Before my wife begins to pack this week could anybody tell me what NOT to bring? ie, what types of things should we plan on buying in Rome? Toiletries, shampoo,etc. Any recommendations re:supermarkets near Piazza del Popolo? I think restaurants and places to visit have been well covered here but how about some specifics about what we will NOT need to bring. Thanks.

Think I am gonna pass on this one. If I started a conversation with my wife on this topic she would very quickly get to the point where she would travel with 156 less pounds of excess baggage. Not as much fun staying back in the USA by myself....

Well, if she can bring her eyeliner, then I should be able to bring my golf clubs as carry on, no?

From a woman's perspective: she should pack the same shampoo and toiletries she uses at home. I don't like to waste time shopping for personal items. And besides, I think the euro is creeping back up to cost-prohibitive level again.

I transfer lotions and potions into travel containers, shop for travel-sized items in drug stores, and ask for lots of samples for the face care line I prefer. And if you wear contacts, I think it's advisable to bring what you use at home - my husband gets a travel set from his eye-doc.

A small hair-dryer has become dead weight on our recent travels - seems every hotel and apartment has one. Travel iron? Again, depends upon your lodging - most apartments have an iron.

Here's a tip: go to your pharmacy and buy a pack or two of those padded band-aids for blisters - they come in a blue plastic container. I cannot recall the American name but in Italy they are Compeed and cost 6-7 euro per pack. I bought enough on this last trip to cover the cost of a fabulous meal for two.

But maybe you are traveling ultra-light? I have no experience with that.

quote:

Originally posted by frankie:
...what types of things should we plan on buying in Rome? Toiletries, shampoo,etc.

You didn't say if you were just staying in Rome, or traveling around. If you're traveling, you'll be carrying the stuff anyway, whether you take it with you are buy it in Rome.

I take everything I need, and nothing more, when I travel, with no plans to buy anything at my destination but food and lodging. Of course, I'll buy things I need once I get there, but I try to take all I need with me.

quote:

Any recommendations re:supermarkets near Piazza del Popolo? I think restaurants and places to visit have been well covered here but how about some specifics about what we will NOT need to bring.

My thought is that if you take advice of someone here, you may end up spending a lot of vacation time trying to find the place. Rome's so crowded and busy, it's hard to give clear directions to a shop just from memory.

For things like this, I always ask a local once I get there, either at my hotel or a nearby shop owner. They will generally give excellent directions and send you where THEY would go to get what you need, and you can't beat the advice of a local.

Or just wander the neighborhood near Popolo a bit and you'll probably find shops that sell what you need. It's a very developed part of town.

What would you not take if you were going to New York City?

Interesting to phrase the question 'the other way round'.

I guess this will vary immensely, but there are one or two things that we've packed and not used enough of to justify it.

Shoes. These take up plenty of space and ideally keep it down to one very comfortable pair (whether walking pavements or paths), plus another pair that will match anything you might wear for a nice evening meal - but also as comfortable as you have - you may be walking further than normal. If the worst comes to the worst, then I can think of no better place to buy an extra pair of shoes than Italy (most of my shoes have been bought there on holiday).

Guide books. I used to take 2-4 with me, but they can be heavy. These days I prep key stuff (see thread a while back about holiday cribsheets). I'll then take one guide book with a decent local map in it.

Agree with earlier comments about applying the same principles as a inter city trip in your home country. Staying for 4 night in a hotel, I could easily manage with a 'carry-on' bag.

When I travel I always aim to have bags 1/2 to 2/3 full on the way out. I will buy stuff and I need space for it. This mentality has served me well in forcing me to leave behind any frippery.

regards

Ian

Great comments. Thanks.

frankie, I'm not sure just when you're travelling, but if it is soon I'd suggest you not waste space with jackets or many sweaters.

I'm in Bologna right now and it is as hot as 12 bears! Easily above 30C every day and while the nights cool a little bit, I don't need either of the 2 lightweight sweaters that I packed (just in case.)

I also have a pashmina and a shrug (which is kind of mini-sweater that just covers your shoulders and upper arms) and I haven't even needed those.

Your wife might want a single pashmina and 1 sweater but I'd say no more than that.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Sandra

You can buy shoes but if you're walking a lot you need to break the shoes in.

You don't really need to pack anything other then your passport. OTOH unless your goal is to shop that might be too light.

