What I’m Packing for Rome, Italy

It was another grey day, when I snapped these photos in my office before starting to put clothes in my suitcase. A grey day, like so many others in the last six months, whose cold, blue-tinted light makes the walls look grey and the floors look dark. I was tempted to brighten these shots, and tried to, but in the end settled on the originals, because they so accurately reflect this winter we’ve lived through, the winter we’re trying to escape from by going to Rome. It’s been long and sombre and frankly, a bit disheartening at times. That’s how I felt, trying to make these photos look brighter and more cheerful – disheartened. There is no escaping reality, sometimes, and no amount of editing that can change facts.

The facts are that while I never love winter, this one has felt particularly long and trying. We’ve been over the reasons time and again, so there’s no sense in repeating them now. There’s still snow in the forecast for the coming weeks, which feels like an insult added to injury after everything we’ve collectively lived through. I’m desperate to escape, and I can’t think of a better place to do it than sunny Rome. Pizza, pasta and pretty views – what more could anyone ask for?

(As I type this, we’re dealing with yet another winter storm and it is so unbelievably tiresome to be watching snow fall outside my window, I cannot even begin to explain it.)

With any luck, we take flight tomorrow. My suitcase is already ready to go, and its contents, while perhaps not overtly spring-like, are decidedly un-wintery…

Tops
Wilfred black cashmere sweater
Zara grey crewneck sweater
Zara white tank
Sezane cream cardigan
Zara striped sweater
Oak + Fort cream mock neck sweater
H&M beige sweater
Zara black tank
Sezane cream off-shoulder top
Oak + Fort cream wrap top

Bottoms
Sezane leather mini skirt
Zara black wide leg trousers
Zara black mom jeans
Oak + Fort black slip skirt
Zara blue straight leg jeans

Dresses and Jumpsuits
Sezane Carlie dress
Oak + Fort unitard
Simple Retro brown slip dress
Rihoas black knit dress

Outerwear
Mango trench
Wilfred black blazer

Shoes
Jonak babies
Rouje ankle boots
Zara strappy sandals
New Balance sneakers
Espadrilles

Accessories
Black tights
Celine Triomphe handbag
Mango croc belt
Dior silk scarf
ASOS camel beret
CHANEL handbag
Celine Audrey sunglasses
Celine Triomphe sunglasses
Mango straw bag

The last time I was in Rome was August 2013. It was an obscenely hot summer. Even the slightest brush of fabric against your skin felt almost unbearable. And yet, I got dressed everyday, anyway, because it was worth it to be in the eternal city. It’s been so long since 2013 that, when someone recently asked me if I like the city, I answered, “Yes – at least I think so?” A younger version of me certainly did. I hope I still will. And more than anything, I hope that winter lets up long enough for me to get there so I can find out.