Fashion show, not! But! Women any suggestions?

Here's what I usually take: Wear on plane: black cotton-blend pants, long sleeve turtleneck/T-shirt ( in summer- short sleeve) and a long-sleeved "big shirt" {button up shirt that can function/look a bit like a blazer/jacket}, water resistant/proof coat with hood, good walking shoes - black. Pack in carry-on suitcase: 2-3 pair black or khaki cotton-blend pants (I am allergic to wool and rather hot-natured), 3 or 4 T-shirts/turtlenecks (sleeve length depends on season)- usually black, red, cobalt blue or purple, 1 or 2 "big shirts"- to layer, optional 1-2 sweaters/cardigans that go with all of above. Totally optional- scarves (they can dresss up any outfit- especially if you used black as your "base" color= they add color and pizzaz).

Even though you are away for 2 weeks, just pack enough for no more than 1 week. You're also backpacking, so the more you plan out your travel wardrobe ahead of time & make sure all pieces can do double duty to create different looks when matched up with something else, the less you will cart around in your pack. Stick to neutrals for most pieces (black, grey, white, beige, brown, navy). Bring color in with accessories (earrings, necklace, scarf). Lay out all pieces to see how many different outfits you can create, then pack absolutely everything you plan to take with you (including toiletries, guidebooks, electronics, makeup, shoes) then walk around Renton with the fully loaded backpack for 1 hour. Be sure to walk up a few hills, over uneven ground & go up and down a couple flights of stairs. Try to lift the whole pack over your head to store on a shelf. Is your fully loaded pack too heavy to manage for 1 hour? If it is, you need to rethink packing to see what you can leave out. I wear jeans in Europe. For a 2 week Fall trip, I will typically pack 2 pair of jeans in a darker rinse & then bring some black pants and a skirt made of a rayon/spandex blend so they don't wrinkle and are very lightweight. I'll bring a mix of tank, short sleeve and long sleeve tops and a cashmere or silk blend drapey cardigan sweater. As long as you don't spill anything on them, you can generally wear pants & jeans at least 2x before washing them. Plan on doing wash 1 time halfway through the trip. Laundromats do exist in Italy but are much easier to find in the larger towns and cities. If you are staying in hostels while you backpack, there's almost always a coin-op laundry room for guests on-site, so take advantage of it if that is where you are staying. Wear 1 pair of shoes on the plane & pack 1 pair. Even shoes that seem broken in can sometimes cause problems on a trip.

Monique, I do kinda what Ceidleh does. I do pack jeans (I know - horrors!). I also pack a coupla skirts that either don't wrinkle, or are fine after a quick steam while I am taking my shower. I find that packing simple classic basics in dark neutrals means that I can mix and match without fear. So - an A-line skirt, a pencil skirt, 2 pairs of jeans, a couple of pairs of low-rise, straight-leg or boot-cut pants, a few basic blouses, a few t-shirty or sweatery tops.... and plenty of jewelry. (I don't wear scarves - my short neck and big boobs make scarves a disaster on me!) And now for the REALLy heretical thing: I always bring a pair of heels! Gasps! Shock! I obviously don't wear heels when hiking in the moors or spending all day at the Prado, but I do wear them when we go out for dinner, or plan to spend the afternoon sitting in a cafe. Sometimes it's nice to feel dressed up and pretty. Traveling in Europe can present one with unexpectedly romantic moments, and it's nice to look "presentable" (or even sexy!) when somewhere romantic with one's beloved. And yes, I can get all this into a backpack. I roll, use those "suck out the air" bags, and prune ruthlessly.

Good advice here!
I have to agree with Kira's BLASPHEMY and say that I also like to have a pair of "nicer" shoes with me. I have learned to pack very light but I always bring two pairs of shoes - a nicer, trendier pair of sneakers (like Sketchers) and a casual but cute heeled or wedge sandal that is reasonably comfortable for lots of walking (Jambu's shoes http://www.jambu.com/2011/Fall/Products/Sporty-Wedge/index.htm are great for this. They are actually comfy!!!) That way I can put together an evening outfit with a skirt, which is important if you want to go to a slightly nicer restaurant or cultural event. My summer travel bag consists of 1 pair jeans, 1 pair capris, 1 skirt, then a handful of tanks and shirts. For layering I bring a light cardigan or two, like the kind you can get at Gap or J Crew (on sale hopefully!) which can add color to your "neutrals" and keep you from being too chilly in A/C museums or at night. As others have mentioned, scarves are great for extra warmth and for dressing an outfit up (and looking "European"!)

I like long skirts so I can go bare legged under if hot or throw on leggings if cold.