Oh Italy, What to wear!

Old May 13th, 2013, 02:48 PM
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Oh Italy, What to wear!

Hi all,

Visiting Italy this Sept. My husband and I have never been to Europe before...Spending 3 days in Florence, 3 in Rome and 3 in Positano.....Will it still be warm the 2nd & 3rd week in Sept? How does one pack for this kind of trip? (yes doing lots of walking). Guess I am worried about looking like a tourist, but hey, we are so maybe I should relax right!

I have heard we need to be very mindful of pickpockets...do we really need a money belt? Is it that crazy? Do I need to buy a serious slash proof purse? Do I even carry a purse? Should my husband carry a wallet? I also have a Canon camera I'd like to bring but wondering if this is a bad idea?

These questions are probably very silly, but I'm just trying to prepare to have a great trip!
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Old May 13th, 2013, 03:02 PM
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>

Don't. They'll pick you out as one easily enough. Just deal with it.

>

Yes you do. Know where your stuff is.

I have never used a money belt. I bury the necessary $/documents/cards in a deep pocket and glare at anyone who seems shifty. Europeans don't eff with me.

>

What does he do now?

You will get varying advice, but the gist will be the same. Don't put your camera or phone down on a table unattended, don't sling your purse/document contraption on the chair at your restaurant, don't leave your money lying around or flaunt it.
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Old May 13th, 2013, 03:04 PM
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Hi Stephy - yes you should relax! You can't help but look like a tourist, so don't worry about it. It will still be very warm and 2nd and 3rd weeks of September (or at least it has been for me, coming from Oregon).

My packing style for Italy has really changed over the last couple of trips. I now bring 3 travel-friendly dresses, 2 skirts, 1 pair of pants and a couple pair of leggings (to wear under the skirts and dresses in case it gets cool. Also 3-4 tops, 5 undies, 2 bras and 1 swimsuit (if going to Positano). Costume jewelry to mix and match and a couple of light-weight scarves (also good for covering shoulders to go into churches). i wash when necessary in the hotel sink.

The only place I wear sneakers at home is to the gym, so I am the same way on the trip. I love cute shoes so I wear my largest pair of shoes on the plane (usually a wedge) and pack 2 other flats. I buy Dr. Scholls insoles for extra support. I have had great luck with Cole Haan.

Now I know I will get flamed for this, but I never wear a money belt. I lock most of my money and passport in the hotel safe. I wear a cross-body purse (just a regular one, not one of those non-slash kind) during the day that has a copy of my passport, a credit card and my daily cash (plus camera, etc.). The cross-body purse I have lays flat, so I can pack it in the bottom of my suitcase and just zip my money/passport/etc. in the interior pocket of my "personal item" on the plane. My husband carries his wallet in his front pocket and has never had a problem.

Oh, and I never check luggage - carry-on only!
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Old May 13th, 2013, 03:32 PM
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I've always worn shorts in Italy and in warm weather plenty of Italians do as well IME - not in many churches where they are Verboten however. but pretty much anything you'd wear at home IME you can and should wear in Italy or anyplace in Europe these days.
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Old May 13th, 2013, 04:41 PM
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Yes there are pickpockets - there are in every city in the world. And you need to be careful of your belongings - never let go of them - even in a restaurant or shop. But carrying a camera is fine and I always carry a purse - but bandolier fashion on the front - NOT the back.

As for looking like a tourist - every local will easily pick you out. But IMHO I would never wear shorts in a city in europe - only in parks or at resorts - but then I dress the same way here (except running errands in my neighborhood).
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Old May 13th, 2013, 04:55 PM
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So pretty much don't be a dumb ass! HAHA! I feel better! I live in Chicago and I feel like I am pretty aware, but I have heard stories from friends about watches being stolen right off wrists and friends being robbed. I just wasn't sure if it was much more rampant in Rome.
Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated! I really didn't want to wear a money belt!
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Old May 13th, 2013, 04:58 PM
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September should be great weather. Bring lots of layers of clothing and good shoes - cobblestones are hard on the feet.

Yes, there are pickpockets. Take photocopies of your passport and carry that. Also, I carry a coin purse with a few small bills and lots of coins (you will need them), and I never take my wallet or credit cards out unless inside a store. Your husband shouldn't carry his wallet somewhere easy to lift it. Just common sense stuff.

Absolutely take your best camera! Especially for your first trip to Europe. Just travel wisely ... be as aware as if you we're traveling to any U.S. city.

Not silly questions at all! You never know until you've actually been somewhere. It is really exciting that you're going such terrific destinations for your first time. Have a wonderful trip!
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Old May 13th, 2013, 05:00 PM
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Hey! Was posting as you were. You'll be fine if you know how to get around here - same common sense stuff you do here.
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Old May 13th, 2013, 05:20 PM
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Excuse me but: You live in Chicago and you're anxious about crime in Italy????

