Italy Posts are finally here!!
This week I’m starting with the basics, but something I put just as much (read: WAY TOO MUCH) thought into as other aspects of the trip:
Packing for 2 weeks in Italy, all with a Carry On only!
it can be done people. if I did it, anyone can.
preach.
For our two weeks in September we traveled to:
Venice, Siena, Florence, Positano, Sorrento, and Rome.
Two keys to packing in just a carry on suitcase + a carry-on purse/bag:
the best carry on purse/bag in the history of the universe, packing cubes, and lots of little pouches so you can find things in your carry on quickly.
this bag alone fit the majority of all of my non-clothing related items. it was crazy. I couldn’t recommend a single item to take on a long trip more than this.
the packing cubes were the other thing that made it possible to fit so much into a carry on suitcase.
you should always roll your clothes to maximize space,
but rolling them and then doing the compression bags maximizes space even more.
I used a hanging toiletry bag (Vera Bradley toiletry bag I’ve had for almost 10 years) and then LOTS of little pouches in my carry on bag. The little cosmetic pouches were key to fitting a million things in there, but being able to find everything quickly and easily.
:: Clothes ::
I prefer to wear dresses, so my wardrobe was more dresses than tops and bottoms.
Compression Bags : I used 2 large, 2 small
Chambray Shirt
Jean Jacket
Green Cargo Jacket
*didnt pack but would have been nice for Venice/Siena cooler temps
White Jeans
Blue Denim
1 Pair Shorts
2 Sleeveless Tanks (one white, one printed)
Grey V-Neck Tee
Striped 3/4 Sleeve Tee
2 Pajama Sleep Shirts
Sunglasses (2)
Panama Hat
Scarves (3)
Belt (1 or 2)
Underwear (1 weeks worth, then did laundry)
Socks
1 Strapless Bra, 2 Nude Regular Bras
Smaller Cross Body Bag (Red Rebecca Minkoff)
Bigger Cross Body Bag (lots of compartments, fit so much, even our big camera when needed)
Baggu : perfect beach bag folds right back into a little square when not using
Bikinis : two tops, two bottoms
2 Pairs Sandals: One day, One dressier for night
2 Pairs Flats: Converse Sneakers, Espadrilles
Dr Sholl’s Shoe Inserts
Swim cover up (2, but we had 5 beach days so 1 is probably fine for most)
Jewelry (few pairs of studs + dangly earrings, bracelet, one long necklace, two everyday necklaces)
Dresses: 3 maxi dresses (all solid colors), 8 short dresses
:: Toiletries ::
some in hanging toiletry bag, with daily necessities packed into cosmetic pouches
Pills : Prescriptions, Vitamins, Ibuprofen
(I also brought benadryl, zicam, dayquil, etc for if needed)
Roller Ball Perfume
Travel Moroccan Oil
Travel Size Deoderant
Razor Blades (2) and Handle
Make-up (keep it to your basics)
Hair Brush, Elastic Hair Ties,
One Hair Clip, Bobby Pins
One Hair Clip, Bobby Pins
bring a full size hairbrush. I brought a small one because I figured who cares, and with their soft water and lack of
Cough Drops
Kleenex
Eye Make Up Remover/Make Up Remover Wipes
Mini Dry Shampoo
*CONDITIONER
no hotels had conditioner, and between that and my small hairbrush I practically came home bald. I finally went and bought some but the water is so soft there I still would rip out half of my hair. bring your good conditioner with you 🙂
* Body Puff or washcloth
seems unnecessary, but wish I had brought with me
Bandaids + Blister Pads
(LIFE SAVERS – I got moleskin blister thingies that saved my life in Rome when my feet got destroyed)
Gum
:: Other Items ::
Empty Zip Lock Bags
Headphones
Camera and Camera Charger
Converter for Outlets
Deck of Cards
Rick Steves Book
any other Books/Magazines/iPad
Laundry Detergent + Sink Stopper, Line to hang Clothes
Snacks for the Plane, Kind Bars/LaraBars
Pair of socks for the airplane
Converter for Outlets
Deck of Cards
Rick Steves Book
any other Books/Magazines/iPad
Laundry Detergent + Sink Stopper, Line to hang Clothes
Snacks for the Plane, Kind Bars/LaraBars
Pair of socks for the airplane
*100% necessary and make sure they are easily accessible in your carry on to put on right away. it was FREEZING every time I woke up (which was far too often) on our overnight flight to Venice.
Moleskin notebook (for trip notes)
Neckpillow, Eyemask, Ear Plugs
Tide to go Pen
Moleskin notebook (for trip notes)
Neckpillow, Eyemask, Ear Plugs
Tide to go Pen
Refillable Brita Water Bottles
*loved these, amazing for water on planes/tranes/and even when in hotel room
A smaller wallet
(I just used an alligator clip to clip my cards and cash together. you’ll want them small to tuck into inside pockets of your purse and to easily switch from your day to night purse)
Luggage locks
Rubber Speaker thing to hook up to phone so we had music in hotels
RFID Sleeve (keeps credit card info from being stolen)
Rubber Speaker thing to hook up to phone so we had music in hotels
RFID Sleeve (keeps credit card info from being stolen)
our nerd alert packing purchases : eye mask, neck pillow, RFID Credit Card Sleeve, Converter, Laundry Packets + Clothesline, Blister Medic
general packing tips :
- always roll your clothes. roll, roll, roll. saves so much space.
