https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 10:40:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892916 Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:13:09 +0000 Anonymous 892916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like you have a plan. No coat then! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892701 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:09:59 +0000 Makrame 892701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am with Gaylene - in my experience, a trench or a&nbsp;jacket&nbsp;that can be worn alone or layered is more versatile than a warm coat, especially when walking. &nbsp;I was in Italy in November and brought a completely waterproof unlined trench, a wool cardigan, and some long-sleeved shirts. &nbsp;On colder days, layering a shirt (with a thin long-sleeved t-shirt underneath), a cardigan, and a trench was perfect (with a voluminous&nbsp;scarf on top of that).<br /><br />Oh, and in terms of conserving space - thin wool/silk or&nbsp;synthetic fabrics like polyester are much better for packing than cotton. &nbsp;I particularly like thin polyester blouses with long sleeves for travel. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892683 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:44:34 +0000 Mochi 892683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One thing I need to clarify is that it's not exactly early April; the dates are April 10th through 24th. So to me, unless the wacky climate situation continues over there, it should not be too too cold. I agree with Suz that I should monitor the situation like a hawk. But even then, you can never know for sure. Still, I am a person who runs very warm, and for me, also, the most important factor in staying warm is keeping my feet warm and dry. I am sure to bring gloves and scarves and the layering is something that will need planning, but Gaylene, you and others are giving good advice. I am somewhat loathe to take my winter coat over there, but I will never say never till a day or two before and I have to make my mind up.&nbsp;<br /><br />I do have a trench. It's very cute (and Italian!). It is a tad snug on me but I could wear it unbuttoned with a sweater or jacket underneath. It's unlined.&nbsp;<br /><br />Am awaiting the shoes I ordered from amazon. Zap, you're right about the Miz Mooz boots; I'd totally forgotten about them. They ARE pretty comfortable and I will consider whether they would do and I can leave the other boots behind (and return them when I come back). But if the Romikas are that comfortable I will probably keep them.&nbsp;<br /><br />Thanks for all your advice, ladies. It's really hard to say what we'll be doing--going to museums, walking of course, restaurants of differing levels of fanciness is a possibility, a foodie type of tour, lots of sitting in cafes and riding in trains on day trips will definitely happen. Nightlife I just don't know. Don't have any friends or acquaintances over there either. I was hoping I might visit a milonga (tango social dance) in Bologna but that depends on hubby's level of interest. We'll see.&nbsp;<br /><br />I'm glad that there are so many women on here either on their way to or back from some overseas travel! It's very helpful to see how they managed, even if the weather and other factors are different.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892580 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:00:05 +0000 Gaylene 892580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just want to add an opposing view to those who suggest bring a warm wool coat. It's definitely an option that obviously works very well for some, but not one that I'd ever choose. Spring in Northern Europe is highly variable; it can be cold, wet, and windy, but it can also be warm, sunny, and humid. That wool coat could be a welcome topper in the first case, but a heavy burden if you have to drag it around with you in the second, especially if it doesn't fit in your suitcase. Since I usually just travel with a carry-on bag, I do prefer the layering route and I don't think layering has to make you feel like a Michelin man if you choose your layers carefully.<br /><br />Walking generates heat as long as your body is protected from the elements and you have a base layer that does not get damp. Even in the winter, I've found that wearing a silk T-shirt under a light-weight merino wool turtleneck and a cashmere cardigan, along with silk leggings, light-weight wool pants, and merino socks, keeps me totally warm as long as I have a knee-length, breathable, waterproof outer coat, scarf, gloves, hat, and waterproof footwear. The leggings, turtleneck, socks, hat, gloves, and scarf also don't take up any room rolled up in a corner of my suitcase if the weather turns warmer. I couldn't do that with a wool coat. And the silk T, cardigan, light-weight wool pants, and outer coat are still totally useful if the weather turns nicer.