ROME, ITALY: What’s in my suitcase
ROMA, THE ETERNAL CITY.
Few places on earth make you feel the continuity of time like Rome. Every past, every age, has left its footprint in the dirt of this city. The astonishing thing is watching life keep living around all these monuments of time. This is the true magic of this place - that it is all of time at once, for those who can see it.
Romans of the past set the trends of the day. Today, Romans still maintain a level of “currentness” - it would be fair to describe Rome as trendier than the rest of Italy (except for Milan, the fashion capital). However, “trendy” doesn’t mean the standards go out the window. Grown men still wear blazers and collars to church, restaurants, and museums. Ladies still dress up, even if they’re just going shopping. It’s all just a bit hipper, more colorful & fun than you might find in the countryside.
The reality of being a tourist is that 1) you will be doing a lot of walking 2) you will probably be packing in as many cultural sites as possible into every day you are in Rome 3) you will be in & out of the weather all day - so packing an easy, functional, dressy wardrobe is CRITICAL.
AN ODE TO LINEN
Linen is really the MVP of a spring/summer/autumn wardrobe. It’s breathable, allowing you to feel cool despite wearing layers like a blazer or long pants. Linen is also structured - giving you a tailored look in easier pieces, that might not look so polished if made in another fabric. Perfection for traveling in Rome!
Note on wrinkles: Don’t be afraid of them! Creases are part of life with linen, and is part of the character of the textile. The people of the Mediterranean are more than familiar, and will not even notice, so neither should you!
This AMAZING poppy red linen jumpsuit is one of my all time favorites. J. Crew circa 2016, this jumpsuit is 100% linen, with pleated-full legs & a fitted bodice, with slim straps (not pictured!) and pockets. Such a good versatile piece! This jumpsuit can go from morning to night with a change of shoes, a statement necklace, and maybe an updo.
I styled this jumpsuit with my beige linen blazer (also J. Crew, circa 2015 - thrifted 2023) and my beige 2” espadrilles wedges from Soludos, for a busy day of sightseeing on a humid spring day in Rome. A perfectly pulled-together look, that could also adjust to my needs throughout the day (blazer came off & could be easily held if I got too warm). These espadrille wedges held me in VERY good stead throughout a ton of walking & carrying kids! I felt dressy in them, but never felt like I was wearing heels or had any trouble on cobblestones - 10/10 recommend.
WEATHER HAPPENS
Our 2 last days in Rome turned unseasonably cold & wet. I had 2 more fun summer looks packed for these days, but the weather had different plans - and I know better than to argue with the weather. Success while traveling = being flexible to change. Thankfully, we had just been in the mountains, and had packed the perfect wardrobe for chilly Italian weather.
My top advice for visiting Rome? Get lost.
Not actually lost, but wander around and just explore one of the culturally richest cities in the world with all the anonymity of a stranger. Despite being a global capital, the streets of Rome are quiet compared with American cities. The streets are narrow - terrifying to drive through, but at walking speed they do impart a feeling of closeness, even invisibility. In Rome, like in many European cities, shops & homes live in harmony (a key point) on the same street - creating a comfortable living environment that would be foreign to most Americans. I watched mothers send their children downstairs to get something from the shop across the street, than call them to hurry home from the balcony of their home. This kind of integration of retail & living used to be the norm - but in the US is all but gone.
More on this in a future post - for now I hope you enjoy a few Roman-inspired pieces I shopped for you!
A NOTE ON THE VATICAN DRESS CODE:
The Vatican & St Peter’s Basilica DOES have a dress code. It is as follows:
Close-toe shoes (Men/Women)
Kids are allowed to wear sandals, but I did not verify that personally. My boys wore their Chelsea boots the day we went.
Men: Collared shirt, long slacks (no jeans or cargo pants) - and a blazer is appropriate.
Women: Neckline no lower than 3 fingers below the collarbone, skirts/dresses must be to the knee or longer, or long pants. Short or long sleeve styles (sleeveless is not allowed).
Example: My Red linen jumpsuit & Linen blazer from the Colosseum would have worked perfectly at the Vatican.
Children: Church attire. Boys may wear shorts (as that is traditional under age 8), but dress shorts with a collared shirt or a crewneck sweater. Girls dress code is identical to Womens.
WHY?
This modest & formal dress code exists to help keep the experience of being in St. Peter’s & the Vatican a respectful experience - not as a judgment on normal life. The idea is to maintain a sense of formality, despite the thousands who visit daily, and to keep it from feeling like Disneyland!
