I'm Packing Something Alright

 

Going away on vacation to visit my parents in southern Italy requires some packing strategery. Since we're planning excursions in Capri, Amalfi, Sorrento and Avellino my outfits need to work together. This is what I have so far.

Top Row Left to Right

1.Sleepwear: Since I’m staying with my parents, I can’t just walk around in my boxers. But I can regress to the outfits I used to wear around the house as a kid. “Mucho Aloha” t-shirt with cotton J Crew drawstring shorts.

2.Sweaters: Sweaters give you an opportunity to layer and helps to make multiple looks when mixed/matched with other pieces from your luggage. Cowl neck H&M color blocked sweater and  Uniqlo gray cashmere v-neck.

3.Suit: Just in case I get invited to a fancy party. H&M navy blue suit.

4.Denim Jacket: I’ve had this for so long that if it were a kid it would be in high school. It’s my security travel blanket. Thanks Banana Republic.

Second Row Left to Right

1.Button Up Shirts: For a week’s vacation, I always pack one white and one solid/pattern. I normally wear them to casual dinners just so that I don’t wear the same t-shirt all day long. H&M white and Club Monaco gingham button ups.

2.Basic Accessories: These help me pull it together. Gucci scarf, Co-op skinny tie, brown belt and NY Yankees baseball cap (need to represent)

3.T-Shirts: Every day of the week has a sightseeing adventure planned. Since I’m vacationing by the water, I went nautical.  It’s good to mix long and short sleeved tees just in case the weather is temperamental like a menopausal woman.  Hot flash! H&M long and short sleeved nautical t-shirts, H&M cowl neck tee and Asos white ¾ length tee.

Bottom Row Left to Right

1.Pants: With so much navy and blue, the pants are also dark which are the best for traveling since you never know what can spill on your lap. Theory navy blue pants, AX pin stripe pants and +J slim fit jeans

2.Sportswear/Shorts: In case one of the hotels we stay at has a gym or pool, I like to pack swimming trunks that I can use for either…if I can get away from my parents long enough. Even though I’m not tanned enough to show off the legs, I pack a pair of navy blue H&M shorts just in case I get a shameless way to show off my gams.

3.Polo Shirts: They give me a nice break for a t-shirt and can be worn at night for casual dinners too. IDIB long sleeved and short sleeved polo shirts in light blue and navy. And a Ralph Lauren oversized logo polo shirt.

YES: Pick a color base to match everything against so that you don't freak out that nothing matches once you unpack at your destination. I normally pick black or blue. 

NO: Don't pack last minute. It shows.

MAYBE: You can buy whatever you need when you get there, but you better find out how to say your shoe size in Italian.

The Problem with Season Jumpers

It happened over the weekend. In the era of global-warming, unseasonably warm weather has brought spring like temperatures to the east coast with highs in the low-60's during the day, but lows in the high-30's at night. The extreme disparity in temperature has confounded many men and women in the city. Men are quick to show off their calves in shorts baring their pasty ghost-like legs, while women are hurriedly modeling their new spandex collection from Lululemon with cantilevered boobs coming to a cold and perky point for all to see and appreciate.

They roam the streets just as confused as the men and women who suffer from "Down Parka Withdrawal Syndrome." Bundled in their sleeping bag jackets sweating bullets into the pockets of pillowy fowl feathers, they only acknowledge that it's starting to be spring because they aren't wearing any gloves. 

But the most sad of them all are the people who combine the down jacket with shorts and sandals. 

Stop the madness! You have plenty of months to showcase your mangled man toes in those Havainas. And boobs are perennials, they're in season all year round. Save the spandex for your next Soul Cycle class.

YES: God created layers so that you can put things on and off like a stripper at Scores. Just remember that the lighter and thinner the fabrics, the less bulky you'll looked layered up. I like to wear a t-shirt with a cardigan and a denim jacket. If it gets cooler I'll throw a light down vest.

NO: Don't jump a season ahead or backwards. It's too cold for a bikini and it's too warm for thinsulate shoes. Make use of the Container Store and contain thy seasonal clothes. We are judging you behind your back and to your face if you're lucky.

MAYBE: Fine, let's say you have internal heating issues. But don't tell me that your mangled man feet are cold but your torso and legs beg to be covered in corduroy and down. There's a college game for that and I call BULLSH!T!