5 day capsule wardrobe for Italian city break - please help!

[abigboydidit]

I am being whisked away for a birthday trip with my husband in early June. I will have no kids and am unbelievably excited but also incredibly unprepared and short on time. I have 2 pre-school children, work full time, live in a cold part of the U.K. and haven't been abroad in over a decade, so nothing I own fits the bill I am reasonably tall and a size 8-10 but have absolutely no boobs/bum and can't pull of proper trendy Where do I start? All help appreciated. Grazie

Advised on a Venice trip thread, comfy shoes or trainers if you are doing lots of walking. It will be sunny and hot. If you are visiting churches you need to be modestly dressed, eg no short shorts, and shoulders need to be covered. Where are you going?

Oh - I will look for that thread. Rome! I have ancient hill walking sandals that are v comfy but not exactly stylish. I guess I have time to break in something new though?

Take a good raincoat, the rain can get crazy!

Yes to comfortable shoes!

Maybe a couple of column jersey dresses, either midi or maxi according to preference? They could be worn alone or with a light shirt/jacket and trainers/flats in the day time, or dressed up a bit with a necklace, bangle, whatever in the evening.

Cotton ankle length or 7 eighths length jeggings maybe?

Oh - I like the idea of dresses. But not sure my stomach is flat enough to balance my flat chest Hadn't thought of leggings but that's probably easier to source than shorts. What could I put with to avoid looking like gym wear though? Off to Google column dresses..and padded bras

Why don't you take one dress, one scarf and a pair of sandals. Then when you get to Rome, spend a morning in the shops :)

You'll boil in leggins!
Some harem type trousers and a boob tube type of top, you can wrap the scarf or get a cotton jacket over the top!

Haha! Sadly I hate shopping - which is why I am in this situation! I like harem pants but have never fm found ones long enough or that don't look like a Mumsy pleated waist type affair (I have a slight csection overhang although am boy overweight). Any recommendations appreciated.

Building up an idea though of what I need. A dress, scarf, light cotton jacket and some kind of lightweight trousers?

Boy overweight?! Not overweight that should say.

no one will care

all tourists look shocking in any major city

True! Shocking I can cope with but my fear is sweltering and cross

The pavements in Rome are ankle wrenching, take sturdy flat shoes.
Take a secure bag, across body, not a backpack style as these are slit at bus stops metro etc.
Just take a couple of colours, maybe black and white or black and grey, and add colour with a light scarf or beads. You will never be overdressed in Rome!
It will be very warm in June, so light things only.

Have a wonderful time, go to the opera if you can.

bit bitchy

Trainers. Light clothes - it will be hot. T shirts with shoulders covered. T shirt dress. Good sunglasses. Matters a jot what you wear as long as you're cool and comfy. Book whatever you want to see now, if you can, queues can be horrific.

And I second not taking a backpack. You will be pickpocketed

Thanks everyone. Have found some sketcher shoe things I think should be comfy and soft enough not to kill my feet. Found a nice skirt on Lipsy site of all places (thanks to Dressipi) and ordering a couple of day dresses there to chose between too. Think a pair of lightweight trousers, couple of tops and should be sorted?

Nothing to add except to suggest a sunhat (I prefer the cotton, foldable type) - even if you never, never usually wear a hat. Will make a huge difference to your comfort outdoors.

Have a great time, OP!

It won't probably be THAT hot - average temperatures are going to be mid-20s. If I were you for tall and skinny I'd take some nice comfortable non-jeans trousers, that roll at the ankle, a pair of leggings, some dazzling white t shirts, a linen or cotton shirt, or maybe two, a cardigan, a light jumper, one plain shift dress in case we went somewhere smart, some comfortable shoes (posh plimsolls like Skechers or something) and some comfortable but reasonably smart sandals. Sunglasses and a packable straw hat, one big necklace to add to whatever everyday jewellery I have, a biggish slouchy shoulder bag (big enough to take guidebook and a bottle of water). Mac/umbrella if the forecast was bad. Travel in the trousers or leggings with appropriately layered tops.

Have fun! Go to the Pantheon, it's lovely.

Take a couple of jumpers - it is likely to be hot but I was in Italy at that time about 5 years ago & it was cold - I only had one thin cardigan & was freezing. As a friend who travels a lot says - if it's hotter than you think, you can buy T shirts easily & cheaply - jumpers are more expensive.

I loved Rome - seconded the Parthenon and if you can get to Ostia (about an hour's train journey) it's wonderful. Very well-preserved Roman buildings, not very well-known, so peaceful.

I'd get a pair of trousers like these from Uniqlo and a shirt like this also from Uniqlo. Slap a pair of nice sandals on.

Have a look at the Vivienne Files, so helpful and utterly addictive!

I thought this might work well for you as it may not be boiling hot in June and this has good layering suggestions..... Have a fabulous trip!

I love this too; I would love to have all this lot in my suitcase, no kids and Rome waiting for me!

I went to Rome in May a few years ago....it was warm but not unbearable...I wore maxi dresses and pretty sandals....btw i wasn't pickpocketed but just be aware as you would in any city x

Second Osbtheon - our favourite spot - and Ostia ( closed Mondays). And very comfortable shoes. The cobbles are really hard.

Have also Ben pick pocketed there - once my whole bag and all contents taken. And my DH lost his cards. So just be careful, specially in crowds, as at Termini station.