Currently in Siena, more than half way through our trip, but I started putting this post together when we were still in that seaside town near Rome. . . a day or two after I had a rather public wardrobe malfunction wearing the OOTD you see just below. I’ll tell you about that in a bit, but first let me review what I pulled out of the carry-on for some gorgeous (and unseasonably warm) days in Paris at the end of October. . .
This navy cotton T, jewel-length sleeves, has been worn a few times, either with my jeans or with this corduroy skirt. I’ve been wearing the skirt with or without tights — that day in Paris was too warm for anything but bare legs, but I did grab the navy cardi before heading out.
If you follow me on Instagram you’ve already seen this photo, but I thought I’d include it here for a comprehensive view of how the capsule wardrobe worked. Wearing this long (lightweight) wool knit dress with a Sophie Digard necklace (which I’ve since broken, but just bought materials to repair it in a little yarn shop in Siena — another small story to tell you later), my ochre loafers, and a wool cardigan that came off later that day.
Paul snapped the photo below at the Alice Neel exhibition at the Pompidou Centre — it was a cool-ish 15 or 16C when we headed out — hence the tights and the cardigan you can see slung over my arm. By the time we had lunch on the rooftop terrace afterward, it was warm enough that I considered taking the tights off. But I was afraid my sockless feet would blister on the walk back to the hotel. The dress was one that got added to the carry-on the day before we left, when this warm trend was becoming obvious and messing up my plans. . . . It’s linen — and an Italian label, Apuntob, so it’s feeling right at home here 😉
Luckily, it was a bit cooler the day we left Paris by train for Turin . . . walking to Gare de Lyon from our hotel in the 6th, I was able to wear my jeans and a light merino-T, and my Blundstones. . . so as not to add their bulk to my case. And I started out wearing my cardi as well, but by the time we got to this favourite wall of mine, on the Seine-side of Institut du Monde Arabe, I’d tucked it into my little backpack (one of those super-light, very handy, folds down to nothing packs). Paul generously offered to carry my wool overcoat. . .
So, that embarrassing moment . . . here’s that outfit you see above in our Paris hotel, but this time photographed in our hotel room not so far from Rome. . . where I’d just come back up to the room after breakfast downstairs. I’d crossed the large lobby, moved through the large breakfast room (might seat 100 when really busy, probably only 30 people there that morning); I’d taken my time browsing the buffet table (my back to the other diners, note), and I’d stood watching the news for a minute or so at the bar where Paul was ordering another cappuccino before I leaned in to tell him I was going back up to our room. Then I walked across the large lobby again, decided to take the stairs, and three flights later was walking down the hallway to our room when I saw the text he’d just sent me: “Your skirt zipper is undone.”
Readers, I went straight to the mirror in our room, this very mirror you’re seeing in this photo. The zipper was all the way down. 7 or 8 inches? For the record, my undies were a light blue pair. The light pink wouldn’t have been any better. The lipstick red? Less contrast, so maybe? I really, really wish it had been a “cool enough, you should wear your tights” kind of day. . . They’re dark enough that they might have blended with the skirt colour.
Ah well, they have fairly high turnover at that hotel, short-term stays near the airport. And the staff were probably too busy to care? Or perhaps they appreciate a laugh as much as a tip. . .
Another day, same hotel. Thankfully no zippers involved. I think I started the day with my blue linen dress and the loafers (and the scarf, for variety but also for the coolness of the morning) . . .
but then I switched to sneakers because it was a walking day. Paul snapped the photo below as we walked along the pier.
Another last-minute substitution, this long crinkly silk dress is more versatile even than I’d imagined. It’s short-sleeved and super comfy to wear, and I also liked it with this silk shirt worn open over it against a bit of chill morning or evening.
And I’m surprised how well it worked with the merino T over top. I loved it this way (and attention: pockets!)
Morning hair, by the way. Post-shower, post-product and quick curl shaping, and then I leave it alone until it’s dry. Hence the lack of volume in most of these photos — I use a pick to lift it a bit later, but I try not to handle it much while it’s damp.
I wrapped a scarf around my neck before heading out the door. . .
It’s a heavy silk scarf, and I’m really enjoying the mix of neutrals and stripes and that wonderful mustard. Seriously, the reason this carry-on wardrobe is working so well is that I love all the components, so I don’t mind wearing them repeatedly. And they layer well, so that I’ve been able to stay comfortable as the thermometer slides up and down.
