We have a Spring Road Trip to Charleston, South Carolina, planned in a few weeks. “Good weather” should mean tha
t it will be warm, but not too humid, yet. And slightly unpredictable in the evenings on the coast. We might get some rain. We might get some cooler nights. The bugs will already be out. {sigh}.
And I’m just not much for skirts, dresses, or shorts. We’re pretty much pants all year round, other than the heat of summer in the backyard or the occasional beach days. On the farm, even when you DO wear shorts, you also end up wearing your boots up to your knees, so what’s the difference anyway, right? {snort} A road trip would be pants for me–even in the south and even for warm weather.
But this road trip plan is not for a lot of hiking or nature adventuring. We’ve got city exploring, food adventuring, and sightseeing on our list this time. So I’m skipping my traditional hiking shoes and UA tees that I usually pack for everything. This time I’m looking for light, airy, comfy clothes for the car and walking around town. And things that will look neat enough for us to go out to eat in the evenings.
And I have to tell you, I have fallen in LOVE with these pull-on chambray pants from LL Bean! L-O-V-E.
I have a love-hate relationship with linen.
I love the look and the idea of linen. I imagine wearing linen and envy people who can wear linen. I even daydream about linen in the heat of summer when I see lovely catalog images of carefree, flowy linen clothes. But it never works for me.
I am a hot, sweaty, wrinkled disaster in about 5 minutes! It never looks like the picture on me. {sigh}
And these pants are NOT linen. They are a solid chambray material with wide, loose, flowy legs and a comfy pull-on waistband. Great for riding in the car too. They also look cute with sandals or light sneakers, whichever you’re more comfortable in for walking. I have zero concerns about all the miscellaneous wardrobe malfunctions I have as a plus-size person with very light fabrics like linen (split seams, moisture seepage or wrinkles, chafing, etc.)
Anyway…new fav. Highly recommend.
The core for a long weekend road trip would be:
Wide Leg Tencel Twill Utility Pants (lightweight khakis)
Lee Flex Motion Bootcut (ok, longtime fav jeans, the waistband is Ah-maz-ing)
Camden Hills tee (comfy, easy, lots of colors–get all the colors)
Blue floral blouse (something a little dressy to go out in)
Everything is in easy mix and match blues and whites and neutrals. I added in a pair of easy walking shoes and sandals, then threw in a couple of extra shirts in case the weather got a little strange and a jacket.
Light cotton sweater (I seriously LOVE these sweaters, have them in 3 colors. And they actually pack really flat if you put them on the bottom.)
Light Utility Jacket (so. many. pockets.)
Sperry sneakers (always grab some inserts)
Sandals (Clarks are always a good choice, but definitely watch for them to go on sale and be sure to break them in!)
I’m a big fan of having a bazillion pockets on a utility jacket. Especially when travelling and on a road trip.
But another good choice would certainly be a rain coat and I would be hard-pressed to decide between this one and my yellow Duluth No Rainer jacket, which I fell in total love with last year. It also has pockets-galore, is thick enough to keep some warmth in and the wind and rain out, and has a hood.
Tough choice. Packing light means making hard choices. {smile}