[trip style = any]
Being in Italy this summer for almost a month taught me some major packing lessons—ones that are easily applicable to Italy, as well as every other trip.
My BIGGEST take-away: Don't treat your clothes like fine china. Bring AT LEAST one special-occasion garment with you.
I recently wrote about my top Italy packing pointers in the Expedia Viewfinder Travel Blog; here's the skinny.
How to Pack for Italy
1. Map your wardrobe
Once you figure out where you’re going in Italy, and in what season, map your travel wardrobe. For example, I went to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Ischia and Capri during summer, so my suitcase was filled with nautical stripes for the coast and flowy silhouettes to stay cool {in every sense of the word} in the Eternal City’s musty heat.
2. Pack with passion
Italians are passionate people—from fashion to football—so channel this all-or-nothing attitude in your travel attire. Don’t reserve your perfect-fit tailored pants or red-soled shoes for a once-a-year occasion; bring them to Rome where Italians dress as if they’re runway ready every day. Furthermore, edit and re-edit your suitcase contents before you leave so you’re only tempted to bring your Sunday best.
Wearing made-to-fit Capri sandals in Rome.
3. Be a shoe-in
Don’t flash your tourist card sporting a pair of I’ve-just-gone-for-a-jog sneakers thinking “they’re practical for sightseeing.” Repeat after me: Runners and flip-flops are a no go (and you won’t see any Italians grabbing an espresso con panna looking like they’ve just gone to the gym). Italian-made shoes are iconic for a reason: They’ve managed the near-impossible task of fusing comfort and style. So think like a local and pack for a well-heeled journey.
Trip Styler Tip: If you are visiting the Amalfi Coast or Capri, save room in your suitcase for custom-made shoes, starting around 40 Euro.
4. Dolce-ify your wardrobe
Never fear, practical packers! Dolce-ifying your wardrobe does not mean you have to fill a Louis Vuitton trunk, ship it overseas, and dress like Donatella during Milan Fashion Week. Instead, take cues from the catwalk and add one piece of glitter to your getup. For example, choose an I-might-be-famous hat and sunglasses combo, a pair of statement shoes, or an unexpected bracelet. I followed these rules and was mistaken for an Italian actress on several occasions!
5. Strut
Finally, whatever fine-tuned attire you choose to include in your travel wardrobe, strut your stuff. All of the head-turning Italians I spotted had one thing in common (in addition to a fashion-forward ensemble): Confidence, which is always in style
[photos by @tripstyler]