Is it possible to pack a fashionable wardrobe in a carry-on suitcase for a 10 day Italian Regent Cruise this October? My husband is betting me I can’t but I know I can with your help. I need some tricks!!!
Is it possible to pack a fashionable wardrobe in a carry-on suitcase for a 10 day Italian Regent Cruise this October? My husband is betting me I can’t but I know I can with your help. I need some tricks!!!
0 Answers
avonlady wrote on :
Better yet…Pack light and buy some clothes there!! I bought the best linen, best fitting dark brown pants in Venice at a boutique that I’ve ever had ever in my life. And a cute real leather red purse also in Venice for the incredible price of $40!!
Nancy Norris wrote on :
Oh yes! There used to be a designer that made what he called “5 easy pieces” If you can find 5 seperates in YOUR go to color,maybe it’s black,then you have room to play with a colorful bag or two,some great shows,one flip,one full walking shoe.And don’t forget the finishing touch,fashion jewelry.Don’t bother with your goos stuff,you will be worried.The 5 pieces are generally, one cadi,one long skirt that you can also bring up to wear as a dress.,one pair shorts,one t and one sleeveless top.And bathing suit make 6,I’m past wanting to wear one,but if you have one,it won’t take that much room!!!Have fun!!!
Marcia Miller wrote on :
Your trip was a year ago now. How was it? Did you take all the right things and look smashing? Would love to hear the report. And don’t forget to click when a guru has been helpful…
Gardeners Detective wrote on :
Add one black dress and a variety of costume jewelry to these instructions and yes you can http://www.louisvuitton.com/front/#/eng_US/Collections/Women/The-Art-of-Packing/stories/The-Art-of-packing
jkbartist wrote on :
Regent Cruises under 14 days are elegant casual after 6pm. Black pants are a great choice. Scarves and wraps can add the color and elegance without taking up precious luggage space. I’ve found taking evening shoes that are either gold or silver is a good choice. I would take just a small evening bag to carry your card and beauty essentials. The best advice to win the bet is shop as you go and buy a bag you can check to take home.
Tari Kazaros wrote on :
I know about the casual elegance of the Regent so that is in my favor. I do have plenty of scarves and wraps so now I will have to concentrate on mixing and matching. I like your last idea best of all. Tari
jkbartist wrote on :
Hi Tari,
I was just reading an article about Princess Kate and had a thought. She has made being practical stylish – love that. Take the challenge and wear the same basic outfit and accessorize differently. I hope this fashion sense catches on. How many times have I left a dress I love in the closet because I didn’t want to appear in the same outfit. If we look good in something and like it who cares if we’ve worn it before.
Susan, the party bee wrote on :
All the posts were helpful. My go-to travel wardrobe is from Chicos. All items easily roll (not fold) and mix and match easily. Pack one sandal and one dress pair of shoes. Wear your walking shoes. Scarves and jewelry provide quick changes. Number one tip: dress like a local; don’t look like a tourist.
Tari Kazaros wrote on :
Thanks for your ideas. I will try Chicos but I have to be honest with you the clothes there don’t fit me very well. Any suggestions on how not to look like a tourist?
catsdance wrote on :
No t-shirts with says, not even college logos. That screams tourist. No ratty jeans or clothes unless you are going to throw them away as you travel and replace them while you are there. Better to wear colored sneakers/shoes then white sneakers. Think more classic clothing. Trendy here may not be the same trendy there. And think about where does the ship stop, what ports. Also what excursions are you planning to do. Check the weather before you go so you don’t get caught unprepared. Getting a ships rain jacket screams tourist. If you expect rain, bring something from home unless you want to shop and pick something up. But think before you go, pick more classic styles, and shopping outside the US can be fun. I hope you enjoy your trip.
Tari Kazaros wrote on :
Thanks for all your advice. I really wasn’t going to bring my most worn but comfy clothes…and I will bring a trench coat for bad weather.
catsdance wrote on :
If you mean by carryon a 21″ suitcase, maybe a tote and a handbag, easily doable. I did 6 weeks in Italy with that luggage. Basically everything others listed is what you should do. Also, consider making the majority of your clothes washable, not dry clean only. You can always do some laundry if necessary. I don’t wear dresses often, so I usually take trousers I can dress up for evening. I can wear them about town on excursions, or dress them up for evening. If you don’t swim much, don’t worry about taking many swimsuits.
