17 days in Italy. One carry-on. One backpack. Can I do it?
I’m about to find out! We leave for Italy in October, and this time I’m determined to travel with only my Away Bigger Carry-On and a backpack.
That means everything I take has to work hard—including the outfit I wear on the plane.
So I’m starting a new Italy Travel Style series here on Karins Kottage and taking you along from the very beginning. I’ll show you what I’m packing, what I’m leaving home, how I’m creating multiple outfits from the same pieces and, eventually, what I actually ended up wearing during our 17 days in Italy.
Today we’re starting with the travel day itself—and a few slightly unusual things you’ll always find in my carry-on.
And that includes what I wear on the plane.
My philosophy for this trip is pretty simple:
I’m not packing 17 outfits. I’m packing pieces that make 17 days of outfits.
This is Part 1 of my Italy Travel Style Series, and I thought we should start at the very beginning: my luggage, backpack, little travel essentials I never fly without, and the comfortable black outfit I’ll be wearing to Italy.
My Carry-On for 17 Days in Italy
I’m taking my red Away Bigger Carry-On, and I really love how much I can fit inside without moving up to a checked suitcase.
One of my favorite features is the double-buckle compression pad. Once my clothes are packed, I can buckle everything down and compress it, which makes a surprising difference in how much I can fit.
And yes, I am going to fit 17 days of Italy clothes in here!
The secret isn’t cramming 17 completely different outfits into a suitcase. I’m choosing pants, tops, dresses and layers that can work together in lots of different combinations. We will also have access to laundry, which makes carry-on travel much easier.
I’ll be sharing my complete capsule wardrobe—and exactly how I fit it all into this suitcase—in the next parts of this series.
My Backpack Is My Personal-Item Workhorse
My backpack isn’t just for my laptop. I use every inch of it!
Inside I can carry my makeup bag, hairbrush, straightener, snacks, laptop and other little extras I want accessible during the flight.
I also keep a small zippered pouch inside just for my electronics. It holds my chargers and my European plug adapter, so my phone, watch and laptop charging supplies aren’t floating around at the bottom of my bag.
That little pouch is such a simple thing, but it makes traveling so much easier.
The Slightly Unusual Things I Always Take on a Long Flight
Here’s something you probably won’t find on every packing list: my back pad.
I take it anytime I’m going to be sitting in a car for a long time or taking a long flight. Instead of trying to stuff it into my luggage, I place it right on top of my suitcase between the handles, with my backpack helping hold it in place while I walk through the airport.
Easy!
I also put a lacrosse ball in my backpack. During a long flight I can use it against my back or hips to apply pressure and roll out tight areas.
It takes up almost no room, and I’m always happy I brought it.
What I’m Wearing on the Flight to Italy
Now let’s talk about the outfit because this black set may be one of my favorite travel outfits I’ve ever had.
What I especially love is that it doesn’t really look like loungewear. The longer jacket and straight-leg pants give it a much more polished shape. I feel comfortable enough to curl up on an overnight flight, but I don’t feel like I’m walking through the airport in my pajamas!
I’m wearing a butter-soft two-piece black set with a black-and-white striped T-shirt underneath.
The zip-front sweatshirt has a pretty silver zipper and a longer tunic length, which I love. The pants have an elastic drawstring waist, two pockets and a straight leg with just a little extra width at the bottom.
And it is SO soft.
The fabric has a little weight to it when you pick it up, but once I have it on, I don’t notice that at all. Instead, it feels substantial enough to hang beautifully rather than looking like pajamas.
Even better? It doesn’t wrinkle easily.
After hours of sitting on an airplane, I still want to walk off looking reasonably pulled together!
For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size Large. I’m 5’6″ and about 174 pounds, in case that helps you decide which size might work for you.
And that little striped T-shirt underneath?
Walmart!
I love mixing an inexpensive basic with pieces I know I’ll wear again and again.
Why I’m Choosing Black for a Long Travel Day
There are several reasons I’m going with black-on-black for the flights.
First, black is forgiving. If I spill something during a long flight—and let’s not pretend that can’t happen!—a small spot isn’t going to be nearly as noticeable.
It’s also incredibly easy to mix with everything else I’m taking.
The sweatshirt can go over jeans or another pair of pants. The black pants can work with several of my other tops and layers. So even though I’m technically wearing a matching set onto the plane, I’m actually bringing two additional mix-and-match pieces into my Italy capsule.
Black also feels a little more polished than a traditional sweatsuit. Add sunglasses, jewelry or a scarf and suddenly it doesn’t look like airport loungewear at all.
And perhaps most importantly, it keeps me warm on those chilly airplanes!
The Sneakers I Keep Buying Again
I’m wearing my favorite white New Balance sneakers with the little animal-print detail on the heel.
These are actually my second pair because I wear them ALL THE TIME.
I walk in them around the lake at home, I’ve worn them for lots of everyday walking, and they’re exactly the kind of comfortable shoe I want when I’m walking through airports and putting in miles sightseeing in Italy.
For me, a travel shoe has to be tested before the trip. Italy is not where I want to discover that a cute new pair of shoes gives me blisters after three miles!
One Travel Outfit—Two Completely Different Looks
Here’s another reason the black set made my final capsule.
Once we’re in Italy, I can take those same black pieces and make them look completely different.
Imagine the black pants and tunic zip top with my black Mary Jane flats, a fun cheetah-print scarf, jewelry and my bag.
Make sure you check out my 22 day travel capsule for women over 50 that I put together here.
Suddenly my airplane outfit becomes something I’d happily wear for an evening stroll through an Italian town.
That’s exactly what I’m trying to accomplish with this entire suitcase.
Fewer pieces. More outfits.
What Else Makes Black Such a Good Travel Choice?
Besides hiding the occasional travel-day spill, there are a few more reasons I think black is especially smart for a long trip.
It photographs beautifully against Italy’s warm stone buildings and colorful scenery. It can look sporty with sneakers or polished with flats. I can repeat it without the outfit being terribly memorable. And practically every color and print I’m packing works with it.
Most importantly, I feel good in it.
That’s something I think we sometimes forget when we’re planning a travel wardrobe. Don’t pack something just because someone tells you it’s the “perfect travel pant.” Pack the things that make you feel comfortable and confident when you put them on.
At 65, I’ve learned that I don’t want to spend a vacation tugging at my clothes or wishing I’d brought something else.
I want to get dressed, feel good—and go experience Italy!
Next Up: What I’m Actually Packing
This is just Part 1.
Next I’ll start showing you the actual pieces going into my carry-on: the pants I’m taking, my tops and layers, shoes, dresses and how I’m turning a relatively small capsule into 17 days of outfits.
And eventually I’ll show you the ultimate test:
What I actually wore in Italy—and what I would do differently next time.
Because sometimes the best packing advice comes after the trip!
Shop My Travel Outfit and Luggage
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