Packing Light and La Bella Figura

I spent 8 weeks on Europe last Fall including about 2 weeks in Paris and time in Italy. I did not want my feet to be a problem with the 10 mile a day walks (part of the time was a RS 21 Best of Europe with some long days). I took 2 pr of Altra Zero Drop athletic shoes and went everywhere with them. I did eat in a fairly nice restaurant in Paris and the wait staff was as nice as could be to me. You need to take what is going to make your feet comfortable!

For info for your wife, I also had black pants and jeans, Lands End cotton/modal Tee shirts, 3 Land's End cardigans (1 too many) and bought scarves there. I also recommend a waterproof layer. Mine is a Marmot Precip which will fold up small enough for my purse. There are many brands that are good.

I traveled the 8 weeks with the RS 22inch convertible.

Start your packing list on paper.

I am in your demographic and have a three week trip with the wife in May. We will be attempting to pack lighter than our first trip and plan on doing a weekly laundry as I hate trying to wash clothes in the hotel sink. My answer is to take a black sport coat (cotton unconstructed) that I can wear anywhere. I tend to be dressed slightly better than the average tourist and slightly worse than a well dressed local. I take a decent looking pair of black shoes that I can walk several miles in, a really comfortable pair of shoes (maybe running shoes) and a pair of Sanuks which are light and pack easily. One nice dress shirt and several nice t-shirts which work fine under the jacket by themselves.

Rick and many forum members probably think it's overkill but I feel I am sometimes better received than the average tourist just for having a sport coat on, even if it is only with jeans.

bn,

I'm slightly older and find that I can manage quite nicely with a smaller packing list, although I'm not quite at the "carry-on level" yet. In addition to the usual toiletries and other clothing, I normally pack....

• 2 pairs of pants similar to THESE in Khaki.
• 2 long sleeve and two short sleeve shirts (I often travel when the weather is warmer, so having a change is important as I can't do laundry every day).
• A travel vest similar to THIS model in a lighter colour.
• I normally only take one pair of good quality shoes but have travelled with two pair in the past.

I don't own a sports jacket, and have never felt that I needed one anywhere in Europe. The evenings can be a bit cooler in October, but so far I've managed fine with a light coat or even just the Vest.

I've used the same general packing method for many years for trips as long as two months, and it's always worked well.

You wife may get some ideas by watching this RS video:https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks/packing

I use the packing list for women on this website as a guide: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-list-women

Here is what I pack in my 20" carry-on roller suitcase:

1. clothes for 7 days-- and do laundry once every 6 days while traveling.
2. always pack more tops than bottoms. So I will pack 6- 7 tops and 2 pairs of pants (plus the pants & top I wear on the plane)
3. always pack more underwear as they are small (more bottoms than tops here)
4. pack some camis I can wear under tops for an extra layer.
5. pack 6 - 7 pairs of socks & 2 pair of comfortable shoes (one pair I wear on plane)
6. pack 2-3 pj pants/tops
7. I wear my cardigan & jacket on the plane.
8. pack one lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain.
9. 1-2 belts (wear one on the plane)
10. a couple of scarves for color & I usually purchase extra scarves on my trip.
11. toiletries & medications.

On my recent trip (October) to northern Italy, I packed 2 casual cotton skirts but didn't wear them!

The weather is mild enough in October to often use only a sport jacket. My husband frequently wears a khaki one in fall, or a lightweight wool. Looks good over polo or Oxford style shirt, or even layered over a shirt plus sweater if the weather is cooler. Highly recommend as you will see Italian men dressed this way as well at dinner. As to shoes, no need for dress ones, but do take a pair of dark leather walkers such as by Clarke's to supplement your daily athletic walker.

For your wife, athletic walkers for sure, but a nice pair of black leather Mary Janes (try Ecco or Keen or Clarkes) will be fine with slacks or skirt when she wants to be dressier. I take 2 jeans and one slacks of skirt in black for a three week trip, plus multiple interchangeable tops and cardigans. 21" rollaboard is the way to go, supplemented by a day bag or small backpack. Easy on-and-off trains is essential.

Yes you need a rain-resistant jacket each, with a hood is nice when the rain is not intense or when it arrives unexpectedly.

I agree with Laurel's suggestions for packing, and with Priscilla's for number of items. Plan to buy scarves, shawls and other accessories in Italy (but shoes need to be broken in). I like some of the Easy Spirit shoe styles (mocs and low-heeled pumps) for less casual activities, like dining or going to a concert.

Most of the regular posters here didn't even bother to read the original post and are giving suggestions for womens clothes. Just sayin......

Richard, you may be right!

I understand that Bnelson is asking what he should pack, but I presumed he would also like to know what his wife should pack by his comment:

With limited space, these are tough calls. Probably every bit as bad
for my wife (or worse). So, ladies and gents, what do you recommend?

Since you are traveling in October and mostly focused on cities, the same clothes will work for the whole trip. For instance, I'm sure you'll be happy with light pants and won't really need shorts. If you have any of the newer "no-iron" shirts sold through many retailers, they do travel and wash pretty well (meant to be machine dried for least wrinkles, not hung). You don't need a sport jacket, but probably would wear it if you had it. Walking and comfort shoes are a big category these days, so it's not hard to find something in black or brown and varying degrees of sportiness.

Thanks to one and all for the suggestions (my wife thanks you too)! Much food for thought. These boards are a great source of information from those who have "been there, done that" and can provide some help for the rest of us.

