letters and last letter are the same which makes it easy to translate from Welsh back into English. Trous(res) (suit) us. Push the o and u together in trousers to make the letter w. It sounds similar in both languages.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Teacher of English and other languages. I have many posts on languages and travel. Please save and bookmark and share links to your favourite posts.

What To Look For When Buying Hiking Boots

I didn't think I needed waterproof boots. I have changed my mind. This is the path in rainy June in Romania. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Problem
I want proper, suitable hiking boots for my next trail-walking holiday.

Answer
Start researching early and take advantage of off-season and end-of season offers.

Story
I took a trip to Romania with a group of expat hikers called Java Lava in Exile. I went to Harrow the day before the trip to buy a pair of shoes. I found a really comfortable pair in the sale for only about £20.

The Test of the Shoes and The Hiker
What happened on the trip? I had been promised that it would not be challenging. A previous year's trip when I had been left at home had proved to be easy walks which I could have managed.

Day One Disasters
The briefing tells us we have two or three groups and I am on day one of my first hiking trip so I am to be with the slowest group taking the least challenging route. Jolly good. Simply a matter of keeping going for a few hours.

Toilets
My main worry is not my shoes but will I find a toilet? I resolve not to drink too much water. OK for men who can duck behind a tree, but not me.

I assume this walk will be mostly on level ground on paved paths. Oh, dear, oh dear. No!

Stoney Path
We set off on a path which is clearly not paved but full of uncomfortable gravel, stones the size off marbles, golf balls, uneven with sharp points. My shoes had deep grooved soles. But I am instantly uncomfortable.

I remembered those Old Testament and New Testament stories I heard in school as a child. The stories had seemed so irrelevant wen waiting for the bus to school, in the city of paved road and pavements (which Americans call sidewalks). The stories talked about stony ground, and rocks and staffs. Suddenly these images became vivid, relevant and meaningful.

The pebbles are slowing me down,  making me slide and slip. I am afraid of falling. I remember that if you are over 50 and have osteoporosis and  break a hip your life expectancy afterwards is only 6 months.

Mud, mud
The Flanders and Swan song goes, "Mud, mud, glorious mud". Clearly a joke.

Mud, mud, slippery mud. Dirty mud, spoiling your pristine new white shoes. Make you slip and fall and break bones and land in water.

Mud is full of bacteria. Could be worms and worse.

People a decade or two older than I am have made it across.

I am not happy. After I have wet shoes, slip, and fall in the water, I am even less happy. The only blessing is that my mobile phone is still intact. I have cautiously and sensibly put it away whilst crossing which is why I do not have a selfie of myself in the water, scared and angry.  Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Practical Moral? Lesson Learned?
I need better shoes. I need thicker soles. I need shoes with stronger ankle grips.

Stick to it
I also need two sticks with pointed tips. I want to stick the points into mud and gravel. This will help me keep my balance when I lift one foot in the air and the other foot starts to slide.

I can also use the sticks to measure the depth of water before attempting to wade through. I don't want to get my socks wet.

Fashionable Wellington Boots
I have visions of Wellington boots I left at home. Tall knee-high boots. I know from experience that my fashionable waterproof boots decorated with flowers are not practical for long distance walking.

Wading Boots
But I have seen pictures of long boots for wading worn by park rangers and people rescuing wildlife. I expect the workers consider such items a worthwhile investment if worn every day. Maybe their boots are provided by employers, or offset against income tax because waterproof boots are work wear. If only I had waterproof Wellington boots with flexible ankles.

Stick Safety
I can use the sticks to disturb submerged wildlife. I don't want to encounter a dangerous or scary moving snake or lizard. Nor kill or dear little innocent tiny creature with my relatively big foot.

