Traveling in Style: Boarding Pass
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| Click to enlarge for detail. Exposure and contrast were tweaked to better show the black items. |
So after obsessively checking the extended forecasts for Rome and Florence during the last 48 hours (Venice and Paris are too far in the future to glean anything meaningful) I made my final selections for the journey. Above is my entire wardrobe (almost) for two weeks.
Mes amis, I was ruthless (well, pour une femme, anyway). I first laid out everything I’d had on my preliminary list, and culled a few pieces that I decided were in the might-like-to-have-but-don’t-need category.
Here’s what’s going in the suitcase:
Tops
1 silk jersey tank, grey
1 silk jersey tank, tunic length, black
1 silk jersey cap sleeve tee, black
1 silk-cotton jersey 3/4 sleeve tee, grey
1 poly blend 3/4 sleeve v-neck shirt, black
1 poly blend 3/4 sleeve blouse, cream (can also be worn as a lightweight jacket)
1 crinkled cotton knit 3/4 sleeve v-neck tunic, black and taupe fine stripes (can also be worn as lightweight sweater)
Sweaters/Jackets
1 silk-cotton knit 3/4 sleeve jacket, black
1 wool crepe knit longer peplum cardigan, black
1 packable raincoat, bronze/black reversible (not shown above)
Bottoms
1 pair bootcut jeans (lightweight, with a little stretch)
1 pair triacetate ankle palazzo pants (very lightweight)
1 pair poly pleated straight leg ankle pants (dressy enough worn with the cream blouse for just about anything we’ll be doing)
Shoes
1 pair Mary Jane pump with 1″ heel, black (these are by Think!) Walkable, but can work for dressy.
1 pair walking sandals, black
Accessories
1 extra pair glasses
1 lightweight silk cotton scarf, cream
1 faux pearl necklace
Also not shown: sleepwear, underwear, bras, socks, 1 pair earrings
Wearing on plane
1 silk jersey tank, black
1 silk jersey long-sleeve tee, black
1 cashmere v-neck sweater, navy (I know, might be overkill but I always get cold on planes)
1 pair stretchy straight leg jeans
1 pair walking shoes (Mary Janes bottom center of pic)
1 pair socks
1 watch
1 cashmere wrap, taupe
In anticipation of the “where’s the color?” comments, I know this seems rather severe. But many of the individual pieces have interesting textures, and by sticking with these dark neutrals, every piece goes with almost every other piece. Dark colors travel well, not showing dirt as quickly. And if I really get starved for color, I can always pick up a scarf or two.
No skirt either. Wasn’t sure I’d wear often enough to justify packing it. The pants I’m bringing are all lightweight enough to be comfortable in temperatures into the low 80’s F and the straight leg jeans can be rolled up.
The one pair of ECCO pointy-toe mary janes that I’d originally planned to bring and hadn’t worn much recently seem to have stretched out or else my feet have shrunk, but either way they now feel too big for serious walking as my feet slide around in them. So I went with the black Think! pumps instead.
Next up, fitting all of this (and a few other non-wearable travel essentials) into a 20″ wheeled suitcase.
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Your wardrobe looks elegant, sophisticated and perfectly wearable. I hope that you have a wonderful trip and incredible experiences!:)
Beautiful choices. Mostly Eileen F and your new Bebettes?
Ooo, have fun! And I agree: black is a very good travel color, especially in Italy. Everyone seems to live in black, there. 🙂
-giedre
http://www.walkingdotphotography.com
Very disciplined and well thought out — you’ll be stylish and comfortable enough for anything. Bon voyage!
i love the color scheme of your travel attire. 🙂
great selections.
have a wonderful trip!
Excellent… and if you are starved for colour,the old Market in Florence has many, many lovely silk scarves, at good prices. Don’t forget to touch the Boar’s nose!
Love the selections. No matter how hard I try to like color, I just love the neutrals so much more. So much cleaner and elegant. I am laid up with a severely broken ankle and can’t do ANYTHING for 6-8 weeks, so I will enjoy reading about your trip. Hope you have a fabulous time and I am eager to see how the Eileen Fisher pieces do for you!
Brilliant! You’ve created the perfect travel wardrobe for city travel at this time of year. Can’t wait to see how this all fits in a carry-on. Bon Voyage!
Geez, didn’t mom teach you not to leave your clothes laying around on the floor? ; )
Happy travels y’all. Have a blast and don’t forget to misbehave just a little.
You pack like a professional traveller. You will look great and be appropriately dressed.
Well done.
OMG-your “Polyvore on the floor” is beautiful!! You will have no problem fitting it into your 20″ bag- I’ll be you even have room for the item you decided against.
Have a great time!!
Very impressive!
I like all of your choices and I agree with the neutral palette…I would choose a very similar grouping.
I think a spare pair of glasses is a great idea.
You are ready to go…
Have a fabulous holiday!
I agree w/ Colleen: elegant and wearable; but also efficient. You should give lessons (well, this blog performs that function). But no matter what, you’ll have a wonderful time. My consciousness of my less than stellar wardrobe didn’t prevent our trip from being near perfect, the very best we’ve ever taken.
