Now it's time to ask about the girls' shoes. We leave September 17 (return October 6) for Rome and Tuscany. The current plan is to wear casual sandals (Naots) on the plane and to pack a pair of Ecco clogs and a pair of dressier sandals. Will we need closed toe shoes for evening before we come back?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

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Originally posted by Linda from NC:
Will we need closed toe shoes for evening before we come back?

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In my experience the problem will not be the evening as well as the increased risk of getting rainy days (hopefully!). If the day has ben bright, you might get along with a pair of sandals even in the evening (if you dont' suffer the cold too much), but in late September and early October you might catch a few rainy days when the temperature will drop, and you will than need sturdier waterproof shoes, umbrellas and some warm clothing.

Alice Twain
--
– Che peccato, signora: lei ha partorito e suo marito non c’era.
– Oh, se è per quello non c’era nemmeno quando sono rimasta incinta!
          Leo Ortolani, Rat Man, “Il primogenito”

I wear Naots too - they are my favorite shoe for work, play and travel. I have Ecco's for travel too. Both brands fit my wide foot, narrow heel very well.

Are you asking about a closed toe shoe due to weather? Tuscany and Rome are usually warm in early October, very similar to the temperatures here in Alabama, but probably a bit warmer than North Carolina.

I travel in mid to late October each year. It is pleasant, not hot, and a little rain is possible. I usually take a casual sandal and a closed shoe, either one I could wear to dinner.

The current Naot catalog has several models which I would consider a bit "dressier", but still give the appearance of being comfortable,
which is all important for the miles you will log in Italy.

I see Alice has a different take on the weather than me. Two of my trips were in early October and the temperatures were similar to home - low
to mid 80's. However, I come from such a hot state that I find days in the low 70's perfect for shirt sleeves, yet the young women in Rome are bundled up in leather jackets and wool scarves.

I always check the weather via my computer starting a few weeks prior to my trips, just in case some strange weather pattern is developing. Summer has been so horrible in Europe that it will be wise to keep tabs on the
temperatures so you can plan your wardrobe.

Late October and especially early November usually brings the rain to Tuscany
but I hate to pack umbrellas for fear my planning will bring a flood. Last
year, I had to purchase an umbrella for the light rain we experienced on two days out of our sixteen.

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Originally posted by Janice in AL:
Two of my trips were in early October and the temperatures were similar to home

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Consider that the waether in Europe is far less reliable than in the Usa. Even checking a few days prior and getting forecasts that say that it will be sunny and warm, the weather can still take an unexpected turn anytime. Europe and the Mediterranean sea lack the extreme weather of America, but, though within a not as wide range) weather can unexpectedly change in a few hours, sometimes (often) leaving even the weather forecast tecnichans at loss. So paching a pair of waterproof shoes (not winter ones, just make it rubber soles and quality leather tops) is usually a good idea in October, as well as packing a light jacket or sweather and a foldable umbrella.

Alice Twain
--
– Che peccato, signora: lei ha partorito e suo marito non c’era.
– Oh, se è per quello non c’era nemmeno quando sono rimasta incinta!
          Leo Ortolani, Rat Man, “Il primogenito”

Thanks, everyone for the good advice. My question about closed toe shoes for evening relates to the air temp. I tend to have cold feet and I'd hate to be out for a nice dinner and suffer. But......I don't want to tote an extra pair of shoes if I can avoid it. (My Eccos are black suede clogs. I could wear them at night with casual attire.)

I travel in Oct. every year, and have very little need for warm clothing. I can still pack very lightly at that time of year. Sounds like you have it covered, and for that length of trip, I wouldn't bother with more than 2 pair of shoes, a light sweater, and buy a 5euro umbrella there if you need one, and leave with the hotel or apt. Less is better! And have a wonderful trip. ciao, Cheryl

Alice is right about sudden weather changes, even dramatic weather changes. One early October my friends and I were caught in a cold downpour so hard it collapsed and broke every one of our umbrellas in Gubbio.
For kids I would be tempted to take along a pair of Keds type sneakers and companion socks because they can dry out with the help of a hairdryer inserted in the toe fairly quickly and they are light and a kid can easily get away with that look. I would never dry my beloved leather shoes with a hairdryer.
If we have wet, cold weather, as we are hoping, that hairdryer is very useful for drying the feel of the sheets, warming your shoes, drying the feel of underwear. The dampness can be so clammy and unending, although it will reverse in a couple of hours sometimes.

