April showers bring May flowers, the rhyme promises, and we’ve been lucky enough here in Vancouver — as usual — with many flowers well established already by March and more blooming daily. But “showers” is too light a term for what we’ve been experiencing here lately. Marzo pazzerello, Aprile con l’ombrello, the Italian rhyme (Crazy March, April with an umbrella) warns that we’ll need an umbrella, and ’round here this April, we still need a coat — there’s fresh snow on the mountains just behind the city. The temperature is forecast to rise to 15 (Celsius) today, but then tonight heavy rain and tomorrow a high of 10. There are sunny days ahead this week, but the wool sweater I”m wearing above, tights under my mid-calf pleated skirt, was definitely not over-dressing the other day.
And although my daughter texted early last week that we should “leave our coats at home” because it’s warm enough now that “no one will be wearing them in Rome until Fall,” I’m still wearing my wool coats here, and I need at least a silk scarf to keep my neck cozy (’cause we need cozy necks, right?)
Which means that packing for next week’s departure is an act of research and imagination and faith — with moments in which pragmatism steps in to correct the moments of unrealistic hopes. After all, I was opening the under-the-bed storage boxes of warmer-season clothes and we have Sicily in the itinerary. No matter the instructions that daytime temperatures will likely be pleasantly moderate (low 20s C), with still-cool evenings, the temptation to load my little case with height-of-summer waftiness was strong. . .
But I stayed fairly realistic, I think. And I’ve been trying that little trick that organized wardrobers and stylish travellers apparently use, and photographing outfits composed of what’s going in my carry-on. A few examples, in case you’re interested. . .
Long-sleeved linen T (lightweight), wide-legged bamboo pants, Nike sneakers, perfect, I think, for city walking.
This long silk dress is SO easy to wear — and because it’s “crinkled,” it should also be easy to care for because it can be hand-washed and then the crinkles get reset by winding it before/as drying. I love it with the sneakers!
Same dress, same sneakers, with a colourful, light scarf added for variety (and a bit of sun or mosquito protection, a bit of warmth against the cool of evening).
I’m bringing this navy light cashmere pullover (and un ombrello, ovviamente). . .
And I’ll take my daughter’s advice, leaving the coats at home, but I’m going to bring my Uniqlo down jacket, scrunched into its own pocket and taking up very little space. Just in case. . .
Don’t worry — I’m packing light, yes, but this is definitely not all I’m bringing. It’s just all I have time to share for now. We’re heading off this morning for a whirlwind visit (by ferry) to see grandkids we haven’t hugged since Christmas — newly Four and Seven.
And yes, despite that promised “high of 15,” I’ll be wearing a coat on the ferry. And a mask.
What about you? My Rest-of-Canada friends (we’re outliers here on the Coast, you non-Canadians might not know) will still be bundling up (my sister posted photos of fresh snow at her place this week, in northern BC), at best changing to a slightly lighter coat. But some of you will not have worn a coat for months; others never need more than a cardigan or perhaps a light raincoat. Care to share?
I’ll check back later. Better run now,
xo,
f
Love your style. So easy looking and definitely stylish. Have a great trip, keep warm!
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Thanks, Judy! Encouraging words about the outfits/style!
Love the navy frock Frances & it looks like you’ll be fitting in well with the chic locals . It’s a long time since we were in Sicily but if you are anywhere near The Aeolian Islands they are well worth a boat ride . Have a great trip .
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Isn’t it a good dress? So versatile — we won’t be going to any restaurants that require anything too dressy, so I think this will see me through.
We had thought of going over to Lipari where there’s a vineyard with guest accommodation — but leaving that loose now as we’re already fitting it a fair bit and like you, I need to have adequate time just to sit and absorb. . . My Italian teacher is showing a little video on the Aeolian Islands in our. class tomorrow — lucky you to have visited them!
That silk wrinkled dress! That scarf! Wow!
But,yes to cashmere pullover and light down jacket as well
We are on a rollercoaster,it is either over 20°C and sunny or raining and cold,sometimes everything together. I start with a light coat in the morning and stay in a sweater during noon,short sleeves only in a (heated) house
Enjoy your g’kids and have a nice flight
Dottoressa
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Thanks! I could imagine you in this dress, definitely!
Our weather’s been roller-coastering as well, but nowhere near 20C yet — Rhiannon says it was not very nice in Rome yesterday, but looks as if it’s much better by the time we arrive 😉
Here not too far south of you in Portland, the prediction is for a high of 78% and sunny today (!), then cooler and with intermittent rains for 5 days (we need the rain). Nights remain cool.