End of the month the summer sales start. So you could pick things up on sale. OTOH depending on your sizes this might be easier said then done. Or on the third hand it might be much easier then buying clothes in North America.

Pack any medication you need. Pack your ID. Cards. Other then that it depends on where you are going,when and why.

Popping into a supermarket or drug store (identified by the green cross) isn't the same in Italy as it might be at home. You don't mention how strong your command of Italian is nor whether or not you've been to Italy before.

I would always bring with what I want to use - particularly toilettries.

How long are you going to be in Rome? If I were going to be there for an extended time I wouldn't mind searching out something I needed. If I were going to be there for a short period i.e. a week or less - I'm not sure I'd want to be going from store to store to buy soemthing I left at home.

Thanks. I'll be in Rome about a week and in Calabria 4 days. It just seemed like such a waste to bring things that I could buy there--like shaving cream, toothbrushes, etc

Clothes, I have 2 outfits that haven't seen the light of day and I have been here 6 weeks. Re-evaluate your clothes. More tops, less bottoms. And remember there is always that "I have GOT to have that T Shirt" that you can wear on your trip. BTW these are the BEST souvenirs. We wore our last set out from 2 years ago, we are now replenishing them.

Shoes, maybe, maybe not. If your wife has feet larger than an american 8 or 8.5 she could be in serious hurt if the shoes she has start to irritate her feet. Same with clothing. If she is larger than an american 10-12 again clothes could be a problem if the bags suddenly go to Timbuktu without you.

I would bring your regular toiletries for the period of time you are going to be traveling just get samples or pack into TSA sizes. Buying them in Rome? They are very expensive here. DH and I can make 1 sample size last for a week between us of shampoo and toothpaste. The marketing hype of a slab of toothpaste laying off both ends of the toothbrush is just that - hype. 1/4 inch gets your teeth just as clean. Do bring dental floss, just one of those small round tins, hit your dentist up for one if you can't find one.

Ibuprofen, Tylenol, are also expensive. How much room do they take? Grab a mini zip lock bag (Walgreens has these wonderful things about 1 inch x 1 inch) throw a dozen in each. How many headaches are you planning? Obviously prescription medications need to be brought. Bring a copy of your RX unless you want to waste a day getting a renewal in Italy. The padded bandages are called moleskin and you can get them in every supermercati and drugstore in Rome. Don't waste the room. You can also get Dr Scholls insoles, foot powder, etc..

Don't pack sunblock, don't pack hats every other corner is selling them. Pack one really good camera, the one with the best lens and resolution. Leave the others home. My canon point and shoot has had maybe 50 pics. Our Pentax Digital SLR is headed for 2000. Get a minimum of a one gig memory card unless you are bringing your laptop and have a card reader.

If you are readers plan on hitting Feltrinelli at the airport (FCO) or Largo Argentina. It is expensive but easier than shlepping 10 books. I brought the Twilight series from USA. MISTAKE it is all over here and available in english and italian.

As mentioned guide books. Available here. Also pick up one of the laminated central Rome maps at Feltrinelli. In particular the one with the bus routes along side the locations. As mentioned if you are bringing your laptop you can use that to download all your travel guide stuff, as well as mapquest anything you need. Too bad there isn't a garmin/tomtom application for laptops.

If you like music, if you NEED music bring your IPOD. You'll have to listen on earphones but you can download new stuff all the time. Some places have docks, others don't.

If you are staying in an apartment and cooking bring zip lock bags. 6 of a couple different sizes except 12 for sandwich size. I can't tell you how often I've gone ARRRGGGHHH because I didn't have a zip lock. Just making sandwiches for lunch. They may exist in Italy but I ain't seeing them.

Don't bring "dress up" clothes. One plain skirt and top for wife that can be worn touring, nice shirt and Khakis for you. Unless you are planning on dinner with the pope I haven't been to a restaurant where that wasn't acceptable. Wife can wear some fun costume jewelry she picks up in Rome, you can wear that pink tie you got for 5 euro.

I am going through my suitcase, packing it as I am writing because we leave tomorrow. Bring your clothes that you are thinking about giving away to goodwill, etc.. You can leave them in Rome and have room for vino and oil. I left a 24x24x24 box of clothes. Good deed and good for me to have more room.

I'd bring a couple extra pens/pencils and maybe a small notebook. I never had either when I needed one.

I wouldn't bring even a single sweater/shawl. They are 3-5 euro on the street in great colors and very warm for a chill Roma evening. Consider it part of your souvenirs.

