WIWS: European Traveler Edition

I used to link up from time to time for the What I Wore Sunday fashion party over at Fine Linen and Purple.   Remember that?  (Of course, I used to do a lot of things...like blog daily...ahem.)

Apparently, the gals at Fine Linen and Purple have closed up shop.  But never fear, the link-up lives on: I'm happy to report that Rosie over at A Blog for My Mom has picked up the baton.  (I have long admired the fashion sense of this adorable young mom of five, so I can't think of a more perfect host!)

Before I begin this WIWS post, however, I must make two confessions: 1) I did not wear the outfit I'm about to show you on Sunday, but rather on Saturday; and 2) I did not wear it to Mass (although I did wear it in a place where images of our dear Catholic Faith abounded and filled my soul with delight!).

I call this get-up, worn yesterday on a day trip with my son to a lovely and historic German city called Bamberg, my European traveler ensemble.

Here's the breakdown:
Liz Claiborne black trench coat with removable lining--a perfect all-season traveling coat, in a perfect color for hiding dirt and spills; a steal from JC Penney, bought when it was 60% off.
Dress Barn black knit skirt--very full at the bottom and swingy, packable, wrinkle-resistant, and as comfy as jammies; bought on sale for about $20.
Cliffs by White Mountain black ballet flats--with great support for walking miles over cobblestones, uphill both ways; bought at a shoe outlet for $30 (wish I'd bought a few extra pairs--best flats I've ever owned).
Travelon brand black travel purse--small, yet large enough to hold credit cards, cash, passport and phone, with very long straps making it so that you can hang it from your neck (my favorite way to carry it); a TJ Maxx $10 jackpot find.  (Note the zip tie attached to it, which I'm using as a sort of lanyard for my keys.)
Reusable shopping bag--a must-have over here, where they don't give bags out at the cash register; bought recently for one euro at the local Dollar Store Euro Shop.
Purple knit gloves--for that pop of liturgical color; bought at an actual Dollar Store back in the US of A.

Lest you think I'm Goth or something, dressed from head to toe in all that black, I thought I'd add that under my trench, I was wearing a salmon pink short-sleeved cotton sweater and a 3/4-sleeved denim cropped jacket (both from JC Penney, a store that will always be dear to my heart, as it was where I got my first real job shortly after my 16th birthday and where I worked every summer afterward).

So that was what I wore on Saturday, and as I said, I didn't wear it for Mass.  But I wore it to feast my eyes on soul-stirring images such as this one.

I wore it to visit an enormous, spectacularly beautiful cathedral wherein the remains of Pope Clement II are entombed.

It was a day that this traveling woman, in a serviceable and forgettable all-black ensemble, will not soon forget.

(Now head on over to Rosie's, you faith-filled fashionistas, you!)