Yes, this is a blog about clothes.
When you're packing a case for six weeks, of course it's all about the clothes. I've been going home for the summer holidays for twenty two years and you would think I'd got this all sorted by now. Well I have. Kind of. Most of the time. Maybe. The thing is I have to pack for different occasions and places and moods. Packing for each and every Sarah that might want to come out and play is a nightmare. So I needed to focus on the most common Sarah, the one who appears more often.
As always I had a few occasions I needed to add into the packing equation. Bex had her end of degree art exhibition at The Truman Gallery in London, and I was going to the opening night. This of course entailed an outfit that was both smart but a bit arty and funky. I didn't want to look ridiculous or as if I was trying too hard but I do like my more arty side. To be honest that's the Sarah that I packed for the most because it's who I am really. Anyway, I had a polka dot skirt with a plain white tee and a leather jacket for that evening. That outfit is going to have to do for a second time though. For Bex's birthday we went to The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson hotel in London, so of course a tea dress of some sort was required. Hence my polka dot skirt having a second outing. Originally I was going to pack a tea dress also but I was aware that they take up space, so I was trying to be sensible for once.
Then of course, as I was going to an 80's concert with a few dear friends the only sensible thing to do was to decide to wear dungarees and a bandana. I hasten to add that this was the brain wave of the luscious Jayne, who thought that we should go as Bananarama. So an online shop for dungarees was done, and said dungarees were a part of the packing. Not that I mind dungarees, I always used to have a pair and they are a good-to-go item that are great to have in your wardrobe. They have already been worn on a few occasions just to make sure I'm happy in them; which I am! I'm glad they're back in fashion, although maybe at 48 11/12 I'm a tad old for dungarees, but with a gypsy blouse and converse I think they look pretty good on this old girl!!
The worst thing about packing for the UK though was the weather. Four seasons in one day; never easy to pack for that. So it was a case of layering which makes me look like the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man, haha. Having googled the weather for those few weeks it looked to be quite warm at around 22C but of course this is an inaccurate science as Mother Nature frequently has her own agenda. Allowing for warmer weather is fairly easy, it's the showers or downpours that are a pain; beanie was packed at the ready. It's always in my handbag whenever I go home no matter what time of year it is.
So I packed for my favourite Sarah. Leather look leggings, band tees, converse and killer heels. My polka dot skirt was worn to all our meals out, I just changed the tops depending on the venue. I'm also good at recycling clothes, so a dress I'd worn for a few evenings out became a day dress as changing shoes can take a dress from day to night quite easily. And of course a simple black, fitted blazer is the perfect go-to cover up. Jeans, leather shirt, dresses or skirts, a blazer will fit in with any outfit whether it's day or night, casual or smart. Plus I had a pale blue biker jacket waiting for me at home, a new purchase I was really looking forward to wearing this summer. I have a cream one but due to the weight gain from my meds it's far too snug, so I've passed it to my beautiful Bex for her to enjoy.
I was hopeful within my pared down packing I would have enough options to mix and match throughout my holiday. Of course I shopped too. I love shopping at home, the choice is much wider than here, and cheaper which is always a bonus. Half my case was empty to allow for a Primarni shop and wherever else took my fancy, particularly as the sales were on. That's always a good way to tweak my wardrobe because no matter what I pack by the end of six weeks I'm really fed up of my clothes. I have been known to leave clothes in a hotel room with a note asking them to pass them onto a charity of their choice.
The thing about clothes though is that they do show the world who we are and how we are feeling. So, it is an important part of our lives; yes, a first world thing but none the less we all think about what we put on each day. If it's not important to us why do we spend so much time shopping and looking for clothes that suit us, fit us, make us feel good about ourselves?
In return for my love of clothes I pass everything onto my maid, she has a family to support back in the Philippines. I pay it forward, it doesn't go into the bin. So, whenever you feel that loving clothes is perhaps shallow or selfish within this day and age of poverty around the world, remember that your local charity shop is always in need of donations; the Red-cross needs clothing for victims of Mother Natures wrath around the world. Something that you might feel is too worn or old, damaged or useless will find a home somewhere.
