Time away:
24 days
Where to:
Alaska, USA and British Columbia, Canada
Season:
Well… “summer”… inverted commas since in reality we experienced all extremes of weather, from freezing sleety rain with some snow, all the way through to blazing sun and actually quite warm!
Expected activities:
LOTS of hiking; 2 separate camping trips, one was very remote in the mountains of interior Alaska, one was our 3 day kayaking excursion off Vancouver Island, plenty of animal watching and sightseeing mostly in rural areas, a 1 day bicycling tour, a day of rafting, and necessary interludes where you’re just getting from A to B. Yes, it was AMAZING!!!!
Colour scheme:
the ubiquitous grey-scale neutrals … but with plenty of strong solid blue/red/pink/green to give things some pep!
What I packed:
everything is linked to its original construction post…
top row, L to R:
blue dress
black corduroy jeans
khaki hiking pants
4 long sleeved tees + 4 shorter sleeved tees:
paprika, charcoal striped
white striped, dk green, lime green
purple, white
pale grey
white fleece sweater
khaki sunhat
leather satchel, borrowed from Craig
pale pink raincoat
charcoal knitted beanie
goretex jacket (borrowed from Mum)
2nd row, L to R
pink zip-up hoodie
blue corduroy skirt
cherry-red neck warmer
black shorts for kayaking
orange hand warmers
pink hand warmers, a holiday project!
1 pr black tights + 1 black leggings
bottom row L to R:
charcoal mini skirt
bathers
selection of handknitted socks
blue thongs
hiking boots
white sandshoes
black walking shoes
water shoes (borrowed from Mum)
not pictured:
selection of underwear
pyjamas
toiletries bag
knitting
a small-folding backpack for hiking
My daily outfits:
Thoughts:
Sometimes, I enjoy planning my travel wardrobe almost as much as I love the travelling itself! … note; almost… Partly because I love the concept of a capsule wardrobe, paring right back, packing super-light and living with minimal options; and living out of a suitcase forces you to embrace that concept and fully explore its mix’n’match-abilities without the temptation of your entire wardrobe at hand to waylay you from seeing it through.
Having said that though… packing for this particular holiday felt like the biggest packing challenge! 24 days is quite a long time, we covered a lot of ground, moving about a lot, and with a few stretches of roughing it and camping with no laundry opportunities. But mostly because the extremes in weather were, well yes, EXTREME. We were pre-warned to prepare for everything… and we got it!!! from freezing sleety rain and high winds, hiking through bonafide snowy patches, all the way through to quite warm days with blazing sun! and everything in-between… weather continuously bouncing up and down and all over the shop. I kind of needed something of everything.
And how did it go? Well, as expected for a fairly minimalist pack, everything I brought got worn pretty hard. A few random notes:
1) We were advised to bring water shoes for kayaking, in fact the tour notes specifically said “no thongs” So I borrowed some water shoes from Mum and wore them. But I’m not a fan… the water shoes took aaaaaaaaaaaaages to dry, and this is a real pain in the neck when you’re travelling. This was a little surprising actually, since you’d think that water shoes should be designed to dry quickly, right?! they’re made of scuba fabric, mesh and rubber, which I would have thought would dry pretty quick, but no. I really thought thongs would have been fine!
2) My hiking pants were great, but are getting a little tired. I think I need new ones… 😉
3) I occasionally cursed myself for not tossing in a second pair of black tights because the pair I brought got washed and worn VERY frequently. I’d packed 1pr black leggings as well, specifically to wear with the black shorts for kayaking… and they got worn a few times underneath my hiking pants as “thermals”. And then the kayaking leg was too warm for them after all, haha! SO hard to anticipate what to expect… oh well, I managed!
4) My ivory/pink raincoat… freaking LIFE SAVER and fabulousness in every way. I love that thing equivocally, and as well as being a completely practical item it looked chic, smart and quite stylish too, and not like everyday, rough-and-tumble travel wear at all. Honestly, I think it’s the superficially impractical colour that gives that impression, and yet you can toss it in the machine and it comes up like roses. LOVE IT!!!! It received a few compliments during our trip and people seemed flatteringly surprised that I had made it!
5) Taking the summery blue dress was a risk… that paid off since we had a few days that could almost semi-qualify as almost hot! Thinking style wise though, if I’d stopped to think more I kinda wish I’d packed my red dress rather than the blue one… since I felt I had a LOT of blue in my suitcase. Also, my white canvas tennies were kinda excess to needs, strictly speaking, but I was glad of them… it was nice to have something cute to slip on for the sunny and warmer days.
6) I always pack my bathers, just because you never know, and they don’t take up much space. I didn’t ending up swimming at all on this holiday… too cold!! but Khutzeymateen Wilderness Lodge had a sauna which we used once -and can I just say so faaaaaabulous!! Also I wore the bikini bottoms as “undies” underneath my shorts each day that we kayaked and let them both dry out in the tent overnight.