<br /><br />Layering like this means paying attention to fabrics and design. Layering a cotton cami under a cotton shirt and cotton-blend sweater would make for a cold, damp, unhappy walk. Adding the scarf, hat, gloves, and merino socks make a <b>HUGE</b> difference because they help protect against wind and damp. And, because my coat is waterproof, but breathable, and has tabs to close up the neck and sleeves, it transitions nicely from cold and rainy, to cool and windy, to warm and sunny, just by adjusting the tabs or leaving it open.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892554 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:28:51 +0000 rachylou 892554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I second Sveta on a trench.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892538 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:07:53 +0000 kkards 892538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i find packing for trips to be overwhelming...i try to anticpate everything, and then end up over packing.<br />on a trip to isreal 2&nbsp;christmas's ago,i really appriecated layering; we had some really windy rainy days. i had 3 jackets with me, and they all worked together to layer. one was a&nbsp;water proof shell&nbsp;(not water resistant), because&nbsp;you will be outside, and carring an umbrella when siteseeing is distracting. one was a wind proof soft shell. this was good on the moderate temp days, and layered well under the water proof shell. and finally i have a light weight down jacket. this worked at night when the temps dropped, and again, layered well under the water proof shell. you may not need this many layers, but i really recommend jackets that can work together and apart. <br />for shoes, i preferr a slight heel, instead of a complete flat. the best travel shoe i ever had had a cowboy boot style heel--the pitch was just right and i could walk forever. in fact, i was in the louve and discovered that i had worn a hole in the sole!<br />have a great time on your trip! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892534 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:59:32 +0000 Diana 892534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I went to italy in March (in 2006) and I was fine in a heavier leather jacket and not a ton of layers underneath (thicker leather, lined, covered my butt). I run warm though.&nbsp; What was important was that the leather (and a big scarf) cut the wind, which was sometimes really biting in the narrow streets of Florence.&nbsp; I'd bring a hat and gloves too just in case.<br /><br />I would say shoes are the most important thing.&nbsp; I think I brought two pairs - some flat-for-me (so 1 inch heel) booties and some sporty cole haan mary janes (not really my style anymore) and alternated them.&nbsp; Everything is cobblestoned, so make sure the shoes are stable and have thicker soles.&nbsp; I think if you can walk around the uneven bricks and cobblestones in boston and cambridge all day in the shoes, you should be good to go.<br />ETA: If I was going today, I'd bring my combat boots that I wore in NYC and probably a pair of my born oxfords.&nbsp; <br /><br />ETA2: Definitely bring a bag that zips closed, preferably crossbody and lightweight.&nbsp; Nylon bags (like Prada-style or le sportsac) are good for this.&nbsp; I like it to be big enough to hold a few things, like a bottle of water, my scarf or cardi, and maybe some small purchases. If you want a fancier bag for evenings or something, you might want to just have a teeny clutch that doesn't take much room in your luggage.<br /><br />This post is actually a pretty good example of my packing strategy - I figure out the shoes first ALWAYS (fussy feet), then the bag, then the outerwear.&nbsp; Clothes last.&nbsp; Being a little ugly or frumpy will not ruin my vacation, but being in pain (from bad shoes or a too heavy handbag) will.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892513 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:27:11 +0000 Sveta 892513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think trench with a warm liner is the best but not the thin cotton trench. If you trench does not have a warm liner I would go with a light coat - not winter weight but the one you would wear in Boston at this time.<br />Although some flowers were blooming in the North of Italy in January I still needed a coat...:-)<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892499 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:17:34 +0000 rae 892499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yeah, we went to Italy in May and were super frozen for a time, even though most of the trip was warm. I echo Zap: take the wool coat, just in case! You can cuddle it on the airplane, so it won't eat up your suitcase.