Dressing for la vita dolce life

Today was the last work day of my academic year. It was also the day I finalized, I hope, my Rent the Runway items for next month’s trip to Italy. It’s been a process – hearting items and adding them to my Italy, 2023 list, being on the site when they became available in my size and then having them shipped to my house. It’s taken 3 shipments (so far) to decide upon which sundresses and rompers were most comfortable, easily laundered and able to be packed up small, and, that fit well. 

I am so giddy with excitement about this trip! Or maybe I should say I’m excited about so many facets of this trip. There’s the itinerary, of course and the company for certain, however it’s more than that. The sum somehow promises to be even greater than the parts and I’m literally counting the days until departure.

Important, to me, when traveling is my wardrobe. For a summer, nearly month long getaway, I want to have an array of cute dresses, a couple of swimsuits and carefully selected separates to weave into the mix. Shoes are critical and I find it impossible* to be without 4 options – sneakers I can run in or otherwise be active in, low key simple sneakers for casual walking around and with skirts/dresses, water shoes and a classic pair of sandals. 

All of this, along with toiletries, my Nikon, and a fair sized pashmina for cool nights by the water…sigh…needs to fit in a carry on bag. So, here’s my la vida dolce wardrobe:

Miscellaneous additional garments include cutoff denim shorts, a very lightweight skirt, some t-shirts and tanks, a long sleeved, linen button down, a cotton jacket and the usual underwear + socks. I’ll be wearing some of that (including underwear) for the flight, naturally.

What I’m wearing isn’t the most critical part of a vacation, but I’d never deny that I find it very important. To put things in perspective, here’s how I would rank in priority my personal vacation criteria:

• company – this upcoming vacation combines sweetie and solo time, my ideal.
• itinerary – where are we going, staying, eating?
• wardrobe – having exactly what I want to wear for each of the above.
• weather – do I have the right clothes for it?
• expense – obviously there’s a budget involved.

How about you? What’s your travel priorities list look like? And – where are you going next?

*yes, I know how completely elitist that sounds. that’s not where I’m coming from, it’s more that I completely appreciate my good fortune and ability to indulge myself by bringing footwear options.