I took a three-day trip to Europe in November 2023, spending two nights on sleeper trains. One was a 30-hour ride on one of the world's most luxurious locomotives — the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
From fine-dining cars to an upscale bar and the most luxurious cabins and suites I've ever seen, the Belmond train is made up of vintage carriages from the historic Orient Express fleet of the 1920s and 1930s.
I booked the cheapest accommodation on board — a $9,000 cabin for a one-night ride from Paris to Venice, Italy — and learned that the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has a strict dress code to match the train's elevated vibe.
"You can never be overdressed on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express," the company's website states, detailing that "smart attire" is required in common areas during the day, jeans are prohibited, and passengers are encouraged to wear their finest outfits at night.
Once I booked the trip, I received an email with more rules — no T-shirts, shorts, or sneakers. This overwhelmed me as someone who lives in athleisure and packs with just a backpack.
At first, I thought I'd have to buy new clothes and accessories that fit the luxury vibe. But in order to save money, I decided to do my best with what I had.
So I called Kim Appelt, a celebrity stylist who wrote a book about fashion basics called "Style for Everybody."
Appelt eased my fears as she helped me pack a light, comfortable, yet elevated wardrobe with versatile neutral pieces and pops of color.