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Originally posted by decobabe:
If we have wet, cold weather, as we are hoping [...]

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We will have a lot of crazy downpours as the one you experienced. With a summer as hot as this one (and as dry as this one), as soon as the weather breaks there will be WILD "nubifragi" (sudden bursts of rain and thunders, when several centimeters of rain might fall in one hour or less). And the good weather might stil hold until mid-September.

Alice Twain
--
– Che peccato, signora: lei ha partorito e suo marito non c’era.
– Oh, se è per quello non c’era nemmeno quando sono rimasta incinta!
          Leo Ortolani, Rat Man, “Il primogenito”

There are two "schools of thought" on this board.
Some want to do carry-on only and travel light.
Others check the maximum number of bags,some even check extra for wine cases etc. When traveling places ie Venice where you may have to Schleep(Sp.?) bags it pays to go a little lighter.For me this trip we will check two almost empty bags on the way out,back they will carry 18 bottles of wine(fits in large suitcase with styrofoam inserts) and ceramics etc.We will have a car the whole trip so not alot of bag movement.RR

We have had very cold weather in southern Tuscany in October and needed jackets. And we have had really warm weather in October - t-shirts the whole time.

Remember October 2001 when it was very cold for the last week of September and I posted about how cold it was and people leaving the next week brought cold weather clothes, then there was a heat wave for October and it was warm the whole time?

Pauline from Slow Travelers

Today I sat back to back at lunch with a tourist. He was wearing a polo shirt and khakis, I don't know where he is from. He had BO so bad I almost choked. Not the "just sweated, I'll wash when I get home" type, either. This was "I haven't washed these clothes the entire 2 weeks I've been traveling." Oooo ick.

Have you thought about cute anklet (or longer) socks with your Naots? I wear them often. I'll be packing black leather Naot sandals to wear on the plane and evenings and Wolky black leather (closed-toe) mary-jane for most trekking ... just two pairs. We definitely travel on the light side ... just our carry-ons and they've served us very well for 14-21 travel days. The wine ... it just gets consumed.

Joywriter,

I'm amazed that you can travel with a carry-on for three weeks! Want to share some packing tips, such as how many daytime/evening outfits do you take?

Where's Youngsville, NC? I'm in Brevard in the western mountains.

Linda

No way could we do carry on with clothes for hiking+running besides the regular stuff,as to wine being consumed I will assure you that a significant perportion of the Italian GDP is made up of my wine consumption(ha,ha).It is nice to bring back two cases on each trip, then each time we open a bottle(some not for more that 10 years)we will remember our trip.RR

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Originally posted by Cheryl Alexander:
I travel in Oct. every year, and have very little need for warm clothing. I can still pack very lightly at that time of year. Cheryl

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One year, on October 5th (my birthday, which is why i probably remember) I bought a coat at rinascente in Rome because it was so cold and rainy i needed it. Last year on November 9th (or so) I walked in Rome with bare arms, while the Romans were in coats and scarves. Boy, did I get strange looks!