Tips
I was sent an email (because I had signed up) by Sportdirect.com who have numerous branches in the UK. I clicked on ladies and boots and price low to high. I found the magic search words were waterproof and trail. The cheapest boots were £15 but they were not listed as waterproof. When I checked for waterproof boots the choice offered included Trail waterproof by Karrimor at £34.99. Add on any postage of ordering online. I prefer to go into the shop and try on shoes and boots if time and distance allows me to do so. I would re-order a second pair online.

Second Shoes and Damp Shoes
I think it's good to have a second pair, if one pair gets dirty needing a wash or wet from wading through muddy or clear water. You can dry them overnight by stuffing them with newspaper. In the morning mine were damp but once on I did not notice.

the first time my shoes got muddy I washed them off outside and inside which made them thoroughly wet. More experienced trekkers were horrified. "Never wash shoes! They don't dry overnight and you have wet shoes next day. Let them dry out naturally. Next day scrape off the mud."

Really? So I am supposed to be ready to set off after breakfast? I am expected to walk through a five star hotel dining room wearing muddy shoes? I will look like a tramp. I will be dirtying the carpets, creating stains. I will be leaving mud on which I and others will be wearing my smart shoes in the evening?

On this trip I had no problem with any dampness from shoes. (I had thought I might get athletes foot, which happened to members of my family wearing boots all day on ski trips.)

Sport direct.com

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have other posts on walking and Romania. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Spare Shoes and Slippers For Travelling, Spare Ties and Jackets

Problems
I've needed spare shoes on four occasions:

1 Ferry to Bukom Island, Singapore - health and safety on ferry to oil refinery island.

2 Club dress codes. I go online to check dress codes at clubs. If you are a member of a club you probably have reciprocal agreements with clubs around the world. You can check the dress codes for their restaurants.

3 On planes leaving on a chute to the ground in an emergency you need to remove heeled shoes which at speed could rip the fabric or get caught in any obstruction or tag, also impede you in running away from the plane which could explode or catch fire.

4 Safety regulations may require you to wear shoes with : covering toes to protect them; and with solid backs, not straps at the back, so shoes don't fall off.

5 Dress codes in some clubs require men and women to wear shoes with covered toes (for reasons of formality, smell, and sight of uncovered body offending some; also no flip flops (called thongs in Australia, the sort which are backless and have a toe post) nor 'slippers' (in Singapore meaning backless shoes either with a band across the toe or a covered front but no back - the sort you can slip your toes into, of the sort worn casually or around the house for ease, no grip and make a slushing noise which annoys others, looks sloppy, and as you walk they prevent you walking with lifting your feet so you are more likely to trip over steps, and again could be smelly as well as exposing the feet to view and not sufficiently formal when surrounded by people dressed up for business meetings, weddings, anniversaries, engagement parties and other celebrations.

6 My heel broke at an event.

7 My rubber soled platform heels disintegrated at an evening dinner at a conference.

Answers
1 If you are in a health and safety environment you need closed shoes or shoe covers. Black is less conspicuous if you don't want to get attention. However a mere thin plastic rain or pool shoe cover might not be considered protective.

2 Exchange or borrow shoes from somebody in an office on land just for the ferry journey.

3 Ensure all members of your group know the dress code in your first invitation email. (And report the dress code in all later emails.) Don't wait until they confirm they are attending. They might not reply if they think they are not able to make the meeting and might join the group at the last minute. The search for shoes, or wait, or change of people attending, and escorting them back to base as a courtesy, can cause disruption, delay and embarrassment to everybody. They might send in their stead another colleague who has been invited by phone or is out of email contact and does not get the follow up emails containing the dress code.

4 Go through your cupboard and find your lightest to carry closed shoes. If you are a group organiser, or travelling by car and don't mind extra wight and bulk, carry a spare pair small for ladies and large for men to lend to others. You might go for a year and a hundred meetings and never need them. Then one day, you are the person who saves the day.

5 If you are visiting 5 star hotels and restaurants carry a spare tie. Whether you are a man or a woman, one of your family or business group may be without a tie, demanding that the entire group leaves. Also travel with a spare tie on any long trip.