Enjoy it to the full!
Marie
Thank you for sharing this, I will use it as reassurance when tempted to pack too much, as I tend to. I love your choice of dark neutrals — as much as I love color, a neutral always looks understated, elegant and appropriate. And what a great reason to go searching for beautiful new scarves…
Have a wonderful time! — Luna
This looks great. I think you have done a fabulous job. I especially like the crinkled knit three quarter sleeve black and taupe stripe top. Could you identify it for us?
This looks like a fabulous selection. You will be comfortable and chic. Have a wonderful time.
Have a splendid, memorable time! (And I certainly am not asking where is the colour!) It looks perfect to me.
Boring, boring, boring. You could have included a print or colored top and everything would have still matched. And, I disagree, you will look like a tourist because only tourists wear a completely neutral palate. How do I know? I have traveled and lived in Europe. You learn these things after awhile.
Thank you for highlighting the Eileen Fisher pepulm cardigan – I just got one for myself and love it.
NB, last week it was on sale on the EF website….
Bon voyage, lucky duck!
Thanks everyone!
Just to answer a few questions:
Frugal Scholar – EF and Babette, yes, and also one Chico’s top.
Julianne – oh dear, hope you heal quickly!
Marguerite – actually the shoes I’m wearing on the plane are great walking shoes. I can’t wear ballet flats, not enough support.
Anonymous – it’s always amusing to me how people never sign their names to negative comments. I’ve never stated that my goal was to “not look like a tourist.” In fact, in an earlier post, I was clear that looking like a tourist is a given. My goal was to put together a minimal wardrobe that will fit in a carry on and get me through two weeks. Other women would choose differently and that’s fine too.
citizen spot – ;-p
Bon voyage!
You have chosen wisely. You are not going to “pop” out as a tourist.
Are you sure, that you will manage with two pairs of shoes? Or maybe you have plans on buying a pair or two, in which case all is well!
My comment to Anonymous was directed at first Anon @ 11:45am.
Anonymous@11:57am – so happy you found it on sale!
oh la la ! You made it! And I love it. I want to come with you. Happy travelling!
In case your flight is flying to Vienna, instead of France/Italy, give me a signal! It makes me feel a bit sad, that you will be so close and yet so far away. :-*
If you do really travel and/or do live in European cities, you will recognize that neutrals in any part of the world tend to be the normal. I have never been to Vienna, but London, Paris, Lyon, Rome, Trieste, yes, lots of neutrals on tourists and natives. The act of not behaving like a tourist-bore is the goal. There are always those lovely scarves and wraps to pop some color. I think your wardrobe is perfect. Only in very warm weather do I tend to lighter colored neutrals. Have a wonderful time, absorb all that you can so you can share with those of us unable to travel right now.
Delicate choice in color & style.
Chapeau!
Great work what you’ve done.
Welcome to Europe, enjoy your trip.
And, if you plan to go to the Maille Boutique, try the Mustard with Shallot – it’s absolutely delicious.
You should’ve seen my luggage when I traveled to Italy! I would check luggage so as to leave room for goodies. I purchased so much leather handbags and scarves and such. Buon viaggio!
Susan – the striped top is from Babette. http://www.babettesf.com
You will look very chic, and should be very comfortable as well; perfect combination! Have a spectacular trip!
To Anon@11:45: it’s been awhile since I’ve been to Florence, but I was in Venice in both April 2010 and May 2010, and I noticed that the natives, both men and women, all wore neutrals. This was true both during the daytime and at night. They looked marvelous in their greys, blacks, whites, and beiges against the cool stones, the greenish canals, and the blue, blue sky. The tourists, in contrast, looked garish.
Dear Femme, Your choices look wonderfully wearable. Very similar to what I packed. I wonder if you should also include a pair of ballet flats for day walking. I found with my walking sandals my feet got so dirty after even half a day out and about. Perhaps pick up some after you arrive. Nevertheless, have a wonderful, safe trip!
I am thoroughly impressed by your ability to choose such a chic wardrobe for your trip. You will have an amazing time and not stick out as a tourist in the least!
Have a fab trip. Please post some pictures of you looking oh-so-chic (and not at all like a tourist 🙂 )abroad.
Thank you and have a wonderful trip!
I’m very impressed. Travelling light, looking chic – couldn’t really ask for more! Looking forward to pics of the trip.
I have never listed my travel wear like that before. This is an entertaining blog.
Natalia
http://birkenstocks.sandals4less.com
The wardrobe is consistent with what I will take on my French Atlantic cruise. I am planning on black, white, and jeans. I plan on being cold, in July. Hmm, I don’t have a light-weight raincoat.
Marianne
I could tell the negative anonymous that I have worked at conferences in several European countries; dark neutrals prevail.
pseu, you REALLY aren’t a skirt girl! I’d have packed mostly skirts and one pair of trousers!
Vi auguro un viaggio strepitoso!