&nbsp;<br /><br />I also agree with everyone else regarding thinking in terms of outfits. Maybe start with the most complicated, layered-up, environment-influenced situation you envision encountering. Dress for that. Then think of other situations and ask yourself if you could wear the same thing or if you'd have to swap something out. Repeat until all situations are covered. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892441 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:00:37 +0000 Anonymous 892441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You guys might be right on the trench. Personally, I don't leave my coat, no matter what the weather report says, because the temperatures do&nbsp;not remain stable. The&nbsp;lows can dip really low and she is going beginning of April. If I get hot, I can open my coat up. Plus, I am not really suggesting a subzero temperature coat, mochi has a midweight peacoat that would do the trick.<br /><br />Suz, yes, I remember that heat wave last year. It only lasted a few days.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892412 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:24:37 +0000 Vix 892412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Mochi --<br /><br />Just wanted to wish you well as you start to prep for your fantastic-sounding trip! [And yes, I do have that slip/underlayer still waiting to get mailed to you...apologies!]<br /><br />As said above, putting things together by outfits is a great way to go. I like to organize my "usual" combinations, then eliminate something by realizing I can actually wear X with Y [and A, and B]&nbsp;as well as Z. Somehow that makes it easier than starting from scratch and gets the numbers down.<br /><br />I'm another who prefers to travel with a trenchcoat and layer if I'm going to be out and in a lot,&nbsp;esp in spring with its unpredictable temps. But then I run cold til the second I start moving and hate carrying a heavy coat around indoors.&nbsp;I usually throw in a warm hat, scarf, and gloves just in case.<br /><br />Will peek back in to cheer you on!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892361 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:17:35 +0000 Suz 892361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess the upshot is, watch the weather reports like a hawk. And pack accordingly. Although I would never want to argue with Zapotee's wisdom (after all, it was her sage advice that saved my butt, literally, on my most recent trip!!) I do think there's a chance that a trench will be fine for Italy in April and that a wool coat could feel like too much. But with the weather being what it is, all bets are off, really. Recall that last year I was wearing sleeveless dresses and no hose in NYC in March!! In England, they told us the same thing. A year ago, people were enjoying outdoor meals at cafés at this time. Granted, that was freakishly warm.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892330 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:16:28 +0000 Mander 892330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't know what the forecast for Italy is like but in England (and France, I think) we have been having freakishly cold weather and they expect it to last until mid-April.&nbsp; The warmest it has been in the last few weeks has been about 37 degrees, and it has been constantly spitting snow!<br /><br />However, I hate having to lug a heavy coat around if the weather gets unexpectedly warm.&nbsp; So I don't mind wearing multiple lightweight layers.<br /><br />Shoes are always a challenge for me.&nbsp; I like the ones that VC got.&nbsp; I might have to look for some like that!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892313 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:19:03 +0000 Anonymous 892313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Plus, most of Europe does not get trench coat warm, until the end of April. You will need a thick sweater under the trench along a third piece.&nbsp;To me, that equals wool coat. If you need to extra layer, to&nbsp;compensate for your outer layer, that means you have packed the incorrect outer layer, to me. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892311 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:11:55 +0000 Anonymous 892311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mochi, the only advice I have is the one that I always have: Don't&nbsp;skip on your wool coat. I repeat, do&nbsp;not leave your coat behind, really, don't :)&nbsp;You might end up regretting it, big time.&nbsp;Most Euro vacations involve spending a lot of time outdoors. After&nbsp;a few hours, the body cannot longer retain heat and you will get cold, trust me.&nbsp;Also,&nbsp;I really think is an extra hassle to go about layering multiple items, with the aggravation of having to move around with so many pieces of clothing. I much rather have a thin sweater underneath my coat, that 3-4 layers under a trench. Being cold on a vacation is the one thing that pisses me off to no end.