Jacket - ZARA | Dress - TESSA HUGHES | Sandals - BIRKENSTOCK

Slowly, but surely you will start seeing more photos from my trip to Italy! 

Here goes the first couple in the form of a travel outfit survival guide. 

I travelled to Italy with a backpack so I really didn't have too much room to bring anything for 2 weeks. First of all, why did I bring a backpack? I know you all must think I'm a little cuckoo because how can I do that being a blogger and all right?

Well, I love travelling + being efficient, I knew that having luggage with wheels on cobblestone would slow us down too much. So this OSPREY backpack that my lovely boyfriend's cousin lent me was my saviour this whole trip. I mean, we travelled a city almost everyday, packing + unpacking + walking to / from train stations, so this backpack was a life saver. 

These 3 key pieces in this outfit were by far the most versatile and best choices I made to bring on my trip + heres why:

1) Zara Faux Leather Jacket - Ok. I love my leather jackets, but I treasure them SO much, I couldn't bring myself to risk ruining them on my trip. So, I chose my faux leather jacket that has THE best pockets to travel with, especially in Italy where they are known for having so many gypsies. Honestly, I hardly carried a purse. I kept all my valuables (passport, health card, drivers liscence, excess cash) in one of those travel fannies that lay flat under my pants. Everything else, such as that days cash allowance, Benedryll, my Epi pen, phone + my Canon 6D strapped over my shoulder. (So yes, thats a look into my "jacket" vs. purse in Italy)

2) T-Shirt Dress - You all know i love my clothes baggy and this oversized dress fits the bill. I wore it like this as a dress, but also paired it over skinnies (because it was so cold when I got to Italy) + paired with my BF jeans when I travelled longer train rides. So yes, a T-shirt dress (preferably made of cotton) is definitely a must-have in your travel pack because it's just so comfy + versatile!

3) Birkenstock - My summer shoe collection is probably 70% Birks, 15% converse + 15% flats. I tried to bring as many shoes as I could fit because my feet do not do well wearing the same shoes more than 2 days in a row. I brought 2 pairs of sneakers + lace up sandals + these plastic Birkenstock. Somehow my feet swelled up about a full size in Italy by the 3rd day and I could no longer fit in any of my closed toe shoes. Since the lace up sandals has absolutely no foot support I wore my Birks actually #alldayeveryday we went exploring. They saved my feet from being destroyed + they are so light + are waterproof (perfect for those impromptu Italian showers) ! Best decision EVER.