The dress below is the one I’ve been least sure about wearing — the graphic much larger and higher-contrast than I normally wear. I bought it a few years ago in Paris on a whim and I love its floaty looseness and the fact that the textile is deliberately wrinkled (and restored at washing by twisting it tightly before it dries) — not a fussy packer! So it takes very little space and got added to the case in the last hours before we left as a good possibility for the surprisingly warm weather.
But. . . I didn’t consider how it would work with my shoes. Not well at all, is the truth, with respect to the sneakers (different blue; different red) or the loafers (they work, if I just channel conviction, but I had to stretch). In fact, it’s been fine with my tights and Blundstones as the weather begins to cool, and not bad at all with the navy cardi. But it’s best with Birkenstocks and they didn’t make the cut. Better planning next time. It has seemed worthwhile, though, to try to work through the whim that brought the dress home with me in the first place. What was it I loved about it? Surely something of that must still be there several years later. I’d like my whim to have been a Green-Enough Whim. Slow down my fashion consumption, and all that.
And it’s working, more or less. I’ve worn the dress three or four times over our first weeks, and I wore it again yesterday, here in Siena, wrapping my taupe cashmere scarf around my neck for the cooler part of the day, taking off scarf and cardigan in the noonday heat. Dress doesn’t play well with my wool overcoat though (about 8 inches longer, and the graphic coloured print below the brown Harris tweed. . . Nuh-uh. . . .
As I write this, in Siena as I said, I’m wearing almost exactly the outfit in the photo below except that I’m currently wearing those ochre loafers. I wore it with the Blundstones for our train journey here, so that the boots didn’t have to go in the carry-on — they tend to tip the scales!
We were fortunate that the weather was a bit overcast, the temperature about 17C when we set out on our transfer to Napoli (walked a kilometre or so to a Coach / Shuttle stop, took that to Roma Termini (about 90 minutes, stops for pick-up and drop-off, probably wouldn’t do that again, but 7Euros each is hard to argue with and seats were clean and comfortable) and then the train to Naples (again, about 90 minutes).
And for us, this is the appeal of travelling carry-on only. We were not only able to walk comfortably enough to that coach stop, but also had no problems navigating through the train station, feeling secure all the way. I am able to heft that case on my own, although I’ll admit it’s right at the weight limit for a carry-on (12-ish kilograms). And we walked the four kilometres from Napoli Centrale to our Bed and Breakfast.
Admittedly, that last part wasn’t very comfortable — the sidewalks were far too bumpy so that even my trusty Rimowa didn’t pull well, and my feet swelled in my Blundstones in the Neapolitan afternoon (so grateful to Paul for carrying my coat!). We took the taxi for the return trip and we also took a cab when we arrived in Siena in the dark a few evenings ago — we’re not at all purists about the walking. But I do find that when it’s manageable and safe and the weather cooperates, it’s a great introduction to a new environment.
Anyway, that’s it for this post. I’d thought it might include the OOTDs I wore to explore Naples, but this is already abbastanza lungo. Long enough. Time to stop. We’ve signed up for an 8:30 breakfast slot here (Paul would happily have chosen 9 or 9:30, but I’m generally an early riser (and an early fader as well!), so I like to be out and about by 10. Only three more days in this gem of a Tuscan city.
Wish you were here,
xo,
f
oh, and I know I haven’t been great at responding to comments — just too busy! — but I read and enjoy them all. Please keep them coming — step up to the mic below or scrawl a few words on a virtual postcard and pop it in the virtual mailbox. . . Buona Domenica!
I think you look great in all these outfits Frances . Nothing shouts ‘ look at me ‘ in a flashy way but I bet you get lots of second looks from passers by . I’d certainly be making notes as you walked along . Yes , I agree about the walking if you possibly can . Taxis are useful but feel like I’m not in the real world , almost like watching on a screen . Trains were not good for me either , I could sleep my way around the world by train . Five cities ! I admire your stamina . Don’t think I could ever have managed that . I always needed my fix of greenery & silence in between . The garden view from your hotel window in Siena was just my ‘ cup of tea ‘ .
Wonder where you are heading next ?
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Thanks, Wendy! I feel good enough in what I’ve packed, and it’s all very practical. Yes, I’m finding the five cities in a month a bit more than I’d bargained for, but I really wanted to add some new ones into the mix while we can still travel. Very glad that we at least have a view of greenery here and it’s quiet once we’re back to our rooms (found Siena’s Botanic Garden the other day and that was lovely to spend time in).
We’re retracing footsteps from Siena on. . .