&nbsp;<br /><br />Also, as much as I love the Zara bag and will steal it from you in your sleep, bring a bag with a zipper.There is a lot of pickpocketing in Europe.<br /><br />Re. footwear, what happened with the miz mooz boots? Bring something waterproof or water resistant.<br /><br />How exciting! Have a amazing trip. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892109 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:39:20 +0000 Jaime 892109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so excited that you are finally taking this trip! I am no packing wiz and you have already received great advice. For me shoes are the most important thing about a trip like this - you don't want to be slowed down by painful shoes. Of course, that doesn't mean you shouldn't get any new shoes when you get there! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892063 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:45:29 +0000 velvetychocolate 892063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just wanted to chime in on the shoes. I had to make an 'emergency' purchase of shoes in Greece, because the shoes I thought would be great for tromping around, weren't. Even my trusty Naturalizers or Eccos weren't "all day walking on cobblestone street" shoes. I had sore feet, blisters and so on. Not fun, while on vacation! <br /><br />I ended up buying a pair of Rieker flat 'shooties' in a pale grey colour while wandering around the town of Pireaus on the way back from Athens. The Riekers turned out to be fantastic all-day walking shoes. The ones I got look similar to these, but without a silver thingamabob on the side and came in a soft pale grey colour (local shop in Greece, and cannot find the exact style I bought online anywhere):<br /><br />&nbsp;<a href="http://www.zappos.com/rieker-d7301-milla-01-graphite-leather" rel="nofollow">http://www.zappos.com/rieker-d.....te-leather</a><br /><br />The shoes I got were more like 'shooties' than ankle boots. <br /><br />I wore those 'shooties' 99.999% of the time during the rest of my trip. With shorts, skirts, dresses, pants, jeans - you name it. Since getting home, I've worn them a lot too - and I can wear them with bare feet, little white sport socks (unseen, and worn with bare legs), tights, hose - anything works. Extremely comfy shoes that worked incredibly well when I needed shoes that wouldn't let me down while tromping around all kinds of cruise stops, followed by a few days' stay in Venice (stone streets, bridges etc.). If you do end up getting some shoes, and you consider trying some Riekers - you will likely want to try them on. I take a Euro size 38 in Ecco, and needed a 39 in the Riekers brand. <br /><br />Anyway - it was a 15 day trip, and the Rieker shoes I bought in Greece turned out to be 'the' go-to shoe. This includes walking up the stone stairs to Santorini and back. Traipsing all over Istanbul, Ephesus, Venice, Kotor and the like. My 'emergency' shoes went the distance. We rented an apartment in Venice, and it was three flights of steep stone stairs to get to the place. You get the idea. <br /><br />Meanwhile, - just as an aside, my GAP Really Skinny black pants also turned out to be a real workhorse on this particular trip (last October). Easy to dress up or down. Comfy. Something other than jeans. No ironing needed. Roll up the pants, toss into the suitcase and go. Dress up with a fancy blouse or dress down with a denim shirt. <br /><br />Hope you have fun on your trip! Make sure you have decent shoes - I think this is crucial. If you haven't tried them already, consider a pair of GAP Really Skinny pants - one minute they look a bit dressier, and the next, they dress 'down' quite well for daytime sightseeing and the like. I sized up in these because I didn't want super skinny, body-con pants. Worked well!<br /><br />Hope you have a wonderful time <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892043 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:21:41 +0000 Aida 892043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nancy, I don't think you need to worry about how much time you ponder your travel capsule. Just be sure to try on all your outfits ahead of time, and make sure that you've got clothing for all necessary events covered. If you think there could be spontaneous events, such as a midnight cocktail party, be prepared within reason. Once you've got the outfits tried on and laid out, then it's worth looking through and seeing if you have unnecessary duplication OR if there are other backup outfits you can make with the pieces you're brining. Jot those down, they come in handy (and try them on!).<br /><br />PS I'm excited you finally get to go on this trip! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-892019 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:05:58 +0000 Suz 892019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Methodical genius? <b><i>Moi????