DID I mention I’m leaving in six weeks for a six-week stay in Rome? My husband and I are swapping our house for the apartment of a professor of architectural history who lives in Rome with his family during the school year but teaches at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University in the summer. To put it mildly, it’s going to be an adventure. Not the least of which is deciding what clothes to pack. It reminds me a bit of when I went to summer camp but without a trunk to pack my belongings and in a foreign language.
I’ll be doing touristy things—lots of walking around—to the Pantheon, the Baths of Caracalla, the Villa Borghese, etc., so I’ll leave my tiara at home. Like much of the planet, Rome will be beastly hot, so my wardrobe needs to include mostly loose, breathable, washable clothing in cotton and linen. Hat(s) are a must as are sunscreen and comfortable, walk-friendly shoes, a lightweight tote bag and maybe a bathing suit, too.
If, like me, you’re traveling or even if you’re not but are shopping for practical summer clothes—on sale!—this Memorial Day weekend is your opportunity.
As you will see below, I scored well at Athleta!
This looks awfully dramatic, but it’s also practical: the fit is adjustable, it’s made of raffia, has a UPF 50+ rating, a generous (5.5” brim) and can be rolled up in a suitcase. Bingo. Other good choices: Helen Kaminski Mita Visor and Lola Hats’ Snap First Aid.
Retreat Linen Easy Barrel Crop Pant
Trying on these barrel pants made me a believer in the style—at least in the case of this linen one.
Delilah Striped Short-Sleeve Cardigan
This looks so much cuter in person. In cotton knit, Splendid’s kind of boxy, cropped cardigan can be worn open over a tank top or T-shirt or closed. If there are cool evenings, I’m prepared. It’s 40% off its $158 price with code MDW40.
Retreat Linen Short Sleeve Shirt
I was all set to buy this cropped-hem shirt (reduced by 50% from $95 to $47.50) to make a matching set with the barrel-leg pants above. It was sold out in my size so I bought the long-sleeve linen top, which was reduced from $105 to $52.50. I’m thinking I can also wear it over a bathing suit.
Splendid’s airy top will be my go-to for a sweltering summer day in Rome—or anywhere on the globe. There are matching pants, too. But it will freshen up any other color pant. And it’s 40% off $118 with code MDW40.
Eryfotana Ageless Mineral Broad-Specturm Tinted Face Sunscreen
Except for the price, I love this tinted sunscreen, and if past performance can predict the future, I’m fairly confident it can keep my face protected during a hot Roman summer. I’m snagging it now while’s it’s 20% off its $78 price during Dermstore’s Summer Sale, which only runs through 11:59pm (PDT) Monday, May 25 ).
I wasn’t convinced this Athleta skirt (I bought it in white)—with patch pockets—would be flattering, but when I took off my long-sleeve shirt and tucked a T-shirt into the waist, it looked a hundred times better. The skirt is $39.50 in white or black and $42.50 in a blue stripe.
You’ve seen this open-weave raffia style before in my roundup of fabulous flats. They’re too good not to show you again—even if they’re not on sale.
Could I get away with one bag for six weeks both in Rome and for short jaunts to nearby Italian cities? I’ve been eyeing Uniqlo’s nylon tote (27cm high by 48.5cm top width and 30cm bottom width) adjustable shoulder strap, an outer pocket for small items and inner pocket with a slide fastener to keep stuff from falling out. It’s $29.90 until May 28.
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