You are a very skilled packer. Your outfits have served you well in warmer and cooler weather and you’ve achieved a great deal of versatility with all the mixing and matching you’re able to do. However, I think it’s your thoughtful choice of accessories that elevates your carry-on wardrobe. The brooches, necklace and scarfs are genius, especially the delightful bird brooch in the first photo, and that glorious heavy silk scarf. Well done on thinking about these details, which I’m sure add a great deal to the comfort and success of a living out of a suitcase for quite a few weeks. Honourable mention also goes to Paul for his coat carrying!
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Ah, thanks for noticing that, Maria. It’s true that the accessories are light to pack and give me a bit more variety — and are fun to wear! The brooches are by Scottish textile artist Lynsey Walters and the fabric necklace by Sophie Digard.
Buona Domenica,Frances!
I admire you,as always,with your carry on attitude (although,I must say in my defence,that I must have a lot of things that are nor clothes and shoes,neither cosmetics). You’ve a problem with a much warmer weather as usual in Italy (and France,as well)(as I’ve written here before, in Rome,it was exactly the same snd around All Saints Day,too). I think that,nevertheless,you were chic,all things went together very well (your printed dress would be just fine,too,but with a completely different colour palette shoes and sneakers)
Siena…….beautiful! Enjoy the rest of your travel!
Dottoressa
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I’m very lucky that I don’t need a hair dryer, for example. . . but these days I have to make room for the charger for my hearing aids, and then the extra pair of glasses (for reading) and my night-time Invisalign retainers. . . I know that carry-on is not possible for many, but I’m glad we’ve been able to manage so far, especially these days of lost luggage!
But yes! The weather has been a challenge — wouldn’t have been a problem if we could have this warmth right through, but we’re starting to need the coats and warmer clothes here in Siena, and I think we’ll be in the low ‘teens and a fair bit of rain from tomorrow on. . .
This is very helpful in considering my own (much less frequent and lengthy) travels. You look nice in every picture without looking especially dressed up – very much “I live here” without looking at all sloppy. Thank you as always. And isn’t a companion who will carry one’s coat a priceless addition to a trip and to life.
Ceci
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Thank you! I love this perception, that I might look “I live here” (but not sloppily heading to the corner store 😉
And yes, he is, and I try to let him know regularly.
You’ve packed a lot more clothes than I could ever squeeze into my carry on!!! I suppose it’s because you have more experience and have opted for lighter fabrics.
I think an in depth tutorial for those of us who are interested could be invaluable when you return home.
Enjoy the rest of your trip! Barring any zipper malfunctions you will be dressed for adventure.
Author
I’m really lucky in the carry-on I chose quite a few years ago — it’s a very lightweight model that Rimowa no longer seems to make, and it works for me because no interior space is used up in dividers. That wouldn’t work for everyone, but I like using my own Eagle Creek compression bags which are very light, made of strong, thin fabric so they hardly take any space. And I roll tightly and have chosen fabrics carefully, as you suggest.
Thanks! I welcome the adventures, but not the kind involving zipper malfunctions 😉
Please oh please tell me where you found that raw-edged merino tee – all those I’ve found are finished and form fitting and yours is exactly what I’ve been looking for for my trip to Egypt.
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It’s by a Danish company called By Basics, from their Blusbar line, and I got mine at Urbanity boutique in Vancouver (you can find them on Instagram and they have a website) — but that was perhaps a year ago, so I don’t know if it’s available anymore. You could contact Urbanity and see? Or look for a retailer closer to you. Good luck!
In my opinion, carry-on is the only way to go and you appear to have mastered it! Whenever possible, I think walking is the best way to see a city, so comfortable footwear is of utmost importance. I’m impressed that you managed to take 3 pairs!
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You sound as if you travel the way I do. I could have managed with two pair, but last fall we got caught in a torrential rain in Rome, and I thought I’d see how my Blundstones worked this time. Of course, that’s meant wearing them every time we need to pack up, and the verdict is still out (it’s supposed to start raining tomorrow so they’ll have a chance to show their worth). The loafers squash into corners and in-between spaces, and the sneakers are pretty squashable as well.
You look lovely in all your outfits and very much like yourself which I think is important.
I have been working on my five black t-shirts packing plan so this is very interesting to me. (Also black underwear…thank you for reinforcing the practicality of that heh heh.)
