Quick European Getaway: What to Pack

In two weeks, this americana is headed to Italy! But, while I would love to stay and explore for weeks on end, I am still a busy student who will be fitting an Italian getaway into 8 days that include two travel days. Our agenda includes Florentine sight-seeing, cooking class, a Tuscan winery visit, and a few excursions outside of the Florence city walls. One thing special about this trip, though, is we will be analyzing the local winery just outside of Florence for a class project and are expected to dress appropriately for a meeting with the business. This could make packing a bit more challenging so I have put together my versatile packing list of everything I am putting in my carry-on for a whirlwind week in Italy.

My packing list (pictured above and listed below) includes the following:

Now, with such a short list, I want to make sure that I will be wearing each item at least twice, with a goal to wear it three times. While I am only in Italy for six full days (the other days I will be traveling in my perfect travel outfit) I need to look smart in business casual for when visiting the winery and follow through on my goal to never stand out as a tourist while sight seeing. Then, just in case I decide to switch it up for an evening out, I want to be able to take advantage of my options.

We will arrive in Florence around 3pm giving us plenty of time to explore the city before jet lag really takes a hold of us and forces us to sleep. For this time, I want to make sure I am comfortable yet fashionable as we walk around to get a taste of where we will be staying for the next week. I plan on bringing black opaque tights as a back up just in case it is chilly.

Black cropped cardigan (Converse for Target)
Graphic tee (J. Crew)
Black skirt (Target)
Solid scarf (TJ Maxx)
Pink flats (Target)

This look is great for a morning of Italian language class followed by an afternoon of touring the winery. Still nice enough for a business meeting yet versatile too.

Long white crisp blouse (Target)
Black windbreaker (Target)
Black cropped pants (J. Crew)
Statement necklace (Target)
Small tote (Target)
Pink flats (Target)

This is one of my absolute favorite dresses because I can wear it as a dress or throw a shirt over it to wear it as a skirt (shown later). Another easy, breezy feel to this with a few pops of color and pattern to keep it interesting. I actually bought this scarf of my last trip to Florence so I thought it would be appropriate to bring it “home”.

Black cropped cardigan (Converse for Target)
Dark denim dress (Lauren Conrad for Kohls)
Patterned scarf (Florence street vendor)
Small tote (Target)
Black flats (TJ Maxx)

This is one of my favorite sweaters from J. Crew. Each side has a slit to show what shirt I am layering underneath, but it is a double knit sweater with a navy blue inside. I cut out the tag to make it reversible. This is ideal when traveling because I could wear this outfit again and it would look like I brought two sweaters!

Reversible Sweater (J. Crew)
Long white crisp blouse (Target)
Black cropped pants (J. Crew)
Statement necklace (Target)
Small cross body purse (Target)
Black Flats (TJ Maxx)

A classic travel dress, this light sweater dress has gone with me all over Europe during my semester in Spain last year. It is another dress I can treat like a skirt if I am chilly and want to throw a sweater over it. Like I said, I will be bringing tights to combat those Italian winds.

Gray sweater dress (TJ Maxx)
Black tights (Target)
Black boots (DSW)
Pink scarf (TJ Maxx)

For a return trip to the winery, I wanted to make sure I still look professional and Italian, thanks to my roots of being 50% Italian, I can pull off the physical features!

Long white crisp blouse (Target)
Patterned scarf (Street vendor in Florence)
Small tote (Target)
Black cropped pants (J. Crew)
Black boots (DSW)

Remember how I said my green sweater is reversible? Here is proof! All the seams are finished so nicely the green looks like a nice lining to it. I put it on over my denim dress to make it function like a skirt and vóila! Another outfit

Dark denim dress (Lauren Conrad for Kohls)
Reversible sweater (J. Crew)
Small tote (Target)
Pink flats (Target)

I love this dress because I am able to dress it up for a nice dinner and still able to wear it out for a few hours after dinner. It is light enough to layer and the pops of color really brighten it up!

Black cropped cardigan (Converse for Target)
Gray sweater dress (TJ Maxx)
Pink flats (Target)
Small tote (Target)

Another great way to dress up a little bit for a business meeting or a formal dinner. This would be worn with the black cami underneath due to the side slits in the sweater. Also can be worn with tights and boots!

Reversible sweater (J. Crew)
Black skirt (Target)
Black cami (Target)
Statement necklace (Target)
Black flats (TJ Maxx)
Small tote (Target)

This is my favorite sight seeing look–perfect for one of the excursions that we are planning to take to a nearby Tuscan town. I love how easy this dress is to turn into a skirt simply by throwing a light but cute graphic tee over it. Paired with some color, it is super versatile to go from day to night.

Dark denim dress (Lauren Conrad for Kohls)
Graphic tee (J. Crew)
Black cropped cardigan (Converse for Target)
Small tote (Target)
Pink flats (Target)

My final outfit is ideal for one last dinner before leaving the city. It is formal enough to wear to any restaurant, and the double layers paired with my black windbreaker will help me out after the sun goes down.

Gray sweater dress (TJ Maxx)
Reversible sweater (J. Crew)
Black tights (Target)
Statement necklace (Target)
Black boots (DSW)
Small crossbody purse (Target)

So there you have it! Minimal items, 11+ outfits! All very appropriate for the early spring weather and culture. Was there anything you think I should add or have questions about? Please comment below, I would love to hear input!

If you liked this post, please check out my other Packing Posts: Packing Up , My Perfect Travel Look , Can’t Forgets and Gotta Haves: My Airplane Survival Kit