What To Pack For A Trip To Europe
When I began to think about packing for a nearly two-week trip to Europe with my family a couple of weeks ago, I felt instantly overwhelmed. What was the weather like? Were my shoes comfortable enough for all that walking? And, more importantly, how was I going to cram everything into the required carry-on size suitcase?
Advice from former travelers told me one thing… depend on cardigans, layering and accessories to change an outfit to avoid packing tons of different clothes.
In the end, I repeated several clothing items, but felt like my outfits looked different enough every day.
Same black dress:
Same cotton dress:
Cardigans, belts, scarves and jewelry were the key to my outfit “changes.”
For our trip, I packed four different cardigans (one extra-long to be worn with leggings for travel), two colorful scarves and three different belts. I wore every single cardigan (often multiple times) and found them not only comfortable but also important to have on hand, as many of the churches and historical sights in Europe require that your shoulders be covered.
I kept my jewelry relatively simple and packed bangles, three bracelets, two watches, two delicate necklaces and one long gold necklace (unpictured). I was also lucky in that I could borrow some accessories from my sister’s stash which helped me change things up a bit as well.
Cotton Dresses
Cotton dresses were my go-to outfit on our vacation because they allowed for easy layering, were comfortable and didn’t have a waist band, which made them ideal for copious gelato consumption.
I packed two cotton dresses and bought one from H&M in Switzerland. I also packed one “dressier dress” that I never wore.
(Note the use of the same pink wrap cardigan from the second picture with the black dress.)
Pants
Though Italy and (surprisingly) Switzerland were quite warm, Paris and London were significantly colder, making me very happy I packed some warmer clothes.
For pants, I packed a pair of comfy skinny jeans that were short enough to be worn with flats, a pair of leggings for travel and a pair of army green ankle pants.
This worked well for me, but I was ready to burn those jeans when I got home from wearing them so often. Had it been colder in Italy, I definitely would’ve wanted another pair of pants on this trip.
Shorts and Skirts
Now for warmer weather bottoms! I packed one knee-length pink skirt, a high-waisted black skirt (that I never wore) and a pair of orange shorts.
Though the knee-length skirt was a great decision, I wouldn’t pack the shorts again. My sister and I wore shorts on the same day and we both felt like that was the only time we felt like we looked like tourists and a bit out of place. It felt like people were looking at our legs (not in a good way) and we just felt a bit uncomfortable.
Shoes
I packed two pairs of sandals (one gold and one brown), figuring I could wear the strappy gold sandals to a nicer restaurant if need be. I also packed a pair of TOMS (SO comfy!) and a pair of black flats that I borrowed from my sister (I replaced them with a pair of my flats for the sake of the picture).
I was advised not to pack gym shoes because no one in Europe walks around wearing Nikes, and that was very true! Since I didn’t plan on working out on my trip, I didn’t pack sneakers at all and was completely happy with that decision.
Before leaving, I tested out my on a 3-mile walk to make sure they really would be comfortable for miles of walking. They definitely passed the test and I was glad to have them along on the trip.
Tops
I packed three solid and neutral-colored tank tops which were fantastic for layering.
I also packed a comfortable long button-up blue shirt for traveling and a white shirt that could be worn two different ways for alternate looks.
Same white shirt, two ways:
Jackets
I made sure to pack three jackets – one fleece (you can’t go wrong with a quality North Face fleece), one lightweight jacket and one raincoat. Don’t forget the ! It was imperative for the dreary London weather and the material of a quality raincoat will also help with wind resistance.
Bags
I used the exact same purse every single day.
My crossbody bag (purchased on sale through RueLaLa) came in handy because it allowed me to have free hands and kept my belongings close to my body and in front of me which made me feel safe from the all-too-prominent pick-pocketers.
I also bought a large Longchamp bag before we left using some money I received for my birthday and was so glad I had it.
The size was perfect and it ended up being an ideal travel bag. It held everything from my laptop and books to a sweater, wallet, camera and more. I highly recommend it!
Other Key Items
- Makeup (I packed only the makeup I wear daily – nothing fun or fancy)
- Shampoo/Conditioner (Dry shampoo is also a life saver! I LOVE Living Proof dry shampoo!)
- Face wash
- Lotion
- Converter/Power Adapter
- Hair straightener I didn’t care about (many U.S. straighteners have been ruined in Europe due to the converters)
- Sunglasses
- Book(s)
- Camera, charger
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Kleenex
- Passport + a photocopy of your passport (just in case)
More Travel Tips
Looking for more travel tips? This post might be of interest: Tips For Packing Everything In A Carryon Suitcase
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Great post! I just got back from 8 days in Ireland and it was really hard to pack for becuase it was constantly cold. Fitting cold weather clothing and shoes in a carry on is even harder!
Looks like you did a great job and I loved all your outfits!
omg ireland is SO cold! I went in July and thought it would be at least warm…NOPE. Finally found a Patagonia store and went to town. Gotta love turning in your receipts at the airport- go Irish!!
I know that tax refund was clutch!