Stories
Disintegrating Heel - UK conference
My rubber soled platform heels disintegrated.
It happened as I walked to the basement ballroom along a long corridor, leaving black mess everywhere. I began limping, one foot high than the other, danger of falling. No chance of dancing later.

(Luckily I was at a hotel at a conference in Brighton, England. However, my dinner companion was annoyed that I arrived at dinner late, missing the opening speech.) My new (to me) gold evening shoes were very pretty gold leather shoes with a black rubber type base made by a top end high street store, my third pair, originally I had one pair from the shop, then a second bought in a sale, but I bought a third second hand pair years after they were out of production from a second hand shop. Shoes disintegrate a lot - I've read whole forums on this with customers from the USA and UK and Singapore with even brand new or never worn shoe heels and bases disintegrating, including designer shoes.

USA Broken Sandals
In the Sixties in Haight Ashbury, with scrappy gladiator type shoes, after two months of trading about, my shoes fell apart. You would think you would be able to find a shoe mender. No. Cheap replacement shoes in small size suitable for a lot of walking. No.

Indian Wedding
I want to India, having been told we were dressing casually. On the plane we were delayed 24 hours and made friends with somebody going to their relative's wedding, who invited us to attend. You just never know when you will be invited to a wedding in a country where all comers are invited, or a PR invites you to an opening of an event, a foreign country is celebrating a national holiday, a member of royalty of government is visiting your hotel or hostel, new office or school.

Tips
Companies supplying spare / fold up shoes
Mahabis.com
rollaoole.com
cocorose.london.com
Foldashoe.com
fitkicksshoes.com
If you just want spare towelling slippers to wear in a hotel or home when your outdoor shoes are wet from rain or snow or mud, you can buy backless towelling slippers from the Pounds shops or similar shops in the UK.
Look out for cheap spare shoes in the sales.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. See my books on Lulu.com and Amazon.com

Winter Photographs - last rose of summer

In London and much or Europe and the northern hemisphere now it's December there's frost or snow on the ground. Time to look in the attic or cupboard and bring out your winter coats and better still your ski jackets and hoods, padded gloves, scarves and waterproof boots. (Maybe even the gripping boots or non-slip add ons to shoes which you can buy on Amazon and ebay and the little catalogue companies which specialise in seasonal goods and clothes or household items and accessories.)

Photos In Snow And Frost
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. I hate white - slipping on ice, falling over, risking breaking bones, dropping items such as gloves or keys or cameras in the wet. Late buses, traffic jams on motorways after accidents, trains delayed because of the wrong sort of leaves on the line. Then needing the toilet on the motorway and not even wanting to disrobe in a warm cubicle. Dark nights. But winter is a wonderland for photographers. Why?

Surprise Photos
We just took a photo of our last 'summer' flowers caught out by the sudden frost. I take photos on my smart mobile phone.

One of our family phones was breaker on holiday - damaged screen, broken. At the time this seemed like a real inconvenience. But there was a silver lining. The replacement had a better camera. Phones are improving all the time.

If you have a proper camera and tripod, your own back garden or front garden or local park, or the park at the place you are visiting on holiday will provide lots of photo opportunities. You might go for well known landmarks for your souvenirs. But the odd picture is great for competitions and camera club shows.

If your camera isn't up to special effects, call on another member of the family or a colleague to set up a camera on a tripod. The great thing about snow and still life is there's no hurry. Actually, there is. I called another family member and said, "Quick - get out there before the frost melts and take a picture!"



After settling up a proper camera with add on lenses to take a rose, my tame photographer enlarged the picture and discovered that a small insect was on the rose. Yes, I know, from a gardener's point of view, you rush out out with spray, wipe it off, horror of horrors, the insects are attacking our plants, and they don't sleep in winter either, the damned things. But from a photographer's point of view, everything you wouldn't want in real life, like an insect, (or snake or crocodile) makes a lovely picture.