I think I have filled my cartolina but back in the day we would have never said ‘underwear’ on a postcard for fear the mail carrier would see it 🙂
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Thanks! Black Ts are a potentially elegant solution and the black underwear — practical and also ooh-la-la! 😉
Breaking all the rules — on the cartoline and online!
I really enjoyed this post. And impressed that you were able to take it all in a carry on. I must admit that when I travel what I take is so much more mundane, the usual black pants and jeans and such. You show us that you can look stylish and individual with not a lot of clothes and and some well chosen accessories, I am not planning to travel anytime soon, but I find these posts helpful in putting together a wardrobe for my life here in the suburbs of New York. Helps me up my game and not look like everyone else.
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My husband opts for “the usual black pants and jeans and such” and I’m impressed how good he always looks as we travel. Two pairs of jeans (one black; one dark wash), 3 casual but dressy enough shirts, several T-shirts in white, black, and grey, a grey hoodie, his black puffer, and a rain/overcoat. . . plus this time I encouraged him to bring a (black velvet!) blazer. I think it’s a very good formula and I can’t imagine you (from your comments here) as ever being too mundane 😉
Autumn or Spring in Europe can be tricky with unexpected high or low temperatures and your travel wardrobe seems to be coping very well. One year we were in Seville in Spain during May and it was so unseasonably hot that I had to go shopping for sandals. Poor me, shopping for shoes in Spain, what a trial. At the same time it was snowing in Barcelona where we were heading later.
Nice to see you are wearing brooches. I especially love the flower one, is it a daisy? I have a few inherited brooches that I must dig out and start wearing again.
I’ve loved your pictures of Naples. I’ve only spent a few days there, just enough to know I’d like to visit again.
I think port cities have a special sort of energy, which perhaps comes from being a crossroads where different cultures meet and meld.
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Ha! I’ve been forced to shop for shoes when travelling and it’s a misery 😉 My sympathies. . .
But yes, this is the situation here — entirely possible we could hit some snow as we make our way north, although probably a bit early.
The (felted wool) flower brooch (by Scottish designer Lynsey Walters) is daisy-like, but stylized. Could also evoke sunflowers.
We were only in Naples a few days ourselves, and would happily go back. Completely agree with you about port cities (and I’m lucky to live in one!)
Impressive. And this is a difficult autumn to dress for because it is unseasonably warm, even if it is a bit damp. Those crinkly dresses are perfect for travelling – I have three and they zap back out as soon as you release them, plus they look like you have made an effort. I wouldn’t mind a shorter version as mine are all long. You are also a whizz with the scarf, which makes a big difference.
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Yes! It’s been tricky, especially because we’ve known all along that we’ll probably have cooler, wetter days. Starting tomorrow, in fact. So we’ve had to haul clothes for both situations.
I have one shorter crinkly dress — that graphic one. It’s very useful, and you’ve reminded me that its shorter length is another reason to keep working it (I can get a bit tangled up in the longer one — the hem’s a bit complicated for taking up and I’m a shortie 😉
You packed very well, my dear. Lots of combinations from those pieces. I’m a fan of that navy and mustard together. Yum.
We always travel with carry-on sized luggage, two small roller bags, plus a backpack and a small weekender. But we always check the roller bags when flying. Mostly because I cannot figure out how to pack all my hair products in small carry-on-able bottles. And at times when we’re away for several weeks, I don’t want to have to shop for refills. Plus we have seen people turned away to check their bags in a couple of airports pre-pandemic. And we didn’t want to take the chance that our cases might be one roller bag too many on a crowded flight.
I was feeling all your pain re: the walk with your roller bag on uneven city streets… with burgeoning blisters. Travel isn’t always comfortable… but it is always worth it. 🙂
P.S. Re: Zipper malfunction. Been there. Got the red face to prove it. Unzipped rear zipper, front of classroom writing on the board. Nuff said. Ha.
Love all the outfits but my favourite one is the long crinkly silk dress, merino top, scarf and loafers. Beautiful vibe! Hope you’re loving your travels.
PS I think we’ve all had the cringe of wardrobe malfunctions…I stepped out of a taxi, stepped on the hem of my wrap-around skirt and it fell to the ground😫 I was 17 and still remember it!
You look fabulous in every photo! How did you ever get all those pieces into one carry on? Do you also carry another bag for books and toiletries. I’d love to be able to travel in Europe with just one carry on and a purse.
I love your skill with flat shoes and dresses. Too good.
Impressive wardrobe AND packing! My favourite outfit is the navy dress with the silk scarf and ochre loafers — the navy and mustard/ochre look wonderful together and on you.