Final note: I have to admit that even though I’d been warned; the weather was far colder than I expected and threw me for a bit of a loop at times. I’d been told to expect it; but even so a small part of me was like… but it’s summer, right? how cold can it be? The answer, VERY!! doh! Fortunately, I’d made several fleece items…. SAVIOURS!!! and the importance of a goretex jacket was impressed upon me, so I’d borrowed Mum’s from their Antarctic excursion and boy was I glad I had that thing too! Camping in the Talkeetna mountains was bitterly cold, with hard driving rain, and even snow.
And now I really want to make my own goretex jacket, but this could be a slow long-term project… watch this space! I also want to make a cross-body messenger bag like this gorgeous caramel leather one that I borrowed from Craig. It’s his “work” bag! I begged for it and he graciously allowed me to use it, haha! and it was absolutely brilliant. The perfect size, looks super cool, and pretty darn tough and hardy too. WANT 🙂
below: what I wore on the plane…
aaaand. the rest of it that went in the suitcase… It’s always a little surprising to me how small everything packs up in the end!
love all your looks – the holiday wardrobe is a quite an art and you really cracked it – love the amount of colour you also have in your clothes – I know that I try and pack a cashmere sweater and/ or wool wrap as I live in fear of getting cold when away and these are so light –
sounds like an amazing holiday
thanks eimar! the art of the capsule wardrobe continues to fascinate me, so I love doing these 🙂
Your holiday sounds absolutely wonderful. I love the utility trousers and the “white” mac – amazing that you made it from a shower curtain. Inspiring me to get sewing again.
thank you so much Emma! the day I realised a shower curtain would make a good raincoat felt like a revelation! opened so many possibilities since our fabric options here in Perth are pretty limited 🙂
When I read about your trip up here I was curious about what you brought to wear! Now I know 🙂 I think you did a stellar job in your packing. We’ve had an exceptionally warm summer here (southern tip of Vancouver Island) so I knew you would be dealing with extremes. I can’t wait to see your Gortex jacket – Thread Theory who is in Comox Vancouver Island often stocks top quality Dintex (Gortex is a brand name) for the winter. It’s been a fantasy of mine for almost 2 years (since my return to sewing) to make myself one 🙂
thank you Kathleen! and for recommending a fabric store… I’m definitely checking out as many options as I can! 🙂
24 days is difficult to design and pack for -plus the weather and it’s layering needs. I was happy to find you exploring my part of the planet and seeing a few places I saw a few weeks previously while visiting the daughter. I’m glad you had a good time in Alaska’s interior ‘summer’.
thank you kathyh! which areas did you visit with your daughter? Alaska or British Columbia? You really live in a most beautiful part of the world 🙂
You did a stellar job of packing for every eventuality. Your daily post shows such versatility in your “look” each day. Very well done, I’d say and very inspiring. Brava!! Many times over.
Thanks again for your few hours in Vancouver. It was great to finally meet you after years of admiration. And FUN!
thank you so much Barbara! and it was so nice to meet you too! xx
Carolyn you did a good job of packing a travel wardrobe that spanned various weather conditions. Loved seeing all of your daily outfits. I saw many of the places I have been, some near and some far away. I have a new raincoat on my list for sewing next month–fabric already ordered. Breathable waterproof fabric is a requirement.
It is always nice to see people enjoying their adventures in Alaska; makes one appreciate the beauty of home.
Again, thanks for sharing you travels and the clothes you made and wore.
thank you so much Annette! I love Alaska, so wild and beautiful and such friendly lovely people. I wish I could go back! 🙂
An amazing wardrobe for an incredible trip!
thank you Sarah! xx
I actually wear my teva sandals (outdoor Velcro sandals) for kayaking. I can swim in them should I fall in and they dry really quickly.
I suspect some merino or polypropylene layers may have come in handy for those really cold days but coming from one of Australia’s warmer areas you probably wouldn’t have a need for anything like that usually. You have done well though. I tend to find packing a challenge and take more than I need.
thanks Andrea! It’s my mission in travel-life to NEVER take more than I need…. usually less is enough! 🙂
Amazing job as always! Just glad to see you back to blogging I was having some “handmade by Carolyn” withdrawals, I was checking everyday for something from you. Glad to see you got to take a vacation and enjoyed it. Next time you’ll have to take a ferry down to Seattle ,would love to meet you someday. You are truly my sewing “Hero” I absolutely love the way you write and you explain things so that we can understand them. It’s so amazing that I’ve been sewing for 37 years and I’ve learned so much from you and I really appreciate that. I don’t think you really know how much you truly mean to the sewing community and the impact you’ve made In our lives. So I want to thank you for EVERY single post you take time to write and let you know that they are making a diffidence in peoples lives. I was in a car accident 6 years ago and broke my back ,so I can no longer work. I’m so thankful for sewing, its my therapy, So thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do ,Cheri from Auburn Washington.
aw, Cheri, that is so sweet and kind of you to say… thank you so very much! Needless to say, your lovely comment has totally made my day… thank YOU!
