I just got back from Italy, and I’m still thinking about how effortlessly stylish everyone looked there. Not over-the-top fashion, just really thoughtful choices that seemed to work for everything. After ten days of living out of a suitcase, I figured out exactly which pieces made the difference between looking like I’d been living out of a suitcase and looking intentional and put together.
The Dress
I brought one wrap dress in navy with small white flowers, thinking it would be nice for dinners. I ended up wearing it constantly. The wrap style was forgiving after indulging in all that incredible food, and the midi length worked whether I was touring churches or sitting at outdoor cafes. With sneakers, it was perfect for walking around, and with sandals, it looked appropriate for nicer restaurants. The small print was practical too; it hid the inevitable small travel stain. Truly a hero piece for me this summer!
The Jacket
I debated bringing a blazer to Italy in July, but my lightweight cream linen one takes up almost no suitcase space. Good thing I packed it, because those air-conditioned restaurants were freezing, and several churches required covered shoulders! More importantly, it instantly elevated any basic outfit. My tank top and pants looked intentional instead of touristy and casual. The unstructured cut kept it from looking too formal for vacation, but it was polished enough when I needed to look put-together.
The Shoes
One pair of tan leather sandals with real arch support. I watched too many women struggling in cute but impractical shoes on those cobblestone streets. These went with every outfit I brought and kept my feet happy through hours of walking. Not glamorous, but smart! Sometimes the best choice is the one that lets you focus on where you’re going instead of how much your feet hurt.
Why They Worked for Me
Each piece elevated the others and gave me multiple outfit options without overthinking it. The jacket made casual looks more polished, the dress could be dressed up or down depending on the situation, and the shoes were versatile enough to work with everything. Instead of packing a bunch of individual pieces that might work together, I had three hero pieces that definitely worked together, and I could add to them pretty easily if I felt like going shopping abroad!
Professional Image Consultation