Everything I Wore in Italy

Today I’m sharing everything I wore on our trip to Italy. What I packed versus what I wore and what I didn’t need to bring. Thanks for joining me!

We’re back from a week in Northern Italy … the lakes region.

It was my first time visiting the area and hopefully it won’t be the last.

We stayed on Lake Iseo for a wedding and Lake Como for much needed R&R.

Both lakes are magical in their own distinct ways … Iseo more casual and Como everything I hoped it would be and more.

The only thing lacking was time, we needed more.

I wrote about our week in Northern Italy here.

This post includes affiliate links for your convenience at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Before we left I shared everything I packed for the trip.

And today I’m going to show you what I actually wore.

EVERYTHING I WORE IN ITALY

Let’s start with my travel ensemble … from San Francisco to Frankfurt and then a short hop to Milan. I was super comfortable in Splendid joggers, white tee, striped sweater and platform sneakers. Using a Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag as a crossbody was a life saver. It held my phone, passport holder and reading glasses. I brought a denim jacket along too, thinking it would be an extra layer if I got cold on the plane. And also to wear with casual outfits on the trip in the event it got chilly. It didn’t and I wish I’d left it at home.

I wore the same thing on the trip home, except I switched out the Splendid pants for an old pair of Soft Surroundings joggers. They’re more casual and I wasn’t concerned about looking polished upon arrival … home to San Francisco at 3am.

 

On our first day in Lake Iseo we took a stroll around the charming town. I wore my seersucker summer dress by Jenni Kayne … an ideal travel dress.

 

Later that day we boarded a boat for a tour of the lake and dinner in Lovere. I wore my new one-shoulder dress from Rails. A couple of days before we left I found these low-heeled sandals on the sale rack at Nordstrom. They were great on the boat and walking around the cobblestone streets. But the piece de resistance is this cute bamboo handle mini basket bag from Eric Javits. Love love love it! The boat trip back to Iseo was the only time during the entire trip that I reached for a lightweight wrap.

 

For the main event, our friends wedding at Ca’ Del Bosco winery, I wore this green and white floral, tiered dress from J.Crew. I brought a light-weight, cashmere wrap but I never needed it.

 

The next day we visited an organic farm for a cheesemaking workshop and incredible luncheon. It was a little cooler up toward the Alps and I wore a pair of cropped white denim and striped camisole. I took a chambray shirt to wear on ride there and back.

 

Later that evening we gathered for a casual dinner at the hotel’s restaurant and I changed into a pair of J.Crew Bermuda shorts.

 

The next day we headed to Lake Como and I wore another Jenni Kayne summer dress. I love this style.

 

Our first night in Lake Como I was excited to wear my new linen-blend Theory dress. I brought along this jacket to wear over it … but it was very warm so there was no need.

 

Five days into our trip we finally had a relaxing pool day. I wore my leopard print Summersalt suit and old, J. Valdi coverup (similar here). I was in and out of the infinity edge, floating pool all day. It was heaven.

 

After a day by the pool we boarded a hotel boat for a tour of the lake. It dropped us off in the town of Bellagio to explore and have dinner. I wore a many-years-old striped dress by Warm … I don’t think the brand exists anymore and it’s too bad. It’s one of my favorite dresses that I wear again and again every summer. Similar dresses here, here and here.

 

Accessories ~

Most of the jewelry I brought fit into my little travel case.

 

I brought three pair of sunglasses (my favorite, very old, Kate Spades (current version here), Burberry Aviators and this inexpensive tortoise pair from Tuckernuck. What was I thinking? I wore them all though. Just saying.

 

Could I have reduced the number of bags I brought? Probably. Ok … definitely. That said, I loved each of them so I’m not sure which would get the heave ho. On the hat front I did well … one hat and it traveled there and back in Jim’s carry-on bag no worse for wear.

Luggage and other travel paraphanalia ~

 

Next thing I knew we were on our way home. The trip was way too short but wonderful nonetheless. There were quite a few things in my suitcase that weren’t worn. First and foremost, jackets. It’s hard to judge weather in advance … and it’s a always good to bring something to keep warm on chilly nights. I could easily have eliminated all but one light-weight, cashmere wrap.

A couple of side notes ~

My Jenni Kayne summer dresses are so versatile and wonderful for travel. But they’re pricey. I’ve been curious about a very similar dress by Amazon’s The Drop and I ordered it in black. The verdict … I love it and wish I’d had it for our trip. The straps are a little wider and the dress is a little longer than the Jenni Kayne version. And, it has pockets! I love pockets in a dress. Anyway, it’s a very good dupe and I highly recommend it. I may order it in other colors.

By the way, I’m wearing an XS in The Drop dress, versus small in the Jenni Kayne. The Drop dress straps are adjustable with three button options.

 

LBDs for Travel – A couple of weeks ago People magazine did a feature on little black dresses for summer travel. Wish I’d seen it sooner … tank dresses are so versatile. Day, night, poolside, wandering around. Dress them up, dress them down, add a belt, throw a sweater over your shoulders. Flat sandals, heels … white tennies. The possibilities are endless and so are affordable options.

So there you have it, everything I wore in Italy.

You can see what I packed here.

And where our travels took us here.

As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.

I’ll see you Saturday when I join Kim and Elizabeth for our weekend round-up.

Until then, cheers from Snowberry.