In Her Campus’ series Closet Check, we’re getting a look inside the closet of a college student and learning all about how they put together their favorite outfits. In this piece, we talk to Julia Haas, a junior at Tulane University who is studying abroad in Rome, Italy.
Name: Julia Haas, 20
Year: Junior
School: Tulane University but currently studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy for the semester
Where do you live? I’m currently living in an apartment in Rome in the Trastevere neighborhood. I live with four other girls, and am in a triple bedroom with two roommates.
These responses have been edited and condensed for clarity.
The Closet Check
Since I’m living in a bedroom with two other roommates, closet space is definitely a bit tight. We only have two closets, and the closet pictured is split halfway down with my clothes on the right side and some of my roommates’ clothes on the left side. The most important hack to maximize the limited space is to hang multiple articles of clothing on the same hanger! We unfortunately are unable to use the large shelves at the top of the closet for clothes because it is too high up for us to be able to reach, but these shelves fit our suitcases perfectly, which is great for storage!
Creating The Fits
When packing to study abroad for a semester, the most important thing is to pack light! To accomplish this, I created a capsule wardrobe with basic clothing items in neutral colors that I can recreate multiple outfits with. Building a capsule wardrobe with only staple pieces allowed me to bring less luggage with me when traveling from the U.S. to Italy, which made international travel much easier. Also, since I had less clothes, having to share closet space in my apartment isn’t a big issue! Lastly, a capsule wardrobe makes it easier to pack for weekend trips because I always have reliable pieces to choose from, and since I’m only traveling with a backpack on weekends, this is really helpful.
What I Wore: On The Plane To My Study Abroad Destination
I took a red eye flight to fly from the U.S. to Rome, so comfort was definitely my main goal. I often get cold on planes, so I also made sure that I wore layers! Stretchy, low-rise flare pants from Brandy Melville paired with a plain white tank top, crewneck sweatshirt, and sneakers kept me comfy and warm on my eight-hour flight. The most important accessory of my plane outfit is my travel backpack. When going on weekend trips, many European discount airlines only allow a personal item that can fit under the plane seat, so this Calpak backpack is perfect for travel. During my first month abroad so far, I traveled to the Amalfi Coast, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest; and Budapest, Hungary. I have brought this backpack for each trip, and it has successfully fit all of my belongings for the weekend while also remaining compact!
What I Wore: While Exploring The City
Since it’s still very warm and sunny in Rome, my go-to outfit for sightseeing needs to be flowy and breathable, but also cute enough to take pictures in front of the different sights. A maxi dress is a staple in my closet, and this dress definitely made the cut when deciding what to pack and what not to pack to study abroad. Comfortable walking sneakers are also a must for sightseeing in Rome, as many of the main sightseeing attractions (such as the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain) are about a 30-minute walk from my apartment. For this outfit, I paired my New Balance 550s with a floral maxi dress and oval sunnies, both from Urban Outfitters.
What I Wore: To Class In Rome
Comfort is key when picking out an outfit for class, but so is sophistication. In Italy, students typically dress up a bit more than they do at universities in the states, meaning that my usual athleisure outfit for class doesn’t really cut it here. My go-to outfit for class usually looks something like this. I started with a plain black bodysuit from Brandy Melville and paired it with a white midi skirt that I bought from a street market in Rome. I also wore my platform high top converse and chunky gold hoops. While it is still quite warm outside in Rome, I tend to get cold inside during class, so I also wore my oversized denim jacket that I thrifted in New York City. My school bag is a black leather tote that carries my laptop, agenda, water bottle, and other class essentials.
What I Wore: On A Night Out On The Town
My ideal night out on the town is dinner and drinks — specifically pasta and an Aperol spritz! A mini denim skirt is another capsule wardrobe staple for me, as it can easily be dressed up by adding fun accessories or a textured top. For my night-out outfit, I styled my denim mini by adding a thick belt with gold hardware and a white lace corset top from For Love & Lemons. I also paired this outfit with a red leather purse that I bought from a flea market in Washington, D.C., and my favorite going out shoes: black chunky platform boots.