Travel Capsule for Italy and England

Hi!
I’m new! My friend Ginger turned me on to this forum!
After years of being out of the loop on fashion I’m trying to dip my toe in again. An upcoming trip is a good excuse to explore the idea of capsule wardrobes!
I’ve attahed items I currently have. Strangely I started a palate of red, white, navy, and black- totally outside my normal boho/laid back San Diego style. I aesthetically like Romantic, vintage inspired, and classic, with creative elements. If anything perhaps this is a bit too polished for me?
Our trip is for 12 days to southern Italy (hot) and England (not hot). So figuring out how to make this adapt for both and bring minimal pieces are hard.
Halfway through I wished I had done more traditional autumn Browns and muted tone, which is why there’s some in there- but I think those will mix well with black and white and gray.

I thrift the majority of my wardrobe. I did buy a few new pieces- a few I have not yet received.
Purchased new were:
Anthropologie moto jacket
Everlane straight leg crops in this autumn golden brown
Everlane tee dress in black and white stripe
Everlane tees in gray, black, and white
Lucky Brand long sleeve shirt dress
Target red and white stripe Breton tee
Cole Haan stitchlight oxfords in black
Naturalizer sandals in red
Lucky Brand western style scarf (bought last year)

Thrifted items include
Michael Cors black and white patterned dress with hi/low hem that I’m going to hem straight across
J Crew denim trousers
Ralph Lauren black cropped jeans
ModCloth scalloped chiffon button down blouse
Talbots silk blouse in black and white buckle print
Target red cardigan
Elie Tahari silk chiffon blouse
Gap cotton/wool fair isle sweater
Madewell baby and white striped tank
Armani Exchange Jeans
Banana Republic white silk blouse with metallic buttons
Banana Republic black wool trousers
Tahari basic black dress
Banana Republic Black blazer

So I have a lot to chose from... but I’m feeling like I should eliminate some red and replace with neutral tan/ivory to pull in autumn? Our trip is in September.
Are there any items that are glaringly OUT of fashion? I’ve been living in a. cave for like ten years

As an aside, we will be traveling with our toddler who is just under two- so functional is a MUST.
Thanks a bunch in advance for your thoughts

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7 years ago

Lauren

(website)

Active Member

Whoops! A few photos didn’t upload. Here’s the Anthropologie moto jacket and black with metallic black Banana Republic blazer I thrifted earlier this year.

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Jane

Veteran

Welcome!

Sounds like it will be a lovely trip.

These pieces look good to my eye. 9 and 11 look super cute and the anthropology moto jacket looks very good too. I like the spread of colours and it looks cohesive. I’d may be anticipate rain in the UK, may be a waterproof jacket of some type.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum.

When is your trip? Nice colour palette.

You'll need to embellish your footwear capsule for one. Bring sneakers and very comfortable walking shoes.

Roberta

You have great taste and a great assortment of items. Love all the red! Lots of ways to layer and mix and match. Two different climates is the challenge here. I would suggest a pair of walking shorts or a sport skirt a la Title Nine for Italy; cooler than pants but more casual than a dress. I think the maxi dress will be perfect for dinner out in hot weather, especially with the contrasting scarf. Definitely bring a packable rain jacket and waterproof shoes/boots for England. I wouldn't pack silk unless it is hand washable, and the cropped jeans will work with boots and sandals, so you can skip a second pair. I'd suggest a pair of soft or stretchy pants so you can sit on the floor easily or get comfy on the plane with your bambino.

Have a fabulous trip and bring home another gorgeous scarf!

SarahD8

Welcome Lauren and high-five to a fellow thrifter!

This looks like a great color palette. With two destinations with different weather conditions, I’d suggest thinking in terms of two separate mini-capsules to make sure you are covered for both climates.

I see a lot of lightweight tops but somewhat limited layering potential. Are you planning to take outerwear aside from the blazer and moto jacket? I run cold so that would be my first concern.

I agree with Angie that another pair or two of shoes would be good. Right now it looks like you have 1 pair for Italy and 1 pair for the U.K. Maybe add a pair of comfy sneakers that could be worn across both climates?

To make room in your suitcase, I think you could pare down your bottoms a bit.

Stagiaire Fash

Are you comfortable layering a blazer/jacket over a sweater over a top? I think that’s how you have to think about all your pieces—nothing that can’t be worn with something else.

For me, warming up the bottom half makes me feel warmer all over. If you’re like that, then make sure one pair of shoes can be worn with socks, and tuck in a couple pairs of sox and some tights to keep you cozy against the chill.

If you’re using a baby carrier, make sure there aren’t any conflicts between it and your clothes. I’m thinking of things like difficulty putting on a crossbody when you’re wearing a jacket with a huge hood, like someone here posted about recently.

Thank you, everyone, for all the tips and the welcome.
FashionIntern, yes, I had planned on using the sweater for layering under the moto jacket and over a tee. I got the jacket with enough room for a sweater under it
Several of you have mentioned shoes. I have the hardest time with shoes! I have narrow feet with a low instep. I must have tried on 50 pairs before I got the Cole Haan ones. They’re super comfy and light- look like a dress shoe but built like a sneaker so those are my walking shoes. If anyone has suggestions for where to look for shoes let me know! Unfortunately there’s no more time to send away for things unless I do express shipping, but we have a decent mall in San Diego I can go to if need be ❤️
Also thanks so much for the compliments on the pieces! I’m so glad I’m thinking along the right track.
I do think I’m heavy on the bottoms- I’m actually not sure if the Everlane pants will fit- I’ve never tried them. So waiting on those to see if those are an option as I would really love a bottom option that’s not dark colored.
Angie- high five, fellow thrifter! I do have a nice black coat I can bring if I need to. 3/4 length. I think it might even have a hood! I never wear it since we don’t have the weather for it here- I kind of forget it existed
We’re not planning on baby wearing- we have an umbrella stroller we’re bringing with.
Roberta- good tips on the silk. I had forgotten that. I’m ok with hand washing but we will be moving around quite a bit so it might not be the most practical. I will reconsider those pieces.

Thanks so much! I’ll be going over your comments again to make sure I didn’t miss anything ❤️

rachylou

Love the Michael Kors dress. I’d bring a thin thermal tee for England and a beanie... I have never not been freezing in England, lol.

Sal

Welcome to the forum!!

I think your clothing looks great and I would not worry about the colours being summer or fall - these colours look awesome all year.

My only comments are
- some of these pieces look like they will need ironing - is that an issue for you?
- can you keep white clean (I am hopeless) - London is wonderful but toddlers, buses, tubes, parks etc can make it hard
- I like to take three pairs of shoes - two walkable and one change up ideally.
- when travelling I think two tops to every bottom ideally - when laundering is not easy I would easily wear bottoms two-three days but I wear tops only one day.
- I normally factor in at least one laundry session in my holidays - either in the hotel or apartment, or visiting a laundromat, or scouting out what the locals use. I also do a little hand washing in the basin as needed.

Have a wonderful time!!

Wise Shopper

You are going to Italy and bringing clothes with you? I'd say leave everything at home and buy there! Italy is the best place in the world for shopping, and you might even catch the end of sales season.

I can’t help directly with the shoe question, but think a lot of people here have feet like yours. They use the phrase “low volume”. Try searching YLF for that.

For preventing wrinkles, try the Eagle Creek packing envelopes at the Container Store.

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