</i></b><br /><br /><i>&lt;runs off laughing&gt; &nbsp;<br /><br /></i>I can just imagine what my mother would say to that.<br /><i><br /></i>Actually, I think it is Sveta who wins the packing methodology award. She took Gaylene's idea one step further and actually <b>wore</b> her proposed&nbsp;travel outfits in a trial run for a week! &nbsp;<br /><i><br /></i>I did what Gaylene advises -- both for my China trip and for my recent trip -- and it worked extremely well. I asked myself questions like: Do I have something for walking on the Great Wall if it is blistering hot out? What if it is cold?&nbsp;Do I have something for going out to supper with hubby's colleagues? How about for the theatre? What about for a full day of walking the pavement? What about for shopping? Etc.<br /><br />Then, on our most recent trip,&nbsp;due to the failure of our first accommodations,&nbsp;it turned out that we were unable to go back to our home base during the day because it was a 40 minute commute away -- so in the end, there was no opportunity to change for dinner and the like.&nbsp;<br /><br />My outfits had to last from 8:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. or later at night -- and cover all my bases. <br /><br />What that meant was:&nbsp;<br /><br />1. I ended up feeling really good about my decision to bring mostly "dressier" casual options, because at least I would not be underdressed for dinner and theatre.&nbsp;<br /><br />2. &nbsp;I really needed a star piece or two that would get me through. I felt my leather jacket and my pea coat filled that role. The coat was what people saw when I was outdoors (most of the time) and the jacket was what they mostly saw indoors.&nbsp;<br /><i><br /></i>So, quite honestly -- if you have a fab coat (trench, as Parsley suggests) and if you have a fab topper (whether it's a jacket or a cardigan or a vest or whatever) it almost doesn't matter what else there is. Except for footwear. Bring the right footwear.&nbsp;<br /><i><br /></i>Also, I recommend a light yet cozy sweater that can take the place of a bathrobe in your apartment. Lounging clothes, in other words. Granted, it was bizarrely cold on my trip, but I was really glad for wool socks and a sweater to go with my PJs.&nbsp;<br /><i><br />So excited that you are going at long last!!!!&nbsp;</i> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-891928 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:03:08 +0000 Caro in Oz 891928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with Gaylene - I think outfits too. I like to keep to&nbsp;one or two silhouettes too, as this simplifies the shoe dilemma. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-891904 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:40:38 +0000 Mochi 891904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's brilliant advice, Gaylene. I do mostly have clothes that work well together, and also things that are missing to complete an outfit (things like hosiery, layering tops...always the typical suspects for me).<br /><br />I'll start thinking in terms of outfits. I will never be the methodical genius that is someone like Suz, for example, but I'll try and figure it out. Thanks! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-891885 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:23:31 +0000 Gaylene 891885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to try to pack from lists, but, an off-the-cuff comment that Angie made in the forum a year or so ago really made me re-think my approach. She was stressing the need to think of outfits, instead of just concentrating on individual pieces. <br /><br />Using that idea, I listed the main activities that I thought I'd be doing on the trip and then planned an outfit with a high happiness factor for each activity.&nbsp; I actually tried on everything--shoes, underwear, raincoat, handbag, the works--to make sure everything looked and felt good. Sometimes I kept grabbing an item over and over which was a big clue that the item would be a travel workhorse for me.<br /><br />The whole process took about half an hour but, once I was finished, I more or less knew what I needed to pack. It&nbsp; also made it very clear if I needed to buy something---like a new pair of tights--before I left. I wore everything that I packed on that trip. Getting dressed in the mornings was easy and I always felt good about what I was wearing.<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-891767 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:28:02 +0000 rachylou 891767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Weather is&nbsp; 30s F to mid 55s F right now, and rainy, both in Milan and Bologna. It's the western world, so I'm sure everything you have already is more than fine. I'd wear my normal clothes for sure.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-891670 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:54:19 +0000 Parsley 891670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mochi,&nbsp;<br />Isn't packing daunting? Sounds like you're on the right track, though.