I leave for England in less than a week, and I thought I would share the clothes I pack for a trip like this. Most days, I am a sweats & hoodie girl. It really is my uniform. I often work on potentially messy projects, so I prefer not to wear nice clothes. I also like to be comfortable! I mean, I’m at home, so why not? But when I travel, I want to make an attempt at looking stylish. I still want to be comfortable, though, and I’ve learned over the years that the perfect combination is a loose linen dress and a pair of leggings. That’s what I wear to antique markets, on day trips, and it’s what I wore on my last two trips to Europe.
It’s nice enough to wear to dinner in a restaurant or a museum, but it’s comfortable enough to sleep in on a plane.
All of my dresses are from Linen Bee, and they are all in various shades of blue, from dark navy to light blue and white stripes. The dresses I’m bringing are in these fabrics…
My favorite style of linen dress is this one – Loose linen dress with puff sleeves & pockets. It seems to fit my shape the best and is the most comfortable for the plane, walking around, and seeing sights all day.
I am bringing along one Sleeveless linen dress (THIS one) and a button-up shirt to wear under it. I brought a white shirt last time, but this year, I’m bringing a blue and white gingham shirt that’s fast-drying if I need to hand-wash it – Orvis Gingham Riverguide shirt.
I’m toting the same Leather Backpack (THIS one) that I brought to Europe a few years ago. It’s large enough to bring a camera, a journal, a few art supplies, and a water bottle, while still allowing room for purchases. I wear my passport, cash, and cards in a slim pouch I can wear around my neck and tuck under my dress. I also keep my phone on a leash I can wear around my neck or wrap around my wrist when I’m in cities.
I have four pairs of THESE Pima Capri Leggings to wear under the linen dresses, all in navy blue. To me, it’s just more comfortable to wear leggings under a dress, especially when I’m walking 20,000 steps around a city. And, I’m bringing along one Antique Petticoat, which can add a little warmth if it’s a cooler day.
And, I’m bringing a chunky, Cotton Burnt Sienna Cardigan Sweater. I expect I’ll need it in England, but probably not in Italy. (You can see my little wrist leash on my phone in the photo above. It really works well to keep it secure on busy streets, buses, or trains.)
For shoes, I’m bringing my Duckfeet Roskilde Boots and Keene Maryjanes. I wish they still made those Keenes, but they don’t! They are so comfortable, and I walked miles in them all over Paris, Florence, Barga, and Lucca without one blister. I often wear the Duckfeet boots to antique markets and when I’m doing a lot of walking, but want to wear something nicer than walking shoes. They’ll be a bit better for walking around the Cotswolds, too.
I pair SmartWool No-Show Socks with the Keene Maryjanes, which adds even more comfort and cushion. I’ll bring along some calf-high wool and cotton socks to wear with the boots. Again, I’m expecting to need more layers in England and fewer in Italy.
I’m also bringing my favorite scarf, an oversized fringed cotton banada scarf I bought ages ago, and a small umbrella.
I’m packing six dresses and four pairs of leggings for a two-week trip, but we’ll have access to a washer & dryer in England and a laundry service in Italy. I’m bringing some travel laundry soap, so I can hand-wash socks, leggings, and unmentionables as needed. (I’m laughing at typing unmentionables. The alternative was dainties.) Unless it’s really hot and dusty, I can wear each dress at least twice, so I should only need to do one or two loads of laundry the entire trip.
When I spent a summer in Russia as a teenager, I didn’t have access to a washer and dryer (or hot water for that matter), so I had to hand-wash and line-dry all my clothes for weeks. I learned that I can make do.
I’ll also bring an apron to wear when I’m painting. I’m taking my oil paint supplies along to do some plein air sketches, and I’m teaching a painting workshop at the retreat in Italy, so it will be good to have an apron.
As much as I try, I am not a light packer. It’s really hard for me to whittle things down to the bare necessities. I do a much better job when I go to Europe, though, because I want to have room in my suitcase to bring treasures home. I’ll share what’s on my shopping list this year in another post…
24 Responses
If buying used shoes doesn’t squick you out, eBay can be a good resource to find your discontinued Keens..
In regards to your use of unmentionables, I saw an episode on tv of Paul McCartney going back to where he grew up and mentioning the sink where he washed his “smalls”. I thought it was cute!