And, Quirite, as for the "trite" phrase, blame RS (and most other books I have read in my planning) for bringing it up. Thanks for the reassurance from a local that it really doesn't matter. (Though I don't expect to have a bus ticket in hand, ever.) While I know we won't pass for locals, perhaps we will try to look down a bit more and be gruff from time to time, but somehow I expect we will be enjoying each day, trying to simply be polite and not loud or acting like "ugly American" tourists. As guests in your country, we will be making an effort to make a good impression. (We'll be in Roma from 10/18-24.)

I also used to think that "bella figura" referred to dressing nicely. But all the Italians I've known reinforce what Quirite says - that expression (fare una bella figura) should be translated as "to behave properly according to the circumstances."

As to the underlying question by the OP, I have found it to be true that I get better service and more pleasant interactions if I'm not dressed like I'm there to mow the lawn. But you don't have to compromise on comfort. For example, you can find good walking shoes in black that don't look out of place if you decide to dress up a little in the evening. And a simple sport coat with blue jeans is a look you'll see on a lot of Italian men, of all ages.

As a rule, Italians don't dress as casually as Americans do when out in public. (For example, you would never see an Italian at the grocery store wearing sweatpants.) It's one of the things I love about Italy.

Dress how you normally would and what's comfortable for you. As long as you aren't looking outlandish in some way or another no one is going to care how you look. The concept that all Italians are walking around with up to the minute top fashion on their bodies and judge everyone they see by those same standards is a myth.

Here's my theory: Everyone who is aware enough of how they come across to ask this question will be fine with how they dress. It's those to whom it would never occur to ask "Should I really wear this in Italy?" that are the problem. If you don't believe me, do a Google search for "Walmart fashion." (^_^)

My husband and I enjoy dressing up more in the evenings, and plan on doing so in Italy in September. He will be bringing a lightweight sports jacket and dress shoes. We will have our 25" checked bag and a carry-on, plus 2 small backpacks instead of duffles. We won't fill the 25" to the brim, but he feels better having that for his shoes. On our way over, we will put 2 day outfits and 1 evening outfit, plus essentials to important to lose, in case our checked bag is lost or late. With the clothes we are wearing, we then have 3 day outfits. I guess we would just have to go shopping...bummer....:)

I care what I wear, and how I look....and so does he. Mixing and matching is something we have never done before, but I think it will work while still enjoying our wardrobe.

I imagine he will take two collared shirts, probably one white and one black for night. During the day I know he will wear khakis or khaki long shorts. I'm pretty sure he'll take his light blue and white stripped collared polo shirt. That can be dressed down, can even wear with khaki shorts or jeans...or can be worn at night. I think he's going to try to look like he does at home, but more mix and match.

Being October, it will be nice not working about the heat as much.

Quirite! The bus ticket thing! So hilarious....

My teammate who was in Italy for a year when I was there, she would always keep it in her hand, so much that when 5 of us took a vacation in Germany, we took pictures acting like her holding our bus tickets all over Munich!

Laughing over tickets! Not bus but I probably have had train or metro tickets in my hot little hands a bit too often. Guess that's a habit I need to break?

Wear what's comfortable, what will pack light, and dry quickly. We refuse to travel with dressy clothes (personal preference after too many years in corp. offices) and been cheerfully welcomed anywhere we've gone in Italy. Then again, we don't go to upscale restaurants which may require Sunday clothes as we prefer casual places. We're always clean, tidy and subdued (nothing fussy or loud) but no suit jackets, skirts, linen or dress pants, etc. Honestly, I think it's more important just to be polite and respectful than what you wear.

Sorry if this is too off-topic, but I really enjoyed Quirite's post. It made me smile, and think of our host at an agriturismo in Tuscany a few years ago: He claimed he could identify the country that his guests were from before they opened their mouths, just by the way they dressed and the way they moved. Dutch, German, American...and he was right 99% of the time. Interesting!
Going to Sicily in June, and I'm so excited!

I must be doing well, since in my travels to Spain, Portugal, Austria and Italy, locals have never identified my as an American. First guess is often French ( do not speak a word of French), then German, then Australian. I hope the lack of American identification by the people in those European countries I visit is because I am never in a hurry and learn to speak a few courtesy words in the language and try to be polite. Never wear shorts, but otherwise, wear the same things I do at home, leggings (with the buns covered!) simple tops, and walking shoes (Merrells work for my feet)

Do not take one large bag. That is a nightmare when traveling and having to lug it up stairs, put it in racks, etc etc. Two smaller bags are ideal. My husband and I travel for up to 3 mos with a 22 inch carry on and a messenger bag each. Occasionally if winter season is part of the mix, I take a 24 incher and he a 22, but we always regret it. We check them on flights so their carry on size isn't about carrying on but about not having to lug them everywhere.

I dress in basic black, pants, fitted t or turtle depending on season and then layer over that. I always have something fancy that works over basic black for the opera or a nice restaurant. I used to take skirts but now do so only in summer when they are by far the coolest and most versatile thing for women. In winter, having just pants makes shoe choice easier. My husband travels in a dark blazer so he is set for dressier occasions. We don't care if we are wearing the same basic mix day in and day out and have just enough extra to allow laundry. We generally get apartments with laundry facilities but occasionally use laundromats.

The most important thing is a couple pair of good walking shoes. It is critical to have something you can walk 10 km on pavement in; there are loads of choices. If trainers are one of your shoe choices then choosing a dark pair makes them unobtrusive, but there are so many good walking shoe options than athletic shoes are really unnecessary for adults.

The other important piece is some sort of windbreaker/rain resistant top layer. I have a lightweight trench.

If you forget something, it is easy to fill in gaps -- a sweater, a shirt, gloves etc etc. My husband is an inveterate under packer and more than once has augmented his wardrobe when weather is unexpected. We just donate extras before our return. There are charities that collect clothes everywhere.