STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

jmango · Dooney & Bourke

East Africa for 4 months- what would you pack?

Kelly · Hermes

nothing fashion-related, but a friend went to Africa lately and I would just suggest bringing some Immodium or Pepto Bismal so you can handle the first couple weeks of new water!

jettie · Kate Spade

I definitely bring light weight (like linen) pants or long skirts. How cold does it get in December?

littlebean · Kate Spade

I would suggest going to an outdoors store (e.g. REI) if you've got one where you live and picking out a great, lightweight rain jacket, rain-proof pants, hiking boots and backpack/timbukt2 if you don't already have those things. I have found all of them to be invaluable when I've been overseas and especially have been traveling in less developed areas. Not that they are that stylish, but they do the trick and have a rustic cuteness to them, haha. I would get a hat, too. Merrell has what I think are cuter rain-proof shoes than the Croc clogs.

Oh, and get an insect repellent with deet! That stuff is serious, but it really does the trick.

Teresa · Kate Spade

first of ll I am totally jalous, what an incredible experience! PLEASE update us ocassionally! I definitely agree with littlebean. When I volunteer in Mexico its all i bring because its easy to layer, breathable, comfortable, and convenient.

Teresa · Kate Spade

ttara123 wrote:

nothing fashion-related, but a friend went to Africa lately and I would just suggest bringing some Immodium or Pepto Bismal so you can handle the first couple weeks of new water!

lol, i dont know why, butthis made me laugh

relrel · Marc Jacobs

When I went to Belize recently, I had purchased these pants from UO and they were fantastic (mine were camo...might still be in store). They were thin enough that I wasn't hot and were really comfy. I wore them on the plane both to and from the country as well as into the rainforest/hiking and just out and about as well. They do run big, I would recommend sizing down.

Lots of tank-tops but only depending on the acceptability of them in E. Africa. Is Uganda a Muslim country? If so, I wouldn't wear the tanks then. I would probably go for a bunch of short-sleeve button downs. I would just shop in the little-boys section for that type stuff. Longer sleeves would also be good just to have a couple pairs depending on your travel outside of the cities (for mosquitoes and because weather is cooler in the mountains).

Deep Woods Off has, I believe, some of the highest DEET. I honestly wouldn't trust Skin-So-Soft for overseas, especially when Malaria is involved.

I also wouldn't go for the Crocs Clogs or open sandals at all for rainy weather. Personally, I'm just not comfortable walking around in foreign mud/rain with my feet exposed. I spent some time in Bejing which had nasty nasty stuff in the rain puddles so I wore my sneakers. I would take a couple pairs of cheap chucks or something like that from Payless or Target for beating up. You can always throw them away as they get ruined. Having more than one pair will also be good so that they can dry between usages.

Just make sure that whatever bag you do decide on has lots of inside pockets and a zipper on the outside. I would personally go for a sling type bag so that I can wear it in front of my body. A LLBean Canvas tote seems to be asking for it from pickpockets. Any bag that you get also needs to be waterproof which I don't think the Timbuk2 bags are, but you can certainly spray them yourself.

It sounds like a great trip. Have you asked your study abroad office about what to wear? Usually they have people's contact info who have done the same trip available so that you could question them about this stuff.

nicoley · Coach

I dont have any fashion advice. But just wanted to add that my bf is from east africa, he goes back there every xmas, and it is the summer months and very very hot. Also, if you are flying to johannesburg, south africa and then to uganda, i suggest being very very careful as to what you pack in your checked in luggage... every time he flys into south africa he gets his locked broken off and alot of valuable things stolen out of his luggage.

Just wanted to give you a heads up. Also, please share your experience with us, im hoping to make my first trip over there to visit his family soon, and would like to hear what its like.

Collette · Chanel

I was in Africa last year and all I pretty much packed was cargo shorts/capris/pants. I found some at an outdoor store that were pants and then you could roll them up and button the bottoms to make them capri's. Loved those especially since it's so hot during the day and it got pretty cold some nights. Go with lighter colors if you can, avoid black.

Maddie · Coach

I just got back from Africa, I was in the north and the south, but I'm sure dress is similar. All I ever want to wear in hot undeveloped countries is linen pants and cotton t-shirts. Throw in a skirt and a button up shirt for variety, but that's pretty much it. Also, I would defintely get some 100% Deet bug spray at an outdoors store and then another bottle of something lighter from the drugstore. Bugs can be really serious in places like that (as well as carry serious diseases) so it's best to have something really strong for those situations. I love Coppertone oil-free sunscreen for the money, but if you want to spend a little more both Neutrogena and Kiehl's are great. I've also carried this bag all over the world.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

First off, wow! Very cool trip you have planned!
Like other, I like linen for everything in tropical weather (pants, shorts, capris). Forever 21 has a bunch for cheap. Also, places lile Hollister and A&F have those cargo pants that can be worn as capris too. I would also pack tunic tops that are 3/4 or L/S and very light and gauzy in light colors. I have a bunch from VS, Gap, and Target (from the sleepwear section). I would also prefer a sling type bag for carrying things and keep most valuables on you on an "inside layer". I have had my wallet stolen before from my backpack in broad daylight at a market.

I went to get vaccines for my trip to Cambodia on the weekend and another couple was getting shots for Africa. I would definitely check out the CDC. gov site to see if you should get some vaccines.

jmango · Dooney & Bourke

Thanks so much for all of the thoughtful tips everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

exsupahero · Kate Spade

ViViDogWear wrote:

I went to get vaccines for my trip to Cambodia on the weekend and another couple was getting shots for Africa. I would definitely check out the CDC. gov site to see if you should get some vaccines.

What are you doing in Cambodia? I loooove going there (been there twice), and am hoping to go back by the end of the year! It's kinda cool to see that other people are visiting the country.

No real advice for you, jmango, except that to try and pack super comfy clothes because in countries like that, fashion is so not important! I know I was super hot when I went to Cambodia even though I packed summer type clothing. If I packed lighter, looser clothes, I might have been more comfy.