I usually do – 3 pants (jeans, other, trousers), 1 or 2 evening tops/jackets, cashmere sweater (pullover), 1-2 sweaters or jackets, various tops, a couple of scarves and 1 wrap, 3 shoes (walking, sneakers, evening). I also pare my makeup down. Don’t take a blow dryer, there is probably one in your cabin. Think about keeping your hair easy and natural – not fussy. And wear your heaviest jacket and shoes on the flight. Think about what you plan on doing before you start packing so you know what you need. Remember that old adage – pack and take half the clothes out. You really don’t need to pack a lot of clothes.
Tari Kazaros wrote on :
Thank you for your ideas. I especially like the one on paring down on my make up. You were the only one that mentioned jeans. I love my jeans and will bring them or wear them on the plane. Thanks again.
sandra@luxurygiftsfromitaly.com wrote on :
Hi Tari,
Yes you can! Black pants, neutral colored capriâs, colorful skirt, couple solid v-neck tops, cashmere sweater (colorful), t-shirts, linen blouse, linen dress, cocktail dress, silk/linen blend wrap, 3/4 length lightweight raincoat, you’ll have plenty of room left for all your basics and some bright accessories, scarves, hats, jewelry. Comfy leather or canvas flats, 2 sandals (1flat, 1 w/heels). The trick is to choose colors that you can mix and match. I have a pair of straight leg black pants that I canât live without; you can dress them up or down. With flats & a t-shirt youâre good for daytime. Heels and a cashmere sweater, silk scarf, and you have a chic look for evening. Practice mixing up your outfits, youâll be surprised how many different looks you can manage to come up with.
One of my tricks is to pack one dressy evening bag, and carry on a large leather tote as my other bag, which I use as my everyday bag when traveling.
I also like to use a double sided wrap with contrasting colors.
Bring comfortable clothing, donât bring anything youâre not sure about, (did you ever come home from a vacation and wonder why you packed so many clothes?)
Make sure you win this bet with your hubby (maybe you can bet that if you win he has to buy you a piece of clothing at every port you stop at!)
Buon Viaggio and have a wonderful time-
Sandra
Tari Kazaros wrote on :
I liked your ideas and will practice many of them. I especially like the one if I win the bet. I am bringing a fold up canvas toe suitcase for my return trip so I can check my carry-on for the return trip. Thank you.
Marcia Miller wrote on :
You can but you will definitely need some tricks. Your profile picture looks like you are a fashionable gal. I am a master packer and I take a medium suitcase for a 10 day cruise.
Take a single pair of pretty black pants for the dress up nights, just switch out the tops and costume jewelry. Nobody will be the wiser.
You will need a shawl or jacket for the ship. The public rooms are notoriously icy on ships. You will also want a small handbag to carry your sunglasses and cruise card. A cross body one is good to free your hands.
Stick with one base color (brown, black, navy etc). Use accessories to stretch your looks. The tough part is limiting the shoes. Try to keep it to 2-3. Everything must do double duty ie. your bathing suit cover up must have another use too.
Stuffing the bag is not the idea. The idea is to take less stuff.
I have plenty of other ideas. Contact me if you need help. I hope you win the bet.
You Go Girl!
Tari Kazaros wrote on :
Thanks for the tips! I just have to got over the idea that I need lots of stuff!!! I will start planning now to build a sensible wardrobe around one or two colors…Yikes! Should I bring long shorts to wear or just capris? The time of the year is the first part of October. Thank you again for your help. I have enjoyed reading your entries in the past. Tari
Marcia Miller wrote on :
You Go Girl!- free yourself from the slavery of those bags.
I would opt for skirts over shorts or capris. Definitely NOT shorts and capris are iffy. As for jeans they are pretty much a no no too. Khakis or leggings would be better. Jeans are heavy, take too long to dry and look American. In Paris in April I saw everyone wearing leggings and boots. ( And those ridiculous shorts with tights on the young ones. – not for FOF’s)
FYI – I am very aware of not looking like a tourist. Most people do not care as much as I do.
Weather in Oct is questionable so layers will be your friend. You will want a raincoat. I like to take some leggings or yoga pants to wear to breakfast or to lounge in the room.
Wish I could come accept the challenge to help you pack. Where do you live?