Later you, and your picture's viewer, can enjoy the close up view - from a safe distance.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer

Light Weight Luggage, Holiday Clothes, Packing, Shopping, Washing Tips

When you are climbing up a mountain or trekking, or even taking a trip into town, the less you carry the lighter you feel. 

Saucepans

The lightest saucepans are in camping shops, little square aluminium things. You can also buy tiny frying pans on special offer in department stores. But the companying shop ones are lighter.

The lightest items, are either delicate or deigned for wear. For example, aluminium pans from a cheap shop which might get dented when carried. if you want them for a one off use, or to leave behind at your destination to save weight coming home, or as a tip to a host or guide, might be adequate. But those in a camping shop are likely to be sturdier and their information on websites is more likely to give you weight and dimensions rather than selling the sizzle.

Angela in silk caftan.

Silk Clothes
I try to pack silk clothes in an overnight bag. Taking a trip to a conference on a train, making several changed, along corridors, up steps, around stations to change platforms, haven a small enough case to have with me for security, not left unguarded by the train or bus entrance, is important to me.

However I found that some pretty silk clothes will snag, leaving runs (a pair of nail scissors is useful, but my tailoring and seamstress grannies taught me that you get a needle and draw a loose thread or a loop to the back of the fabric rather than risking it getting pulled or leaving a small spike.

Silk Underwear and Tank Tops
Silk underwear is also very light to pack. You can also wear two layers of silk underwear. A silk tank top can be worn as a single garment, an overgarment of contrasting or co-ordinating colour, then washed out and used as a warming vest, or simply a vest on the way home, protected from dirty and damage under other clothes, or keeping you warm when travelling from a beach area back to a cold climate.

Sometimes if the garment is just for a change, I am prepared to risk it getting torn., or tear apart at the seems, will give you lots of changes. The alternative is to check when buying or packing, that your clothes are not flimsy.

Over-Sewing Seams and Buttons
It's sometimes quicker to reinforce seams and buttons at home, rather than risk losing the use of the garment, losing a button, or wasting time on repairs at the destination. I find it easier to match up cottons at home from a box than hope to find the right thread in a sewing kit.

Sewing Kit Threads To Match Your Travel Clothes
You could look at all your clothes and check the colours. This is even easier if you stick to a simple scheme for packing. If you are trekking, or a conservative colours, inconspicuous, coordinating with mountains, maybe such as all brown (just three shades). If you have blue eyes or are near the sea or spring bluebells or summer blue flowers, all blues, (navy blue, mid and palest blue). For no washing, matching your black hair, no decisions, all black, or all black and white. That is very easy for packing, dressing, and buying at your destination. Or pick all pink, red, mauve, orange. Even one of each for variety on a four day trip, or eight days wearing all in rotation twice, is just four bright colours. Then find a matching cotton on your reels. Cut off an arm-length piece and wind it around the notched thin card in a sewing kit. he presto, a DIY sewing kit with exactly the colour you need.

Sturdy Hiking Shoes
A useful guide I read about hiking shoes suggested that you should look for shoes or sandals with the uppers sewn on, rather than glued on, so that they don't come apart when you step into puddles or are forced to wade through water. I was looking at hiking sandals. The blog post emphasised what I and you already know, but introduced it as something to be at the forefront of your mind before choosing, rather than something you realised after you have tried on the shoes, or taken them on holiday. The sturdier ones are often heavier. So take the sturdiest for your longer trips, climbing up hills and mountains. Go lightweight when anticipating a long day walking around on the flat.
http://www.hikingdude.com/hiking-boots.php

Light Luggage
The same applies to luggage. You can either pack like people with porters in Victorian times, in a huge well-organised case like a chest of drawers with loads of compartments, so strong it will last years, but needs two people to shift it. 