When you're packing a case for six weeks, of course it's all about the clothes. I've been going home for the summer holidays for twenty two years and you would think I'd got this all sorted by now. Well I have. Kind of. Most of the time. Maybe. The thing is I have to pack for different occasions and places and moods. Packing for each and every Sarah that might want to come out and play is a nightmare. So I needed to focus on the most common Sarah, the one who appears more often.
As always I had a few occasions I needed to add into the packing equation. Bex had her end of degree art exhibition at The Truman Gallery in London, and I was going to the opening night. This of course entailed an outfit that was both smart but a bit arty and funky. I didn't want to look ridiculous or as if I was trying too hard but I do like my more arty side. To be honest that's the Sarah that I packed for the most because it's who I am really. Anyway, I had a polka dot skirt with a plain white tee and a leather jacket for that evening. That outfit is going to have to do for a second time though. For Bex's birthday we went to The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson hotel in London, so of course a tea dress of some sort was required. Hence my polka dot skirt having a second outing. Originally I was going to pack a tea dress also but I was aware that they take up space, so I was trying to be sensible for once.
Then of course, as I was going to an 80's concert with a few dear friends the only sensible thing to do was to decide to wear dungarees and a bandana. I hasten to add that this was the brain wave of the luscious Jayne, who thought that we should go as Bananarama. So an online shop for dungarees was done, and said dungarees were a part of the packing. Not that I mind dungarees, I always used to have a pair and they are a good-to-go item that are great to have in your wardrobe. They have already been worn on a few occasions just to make sure I'm happy in them; which I am! I'm glad they're back in fashion, although maybe at 48 11/12 I'm a tad old for dungarees, but with a gypsy blouse and converse I think they look pretty good on this old girl!!
The worst thing about packing for the UK though was the weather. Four seasons in one day; never easy to pack for that. So it was a case of layering which makes me look like the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man, haha. Having googled the weather for those few weeks it looked to be quite warm at around 22C but of course this is an inaccurate science as Mother Nature frequently has her own agenda. Allowing for warmer weather is fairly easy, it's the showers or downpours that are a pain; beanie was packed at the ready. It's always in my handbag whenever I go home no matter what time of year it is.
So I packed for my favourite Sarah. Leather look leggings, band tees, converse and killer heels. My polka dot skirt was worn to all our meals out, I just changed the tops depending on the venue. I'm also good at recycling clothes, so a dress I'd worn for a few evenings out became a day dress as changing shoes can take a dress from day to night quite easily. And of course a simple black, fitted blazer is the perfect go-to cover up. Jeans, leather shirt, dresses or skirts, a blazer will fit in with any outfit whether it's day or night, casual or smart. Plus I had a pale blue biker jacket waiting for me at home, a new purchase I was really looking forward to wearing this summer. I have a cream one but due to the weight gain from my meds it's far too snug, so I've passed it to my beautiful Bex for her to enjoy.
I was hopeful within my pared down packing I would have enough options to mix and match throughout my holiday. Of course I shopped too. I love shopping at home, the choice is much wider than here, and cheaper which is always a bonus. Half my case was empty to allow for a Primarni shop and wherever else took my fancy, particularly as the sales were on. That's always a good way to tweak my wardrobe because no matter what I pack by the end of six weeks I'm really fed up of my clothes. I have been known to leave clothes in a hotel room with a note asking them to pass them onto a charity of their choice.
The thing about clothes though is that they do show the world who we are and how we are feeling. So, it is an important part of our lives; yes, a first world thing but none the less we all think about what we put on each day. If it's not important to us why do we spend so much time shopping and looking for clothes that suit us, fit us, make us feel good about ourselves?
In return for my love of clothes I pass everything onto my maid, she has a family to support back in the Philippines. I pay it forward, it doesn't go into the bin. So, whenever you feel that loving clothes is perhaps shallow or selfish within this day and age of poverty around the world, remember that your local charity shop is always in need of donations; the Red-cross needs clothing for victims of Mother Natures wrath around the world. Something that you might feel is too worn or old, damaged or useless will find a home somewhere.