What to pack for Rome

Maybe it's because I grew up in a teeny tiny mobile home with teeny tiny cabinets and drawers that necessitated minimalism, but I find it crazy satisfying to streamline the stuff of life, from my phone homescreen to my email inbox to my wardrobe. For me, it's calming and comforting to shed the noise of clutter. So while some dread packing for a trip, I love it. A chance to consolidate all you need into one gloriously minimal package? Yes, please. Plus, it's creatively satisfying to see how many outfits you can assemble from just a few pieces (what excites you in middle age is truly remarkable).

On our recent family pilgrimage to Rome, I found the standard of dress around the city was wildly varied—but one crucial factor in packing for Rome is the church dress code. Many places you'll want to visit in Rome are also sacred spaces with rules for coverage. Now, let's get you packed for Rome, so you can fully enter into an amazing trip to the eternal city!

My standard packing notes

• Travel packing is about simplicity and style, not fashion at its most creative or expressive. Simplicity frees you—literally, of unnecessary stuff, but also of the internal clutter of having to manage stuff. Style frees you, too; the better you feel, the more able you will be to stop thinking about how you look and wholly immerse yourself in the present.

• I make packing sketches for our trips instead of packing lists. That's my Rome packing sketch above. Draw your potential packing list and then draw all the outfits you can make with those pieces (it doesn't matter how well you draw; this is just for you!). I always end up taking several things out of my bags when I realize how little I need to make lots of great combinations. Bonus: your packing sketch will be a sweet souvenir.

• Travel usually means lots of photos, so I always advise people to strive for elevated comfort. When you're snapping memories in front of the wonders of the world, future you will thank current you for not wearing basketball shorts and a graphic tee.

What to pack for Rome

After years of traveling, I find this outfit formula works for almost any trip: two pants, one skirt, three tops, two shoes. It can carry you through more days than you think if you also pack base layers that allow you to rewear and remix. For eight days in Rome, I varied the formula a little:

• Two pairs of jeans (I vary the cut and wash to lend some variety)

• One pair of floral print pants

• One slip skirt

• One floral matching set (shorts and a top)

• Four tops (mostly lightweight sweaters)

• One heavier sweater lady jacket

• One dress

• One pair of flat mary janes

• One pair of white sneakers

• One pair of black sneakers

• One waterproof trench

• A thin base layer for each day of the trip (these are my travel all-stars that I pack for every trip to facilitate rewearing and remixing other pieces)

• I also always pack a swimsuit (this one is astonishingly awesome) and an emergency dress in my backpack/ onboard personal item—something that's seasonless, wrinkle-free, midi or maxi length, with sleeves, in a darker print, that works with dressier shoes or sneakers. The emergency dress essentially covers all possible events and occasions in case your luggage is delayed or lost. I ended up using my emergency dress to attend Pope Francis' wake.

What I packed that I wore

1. Black lace top

2. Cream pointelle cardigan (I bought mine secondhand)

3. Cream ribbed eyelet tee (secondhand here)

4. Blue ballet top (secondhand here; fun fact—this was to recreate a photo Colin and I took in Assisi when we were first dating!)

5. Black and white polka-dot dress (secondhand here)

6. Navy silk slip skirt (this skirt is a dream!)*

7. Two pairs of wide leg jeans (elevated and breezy, one light wash and one medium wash)

8. Floral cropped pants (secondhand here)

9. Black sneakers

10. White sneakers

11. Metallic flat mary janes (I cannot tell you how much my problem feet love these affordable shoes that even fit my orthotics!)

12. Waterproof black trench (so, so good—flattering and timelessly chic, genuinely waterproof, and has a zip-off hood)

13. Emergency dress (secondhand; this is the exact one I bring)

14. My trusty thin cotton undershirts to extend wear for my sweaters and other tops

15. Convertible leather belt bag: I have this very small, very minimalist leather one, but I also love this version that's a little roomier, wipeable, in tons of colors with a perfect shape

What I packed that I didn’t wear

• The floral set: this seemed like a fun addition, but I should have stuck to my own rules because it didn't even make it out of the packing cube

• The lady jacket sweater: totally unnecessary; the long trench was much more useful for the weather we had

• I also don't think I really needed the white sneakers, but I wore them once just because they were there.

• The lesson: Always follow your own rules. You know what you're talking about.

  
  

What I wished I had packed

• BLUE! I did have one blue top, but y'all: those lush orange and yellow backdrops are begging for blue outfits. Wear red everywhere else to make your photos sing, but if you're packing for Rome, go blue.

• I did not bring my usual coffee press but I absolutely should have. The apartment we rented did not have adequate coffee making equipment and y'all: I suffered.

• My coffee maker

• My coffee maker

• Oh yeah—my coffee maker

Other packing essentials

• I could sing on and on the praises of my favorite travel backpack. It offers tons of pockets and compartments to keep you organized and has some smart features like security pockets, water-resistant exterior, and comfortable straps. The zippers are beautiful and function smoothly. Details!

• These no-show socks are incredible and paired perfectly with my prized mary janes. I also packed these cute, well-made cotton socks for a whisper of fun.

• Over-ear headphones are more comfortable and noise-protective on long flights than earbuds.

• Especially in Rome where there are dozens of public fountains, I love my glass water bottle for easy refills.

• If you're not using packing cubes yet, you'll love how instantly organized they make your luggage and how easily you'll be able to keep track of where everything is while you're living out of a suitcase.

• This little flat-pack gadget bends and folds to hook onto anything (I use mine to hold my phone on seat backs or tray tables). Slip it in your bag and enjoy not using your phone at angles that destroy your neck.

• The best travel umbrella 

• A good pair of noise-reducing earplugs is always helpful.

• Toups and Company organic skincare products: I can’t survive without this frankincense tallow balm or tinted lip balm. They're the single organic, nontoxic moisturizers in the entire world that has worked for my face and lips...I could go on and on. A teeny bit goes a long way. My jar lasts about two months with twice daily use. From this small-batch, small business, I also love, use daily, and subscribe to the the mineral makeup (a jar lasts me a few months).

*P.S. If you would like a $20 off code for Quince, where I got my silk skirt, waterproof trench, and belt bag, email me at aimee@thyship.com.

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Contact me. I am a Catholic author, artist, speaker, pilgrimage leader, and traveler.

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