I just got back from London and it was STILL cold- I had to buy a coat while there!! I totally agree about the shorts thing, though. Most Europeans just don’t wear them, and it’s the surest way to look out of place- although women can get away with them way more than men can!
Here’s a reason I adore you: not packing sneakers! Nobody does walk around like that hardly anywhere but the States! And wearing shorts does feel like a tourist giveaway, right. My roommate and I can always spot the embarrassing American tourists here in the DR with their tshirts and sneakers! Haha. You looked really beautiful on the trip. Excellent packing job!
Did you have the chance to wash anything while there? I am a total slob and would have spilled something on myself everyday and looked like a bum by the second week?? Looks like you had a great time!
Unfortunately, no. I did bring Tide to Go pens though!
I was wondering if you ever did a load of laundry, too! That’s the worst thing about rewearing the same pair of jeans over and over again.. they can get so worn that they feel baggy.. bleh!
Great post! I’m going on a 5 week trip to Europe in 3 weeks, which consists of 8 different countries. About the straightener thing– Do you really think it’s likely to be ruined? I have wavy/frizzy hair that I have to straighten because otherwise I’d have a fro 😉 .. seriously. And did you have to use different converters for the different countries?
Also, did you wash your clothes or just re-wear them?
Haha, sorry for all the questions.. I’m freaking out about packing like you did! 🙂
Yes, you definitely need converters. I’ve talked to at least 5 ppl who have ruined expensive straighteners, so I would just be very cautious. We didn’t wash anything but ppl in our tour group paid to have things drycleaned.
They very easily can be ruined definitely! Depending on how long your there etc, another idea is just to buy an inexpensive straightner while your there. My sister and I were there for 10 days and was worth it so we didnt ruin ours plus it saves space win, win. Most places have a hair dryer so we didnt have to worry about that.
Thanks, guys! I will be buying a CHEAP straightener then! 🙂
Awesome tips, your outfits always did look so different! Now I just need to go back to Europe to utilize all you taught me 🙂
What kind of self tanning lotion do you use? I never like the smell of any of the ones that i’ve tried.
Dove Energy Glow is my favorite, but sadly they’ve discontinued it! I only have 2 bottles left. 🙁
Great packing guide! Thanks! 😀
Great post! I’m going on a trip to Europe at the end of the summer so this post was great advice!
So I just found your blog! Gez what took me so long 🙂 Love it! And I really love the scarf under the belt look…. seriously it’s so stinkin cute.
Thanks so much for the awesome tips!
I don’t have much traveling planned but I do have a move and the warm weather coming. I love all all of your cotton dresses and need to pick up a few! 🙂
i hope i get to visit Europe sometime this year…and when i do you KNOW i’ll be consulting your blog!
Such a helpful post! I’m heading to Prague and London next week and I need to limit what I take. I dint want to pay any excess luggage fee and hey, o gotta make room for shopping right?? 😉
Awesome post, Julie!
In addition to having an amazing sense of style you also have amazing ways to switch outfits without really switching outfits. Heck, if you hadn’t told us that you wore the same dress in two pictures, I would have never noticed! 😛
Great tips Julie — I like how you can easily switch up the look of your outfits with things like scarves and belts. I honestly wish I put more effort into details like that because it does make a difference!
This post is really helpful, thanks! 🙂
I’m off to Barclona, Spain in 5 weeks for my honeymoon (excited!!) and have no idea what to pack! I’ll be referring back to this post a lot I think!
I love your cotton sundresses, and as Holly commented above, I too need to put more effort into details like scarves and belts – they make such a difference but I never really know what to do with them!
Wow!!! This was insanely helpful. I’m HOPING to be able to travel to Europe next summer on the Essential Europe trip for graduates. I was worried about packing, but this is so helpful.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this post. Really great packing tips! The Longchamp bag is really cute! Which one is it? I’m perusing their website but haven’t found it yet. I could use a cute bag that size for summer travel.
It is the Le Pliage bag 🙂
I just added that bag to my amazon wishlist so i can give my mom tips for xmas and my bday (both of which are in December). December is too far awayyyyy!!!
What great tips! Thanks so much…I’ll definitely be using this soon! By the way, I LOVE your clothes. They are all so adorable!
Very helpful post! Ive traveled abroad twice and always always over pack and never wear everything. I really need to come back to this post next time :).
I am super impressed with how much you changed up you outfits. I’m going to have to try that when I go to Hawaii in a few weeks for 10 days. I have a feeling I’m going to refer back to this a lot!
I so wish I would have read this before my trip to Ireland. I re-wore lots of clothes but I’m way less fashion-savvy than you! I’ll keep this post bookmarked for the next time I travel.
I used many of these tips when I went to Costa Rica in March for spring break! All this packing talk makes me want to go back! 🙁
I would be so out of place in Europe! I can’t do long bouts of walking without tennis shoes. Otherwise my feet get rubbed raw in various places. Tennis shoes saved my feet in Vegas! It is a bummer that they take up so much room though.
Thanks for the run down! I’m heading overseas for the first time ever to London in September and I’ll take all of the packing tips I can take! 🙂
This post was extremely helpful! I leave in a week to study abroad in Paris for a month and I feel much better about the packing situation after hearing from someone who has been to Europe! I was thinking about bringing shorts…but dresses and skinny jeans it is 🙂
Julie, I LOVE your suitcase! Where is it from?
