How to Travel Fashionably & Create a Long-Lasting Wardrobe
When I was packing for my 12 weeks abroad in Italy, I honestly had no clue what I should pack to both fit in with the Italian culture but still express my style. In Italy, they have this thing called bella figura. Basically, this is a part of the Italian way of life where you wear items of clothing that are more modest but also dressier than what many of us wear in America. For example, people rarely go out in sweats or any kind of athletic wear, and there are less girls wearing crop tops and showing midriffs. Since I have been in Italy, I realized there was a lot missing from my wardrobe, such as pieces that I can layer; those that are staples and are interchangeable. This opened my eyes as to what I should pack when I travel anywhere in the world, as well as what pieces would be essential to my everyday wardrobe, and I wanted to share these tips with you.
First off, I would highly recommend accumulating a collection of basic button-ups. Whether they are over-sized or fit just to you, these are perfect for layering and interchanging between seasons, are universally worn, and are a staple item to have in your closet. They are also very versatile because you can create both casual and dressy looks. You won’t regret purchasing these because regardless if you buy them for a trip abroad or for everyday use, you will always find a need for a button-up shirt!
Secondly, I have found that tight-fitted cropped and normal length turtleneck sweaters and shirts are essential for winter and cooler weather looks. Italians say you should “dress like an onion,” meaning that you wear many layers that are intended to be peeled off as the day goes on and the weather warms up. In this case, you need a tight-fitted turtleneck to put under that oversized trendy sweater, staple button-up shirt, or even to wear with a blazer or shacket. I also found some short sleeve, tight-fitted turtlenecks that I love when I’m worried about getting too hot!
Next, let’s talk about bottoms. Pants and skirts have always been the hardest part of my wardrobe for me to shop for and style. Jeans are of course an essential and easy-to-wear/style item; however, if you’re living or even just traveling abroad, trust me, you will get sick of wearing jeans. I highly recommend finding pants that provide comfort, such as ones that are made of cotton, that can also be dressed up or down. Along with that, purchasing a couple pairs of neutral trousers, cargo pants, and a pair of leather pants will be perfect for pairing with various styles of tops. Finally, I recently bought a black cotton midi-skirt with a slit on the side, and it is one of my favorite pieces in my closet. I can wear it with almost anything, it is super comfortable, and it is perfect for any kind of night look.
Lastly, my top-tier, favorite garments that are essential for my adventures abroad are shackets and blazers. I love shackets because they work for both a jacket and a shirt depending on how you want to style your look, and they are the perfect kind of piece to layer. I have leather, corduroy, and wool shackets that I wear literally every week. Additionally, blazers of different sizes and patterns are such great additions to your wardrobe. There will never be an instance where you can’t style a blazer. Whether you’re traveling, going for a casual look, taking a night out on the town, or even going to an interview, having an assortment of blazers will be your best friend. Since I have been in Italy, I have already found myself purchasing more blazers because I love how well they pair with whatever I am wearing.
Each of these items are not only going to help you be better dressed for your next adventure abroad or vacation to another state, but they will become staples in your closet. It is so essential nowadays to create a concrete wardrobe. Fashion is moving so fast, trends are constantly changing, and there are a lot of negative side effects on our environment because of this. If you start to accumulate staple pieces in your closest that are interchangeable, versatile, and can be layered and styled in diverse ways, then you won’t have to keep purchasing from fast fashion brands and keeping up with short-lived trends.