Give us a list of what you are packing, how long you are staying, where you are going and we can help you decide what to delete.

Twice as much $$$ 1/2 as much clothes. It's a good rule to live by.

I always take all my own toiletries, including big bottles of stuff if I'm on a long trip. I know I'll use them up, throw them away before returning home, and have that room in my luggage for goodies to bring home. Our next trip to Italy is going to include a box of Honey Nut Cheerios for my kids which will be replaced by another nice Furla purse on the way home

Well, this might not be as useful an advice, but you wouldn't need to take along a pair of flippers even if you were to stay in a spa hotel for a week, which was what someone I know did last year... .

EC

Now that is awesome planning! Just what I needed to hear. Thank you. I never thought about the zip lock bags. Any recommendations on how much cash to bring in addition to my credit cards? All great advice so far and I will definitely print this thread when it slows down. We start packing this week--leaving next Sunday.

No cash at all. (Other than what you need to buy food, etc. at the airport in the US.) The best exchange rate is via your ATM card.

If you can't get your luggage into an overhead bin then you're carrying too much. You and your wife can find much nicer toiletries in Italy than in the US. Don't carry shoes except maybe some flippies for the shower.

But that's just me. Everyone (obviously) has their own luggage capacity. *smile*

Have the greatest trip! We look forward to hearing about it.

Alecto

I'd offer Frankie some advice, but it's all been covered. Moments like this are why I'm glad this community exists. Generally no flamers, no cranks, just patient, helpful exchanges.

Well, as far as I am concerned...I NEVER...N E V E R ...EVER bring white sneakers, cut off shorts, or "muscle" shirts..."t" shirts ok, but knit shirts with colars are better...and if you are in a apartment bring something to "lounge" in, and I always take my own sharp knives in the checked baggage...oh, and a thin one of those roll up cutting boards...we do a LOT of cooking...

quote:

Originally posted by daka:
..and if you are in a apartment bring something to "lounge" in, ..

I discovered this in March, when I ended up going out and buying a bathrobe (granted it was lovely and on sale at Frette) because the apartment was much larger than a hotel room, it was a bit of a trek from the bed to the bathroom and we spent lounging time there almost every afternoon.

I also bring all my own shampoos, creams etc. in the smallest possible size, or travel sizes, and pack them inside zip lock bags.

Shoes.. I always bring an extra pair of walking shoes in case of rain and getting one pair really wet. I had never needed the extra pair until the last trip, but this time it took 2 days for my soaking wet shoes to dry out.

Frankie,

First, yes, you can take the clubs as a carry on if she takes the mascara. It's in the code, fine print, lower left.

Second, Italy is just like here but with great food, less crime and really old buildings. Just about everything you will need you can get there, including clothes.

We take our medications, some tylenol (hard to find there), two pairs of shoes each (one to wear; one to pack). You can do laundry along the way... rinsing the socks, underwear, a shirt or blouse; they do dry overnight most times.

My wife who is a huge packer now has Europe down after 2 trips to her running with a carry on AND she packs her pillow too!!

They have suitcases over there so if you run out of room; buy one to come home.

However, if you are taking the clubs...

... I'll lose some weight and you take me in the bag instead of the clubs!!

quote:

A small hair-dryer has become dead weight on our recent travels - seems every hotel and apartment has one.

I do find that a lot of the hair dryers in hotels are very lame. Often they have very little power and take forever to dry (I don't even have long hair). If they are the common type that is basically a hose attached to the wall, they aren't comfortable or easy to hold. Since I wash my hair every morning in the shower, I usually have been glad for my travel hair dryer, which does a much better and quicker job.

I agree with the people who say to bring your toiletries, especially since most things will cost more in Italy. For less than 2 weeks, it shouldn't add that much to your luggage to bring small sizes of toiletries, and I think your touring time is more precious than the space you'll save. Do you really want to spend your time looking for stores and shopping for something as boring as shampoo? As Rebecca said, throw away the leftover toiletries at the end of your trip and use the space and your budget for more interesting souvenirs.

I guess I haven't really answered your question, though, since I haven't told you anything NOT to bring! I'll have to think more about that!

- Roz

Don't bring kleenex. They sell it everywhere over there in those purse-sized packages and it's SO much more wonderful that the stuff you get here in the U.S. It's thicker and softer. I stock up every time I'm over there - particularly if you can find the kind with "aromatherapia" - smells great.