Thanks! It is a Nicole Miller suitcase from TJMaxx.
We are planning a 2 week trip to Europe next summer and this is SUPER helpful! Thanks for taking the time to document everything! I do have 1 question… What size Longchamp bag did you buy?
I think mine was the large. I wanted it to be large enough to hold my laptop.
Love this post Julie! I have become so much better at packing for trips, since traveling to Italy for work a few times last year and learning to fit everything in a carry-on! It’s so interesting what you said about the “looks” when you guys were wearing shorts. I’ll keep that in mind as I pack for a summer time European adventure. Now I need tips on convincing my husband that this trip NEEDS to happen next summer!
Julie! I love love love this post! I will be making a journey the other way around ( Belgium –> west coast USA) and I’m so gonna use your tips!! Keeping in mind ofcourse that it’s much warmer in Vegas/yosemite/deathvalley/grandcanyon/yellowstone but it will be a bit colder in LA and San fran..
thanx girl!
Did you wear ankle socks with your TOMS or go au natural? I’m afraid not wearing short socks will blister up my feet from all the walking. Thanks for the helpful tips!
I didn’t wear socks. I didn’t get blisters but they are quite stinky now. 🙂
great post, this was very helpful for ideas!!
Love the pics you included 🙂
I am going to Ireland/Manchester for 10 days next week and aside from looking for something interesting to do in Manchester for the day that I’m there by myself, I need to figure out what kinds of clothes I need to pack for myself. I hear Ireland is rainy but I wonder how cold.
It’s hard knowing what to pack for a country you’re not familiar with.
i love love love that pink wrap cardigan! so cute.
I just can’t travel light, I don’t know how to do it! Always taking too much stuff and struggling to clos the suitcase (and to carry it) ^^
Love this post- very informative! I seriously loved all of your outfits.
I also love your sunglasses…where are they from??
Thanks again for sharing with us!
thanks! they’re michael kors, from steinmart!
Great tips…I often underpack!
This post literally came at the exact right tim! I m about to start packing for my trip to Europe; I’m leaving tomorrow evening. One big difference though: I have to pack for two months, not two weeks, and it’s all gotta fit in one giant rolling duffel. Holy crap this is gonna be fun….
This post was definitely helpful, especially the bit about shorts.
Love this post! I’m also loving that Michael Kors bag – do you know what the style is called? Thanks!
ah, i’m really not sure. i wish i knew!
Holy wow, girl… this post is a GOLDMINE! Thank you so much for detailing what all you took! I will for sure be referencing this post when I go on my future non-existing trip to Europe (well, i guess it exists…but only in my head!)
As for the Toms, do you recommend them? Do they run true to size? Or do they stretch out… I’ve heard about them turning, stinky, too…but i think that’s inevitable
i definitely do! they do run true to size and didn’t really stretch out too much for me. 🙂
I’m saving this post somewhere, because I feel like you answered all the questions I was asking about two months ago! I’ve never traveled with just a carry-on until recently and whether it’s three days or three weeks, it’s a daunting task. The shoes are the hardest part for me! You did a great job and looked wonderful in every picture!
Great tip! Excellent European packing if I do say so myself! 🙂 SO glad you bought the Longchamp bag. You will never travel without it again!
WOAH! All that in a carry on! Impressive!
I’m curious – you said no one wears tennies walking around there. But why do Americans have to do what the locals do? I mean, why does it matter if some tourists want to wear their Nikes? Are they treated differently?
people warned me that if someone knows right away that you’re a tourist, they’re less likely to help you and you’re also more of a target for pick-pocketing. not sure if this is true! also, i don’t really care about people knowing i’m an american, but i really did feel awkward in my shorts b/c of all the nasty looks i got.
I guess they didn’t notice that yall were travelling with a tourist group then?
I had no clue shorts were a no-no! That is odd, since dresses seem OK.
I’m so excited you wrote this post- I’m leaving for Beijing in about two weeks and I want to pack light. Any suggestions on beauty products. Did you pack travel size or use the hotels?
i purchased little 3-ounce containers from target and filled them with my favorite products. i don’t typically like the hotel products so this worked well for me!
Great post- lots of advice!
I love your cotton dresses! They’re so cute and so versatile. What brand are they?/Where did you purchase them?
the black one is from off 5th (the saks 5th ave. outlet) and i can’t remember the brand! the blue/gray one is from banana republic!
Okay…Love the white top and pink wrap cardigan. What brands?
I’m headed to Europe in a couple weeks and this page is super helpful!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
P.S. We’re debating whether or not to make a stop in London…what did you think of this city? Would you go again?
Loved all your tips! I travel all the time but somehow manage to ALWAYS overpack and be like 40 pounds over the weight limit! Lol. Your photos really helped to see the outfits change and how they can all work with less items. Loved the details too about what you did not like and did not end up using. SO HELPFUL! This is such a great post and I wlll be reading more of your posts! 🙂