Oh no. Now I'm going to worry about my shoes

Mizz Eve

summertime and the living is easy.......

and buy there! Italians must have the most shoe stores per capita of anywhere I've ever been. I LOVE shoes but took only three pairs with me for a month -- running shoes, which I wore on the plane, black Mephisto walking sandals (it was summer) and black Prada mules with a low heel that were comfortable and nice looking. I left the running shoes there (planned this, took a pair that were good enough to run in for a month but on the old side) bought three darling pairs of shoes I wouldn't see in the US (at least not yet) to wear there and bring home with me. I love clothes but was able to pack for a month in a suitcase I could have -- but didn't -- carry on. Secret was 1) planning; 2) basic colors (everything went with everything); 3) summer so didn't need coats, sweaters etc. (it was 95-100 almost the whole month). I took one pair of running shorts, two jog bras and running tops, 2 pairs running socks, one flowy black jersey skirt, one short black jersey skort, one black and white print skirt, one pair black cotton shorts, one pair khaki cotton shorts, three white t-shirts, one blue t-shirt, two black and white striped tops, one black and blue striped top, one black jersey dressy top, one Nike "cami" self bra top, one pair black jersey pants, one black sweater, one jean jacket, one reversible flowy sundress (doubled as beach cover up), one black bikini, one pareo, undies. My daughter asked me three weeks into the trip -- mom how come everything you wear is black and white? I also bought a couple really fun tops there to spice things up. And, we had laundry facilities which helped.

Linda,

You'll never get old in Youngsville! We're just a stone's throw Northeast from busy Raleigh!

...but our travel-packing method is EVERYTHING MUST WORK WITH EVERYTHING ELSE and two pairs of shoes only ... better if you can do with one pair. Not travelling in winter also helps but any other season we just layer or peal.

For example: Paris in October (3 weeks)
1 pair black classic wool blend trousers
1 black croc-like belt
1 black turtleneck long-sleeved wool blend top
1 cranberry wool blend cardigan (doubles as a "soft" jacket for evening/restaurants)
1 pair black Naots that can dress up or down
4 Hermes-type (synthetic) silk large scarves
Above was basic outfit and wore it on flight so no need to pack it.
This oufit changed by packing:
1 pair classic wool blend light gray slacks
1 white turtleneck wool longsleeved blend top
1 gray turtleneck wool longsleeved blend top
3 synthetic "silk" classic blouses
1 very basic long wool-blend gray dress.

The scarves do most of the work by adding eye appeal and mixing it all up.
The rest was underwear, socks, no hair dryer, toilettries.

Of course for Tuscany in early October, no wool, but medium-weight linens with similar pieces that all work together and can be layered or removed as the day presents itself. I think the true secret, is ... all must work with everything else so that you can layer, the scarves, and of course not to get stuck in the shoe trap. Black gray with white and one color accent always works, but soft browns/creams/taupes with a "visiting" color is just as good.

Joywriter,
Now this is very interesting. For years when visiting Italy I wore what is now called my Tuscan wardrobe-
White and black with an accent of red -shoes, scarf, bag or belt or pink ditto depending on the time of year. I put this together for ease of packing but also because I wanted to put my wardrobe together before I left home rather than waste time thinking about it when I was there. Just exactly as you say everything then goes together and you can layer all day long with no worries about compromising your style!
I must admit I still rely on this as the basis of my wardrobe but I do take colours too now mostly as you write, browns and shades thereof!! My silk/chiffon scarves are my "must haves" for I wear them around my waist on hot days but then I've always got one to cover up bear arms when visiting churches.
How boring, sorry everyone!
Wendy
(Male dominated household)

Thanks, everyone! Just returned from my shopping trip and I must confess that I can't pare it down to 2 pair of shoes but I'm close.

Bought a pair of Ecco Mary Janes for serious walking and a pair of microfiber mules with heels for cool/wet evenings. Will wear my old Naot sandals on the plane and whenever it's warm.

My Chico's Travelers will mix and match for the rest of my wardrobe except for a couple of more casual pants and tops. Umm.... perhaps I can travel with just a carryon.

Joywriter, you've been an inspiration! And the scarf suggestion was taken seriously, as I plan to take 3 or 4.

Many thanks to all of you!

It's the coordination that counts. I once spent three weeks in Italy and Greece with a bag that was a glorified purse. My colors that trip were hot pink, purple and khaki green.
After three weeks away, the customs feller asked where the rest of the luggage was. I said, "Don't have any!" He refused to touch my stuff...