I'll also second bringing the zip lock bags - so very handy! Also, mosquito repellent.

Another tip for her is to choose her handbag carefully. (You want light weight and able to be slung across you body.) You want to be able to freely use both hands as much as possible. She can buy beautiful leather ones over there, but to travel with she wants light weight, large capacity, long strap. (I've made this mistake before.) Also, empty out the wallet before departure: no need for the grocery store membership card, checkbook etc. and all those heavy keys!

If you're going to hand-washing or rinsing stuff out if you'll be traveling for a while or to minimize packing, don't pack heavy cotton socks. They take FOREVER to dry. Nylon or cotton/spandex/nylon blends for socks and undies dry quicker.

The advice is getting better and better. I am learning from each post and since this is my first time to Europe it is much appreciated.

Frankie, how are you getting from Rome to Calabria, and back again? If you are taking the train, you should try to pack lightly, since it's no fun lugging heavy suitcases on and off of the train. But if you are driving, you have more flexibility in what you can bring.

Other than toiletries, is there anything you are debating about bringing? It might help us give you useful advice if you ask more specific questions. Also, are you hoping to travel with only a carry-on, or will you be checking bags on the plane?

- Roz

I bring all my own toiletries and medicines. I bring several guide books and english books to read in the evening while I am there (I don't "get" Italian TV). I abandon the books as I read them in my lodging and return with only one guide book. I replace them with stuff I bought.

My rule with traveling with my family members (now that everyone is over 14), is that you can bring whatever you want, but you must handle your own luggage. I will abandon my children's stuff before I will carry it. I don't expect my husband to carry my luggage either, but he ususally doesn't come with us anyway.

we travel each with one rollie
http://www.slowphotos.com/phot...photo=47393&cat=4353
and I travel with a backpack and my daughter travels with as purse and a briefcase. Once my daughter brought a bag that was too small ( I bought her anohter bag), and bought too much stuff in Sorrento. We had trouble in Naples finding the alibus stop back to the airport. She was really sweating by the time by the time we got in a taxi. That hasn't happened again.

i bring Kleeenex because the apts I rent never have any tissues in them when I get there; I have not noticed how wonderful the tissues you buy there are. I bring travel size toilet paper: Charin to go. it is missing the cardboard roll in the center. I buy it at the Target. It can tide you over till you get to a grocery store, and more than one of my Italian hotels metered the toilet paper out at an insufficient level, so the travel stuff can tide you over in an emergency. i abandon any that is unused to make room for stuff I buy.

i would bring mosquito repellant if you think you need it. when my stock got low in capri in May 2008, I had trouble finding any in pharmacies and stores.

Agree strongly with Dragonpat. A good rule of thumb is: Don't bring more than you can lift over your head at one time. Sounds weird but works out well.

quote:

You can do laundry along the way

Yes, but if you're going to hand wash you should know that I've had trouble finding liquid soap (which works much better than powder for getting stains out). Tide makes some (very overpriced but useful) packets of liquid that will do a couple of sink-loads each.

As a serious overpacker, there's not much I wouldn't bring (I even bring a folding cane just in case my knee or ankle starts acting up). However, once when my luggage didn't make it and I had only a spare pair of underpants and some medications with me, I managed to survive for a few days by purchacing a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and t-shirt. So I can survive on a lot less than I usually bring with me . I now pack a carry-on "survival kit".

One trick is to rip up your travel books and just take the pages you need. Also, sandles can stand in for slippers.
I no longer take my travel iron, but I have a high tolerance for wrinkles.