<br />If you don't have a nice jacket or blazer it's probably something you could use even if you weren't traveling. If you have that it is really easy to pack a few tops and be done with it.<br /><br />A black wrap dress sounds perfect for evenings out, and can be changed around with jewelry or scarves.<br /><br />A trench (maybe with&nbsp;a zip-out lining?) would probably be perfect for April. Do you have one?<br /><br />I hope the boots work for you- crossing my fingers!&nbsp;I agree that they were a little more rugged looking than I had wanted, but they were so comfortable I didn't mind. Happy feet make for happy vacations!&nbsp;&nbsp;Mine are the black ones, available on Zappos, if that interests you. The brown ones look nice, too, though.<br /><br />I'll be eager to see your travel capsule as it takes shape!<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ack-travel-capsules-just-pondering-out-loud#post-891655 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:39:33 +0000 Mochi 891655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have clearly traveled before and I am not sure why all of a sudden I am feeling quite intimidated about gathering together a travel capsule for our 2-week trip to Bologna and Milan on April 10. Yes, we are finally going! I think that by definition my scattered personality crumbles in the face of&nbsp;an overly self-conscious&nbsp;standard systematic approach. And with YLF and previous successes here, I feel like I have even less of an excuse....<br /><br />So I have little time left and basically want to keep it light and simple. Will be staying in regular apartments for all locations, meaning there will be the chance to do laundry. I think we will go out and want to look nice for dinner, but not go crazy at some really chichi places. So nice-casual is probably going to be it.&nbsp;<br /><br />And I don't want to buy that much for the trip, either.&nbsp;<br /><br />So, considering that it will be the north of Italy and probably about on par with temps in Boston, the weather will still be a little crisp and I'll need layering.&nbsp;<br /><br />I think I will just try and pick up some nice t-shirts and tanks to wear under a good jacket (which, do I have? I'm not sure I can get away without buying a new one).&nbsp;<br /><br />Jeans, not sure there either. Have some skinny jeans but low-rise, blech (they're all low-rise, though). Always feel like I'm needing to hitch them up. Dang apple shape cannot keep jeans from inching down unless with corset-strength belt.&nbsp;<br /><br />Will bring Banana Republic black wrap dress (the famous one from here) and black leggings and the adorable Giveable flats for if we go anywhere nice for dinner. That should do. I'm giving up on looking elegant in Milano, but Bologna should not be beyond my capabilities of looking pulled-together.&nbsp;<br /><br />Actually footwear is my main concern here, because even with hubby's still-recovering achilles tendon guaranteed to slow us down, I still expect to walk a lot... and unfortunately I have been experiencing a bit of intermittent discomfort in my heel, maybe plantar fasciitis, so this is not where I can afford to skimp.&nbsp;<br /><br />Parsley's post has led me to order the Romika boot (fingers crossed that it fits and is super-comfy for me, and appropriate for whatever weather happens there). It's a bit rugged and similar in looks to what I've got in my closet, but without the promised comfort factor of a full-day walking shoe (by which I mean, shoes I already own). I don't want to be needing to take time out of the trip for emergency shoe-shopping (which should be done only in the spirit of fun and excitement, not because one's feet are throbbing). And I just want to order this and not get sucked into obsession and indecisiveness as I am wont to do!<br /><br />Jacket and/or coat....need to do more research on that one. I run warm too, and clearly my wool coat will not be needed by mid-April! I have to think of a lightweight layering coat (I have one or two but am not sure if they will work).&nbsp;<br /><br />I don't know, don't know...other people's depths of analyses here give me the impression that I'm not putting enough thought into it, and probably that's true (this post is just me spinning my wheels). I think this trip has just gotten so loaded after all the problems we've had with previous injuries and cancellations, it's hard to believe it's really happening and nothing else will befall us!&nbsp;<br /><br />So deep breaths, hit The Gap and&nbsp;Nordstrom, order those shoes TODAY.&nbsp;<br /><br />And go back over Suz's, Parsley's and others' posts here and try to figure it all out from more organized minds than mine.&nbsp;<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/romika-city-light-27-boot/3338525">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ro.....ot/3338525</a><br /><br /><br />