I had the Keene sandals for years and I wanted to replace them but they aren’t made anymore. I’m heading to Ireland next week and it’s black knit pants, basic white t-shirts and a few lighter weight fleece tops. I try to take as little as possible when I travel.
I’m in England right now dropping my daughter off at University of Brighton. We’re from Texas so we have been cold that last couple of days in the cooler temps. I would be totally freezing in linen, but I know you live up north so it will probably be fine for you since you’re used to much colder temps. In Texas when it’s 61 degrees it often feels warmer because of the sun-here it feels colder than 61 degrees. Capsule wardrobe is definitely the way to go! I hope you have so much fun!
Seems like you are all set. Love your travel wardrobe choices.
You didn’t mention your hair care for the trip.
Your hair is lovely.
What product will you use?
Enjoy your trip!
I love my Keene sandals, I have 3 pairs. You may want to try out Lems. I bought boots from them last year. No break in time needed. Very comfortable from the start. They have other shoes as well. Have fun!
I am sorry but linen dresses are not for October wheather in Europe and even less in England. I lived in the UK for 10 years and you need more than a cardigan. Best thing are jeans or trousers, some warm skirts and jumpers, a coat or raincoat and winter shoes or boots.
A few of these linen dresses are heavy-weight, so they aren’t gauzy linen. I wear them in the winter all the time with layers and they work. I figure if I get too cold, I can always buy another layer and have a special souvenir. I’ll be spending most of my time in Italy and, based on my last two trips, linen dresses were perfect.
How about your elastic strap Mary Jane shoes? A source for them to share?🤎🤎
Those are the Keene Maryjanes that are no longer made! I wish they were because they are so comfortable.
I live my Roskilde boots
I wear them a lot . So comfortable!
Have a great trip😊
I am so happy and excited for you to be going on such a fabulous trip! You are such a fabulous painter and I think it will be so cool for you to paint in England and Italy. I can’t wait to see your art. I hope you will be sharing it with us. Enjoy every moment, and safe travels.
Let’s see October in Italy, you ought to be alright. I know where you will be as I attended retreats in the same area during the same time frame as well as the same retreat (if we hadn’t been moving back to the states I would have been at that exact retreat.)Honestly it varies from year to year. You might consider a pair of your fingerless gloves because it can get chilly at night. Have an absolutely wonderful time!!!!
you look fabulous. congratulations! but what happened to the dresses from walmart. they looked lovely on you? safe travels.
I still have them! These are just a little bit more comfortable for traveling.
I hope you have a wonderful trip. I love England and Italy. The Cotswolds are on my list of places to visit. Didn’t make it there when in England the first 2 times.
I’m sad to learn Keens are no longer made. I have a pair, at least 15 years old, so comfortable. They are finally showing wear after all these years.
Be safe, be warm and enjoy!
Keen shoes are still made but the style of Mary Janes and slip on sandals aren’t being manufactured any longer.
This was such a fun post! I appreciate you sharing all of your lovely outfits with us. It was just the lighthearted post that was good for my soul at the end of a long day.
Thank you!
Marian,
Enjoy every minute of your trip..especially your Mom! If you need anything along the way I’m sure you can find it…save room for surprises!
Be well, Cynthia
I’m a long time UK reader and live in the west of England. I’m afraid you could be very chilly in linen dresses at this time of year! It’s chilly right now, particularly in the evenings and early mornings, and we are in jeans, sweaters, socks and boots..everyone has packed away their linen clothes now!
Enjoy the Cotswolds…it’s very beautiful and the autumn colours are just beginning to appear.
Helen
It’s fun to hear how everyone packs and what they deem as necessary. I poured over blog posts like this when planning our trip to Europe this spring – and while there were things I would have done differently, there are things I was happy I’d brought along. We all live and learn and it sounds like you have the experience of what you’ve done in the past as well as what you know about yourself for this trip.
Love the blue color scheme, too!
It will be souvenir clothing time in the UK ;>D, but not in Italy. Try to find the brand Wolkies in Europe. The best handmade shoes available at a reasonable price. I wear them endlessly. I think my boots are 20 years old. I wish you the best time in Europe. You are going with Mom again?
yeah, I won’t complain if I have a good excuse to buy something cute to keep me warm and/or dry!