The trip clothes that you show in this post look wonderful and sound practical. If I could duplicate them for a springtime trip to Europe (switching the cashmere pullover to a cashmere shawl), I would.
As always, looking forward to more, Frances.
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Wow! That’s warm already — I do seem to remember April in Portland as a nice sample of what might arrive our way weeks later.
We’ve had SO much rain this last winter, really hope there’s been enough captured to get us through the summer droughts that are becoming the norm.
I always take my packable black down jacket regardless of the weather. It smashes down to the size of my fist and is virtually weightless. I think you made great choices. The crinkled dress is perfect. We are hoping to visit Rome, southern Italy and Sicily in the fall, will be following you!
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That’s what I thought about bringing the down jacket — easy enough to tuck in and such a comfort when needed.
Oooh, lovely — that’s a great itinerary for your fall trip. We’re so looking forward to discovering and experiencing Sicily.
It is still coat weather here in New York. quite chilly but no where near the frigid temps of last week. I am afraid that the lovely magnolia tree up the street, which is the first to bloom for the season was frozen and will not flower this year. good choices for your trip. and it is probably wise to bring the packable down. they are a bit of a modern cliche but so useful. I brought mine for a Danube cruise three yeas ago and found it very useful without taking up much room or weight. By the way, your hair is glorious!
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So sorry to hear about that magnolia tree — we’re watching now to see what made it through the winter and what succumbed. The containers make it tougher for plants to handle all the rain that fell, first, and then the record (for here) low nights (-12C, plus wind chill). . .
The down coats are exactly that — a modern cliché — but yes, so useful.
And thank you for seeing my hair that way!
New glasses? Really nice! And new hair, looser and thinned. Looks ready for a trip, enjoy!
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Thanks!
Though it was raining when we arrived, we’ve been enjoying Vancouver’s beautiful weather and gorgeous flowers the past few days. We’ll be on the ferry tomorrow and will also be wearing coats and masks.
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Oh, glad you made it here and landed in some good weather! Our ferries might just have passed each other today! Enjoy the island!
Want to pop in and say that I love each outfit, your hair, and your glasses! Have a marvelous time traveling again! We were sweltering in the high 90’s F today near the beach in Southern California. Grandsons were at surf camp and loving it.
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Thanks Charlene! Wow, high 90s! Hard to imagine! But not hard to imagine you grandsons loving their surf camp 😉
Frost and bright sun here at present, after winds and rain so definitely not yet time to pack away those cold weather clothes, despite my boredom with them. Oh, those warm breezes from Africa, the blue seas…hope you get to waft, comfortably.
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No frost here today, but there has been bright sun and fierce winds and pelting rain all in the one day. So yes, I’d love some wafting, thank you!
You’ve settled into your own unique style and it suits you well. Trip planning and the anticipation are a large part of the fun for me. So, yes, packing is an enjoyable part of it all. Bon voyage!
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Thanks slf, I am feeling just that — settling into my own style, and it’s a good feeling.
Yes to the anticipation and planning — even our language-learning is a long-term part of that, right?
Yes, definitely (as I sit here doing my French devoirs)!
I love seeing your packing choices; we will have a month in Ireland and the UK this summer, and I recall from the last time we did this particular sort of trip up there (the summer of 1984!) I needed similar weight clothing. I expect to bring a lightweight crinkly dress, and a packable puffer, and all the layers that go inbetween.
I live in Tucson, AZ, and here we are having our typical April weather, seesawing between very warm days and cool nights–in the desert, it is usual for there to be a 30-40 degree difference between highs and lows each day. Yesterday for example, ranged from a morning low of 57F to a high of 92F.
How wonderful that you are having a chance to visit the grandchildren after a gap! We were supposed to travel up to Oregon to see our little granddaughters and their parents next week, but both of us have managed to contract Covid–fortunately mild cases, but so disappointing. As Leslie noted above, I was expecting very mixed weather, but after so many trips, I know how to pack a variety of layers that work together.
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Such an interesting climate you live in. What a range. I’m guessing you won’t have much use, most of the year, for an umbrella.
So disappointing for you not being able to visit your granddaughters — hope it’s not long before you can re-schedule that important meet-up!
Coats. Well, yes. Temperatures here slowly creeping up and am some days in the lightest of my down jackets (down jackets are NOT parkas which is what I wear in ‘real’ winter). Snow still everywhere but melting slowly and that means it is at its most disgustingly dirty.