---Marlene

I say pack as lightly as you can. My husband and I went to Italy for 3 weeks, and only had 1 carryon roller bag each. We didn't want to check any bags on the way there, but didn't care about checking on the way home. Since we were flying on British Air, we couldn't even have a purse or briefcase in addition. Here's how we did it-one suitcase was filled with all of our clothing. The other suitcase had 2 extra carryons-the kind that slide on top of our carryon roll bag(they're acutally computer bags, but quite large). Made them smaller by folding and using rubber bands to hold them smaller. Put the camera gear in that suitcase also, and our guide books(tear out only the pages you will need), rain ponchos, and umbrellas(which we didn't need). We brought toiletries with us, packed in 3 oz bottles. I made sure I had enough of the brand of hair gel and hair spray I use, as I didn't care as much about the shampoo if I had to buy extra. My husband took shave cream, not the kind that is in an aerosol bottle, but a cream he could put in small bottle. Lasts a long time and goes a long way. I took makeup, but took minimal amount. Tinted moisturizer, powder, blush, and eyeshadow that had 3 colors in the small container. Mascara. Also snack-size ziplocks with medications like some aspirin, tums, prescription, etc. We stayed in apartments that had washers, so we knew we could do laundry but would have to air dry. No jeans, they take way too long to dry. I took short knit skirts, t-shirts,1 pair of pants, long black skirt for dressier evenings. Bought pashminas there. Everything was in colors of black, white, and red. I didn't feel like I was wearing the same clothes over and over either. Only took one purse, which was a travel style. Casual, but fine. Husband had lightweight pants, casual, but look nice. Shirts that don't need ironed. He only brought 1 pair of shoes, I brought two. Wear the clothes on the plane that take up the most room. I also found bringing ziplock bags very handy-I brought 3 or 4 sizes, and just put them inside the largest size. Took up very little space. I also brought duct tape and bubble wrap, as I knew we would bring back wine and food items in glass, which I wanted to protect. We bought a suitcase cheaply while there so that we could bring back our purchases-checked baggage(15 bottles of wine, olive oil, jams, etc. in glass jars. Because we had the 2 extra carryons that were inside the second suitcase, we only needed to buy 1 suitcase. Oh, one other thing we did. Rolled our clothes, then put them inside the largest ziplocks you can find, press out the air, and seal. Takes so much less space, and our clothes weren't that wrinkled.
Have a fun trip!!!

I can only speak for myself, but this is a list of what I wish I hadn't packed on my last trip:

*spare pair of shoes - only ever wore the same pair - ended up buying a pair in Rome anyway - nothing like great Italian leather.
*books to read (as in novels) - thought I would have more down time than I did - didn't even touch them. Any downtime I did have, I was either too busy gawking at surroundings or reading the guidebook. On the plane, I was either napping or using the in flight entertainment.
*too many clothes - way too many changes of clothes. All I really needed was 4-5 sets of underwear, a few tops and 2 pairs of comfortable pants would have done it, plus pyjamas. Pants can be worn for a couple of days, while the 2nd pair is busy being washed and dried. I bought several t-shirts in my travels which added to the pool of available tops.

Things I'm glad I packed:

* A decent coat - although I travelled in May, and the weather was fairly mild, there were a couple of nights where it got a bit chilly.
* Australian souvenirs - i took a few furry koalas, these acted as my 'tips' for various things, it put a smile on a few faces
* Guidebooks - these were essential. If i'd tried to select beforehand just the pages I thought I'd need, it would have driven me mad.

I'm on the fence about toiletries - I took my own shampoo etc, but on the other hand, I probably would have been fine buying some there. But, they didn't take up much room.

I always think of this quote when I pack:

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. ~Susan Heller

On our main site are some articles and checklists for packing that you may find helpful. Go to Europe Planning and scroll down to the Getting Ready section.

Ok. this will get me in trouble

The brains of the operation has taken a bialetti stove-top coffer maker to Italy on 2-3 occasions ("They might not have one in the apartment")

Do you know if the Arabs need any more sand? We can bring some on our next trip if needed

regards

Ian

Bounce dryer sheets are a great bug repellant. You rub them all over your skin. They don't leak like bug spray and they don't make you sticky and smell awful. you just put some in a ziplock bag.

I don't see where anyone's mentioned workout clothing and shoes. Are my husband and I the only ones planning to try the Italian gyms?

I think the best advice is don't overpack! Someone here said pack your suitcase then take out half of whats in there. You will be fine. Pack things that you can wear multiple times. Bring more tops than bottoms, think of mixing and matching and not so much complete outfits.

From my recent trip, I have found Italy to be much more casual than in the past. Unless you know you will be going somewhere very fancy I wouldn't bother packing very dressy clothes. Just be clean and neat for dinner and wear the appropriate shoes (no sneakers).

Don't bring too many jeans. For this time of the year they are really hot and heavy.

Shoes are another issue. Being a woman, we need shoes. I brought six pair and ended up wearing a pair of nicer flip flops most of the time.

Do your best and watch that weight (hefty fines for overweight bags these days). Just remember Italy has everything you may need so just buy it if you have to. Good luck.

