In a lot of ways, it doesn’t feel like the sixties was all that long ago.  People were mainly dealing with the same problems we deal with today.  Most of our pop cultural references stem from that era, from Mrs. Robinson to the Motown diner theme of the video for Cee-Lo’s “Fuck You”.  Even fashion hasn’t changed all that much; half the clothes in my closet would be at home in 1963.

Flipping through my copy of Fielding’s Travel Guide To Europe: 1964 Edition, though, I’m reminded that the mid 20^th century was a very different time. 

Leaving aside the quaint endpaper maps of Europe divided by the iron curtain and  breathless commentary on air travel and synthetic fabrics, the most fascinating part of Fielding is the packing lists.

You see, Mr. Fielding, like Rick Steves, the Lonely Planet staff, and a thousand travel bloggers who followed, was an advocate of packing light.  Where this gets interesting, however, is when you take a look at what constituted “light” in 1964.

A woman traveling to Europe in the summer of that year was advised to bring along two suits, two day dresses, two sets of blouse and skirt separates, a cocktail dress, twelve pairs of panty hose, at least three pairs of shoes, three handbags, two hats, and a formal evening gown.  And that’s leaving aside the matter of foundation garments, jewelry, and the absurd suggestion that one ought to pack multiple bathrobe options and a pair of bedroom slippers.  Not to mention the long list of non-clothing items deemed absolutely necessary to bring from home, such as toilet paper, a tape measure because “gals can’t resist buying European linens”, natch, and feminine hygiene wipes – Fielding advocates a brand called Memo. 

Let us not even discuss the fact that it is advised that travelers bring along their own kits for making instant coffee with powdered non-dairy creamer.

It is advised that travelers attempt to pack all of this into no more than two large suitcases, a hatbox, and the largest handbag one can lay hands on.

In the spirit of Mr. Fielding, I too have decided to pack light the sixties way for my trip to Italy.  But, you know, without all the Summer’s Eve and instant coffee.

Sara’s Italy Packing List:

A pair of jeans and a knee-length skirt.  Yes, Betty Draper would be positively scandalized to discover that I plan to wear pants in Europe.  Then again, she feels fully justified slapping her teenage daughter square across the face for getting an unauthorized haircut.  So I’m not sure I’m looking for her approval.

Four shirts.  An embarrassing number of which will be black or gray v-neck tees.  Not all my clothes are Kennedy Administration appropriate, OK?

A cardigan and a light spring jacket.  The jacket is eerily close to something Peggy Olson would wear, complete with peter pan collar, patch pockets, and bracelet length sleeves.

Two pairs of tights.  I suppose this is the 2011 take on Fielding’s suggestion of twelve pairs of panty hose.  There will also be socks, underwear, etc. but honestly I don’t feel like telling the entire travel blog reading public how many bras I’m taking to Italy.

Converse Chuck Taylors and lace up oxfords.  Neither of which would work with an evening gown, which is why I’m not packing one. 

One purse, one hat, and one scarf.  Any more than that would be ridiculous.  OK, I might bring two scarves.

Sunglasses. Because half the point of going to Europe is feeling like the love interest in a French New Wave film.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, face cleanser, mascara, and lip balm. I’m actually being a maximalist on this trip – mascara is a bit of a departure for me.

An iPhone.  After all the gushing about polyester, Zippo lighters, instant Sanka, and feminine hygiene wipes, I have to assume that Mr. Fielding would have flipped his motherfucking lid if he’d seen one of these guys.  It’s a camera!  It’s a travel alarm clock!  It’s a flashlight!  It’s a phrasebook!  It’s a museum audioguide!  I’m currently in the process of loading it up with Instapaper articles, ebooks, useful apps and podcasts, as well as a really amazing travel playlist.