We spent 4 1/2 days in Auckland and went to
Several “dressy” events and restaurants. No problem with my not so dressy clothes
Ah, a cruise! Yes, that would make a difference. I figured NZ (and even Sydney to an extent) would be similar to San Diego’s casual dress.
I will have my new Coldwater Creek dress and a couple of pretty tops to go with a little skirt or jeans. I generally avoid wearing black in summer weather.
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The only black I have with me are slacks…to wear with my two “nicer” tops for the formal nights which aren’t really formal. I don’t wear white slacks…ever…so that wasn’t an option plus I think black looks “fancier”.
We went to a couple of high end restaurants in Auckland and I never felt undressed. Fact is…there were folks in jeans.
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Very glad you never felt undressed! 
I have no idea how the rest of our tour will dress but I suspect they will all be much better traveled than us, at least.
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In the cities, casual is fine.
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I wear black shorts (usually with black sandals) in the summer, but more so in early summer and late summer.
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Thanks to Overpackers thread, I bought some Merrill waterproof slip on shoes sneakers that I plan to bring on my trip to damp Scandinavia. I hope they do the trick and keep my feet comfy and dry. Bonus they were on sale on Amazon.
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I’m just back from my Iceland trip and have revised the packing list so I remember what worked! I may need to use the same list as my starting point for Norway.
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When we got back from New Zealand/Australia, I put my summer clothes from that trip in an extra bedroom closet. I’m in (hot) Phoenix now…and I brought only the clothes I actually wore on the other trip. So…way less! I also tried to pick the things that wrinkle the least (left that linen shirt at home)!
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Some of you may remember how hard I was looking for a new long sleeved sort of dressy shirt to take on the trip. I had sleeveless and long sleeve quite dressy but nothing to fill that gap.
So there we were at a yet another charming small town in New Zealand on a lake (Taupō) for comfort/coffee break. I had lost an old shirt the day before in Rotorua, which my mother had given me so I was missing it. The tour guide told the women about a resale shop. I peeked in but nothing to replace that shirt. I looked at a different store on the next block (not resale, very nice). No white shirt but on the sale rack in the back, I found the perfect sort of dressy shirt at 50% off for $49 NZD. It was really a smaller size than I take but husband and the owner agreed it was good enough; did not look too tight. So dear reader, I bought it.
I wore it several times the rest of the trip and the other women on the bus were quite envious.
The downside is it’s hand wash and dry flat, but no worries.
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Lovely! That’s my kind of travel top. Nice colors, would work with various bottoms.
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We are headed to Iceland in August. I keep reading that it is important to have waterproof clothing and shoes. Ordered a pair of rain pants and waterproof hiking shoes on amazon. Have a rain jacket - but suspect will need to have some thick fleece underneath it as well.
Any recommendations for specific rain gear? If you’ve been to Iceland , what worked well?
I’d actually recommend two pair of rain pants. I got mine at REI. I also recommend packing good socks, and extra in case they get wet! I also brought a pair of hiking sneakers in case my hiking boots were wet. The first time we were in Iceland it rained nearly every day, but it did not dampen our vacation at all! The one thing you can probably leave at home though is your umbrella because it is quite windy.
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I had no idea on weather for Iceland/August. Here’s the details for city, though perhaps cooler for hiking(?)
For rain/wind pants, I like it if there is room under for a very thin pair of leggings (long or capri). Or even just tights. That way I can adjust if more warmth needed. I really like REI/Sahara convertible pants (which I usually wear as long pants) but have gotten other rain/wind pants cheap at ARC thrift shop.
We went to Iceland in September a few years back. I liked my waterproof coat with a zip-in liner and hood, along with rain pants paired with weather-appropriate leggings. It’s good to have layers because the weather changes quickly. My trusty Keen hiking boots and LOTS of socks kept my feet cozy and dry.
I had to run out and buy a pair of waterproof gloves after mine got soaked through, even though I thought they were waterproof.
It was a great trip, enjoy!
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Showers Pass makes really good rain jackets. REI has multiple options at different price points for rain gear. I suggest you get something with a hood. We are cyclists and go on trips where you ride rain or shine. I have an Arcteryx (however you spell it) rain jacket and a Showers Pass rain jacket. I have invested less in rain pants - I got whatever was on sale at REI at some point.
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I went cheap and bought PortWest Classic Rain Trousers from CreativeSafetySupply.com, which have waterproof and taped seams, elasticized waist and stud adjustable hems. They were quite inexpensive and H wore them when we were having continuous heavy rain in our state—they kept him 100% dry. Hopefully they will work out. I bought them on their website for less than Amazon wanted. I think I paid about $10/pair, one for me and one for H. We both bought black.
Quick update that this rain jacket worked really well on our trip - it did go out in drizzle and rain and kept me dry, including my glasses. All the zippered pockets were very useful on our glacier helicopter tour since we couldn’t bring any bags or purses aboard. Plus it functioned nicely as a windbreaker, particularly in Windy Wellington atop Mount Victoria. I took a bit of effort but I could always fit it back in its bag. I paid $51.
Outdoor Ventures Packable Rain Jacket Women Lightweight Waterproof Raincoat with Hood Cycling Bike Jacket https://a.co/d/0i9VSl2f
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Quick update on my Goretex Hoka shoes—they kept my feet very comfortable and completely dry. It honestly didn’t rain much and my H’s leather SAS shoes kept him completely dry too (but were much heavier than my shoes).
The Lole rain jacket was a bit bulky but when I put it in its backpack because I wasn’t wearing it, H was willing to carry it. It kept me completely dry in Bergen’s wet and drizzly weather. H was fine with just an umbrella he bought at Stockholm Castle.
It never rained enough to wear the rain pants so we never did.
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Heading out to a monthly company gathering at an exec’s lake house this past Friday, we were told to “dress casually” – but this being my first time at this place, I didn’t want to show up underdressed, so I went with business casual: polo and khakis. Another newer guy showed up in a suit, saving my blushes.
But nobody said we were going to do 1-hour boat rides for our group discussions, so I did not bring sunblock. There was not a cloud in the sky, of course, so I was fried. My forearms and parts of my face, scalp, and neck are now pink. I’m starting the summer off with a great farmer’s tan. And I resembled the Grinch from smearing greenish aloe gel all over myself. lol
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