- wear your largest items on the plane : shoes, jacket, etc.
- I combined my items in my carry on into pouches for easy access to know where everything was. one for the tech stuff (my headphones, phone charger, camera charger, etc). one for daily toiletries (chopsticks, ibuprofen, tide to go pen, perfume). one for make up. etc.
- shower caps from the hotels were great to cover shoes.
was this OCD enough for you?
what am I forgetting that would be helpful to add for other readers!
snapchat after packing with toiletries still accessible for morning use!
We're headed on a long trip next year and I'm definitely taking your suggestions! I was between that carry on and the henri bendel one I ended up getting!! Now I'm sort of wishing I got the sole society one!! You did a great job packing for 2 weeks! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I'm sure the one you got is perfect too!!! Anything that lets you bring more clothes and accessories 🙂
Wow, I'm so impressed with your packing skills! This may be a stupid question, but how did you get those gel and liquid toiletries through security?
Hi Heather!! Not a stupid question at all 🙂
So all of my liquids were TSA approved size, but I just didn't put them in the ziplock baggy size that they say you need to put them in. I travel a lot, and only one time (coming from a small island airport) have I ever been stopped and asked to put them into a separate baggy. Sooooo not saying it can't happen, but knock on wood, I always fill that big green hanging bag to the brim with my toiletries and it always works!
This is so helpful, we're going to Europe in early spring for 16 days and I'm already mentally freaking out about how to pack. It's especially going to be a challenge because we're going from Paris, to Rome, to Lake Garda, then finishing the trip by meeting friends and family for skiing in Austria! How the -H- do I pack ski gear along with everything else?! I'm def. going to invest in those compression cubes. I will for sure be checking a bag though!
You will have such an amazing trip!!! Don't worry you'll fit it all, especially with a checked bag. And you'll be having such a great trip you won't even care I'm sure!
After the trip, what did you think you didn't need (clothes wise or otherwise – did you go through all your clothes), and what did you mostly use? And other than the jacket, poof and brush, what did you wish you had brought?
Hi Jenny! To be honest, I used pretty much everything that I brought….. I am going to think about what was unnecessary and update the post this week and will let you know when I do! But clothes wise, I wore everything at least once!
This is so helpful! I leave for Italy in one month 🙂 Where did you find your bigger crossbody bag? That looks like the perfect size, and I love that it zips up.
Hi! I borrowed it from a friend because it was the perfect size – she got it from Nordstrom Rack! I find that Marshalls, TJ's, Nordstrom Rack are great places with lots of purse options to browse so they should have something similar!
Hi Taylor! Do you think the sole society travel satchel is a good size bag for a long weekend trip (Thurs-Sunday)? I always over pack and was wondering if this bag would be a good size for my upcoming trip. Thanks!
Hi Molly! Sorry for delayed response 🙂 Yes, I have actually used it for a weekend wedding trip and it fit a lot! I was able to fit 2 pairs of heels and one pair of sandals in the bottom little zipper part alone!
Wonderful – thanks!
Ok, I'm dying to know how you get a mini bottle of wine on the plane. My husband and I just got back from Iceland and a 7 1/2 hour (no sleep) plane ride. We could have really used one, or 6, of those! How do you get it in your carry on?
Just want to let you know that I legit just searched for this post and went through with an Amazon tab open for our trip in 10 days. This was a LIFESAVER!!!! You are the best. xx Ashley http://www.sparklesenseblog.com
Oh my gosh I am sooooo glad it helped!! And I am so jealous! Can't wait to follow along on instagram and be SO JEALOUS of your trip!!! It will be your best vacation ever I can promise you that!
Haha I just searched for this post because I'm interested in what shoes you brought with you on your trip? We're going to NYC this summer and I'm wondering what shoes to buy so my feet aren't killing me but I still look normal! Thank you so much!!
I brought Dr Scholls inserts for my shoes and sandals – those help a ton. I did a pair of white converse, a pair of birkenstocks, and two pair of dressier sandals I had completely broken in. My key is not wearing the same pair two days in a row or all of one day – whenever I do that it never works. And the inserts (gel ones) help a ton!
I just searched for this post to read about the shoes too! I remember reading your Italy posts a while ago when we were just starting to plan our trip. We're going in September and this post is going to help me a ton!! Now I just need to go shoe shopping and cross body bag shopping too 🙂
One thing to remember is that wardrobe boxes aren't usually included in the packs of boxes, but they are a great box to have if you have clothing which you would prefer to keep hanged up rather than folding it to fit into a suitcase.
great post to read
Hi there, I know this is an older post, but I ran across it in looking for reviews on the Sole Society Mason bag. I’m traveling to Europe next month and was considering this bag for my carry on. Did you have any problems storing it overhead or under the seat during the flight? Since I can’t see it in person, it’s hard to get an idea on sizing. Thanks so much!!
Hi! I absolutely love, love the Mason Bag and use it on every trip. It was a life saver for Italy because it held so much. It fits under the seat and also overhead and you can really pack a lot in it!!