Wow, Carolyn. What a trip – and what a wardrobe!! You are one tough, extremely talented lady! An inspiration to all young women.
aw, thank you so much Marion! that’s such a lovely compliment! xxx 🙂
I love seeing your travel wardrobes, particularly those where you are doing some serious outdoor stuff, because you are the only person I have every seen who can make hiking trousers look stylish 🙂 It sounds like a terrific holiday, and you were certainly very well dressed.
thank you so much Kbenco! it feels like forever ago now, sadly! but we sure did have a wonderful holiday 🙂
What a fabulous vacation! I would be completely at a loss for what to take… I’m a chronic over-packer. You are so good at wardrobe planning!
thank you Lisa G! I am totally dedicated to NEVER overpacking and have never regretted paring back… less really is more!
I always find packing for holidays to be quite challenging and you have done an excellent job. I also have had plans for a goretex jacket but can’t seem to rouse myself! I love all your travel photos, thank you for sharing.
thank you so much Sue! Packing for travel is a challenge, though a fun one… I just wish I had the opportunity to do it more often! 🙂
….. Perfekt! I love your pictures and your traveling wardrobe.
I like your Blog so much.
Christine
thank you so much Christine! 🙂
My husband and I are off to Alaska and Canada next year so your travel wardrobe is a great help in planning what to take, we won’t be hiking or kayaking as we are more senior, Rocky mountaineer and cruising is our style.
thank youSharon! I imagine if you’re on a cruise you can pack a way more chic and elegant selection than this! we really were roughing it plenty during this trip 🙂
Your ability to pack such a well edited travel wardrobe leaves me speechless. I love your outfits this time, and I think you had an outstandingly great holiday .
thank you so much Kim! we really did have a wonderful time… and it was over far far too quickly! 🙁
Having done a trip involving multiple climate changes (road trip through seven national parks, ranging from mountains to deserts), I’m impressed that you were able to do a functional outdoorsy wardrobe for that length of time! I always feel like the fabrics and details are so specialized. I actually did sew myself some Gore-tex rain gear waaaaaaay back when I was going backpacking multiple times a year. They worked, but they were kind of heavy and bulky, so I ended up getting rid of those in favor of some inexpensive purchased rain gear that packed down into compact mesh bags. (I wish I could remember where, because I’d really like to start doing some local hiking with the boys, and I reeeeeeeally doubt that those rain pants still fit me! But this was something like 12 years ago. Crazy.) All that to say good luck with the Gore-tex coat, but if anyone can pull off something that functional that’s still stylish, it’s you!
thanks so much Becky! I hear you on the bulkiness of goretex gear, my mother’s jacket that I borrowed was a pain to pack in the suitcase, it took up so much room… but I was glad of it during some freezing, rainy patches! my own shower curtain raincoat packs up to practically nothing so has that going for it too. The advantage of goretex is in its warmth, I think 🙂
Uhhh gortex jacket! You should definitely make one and write about it, I would be very interested 🙂 That being said, I really liked reading about your holiday, thanks for sharing! 🙂 It’s great that you thought about your wardrobe so much and it definitely paid off. Everything looks practical but stylish and special 🙂 I overestimate temperatures too, I think. When I think about Iceland… How cold can 8 °C feel? Soooo cold! I will remember your warning, so that I’m prepared if I ever go to Alaska 🙂
thanks so much Katharina! I will definitely write reams about my goretex jacket.. if I ever get around to it! And Iceland… I remember being surprised by how cold their summers were too… how do they get people to live there?! brrrrr! but it sure is a stunningly beautiful place!
Thanks for all the wonderful pictures and ideas for a travel wardrobe. We live in northern BC and do lots of camping, fishing and some cycling from spring until the beginning of October. I agree that layering is a must. I am always on the lookout for washable merino knits and quick dry fabrics to make outfits. I still don’t have “proper” rain gear, but unless it is very cold, I find it easier to just get wet, and then change into something warm and dry. I do have some waterproof, breathable yardage that I have been mulling over for quite some time…perhaps now is the time to do something with it. Barb
thanks Barb! there is something to be said about just getting wet and then changing! however if you’re traveling then wet clothing can be the hugest challenge … it’s really not easy getting the opportunites to dry things and you can very rapidly run out of dry options 🙂
Always love traveling vicariously through you and your amazing adventures! What a lovely, stylish yet very practical wardrobe you packed. Love the gorgeous scenery backdrops in your photos! 🙂
thank you so much Lisa! 🙂
Definitely a lovely travel wardrobe. I just got back from Canada as well, except I was in Toronto. I’ve heard that BC is very lovely as well. Thanks for sharing.
thank you very much! Can highly recommend British Columbia, the natural beauty everywhere is quite outstanding 🙂
You are amazing packing for your trip 24 days alone would have been very challenging but adding in the weather extremes makes it even harder. Love seeing all your garments and it was so enjoyable to see the country with you.
thank you so much Sharon!