That silk dress!
And Sicily. So envious in the most ‘happy-for-you’ kind of way…
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Yes, I was thinking of you when I wrote. I’ve been in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Ottawa before at this time of year, and always knew I had to be prepared for cold, even if I might be pleasantly surprised. And I remember the nastiness of melting urban snow, all the winter layers of detritus revealed.. .
Thanks for your happy-for-me envy. I can’t wait to meet Sicily!
That crinkly dress is fab. Is it gray or dark blue?
Enjoy the trip.
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Isn’t it great?! And I got it on sale! Dark blue. And I will, thank you!
Your travel wardrobe looks to be stylish and practical. The blue silk dress is a great find.
April weather in Southern Europe can be so variable. Sometimes a string of hot days, other times jacket and scarf weather with poor hapless tourists in sundresses and goosebumps.
Enjoy Sicily. We hope to travel to Europe in October and a second visit to Sicily is on our wishlist. Are you going to Taormina? The town is pretty, although very busy but what made it memorable for me was the spectacular setting of the Greek/Roman Theatre. Perched high above the bay with Mount Etna across the water giving little puffs of smoke to remind you this is no ordinary mountain. The theatre is still used and it’s a regret that we were there too early in the season to attend a performance. That a theatre built over 2000 years ago can still be used for its original purpose is somehow reassuring in these uncertain times.
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You’re so right! Last time we spent April/May in Bordeaux, I had to break down and buy a sweater (Could have managed, to be honest, but after an extended spate of cool days, I was very tired of the layers I’d brought!).
We will pass through Taormina on the train, but we won’t be stopping their this visit. I visited that theatre virtually in an Italian-language course that took participants to some of Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage sites — magnificent! I’d love to get their in person some day.
I forgot to say your new glasses look great. I need new ones too but dither so much over making a choice that I put off going for a test.
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Thank you! My old glasses were six years old and the prescription’s changed noticeably! I did some dithering as well 😉
Enjoy your posts (esp the what I’m wearing!) and have been reading them for a few years. As also a curly head I first saw your picture on a curly hair search. Here in Auckland, New Zealand we are of course heading into winter though having sunny days of around 22°c. Your trip sounds great.
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Thanks, Susy! I had no idea I could be discovered that way, as a curly head! 22C is my ideal temperature (supposedly that’s what awaits us in Rome this week) — enjoy it while it lasts!
For my trip to Puglia in May I am already thinking about packing choices. Just like you, I will try to be prepared for everything, because I remember my trip in 2019, same time of the year, in what the natives called “the coldest May they had ever seen”. As I am travelling by train, I have to limit myself to what I can carry/drag.
Your sicily plans sound wonderful and I am looking forward to your posts. Sicily is on my traveling wishlist, but not this year.
Maybe our paths cross and we can wave at each other from our respective train windows…
Buon viaggio!
Author
Yes, good reminder: it’s always possible to walk right into “the coldest (or hottest) May (or October) ever seen” by the locals! I think that was the same cool weather we experienced in Bordeaux, May 2019. Like you, limited to what I can drag (in a pinch, I have Paul to help out, but I like to manage my own gear). I will wave toward Puglia as we head back to Rome from Sicily mid-May. Buon viaggio anche a te!
The dress with sweater over is a good tip. I have just tried it with a couple of my long summer dark blue dresses and it works as long as the sweater is plain with a boat neck (like the popular stripy matelot sweaters ?) , slightly trendier sneakers for me (thanks to my step daughter’s persuasion for brighter colours in my wardrobe) and I put my hair up. We’re heading from the UK to Rome in mid May for 10 days so will risk leaving my thick jacket at home. If cold, it’s a good excuse to buy a new one.
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Certainly haven’t needed ours this week — 26 degrees yesterday!
Haven’t been here in a while, but am glad I checked in — we’ll be in Sicily and Rome in October, so will be looking forward to reading about your adventures. It’s a 2nd visit to Sicily for us and 4th to Rome (which is truly under our skin, it’s like going “home”).
Love the dress and sweater combo!
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Thanks, Adele — The sweater has already been pulled over the dress as the evening cooled during dinner on a sidewalk terrace . . .
This will be our first visit to Sicily — Squeeee! 😉
Might be my 8th visit to Rome, but just beginning to feel we’re getting to know it. . .
These photos makes me want to reach out and give you a hug in your ineffability. Have an amazing time.
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Hugs back! 😉 xo