Help me shop and pack for South Africa

[amberlyrose]

I'm not feeling motivated right now and none of my clothes are inspiring me for next week's trip. I told myself if I can make it through my first week of eating clean, I can get 2 outfits for my trip. The only issues are that I have to be able to purchase in store this weekend AND they have to be versatile enough to go with other things since I only pack a carry-on or small/thin enough to that it won't take much room. 

I plan on taking 2 pairs of skinny jeans (dark blue and either black,white, or burgundy), a dress or skirt, 3-4 tops, brown wedge booties, brown riding boots, and leggings.  

Weather is high 60s/low 70s. Day 1 is a winery tour, day 2 is a 10 hr safari trip, day 3 is city and beach touring, day 4 is up in the air until our flight at 4pm. 

Photos and links appreciated

[miso]

I don't think you want to wear jeans, dress, skirt, or leggings for safari.

It sounds fugly, but khaki-colored stuff is ideal.

[sonrisa]

REI, Athleta and Title 9 carry things that work well for these sorts of city to hiking trips (I know you won't actually be hiking). REI used to carry more of this stuff before Athleta and Title 9 existed. Think lightweight but coverage for the sun. You want things you can walk in all day and sit in all day (not office sitting - stuck in a warm safari van or airplane sitting. so jeans can get uncomfortable). I'd take flats not wedges. 

Have fun!

[amberlyrose]

Sept 29, 2015 11:03:17 GMT -5 miso said:

I don't think you want to wear jeans, dress, skirt, or leggings for safari.

It sounds fugly, but khaki-colored stuff is ideal.

Why? I need a good reason to buy khaki pants because I will never wear it again and I don't buy stuff I'm not going to get a ton of use out of unless there's a good reason. 

[amberlyrose]

Sept 29, 2015 11:10:34 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

REI, Athleta and Title 9 carry things that work well for these sorts of city to hiking trips (I know you won't actually be hiking). REI used to carry more of this stuff before Athleta and Title 9 existed. Think lightweight but coverage for the sun. You want things you can walk in all day and sit in all day (not office sitting - stuck in a warm safari van or airplane sitting. so jeans can get uncomfortable). I'd take flats not wedges. 

Have fun!

I'm good with jeans. That's what I usually wear for all my long haul flights and I wore jeans on a desert safari last March. 
I'll check out Athleta and REI though! Not sure if we have Title 9 here.

[miso]

Sept 29, 2015 11:20:03 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Sept 29, 2015 11:03:17 GMT -5 miso said:

I don't think you want to wear jeans, dress, skirt, or leggings for safari.

It sounds fugly, but khaki-colored stuff is ideal.

Why? I need a good reason to buy khaki pants because I will never wear it again and I don't buy stuff I'm not going to get a ton of use out of unless there's a good reason. 

You don't need actual khaki pants. I just said khaki-colored stuff. It's dusty, and khaki (or other neutral colors -- taupe, olive, etc.) doesn't show it as much and also allows you to match your surroundings better for seeing animals. Dark and/or bright colors can attract insects, too. But these are just suggestions. Ultimately, it's not a big deal. Masai people wear bright red all the time (but, to be fair, they are trying to stand out on purpose, not blend in to spot wildlife).

Jeans will suck because it could get warm in your vehicle, and I don't know if your footwear will be comfortable either. I don't know what is planned for the safari portion of your trip. We actually walked quite a bit, but that was for more than just a one-day excursion.

[amberlyrose]

Sept 29, 2015 11:30:01 GMT -5 miso said:

Sept 29, 2015 11:20:03 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Why? I need a good reason to buy khaki pants because I will never wear it again and I don't buy stuff I'm not going to get a ton of use out of unless there's a good reason. 

You don't need actual khaki pants. I just said khaki-colored stuff. It's dusty, and khaki (or other neutral colors -- taupe, olive, etc.) doesn't show it as much and also allows you to match your surroundings better for seeing animals. Dark and/or bright colors can attract insects, too. But these are just suggestions. Ultimately, it's not a big deal. Masai people wear bright red all the time (but, to be fair, they are trying to stand out on purpose, not blend in to spot wildlife).

Jeans will suck because it could get warm in your vehicle, and I don't know if your footwear will be comfortable either. I don't know what is planned for the safari portion of your trip. We actually walked quite a bit, but that was for more than just a one-day excursion.

Thanks! 
Nothing too extensive, actually. It's just a day trip in an A/C vehicle to the private reserve, drive around in an open vehicle, and back into the A/C. 
I could do some olive or taupe pants I was thinking the riding boots because the sand and dust from our trip in Dubai got into everyone's hiking boots and it was uncomfortable. 

[amberlyrose]

Sept 29, 2015 11:30:50 GMT -5 jamaicam said:

Sept 29, 2015 11:20:03 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Why? I need a good reason to buy khaki pants because I will never wear it again and I don't buy stuff I'm not going to get a ton of use out of unless there's a good reason. 

Jeans will be hot and uncomfortable in the van. Leggings will also be hot. Dress or skirt won't be practical for driving through dirt in an open top vehicle with wind all around. Also, you want your legs covered for any insects that might try and eat you. 

Khaki coloured isn't essential but something light coloured and as cool as possible is. 

I was thinking dress/skirt for the winery tour

[miso]

Sept 29, 2015 11:44:35 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Sept 29, 2015 11:30:01 GMT -5 miso said:

You don't need actual khaki pants. I just said khaki-colored stuff. It's dusty, and khaki (or other neutral colors -- taupe, olive, etc.) doesn't show it as much and also allows you to match your surroundings better for seeing animals. Dark and/or bright colors can attract insects, too. But these are just suggestions. Ultimately, it's not a big deal. Masai people wear bright red all the time (but, to be fair, they are trying to stand out on purpose, not blend in to spot wildlife).

Jeans will suck because it could get warm in your vehicle, and I don't know if your footwear will be comfortable either. I don't know what is planned for the safari portion of your trip. We actually walked quite a bit, but that was for more than just a one-day excursion.

Thanks! 
Nothing too extensive, actually. It's just a day trip in an A/C vehicle to the private reserve, drive around in an open vehicle, and back into the A/C. 
I could do some olive or taupe pants I was thinking the riding boots because the sand and dust from our trip in Dubai got into everyone's hiking boots and it was uncomfortable. 

If you really don't want to buy anything new, I'm sure you will survive one day in skinny jeans.

But watch out for flies -- they love dark colors and bite down there!

[amberlyrose]

Sept 29, 2015 11:49:16 GMT -5 miso said:

Sept 29, 2015 11:44:35 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Thanks! 
Nothing too extensive, actually. It's just a day trip in an A/C vehicle to the private reserve, drive around in an open vehicle, and back into the A/C. 
I could do some olive or taupe pants I was thinking the riding boots because the sand and dust from our trip in Dubai got into everyone's hiking boots and it was uncomfortable. 

If you really don't want to buy anything new, I'm sure you will survive one day in skinny jeans.

But watch out for flies -- they love dark colors and bite down there!

I do want to buy new things! Just things I'll use often I live in 450 sq ft. I don't have room for vacation clothes. 

Good to know about the flies, though.