<p>Some of us are HIGHLY allergic to scents, which can make us wheeze and worse. Agree that the best scent to many if us is the clean smell of a washed body NOT ant applied scent, no matter how mild. My body has been known to react badly to scents (allergy) even tho with my impaired sense of smell I can’t smell it and can’t figure out why I’m havingba bad allergy attack. Fortunately H is my nose and can usually steer me away from the scent, where it is possible. </p>
<p>The scent/allergy thing reminds me - in Asia it’s pretty common for airline passengers to wear face masks.</p>
<p>I gave up,wearing perfume back in college. I never took up smoking. I figure what I’ve saved on not buying perfume and cigarettes has paid for a vacation or two over the years. 
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<p>For packing, on every trip, evaluTe what you wore and didn’t wear and try to figure out how you could have had some of the things you DID wear do double, triple or more duty so you could gave packed slightly less and NOT packed any of the things you didn’t wear. </p>
<p>Dark colors, especially for pants are great for travel, as they hide the inevitable dirt better. I always figure I’m not on a fashion kick and like clothes that are mostly mix and match, so I can alter as mood suits me. Scarves can be great accessories. Whenever possible, I only bring the footwear I wear on the plane and no spares. I try to wear dressy black walking shoes that I wear everywhere. </p>
<p>I have a friend who likes wearing multiple original outfits every day when traveling, while I prefer one outfit daily or at most a change for dining out for a nice meal too. I focus more on the people, food and location than my clothing when I travel. </p>
<p>If more people wore perfume like I and Puzzagirl do and used unscented body care products, we would not be even discussing the scent issues. There is stuff that does not smell to us but can be much detrimental healthwise than my perfume. On a plane, I would be more concerned with jet fuel fumes (and CO, possibly) and germs than someone’s Axe, mint gum (I personally think that is a gross smell), brought on board Thai dish, or fart resulting from eating said dish. I am sensitive to many perfumes and scents, too, to the point that someone’s strong scent can give me a hedache. But I absuty guarantee that if you were sitting next to me you would not smell a thing and not feel a thing. </p>
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<p>There’s the problem I have right there. The pair of shoes that I can walk five city miles in during the day, and that would qualify as “dressy,” doesn’t exist in my closet. I doubt that such a pair of shoes exists in the world.</p>
<p>Well, viva la difference. I have long ago decided that unless my feet are comfortable, nothing else matters. I mainly wear shoes I can have happy feet in all day, no matter how much walking is involved. They tend to be flat, black and look fine with casual or dressy slacks. That is all I travel with. </p>
<p>My sis and her family bring one suitcase JUST for footwear! Different strokes. </p>
<p>I recently traveled for leisure on short notice, so airline prices were sky-high! I ended up booking on Spirit Airlines- the ticket was significantly less than the next price up(I think we saved $500 on 2 tickets), but they make their money by charging for EVERY imaginable extra… a carry-on is $35, $10 to reserve a specific seat, drinks are NOT complimentary, etc. You are allowed to have one personal item no larger than 16"x14"x12", and if you have a purse it must be included inside the personal item. My daughter and I were determined not to pay any extras so managed to fit all of our things in a little bag that fit the required dimensions. It is amazing how little you can get by with for a week! We just rinsed things out at night as needed and did just fine. We even matched! The seats on Spirit do not tilt back, and if they did, you’d probably have to pay extra!</p>
<p>“There’s the problem I have right there. The pair of shoes that I can walk five city miles in during the day, and that would qualify as “dressy,” doesn’t exist in my closet. I doubt that such a pair of shoes exists in the world.”</p>
<p>Sorry, CF. have to disagree! Either (i) your definition of dressy is wrong, or (ii) you have not shopped in the right places, or (iii) you are reluctant to spend more than $50 on a pair of shoes. :)</p>
<p>Bunsen- I agree I too would have trouble finding a “dressy” pair of shoes I could walk 5 miles in, and I will definitely spend more than $50 on such a pair. I would also love to see a link to such a pair!!!</p>