Or take a tiny suitcase on four wheels, cheap to buy, but vulnerable to theft and damage and stains. Mine has lasted about six months, now has a damaged wheel and my selfie stick tore through the inside picket.

Recycling Silk sleeping bag liners

If your trip is a one off and you are left with a silk sleeping bag liner, you can recycle or upcycle. In WWII leftover parachute silk in white was made into wedding dresses and evening dresses. White, from a parachute or wedding dress can be dyed into other pale, dark or tie dye mottled colours.

An oblong bag can be turned into pillows, cushion covers, tote bags, or a shift dress, tic top or long or short skirt.

I pack a week before I go away. If I am away for five days, the week before my travel trip I try on my first day's outfit, complete with shoes, raincoat or sunhat, matching umbrella, matching shoes, gloves, socks or stocking or knee-highs, co-ordinating tights or leggings, underwear which matches if it is seem around armholes or the steps come out of sleeves and necklines (add a safety pin), plus any needed belts or brooches, or neck warmers, or modesty triangles for a low neck blouse.

At the end of the week I am packed and ready to go, and no finding my luggage is too heave just as the taxi arrives to take me to the airport. At least, that's the theory.

I now have two days to spare to give my holiday address to the family, instruct them how to water the plants, check I have the address of the destination, pack up the food which nobody else will eat if I leave it behind, for a snack in case of delays on my journey.

Unpacking At Destination
And what of the other end? I always pack a hanger. Nothing worse than a destination with no hangers. A couple of clothes pegs or loops might extend the use of the hanger. If I can pack each garment on a hanger, at the other end I hang up the garment ready for the evening meal or tex day at a conference so it is crease-free. No time wasted unpacking. Ready to rush down to reception or dinner.

Unpacking At Home
When I get home, if I have packed clothes of the same type, no need to sort clothes I did not wear from those I did wear - if I packed carefully. You could also pack all clothes which are white, all coloured, or all delicate wash, or all cottons for hot wash, so the whole lot can be washed without sorting on return. (And no risk of coming back jet-lagged and making a mistake.)

Sorting Washing
Another system is to have two laundry bags in your suitcase, one for white, one for coloureds. Take a white plastic or paper or cotton bag and / or mark a white bag with a label. Have a dark plastic or paper or cotton bag for dark laundry. When you get home your washing is ready to throw into the washer.

Alternatives are to wash all whites by hand or machine whilst away, to be sure stains don't set in. Bring home all the coloured which might drip colour on the hotel bathroom or your host's shower, bath, bathmat, tiles, towels, carpet, walls, furniture. (I once washed out a red caftan and hung it on a line above a white bath cum shower in the Singapore flat of a friend I was staying with. Somebody else had a bath or shower and moved my hanger to the end over the tiled area at the foot of the bath. tex morning red stains were on the grouting between the tiles. I spent about two hours cleaning it off. When I told the host, he shrugged, "I'm only renting," he said. "It'll probably come off eventually in the steam. Don't worry." But I do worry. I bring coloured clothes home and hang them over a red plastic bowl, get up early and move my drip-dray clothes out of everybody else's way.

Another option is to pack all clothes which drip-dray overnight.

If you do the dry run of wearing your holiday clothes. Of course, your clothes won't have that completely unworn look. Some people prefer to wash everything anyway. They wonder whether the hands of the sewers were clean, the factory was dusty, the packers were clean, the garment was worn once and returned, tried on in the shop, still had chemicals to prevent creasing which might cause a rash in sensitive skin.

Sets Of Four
I bought a set of four matching items sold as a set of four on Ebay. You could do the same by buying two different matching outfits from the same designer, or even buying matching colours form a shop or department store.

One reversible dress is two outfits. Two reversible dresses is four outfits. (One reversible dress strappy dress worn as a slip under a cap sleeved dress is two day outfits and two evening outfits without packing any clothes for a weekend.

