After a couple relaxing weeks off from writing, I decided to return while using some of the valuable information I learned while packing for my three week trip to Europe. My packing style might be a bit different than yours, but I feel that these tips can be universal. For reference, I am traveling for three weeks and packed a large and a small Rimowa suitcase.

For starters, if you are going for more than a week, forget the number of days you are traveling. Laying out an outfit for every day is great for short trips, but if you are going for a long period of time you don’t have space for that. Checked luggage can get expensive, so limiting yourself to one big and one small suitcase worked for me. I just went through my closet and grabbed a handful of day outfits, a handful of evening outfits, and some bathing suits. It helps to keep things in a similar color scheme so that you can pack fewer accessories.  For example, I packed a lot of things that went back to pink and white because those were the colors of the bags I wanted to pack.

In terms of what to pack: I packed pretty much no pants on this trip. I packed a pair of leggings to fly home in and that was it. I think that long dresses and skirts are the best things to pack for a European summer because they are versatile. A nice sundress or skirt set can go from day to night and will never make you feel out of place. Denim shorts are often not allowed at restaurants, so wearing a dress or skirt can ensure that you are appropriately dressed wherever you go. Long skirts also help keep you cool, as  they are light and flowy. You also always look put together. Wearing cut-off jeans and a t-shirt automatically makes you look like a tourist. I never like to look like a tourist when I travel because it can make you a target. I prefer to blend in with the crowds around me to try and avoid things like pick-pocketing and price gouging. My favorite summer dresses and skirts are from Alice and Olivia. They have a wide selection of versatile pieces that you can style together to create different looks. For example: if I style my Braylee Ruffle Skirt with a baby t-shirt during the day, it looks nice and put together but still casual. If I want a more dressed up look, I can throw on their turtleneck tank top or a shirt in the same rose print.

Try to pack as few shoes as possible. I know this is very hard, trust me it was quite the personal struggle when packing, but you don’t actually need that many pairs of shoes. Bring one pair of sneakers, one pair of beach shoes, one pair of flats, and one pair of heels. Those are all the shoes you need. I brought two pairs of shoes that I only wore once on the trip because they were too specific. The best shoes I brought on this trip were the most neutral ones. My most used shoes on this trip were: my white air forces, my gold Tory Burch flip flops, my tan and black Chanel ballet flats, and my YSL ivory wedges. Those shoes went with everything so I didn’t need the ones I brought that were specific colors. 

My last packing tip is to minimize the number of toiletries you bring with you. I cut down both my hair and skincare routines when I travel because I simply don’t have room for all the things I use at home. I brought only the essentials and I look just as good. You don’t need thirty serums and a face mask. I packed my travel skincare set from Charlotte Tilbury and that was perfect. The set had a mini toner, a magic serum, and a small moisturizer. My skin looks and feels great and it doesn’t take up that much room in my suitcase.

Those are all the tips I can think of for packing this summer!! Let me know if you have any questions or need help styling for your vacation!!!!