<p>If you want quick drying, a lot of the synthetics can dry very quickly if you squeeze water out, roll in a towel to blot up as much water as possible and then leave to dry overnite. A blow dryer can get ride of any residual dampness. </p>
<p>That said, we prefer just to do a load of laundry (if needed) in the middle of a 2+ week trip rather than hand washing–others (like my late sisIL prefer hand washing). It is very freeing to our family to pack light. It also makes transporting our gear a breeze and let’s us catch public transit or rent smaller vehicles. </p>
<p>HImom and BB, can you make specific recommendations for comfortable black flats? I never wear heels, and tend to wear espadrilles or clogs for casual wear, gym shoes for walking or exercising. When I’m at work I wear black flats, but they range from very uncomfortable to OK - none have been at all suitable for walking any distance. I am not talking about pointy-toed fashionable shoes or too-small shoes. The shoes fit, they just don’t have much support - even compared to espadrilles.</p>
<p>And I always spend more than $50 on shoes. For example, I bought this pair, hundreds of great reviews on Zappos:</p>
<p><a href=“Trotters liz black calf + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>http://www.zappos.com/trotters-liz-black-calf</a></p>
<p>They are horribly uncomfortable, indescribably uncomfortable.</p>
<p>I can post ten thousand links, but… unless you actually try the shoes on, you would never be able to tell from any link if the shoes would work for you. “Dressy” does not mean 4" heel and $500 price tag. A pair of Mary Janes can look dowdy or dressy, depending on the quality of leather, detailing, etc. Go to Nordstrom and ask for SA who is most familiar with “comfort” shoes. If the shoes do not work for you, bring them back - even worn. </p>
<p>Good suggestion, BB. I order everything online these days, even shoes. But I guess I should really try those on. (Not that I don’t - I typically order several pair from Zappos, try them on, and send back the ones I don’t like.)</p>
<p>I shop for shoes at Nordstroms and still can’t say I have found any 5-miler dressy ones. Would love to see other’s suggestions for dressy, long-distance shoes. I guess I can’t say I would consider any Mary Jane types to be very dressy, regardless of style, but that’s just me. </p>
<p>…then your definition of dressy needs to be ratcheted down a notch! </p>
<p>Personally, my favorite shoes are ones that lace up. I have narrow heels and a wide toe box. I have a pair of SAS shoes with smooth black leather front that have nice cushioning for my footbed and I wear them pretty much everywhere, including our 12 day trip to Yellowstone, dining at nice restaurants with dressy slacks, visits to us senators, etc. I wear black Thorlo walking socks that wick away moisture and prevent blisters. </p>
<p>When I travel, I do NOT wear dresses or skirts, as I don’t find they suit my needs. I much prefer the mix and match that slacks offer and I tend to find most places cooler than HI. </p>
<p>If you need to walk for 5 miles to appear in front of a panel of Swiss bankers, that would definitely be a problem! But if you simply need one pair of shoes that you would wear on cobblestones for a day and be able to wear them to a show later in the evening, there are many options! Check Walking Company and specialty shoe places. </p>
<p>If I absolutely have to, I can pack light. Most of the time I don’t choose to do so! If I’m gone 4 days or more, I need two pairs of running shoes just for running! If I’m going to run some days in the cold & dark and others in the heat of the day, that’s several changes of clothes. Work might be business casual or I might be going to court. If there is a social event like a ballgame or boat cruise, that’s more stuff. Vacation might require hiking shoes, swimming stuff etc. I like my clothes and I like to wear them when I travel and enjoy them. </p>
<p>For those looking for comfortable walking/dressier shoes I would give Orthaheel shoes a try. They have a variety of styles and they are very comfortable for long periods if you get the right size for fit. (sometimes they run large.) They used to be kind of clunky looking but they’ve really broadened their line in the last couple of years. I often wear their sandals around town and my feet can really tell the difference. You can buy them through Footsmart and other retailers.</p>
<p>These would work for me for all-around travel purposes for urban/suburban areas. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.footsmart.com/P-Vionic-with-Orthaheel-Technology-Alda-Loafers-72357.aspx”>http://www.footsmart.com/P-Vionic-with-Orthaheel-Technology-Alda-Loafers-72357.aspx</a></p>