Colleen

quote:

I don't see where anyone's mentioned workout clothing and shoes. Are my husband and I the only ones planning to try the Italian gyms?

With all the walking you do on a daily basis in Italy, that's a lot more than I would get at the gym!! I train for weeks here on the flat lands in FL to get used to walking those Tuscan Hills..

Comfortable shoes are the key.

Someone mentioned do not bring white sneakers - why not?

quote:

Someone mentioned do not bring white sneakers - why not?

It is supposed to be a tip-off that you are not a native. This is what my daughter told me. Makes you identifiable as a tourist to thieves. All you have to to is open your mouth and talk and they can tell you are not a native.

I don't know why the person who suggested no white sneakers said it, but I've generally heard that as a way not to stick out as an American. I think this point of view used to be more common (I remember following it on my first trip to Italy, just a few weeks after 9/11). Today, however, after 10+ trips to Italy since then (and more to other countries), I realize that locals recognize outsiders, regardless of what they are wearing.

Therefore, bring what feels good on your feet, because if your feet aren't happy, you're not going to enjoy your vacation.

Italians wear sneakers, white striped multicolored. They are fine for almost all occasions.

I wonder if people are seeing what they want to see.

It's like how people repeat the line Italians don't wear jeans.

I can understand people noticing certain things that appeal to them but I'm guessing the real differences aren't noticed by many tourists.

Thanks. That's good to know because I have already purchased a good pair and am breaking them in now. I didn't want to have to buy another pair!

Cheese. This is a true story.

We were dining outside in Rome on a lovely evening and shared the table with a very pleasant Italian couple. They left for a concert and their place was taken by a young American couple. When their food arrived, he reached into his backpack and pulled out a travel-sized container of Kraft Parmesan cheese.

This was one of the surprises of our trip. There's no need to pack your own cheese.

quote:

Originally posted by frankie:
Before my wife begins to pack this week could anybody tell me what NOT to bring? ie, what types of things should we plan on buying in Rome? Toiletries, shampoo,etc. Any recommendations re:supermarkets near Piazza del Popolo? I think restaurants and places to visit have been well covered here but how about some specifics about what we will NOT need to bring. Thanks.

You have undoubtedly learned all you need from the excellent responses, but I will just add my own two cents. You and your wife should decide what luggage you will be able to handle, and then pack to fit it. It is madness to suggest your wife not bring her toiletries, which she has undoubtedly transferred into small convenient bottles and which are exactly what she wants. Otherwise you might well wind up with large sizes of things neither of you much likes. Shopping at leisure for Italian toiletries to take home is another matter. Likewise shoes need to be old and broken in. Clothing shopping is fun but only when you aren't pressed to find something you don't have. Sweaters are needed only in the mountains at this time of year, but a wrap for air conditioning (it exists) or evening temps is a must. Nobody needs anything very dressy, but the standard dress-it-up accessories will come in handy. She'll need a basic set (one scarf, one necklace, that sort of thing), and that's one area it will be fun to add to locally.

Maureen
www.maureenbfant.com

quote:

Originally posted by Ian Sutton:
Ok. this will get me in trouble

The brains of the operation has taken a bialetti stove-top coffer maker to Italy on 2-3 occasions ("They might not have one in the apartment")


regards

Ian

Ian

let the high IQ member of your party know that they are 10 euro at any supermercati in town. And that was the EXPENSIVE one. I couldn't find the coffee maker in the apartment first morning went down to bar, got a cappucino, walked down the street, got a coffee maker and from then on was in business.

DO NOT bring mosquito repellant. Available at drug stores, supermercati, the street fairs, wherever. Also do not bring suntan lotion. Again available everywhere.

Besides which those coil things are awesome.

quote:

Clothing shopping is fun but only when you aren't pressed to find something you don't have.

I have to say that I find that this is not true. Italian clothing is so awesome if you can fit into it that it is fun no matter when you are doing it.
In feb 2005 my daughter arrived in Rome with clothing more appropiate for bermuda. We did not leave from the same location, so I had no idea what she had packed.
we bought this coat and gloves on sale on Via Nazionale
http://www.slowphotos.com/phot...?photo=40937&cat=508
We bought this adorable black reversible coat on that same trip by the vatican and she has used it on many trips to italy
http://www.slowphotos.com/phot...photo=31394&cat=3997
If you are slim, and short you can buy anything you need while you are in italy.