Travel Wardrobe

Spring weather has finally arrived and it's time to start looking forward to our summer travels. This year we are taking a spontaneous trip to the Netherlands to visit J's extended family and childhood friends, in honor of his aunt's birthday. (I won't say how old she is, because J's mom will be the next in her family to reach this milestone. But it's a big one).

The first time I visited my husband's native country I was a new bride on my first-ever trip to Europe. The year was 1992. My wardrobe included tapered black jeans, baggy sweatshirts, white leather sneakers, and a puffy winter coat to brave the icy winds off the North Sea. Photographic evidence suggests that on the night of the family party I dressed up in a red wool sweater (size XL, no doubt) and a pair of pleated khakis, plus Birkenstocks. I remember feeling very much the odd girl out among J's stylish, sylph-like cousines, who laughed over their discovery that the American word for braid (as in "French braid") resembled the Dutch word for "fat." Ha... ha?

My next visit to the Netherlands was altogether different. By August of 1998 I had been living abroad for several years. I had learned three new languages and my colloquial Dutch had improved to the point where I could follow a conversation. Alas, my wardrobe had not improved at all. Although I don't recall a single item of clothing I wore on that particular trip, I know that my closet at the time contained elastic-waist knit pants and bleached jeans, shapeless jumpers, and a lot of Habitat for Humanity t-shirts in size XL. Oh, plus Birkenstocks.

Our upcoming trip is our longest visit yet, and the challenge will be to pack all of the necessisities in a carry-on bag. In addition to family gatherings there will be bicycle rides, museum visits, and meals with friends. If spring in the Netherlands is anything like spring in Oregon, I will need to be able to layer up for warmth and wet weather.

I'm already ahead of the curve this time, a grown woman with a wardrobe of clothing that both fits and flatters me. Dark jeans: check. Cardigan: check. Cute summer dress: check. Birkenstocks: nope -- I don't own a single pair.