Weekenders Outfits
Years ago I bought a multi-way skirt from Weekenders. It had two four long thin belt steps from the waist, two on the right and two on the left. You could wear it with the kick slit in the hame at the back or the side, tie the belts at the back, from, sides, or leave them loose. If you have a thin fabric, you can use a donut shape circle to pull through your fabric to shorten a skirt or top on one side or both if you have two donuts. You need to be sure the donut has smooth edges so as not to damage the fabric. Also the fabric might keep pulling out, so I found it safer and less annoying to have a safety pin at the back.

Sewing A New Look
You could even sew the skirt up at one point in the hem, such as the front or sides. Ten or twenty minutes work, even an hour if you are hanging around in a hotel bored, or waiting for the morning coach out, and you have a new look.

Buy two dresses from the same shop or designer in similar fabrics but contrasting colours. Cut off a strip with pinking sheers. You have either a contrasting belt, scarf or headband, or a pin on brooch decoration.

One twin set, or three outfits?
An old fashioned twin set of a sleeveless top and matching cardigan is one co-ordinated outfit. You could make it three outfits if you wear the sleeveless top alone, the cardigan buttoned up alone, or both with the cardigan unbuttoned to show the matching outfit.

The same applies to a modern set of a sleeveless top and jacket for a woman, a tee-shirt and jacket for a man.

If you are moving from one temperature to another, you really have three options in terms of weight. But you may feel you do not have three new looks for style.

However, as far as photographs are concerned, you can be photographed in each of three ways. This gives you two or three different looks, casual, co-ordinated, or more formal and literally buttoned up.

Four or Six - how many outfits?
If you have two skirts or trousers and two tops, let's say black and white, you have four outfits. All black. All white. Black top and white bottoms. White top and black bottoms. Add a reversible scarf, for a man two ties, cravats, beanie hats, and you have two more looks.

Six Items - How Many Outfits?
Let's say you have three shirts in all red, all white, all blue, three skirts or trousers, all red, all white, or all blue. You have nine. A mathematician would do a calculation. Do you believe the results? T's easy to check. These variations are your choices. All red. All white. All blue.  Three. Red top with the blue or white skirts/trousers. Add two. That's five. White top with the red or blue skirts or  trousers. Add two. Seven. Blue top with the red or white. Add two. Nine.

All blue travelling. Four garments to pack. Seven different outfits for a week.

Bored by the same old colours? Buy three scarves at the destination. Buy three ties. Buy one top with a pattern in red white and blue.

Skirts And Trousers (US pants)
You could even wear co-ordinating leggings under a tunic, like a punjabi outfit, for travel day or evening (Friday night departure for the weekend). At your destination you have a short dress, trousers, or both.

(NB in the US they sell pants and underpants. In the UK they sell trousers and pants. Ask for pants in a shop in New York or the USA and you'll be sent to a department selling jeans and suits. Ask for pants in the Uk and you'll be directed to the underwear department.)

Wearing In Shoes
The hiker's blog also reminded me about wearing in new shoes at home in the house, just to accustom your feet to the shoes, and stretch the shoes to fit your feet. If something rubs, it will remind you to take thicker socks, and pack plasters. Or take a second pair of shoes, as a replacement, or to alternate to give your foot's rubbed areas a rest.

Keeping Packing List
(If you go to a campsite or annual conference every year, you should know that you need a travelling outfit, a a day outfit, a pretty outfit for the last night dinner, another outfit for the coach trip on the mid-week afternoon off. Last year's packing list, on your computer is very handy. If you don't have one, now is the time to make this year's packing list. Print it off and file it with the destination guide and in the lid of your suitcase and on the back of the door of your wardrobe (USA closet).

Useful Websites

https://www.diyaonline.com/outlet/women.html?product_list_order=low_to_high&p=3
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author, speaker.
Author of How To Get Out Of The Mess You're In.

Angela in red Thai silk top and jacket.

About the Author

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. Please see my other blogs and share links with your friends

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com