Last time we spent fall in Italy, we ran from the cold weather. (that's what we usually do 😅)

11 weeks, September to December. We started in the north, and headed south to Sicily. It was glorious! I barely needed any cold weather clothes.

This time is different. There's no escape route. We leave in 9 days and we're staying north the whole time. ON PURPOSE.

Since transitioning to making 'Ways of Style' our full time jobs, we noticed a huge gap in the content I share. There's not much fall content and no cruise content (fixing that one next year!!), so that's basically why we booked 3 months in Northern Italy.

So I could test different packing lists somewhere cold. And I'm going to be sharing everything with you here!

First, a quick heads up about this trip...

This time things are a little bit different. We used to travel to make 'Ways of the World' videos and then 'Ways of Style' was more like a side thing, not the priority.

But now the tables have turned!!

As this community has grown over the past few months, we decided to both go all in and work together to build the coolest, biggest and most fun travel packing community out there... and that requires a lot of traveling and testing different packing lists on the same trip.

So here's the drill for the next 3 months:

• Packing list #1: 2 weeks in Northern Italy in October
• Packing list #2: 3 weeks in Northern Italy in November
• Packing list #3: 10 days of European Christmas markets

We're also going to be updating about 15 different blog posts, but these are the main packing lists I'm going to be testing and sharing with you here in this weekly email. I'm SO excited! 🤗

All of this to say that even though each packing list is 100% carry-on friendly, I also have half of a checked bag with the other two lists in it because these are all different from each other (although, I made sure A LOT of pieces overlap. I'll explain more as we go).

Just know that only one packing list gets tested at a time, as if it were an actual trip. There's no stealing stuff from another packing list 🙅🏻‍♀️

I'm trying to pretend I'm going on vacation the same way you would. So re-wearing, laundry and activities all happen inside that packing list's time frame. It's going to be even more specific than anything I've shared before, so get ready!

I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions, of course just hit reply.

How I built this carry-on packing list

Same formula I use for every trip, and the same one I teach in my courses. If you've been here a while, you know it. If you're new, here's the short version:

1. Pick 4 or 5 colors and stick to them. This is what makes everything match.
2. Then bottoms. 4 for 2 weeks is plenty!
3. Tops that go with every bottom. 4 bottoms x 7 tops = 28 outfit combinations instantly.
4. Shoes that go with every bottom. I'm only bringing 2 pairs for the whole 3 months.
5. A layer that does triple duty.
6. Accessories. They weigh nothing and they're what makes the same outfit look different.

For this trip the colors are black, burgundy, cream, olive and a little blush pink. Everything below fits inside those.

(I'm literally using all the frameworks and systems I teach inside the Shoulder Season Carry-On Style Guide 🧳)

Bottoms (4)

• ​Black cropped ponte pants in size 2 with the 26" inseam (I'm 5'4"). If you take one thing from this email, this is it. Ponte doesn't wrinkle, it stretches, and it works with every single top on this list.
• ​Burgundy silk skirt, size S. This is my "nice dinner" bottom, and it weighs nothing.
• ​Studded jeans, size 26. A fun piece I fell in love with a few months ago. I think they're perfect for stylish Milan.
• ​Athleta pants in the color botanical, petite size 2. My walking day pants for the long museum and cobblestone days.

Tops (7)

Mostly cashmere and merino. Both are warm without being bulky, and both can be worn many days before laundry. That's the entire reason I can pack 7 tops for 14 days and not smell like it 😅

• ​White merino base layer from Unbound Merino, V neck slim fit in size S. Goes under everything on cold days.
• ​Black cashmere tank, size S.
• ​Light pink cashmere tee, size S.
• ​Black bodysuit, size S. No tucking, no adjusting, nothing riding up under the silk skirt. I picked this one instead of a second merino base layer so I could wear it to nicer dinners.
• ​Striped cashmere crewneck, size S.
• ​Black shrunken cashmere sweater, size S. This one's great with high waisted bottoms.
• ​Cream cashmere turtleneck from House of Bruar, size S. Honest note: the neck doesn't fit like it does on their website. I still like it a lot, especially for Europe, but just know it's not a turtleneck. (I'll share the outfit photos in a few weeks)

Layers (2)

• ​Beige trench coat, size XS. This is my triple duty layer. It's the jacket and the "I look put together" piece.
• ​Long black cashmere cardigan, size S. For the days that start cold and warm up. It goes over everything. Great for travel days!

Dresses (2)

• ​Spanx dress in olive, size XS. This is quickly becoming my favorite travel dress!
• ​Silk polka dot midi dress, size S. Mine is the strappy version. If you want more coverage on the shoulders, the sleeveless version does the same job.

Shoes (2)

Two pairs. That's it. Both of these can walk all day.

• ​Black sock booties. They go with the studded jeans, the skirt, both dresses and the ponte pants.
• ​Vessi Soho sneakers. Waterproof, which matters in October up north.

The extras that make it all work

• ​Burgundy cashmere wrap. I use it day and night, more as an extra layer than a scarf.
• ​Leather crossbody bag in dusty pink​
• ​Black and gold studded belt​
• ​Black tights from Spanx (no need for merino tights in October)
• ​Merino cashmere blend socks​
• ​J.Crew pajamas​
• ​Travel jewelry case​
• ​Puff commuter backpack in terracotta, my personal item and day backpack
• ​Level 8 Voyageur carry-on, my suitcase

That's 4 bottoms, 7 tops, 2 layers, 2 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes. 17 pieces for 14 days. It all fits in the carry-on with room to spare. (I'll share pics of everything, no worries 😉)

I first need to find out if I did a good job packing LOL - I can only know that from Milan!

I usually check the weather 2 to 3 days before a trip. This time I couldn't, because I had to pack 2 weeks in advance. My "home base" is in Florida, but we're in Colorado right now, and from here we go to Phoenix and fly to Italy... so 🤞

Next Sunday: exactly what I'm wearing on the plane from Phoenix to Italy, and the one thing I always check before a long travel day.

XO,

Aimara

>> PS: I'm sharing this trip live on my Instagram stories as it happens. Follow along here if you want to see it day by day.

>> PPS: There are a few things in the suitcase I didn't list. We'll sign up for the gym, so 3 pairs of leggings, 3 workout tops and my On Cloud trail runners are coming too. If you're not planning to hit the gym, skip them. That space is for souvenirs!

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