I travel pretty much annually to Italy and have traveled there, with pleasure and largely without problems, since 1972.

Yeah, I got ripped off once - in the dorm of a Rome youth hostel in 1973.

The ensuing 40 - FORTY - years have been glitch-free.

If you have a wardrobe that works, stylewise, for Chicago, you'll be OK in Rome, which is half the size of Chicago.

BTW, I don't carry a wallet on the street and I don't know why anyone would. I have 2 or 3 essential cards and some cash. They go in a front pocket.
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Old May 13th, 2013, 06:13 PM
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"The only place I wear sneakers at home is to the gym, so I am the same way on the trip. I love cute shoes so I wear my largest pair of shoes on the plane (usually a wedge) and pack 2 other flats." Me too!!
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Old May 13th, 2013, 07:03 PM
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Well, Señorita Cosa, you can do no wrong with an Hermes scarf tied around your head and some dark Cutler/Gross sunglasses--looking like Jackie O running to Rizzoli for a magazine.

Accentuate your look with a Jerome Dreyfuss clutch and a Dries van Noten cuff.

Killer!

Looking like a million euros on the Via Condotti!

Carmel Snow watch out baby!


Thin
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Old May 13th, 2013, 07:41 PM
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Calm down. Wear what's comfortable, not too geeky or too sporty, and has pockets. No need for a money belt or sock pocket or all those other gismos that people feel compelled to wear. I find no matter where I am in the world I feel safest doing what I normally do at home, not trying out some new gismo that I'm not familiar with. So unless you do hapless things at home like keep your wallet in an outside pocket of your jacket or in the rear pocket of your jeans, you'll be fine. Especially since you're from Chicago. Italy will be a piece of cake.

Never leave anything unattended. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't wander down streets staring at a city map looking glazed and confused. Walk purposefully. Don't engage with weirdos who ask if you speak English. It really should all be very intuitive for a city person like yourself.

Have a great trip!
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Old May 13th, 2013, 10:02 PM
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Avoid zipp off trousers and those vests with multiple pockets that make you look like you are going trout fishing.
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Old May 14th, 2013, 03:52 AM
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Agree with all the advice above except for the money belt part. Personally, I'd rather not have to waste my vacation time getting my passport and credit cards replaced. Which is a lot of trouble if you are far from home, moving around, etc. Just too much time and hassle for the sake of not wearing a thin pouch around your waist. With my passport and extra credit/ATM cards/cash safe under my clothing, I can be relaxed about the kind of bag I carry (no ugly slash proof travel bags), etc. Sure, still be aware of your surroundings, etc.

I do not think you have to worry about people stealing your watch from your wrist (never heard of that one) - nor do you have to worry about being mugged at gun point (the American thief preference), but pickpockets are everywhere and if you think just being 'aware' will protect you - well then go ahead and think that. Have a look at this site - http://www.bella-toscana.com/pickpoc...m#.UZIj1crEXKc
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Old May 14th, 2013, 04:36 AM
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We have been to Europe 16 times. I have done exactly as St Cirq recommends and dressed and taken care of my money, passport and valuables exactly as I do at home (Washington, DC). I have luckily never had a mishap. That doesn't mean that I wall down the street talking on my I-phone at home or abroad. Take normal precautions, be aware and have a great time.
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Old May 14th, 2013, 09:33 AM
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You cannot possibly do "exactly" as you do at home when you are in a foreign country because you have a passport.

I do ALMOST exactly as I do at home (same bag, same clothes) but at home I don't need a passport - when traveling to Europe I do - so it goes in the money belt.
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Old May 14th, 2013, 10:04 AM
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Yes, I do exactly what I do at home in europe - and the passports (I carry both - since it'es easier to get things from a guy's pocket - even inside jacket - go in a zipper compartment inside my purse.

Never a problem in more than 100 trips to europe (except for when I left my sunglasses behind on a cafe table - MY fault.)
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Old May 14th, 2013, 06:57 PM
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Peter, those zip-off trousers are very convenient for la pipe.


Thin
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Old May 14th, 2013, 07:31 PM
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In all honesty, I don't ever carry my passport with me, that always stays in the hotel safe. It's too BULKY and too risky to carry a passport in my pocket. I have never been stopped by the italian police for a passport, never ever! I used to carry a photocopy of my passport, now I just leave the photocopy in my suitcase as a back up. I do carry my US driver's license and credit card in my wallet ( just as an ID in case they found me dead in the streets of Rome). I do take pictures of my credit cards front & back onto my locked iPhone in case my wallet get stolen.

As others said, I would recommend wearing what you always wear in your hometown. Don't buy anything special for your trip. Save your money for buying something in Italy!
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Old May 14th, 2013, 09:02 PM
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Thin, whenever I see one of those jackets I am inclined to ask the occupant whether he ties his own flies, and does he use a "weight forward" line.
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