IN MY BAG | ITALY

Photo by Jennifer Kucherka

Happy Monday!  

In a weeks time I will be traveling to Tuscany, Italy for vacation.  As I pack and get ready, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to write what to pack when traveling to Europe in early springtime.  
Check out what key pieces will be in my bag below. 

When thinking what to bring on vacation, no matter where it maybe can be a bit daunting.  So keeping things simple and packing light is the way to go when everything needs to fit inside one checked bag. Saving room for bought treasures will be easier as well.
Here are 3 steps to help you get started: 

Step 1. Overview:
1.  Think key essentials.  Things you wear everyday like jeans or a white t-shirt.
2.  Layering - Key items in your wardrobe that can be dressed up/down or mixed/matched.
3.  Consider packing clothing into zip up garment bags.  Believe me, they save space and make packing a breeze.  It also keeps wrinkles to a minimum.

Step 2. Key Items:
1.  Jeans (1 dressy, 1 casual)
2.  Neutral colored blouse (1)
3.  T-shirts (colour or neutral) (3-4)
4.  Neutral colored sweater (1)
5.  Skirt (1)
6.  Outerwear (1 leather jacket, 1 blazer, 1 raincoat)
7.  Shoes:
     1 waterproof hightop 
     1 neutral colored runner 
     1 black heel
     1 flip-flop (to wear around the hotel room or pool)
     1 flat slip on leather or suede

Step 3. Accessories:
1.  Scarf (1-3) They are like jewelry and a easy way to add colour to a neutral wardrobe.
2.  Watch (1)
3.  Sunglasses (1)
4.  Jewelry (1 necklace, 3 earrings, 3 rings, 1 bracelet)
5.  Belt (1)
6.  Purse (1)
7.  Umbrella (travel sized to fit a purse)

This is a base, so once you have the base the rest of your wardrobe like under garments, socks and pajamas/lounge wear will come together rather quickly.  Keep the same check-list in mind when considering make-up and toiletries. You don't need to bring all shades of eye shadow and lipstick with you, just the essentials.  But, you could resort to travel sized hair and body products if you can't part with the bare essentials.

I've pieced a travel collection above for go-to essentials that can be dressed up/down or mix & matched together as well as with other pieces when needed.  
I hope this has been helpful and will inspire you to get packing with ease for your next trip away! 
If you want more information of what to wear in the airport and on the plane, check out last weeks blog, 'travel style | on board'.

Follow me on Instagram @jenniferkucherka or click on the Instagram link above to see what Tuscany, Italy looks like through my eye.


Shopping Sources:
Sunglasses  |  Ray-ban - aviator classic grey gradient
Watch  |  Larsson & Jennings - chain metal series
Shoes  |  Club Monaco - daylin high top
Purse  |  COS - raw-edge leather shopper
Leather Jacket  |  Tristan - leather perfecto
Sweater  |  Uniqlo - Lemaire milano rib v neck sweater
Scarf  |  Liberty - Hera silk chiffon scarf
Top  |  COS - metallic sleeveless top
Jeans  |  Banana Republic - destructed boyfriend jean