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As an American, touring to Europe is nothing wanting a revelation. While we could marvel at New England buildings and landmarks that date again to the early 1600s, European structure and historical past transports us to what looks like one other world—and in lots of respects, it’s. One of the methods I anticipated that distinction as I deliberate my 2 week stick with it packing checklist for my journey to Paris and London final month? The style.
Having lived in Paris for a yr prior, I anticipated lots of the sartorial decisions that will peg me as an American instantly. Whereas in Chicago I can comfortably—some could even say, stylishly—sport my sweatsuit to my neighborhood espresso store, loungewear in Europe is reserved for the house.
But having just lately entered my *maximalist* period, the place colour and sample reign supreme, I used to be a bit out of shape when it got here to dressing because the Europeans do. Thankfully, with time to strategize, I knew precisely what to take and what to go away behind for my two-week journey in a single carry-on.
Featured picture from our interview with Janessa Leoné by Michelle Nash.

Light layers, monochromatic colour palettes—and most significantly: prioritizing consolation. Because whenever you’re in Europe, you’re going to stroll. Lots.

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The Strategy
It had been seven years since I lived in Europe, so there was lots using on this return journey. Would I join with the cities’ busy, winding streets as I as soon as had? Would I have the ability to navigate the metro system with acquainted ease? Had an excessive amount of time handed for me to anticipate to really feel any of this in any respect? Of course, with a lot anticipation, I needed what I packed to be a supply of consolation, inspiration, and enjoyable.
Because right here’s the reality about getting wearing Europe. While neutrals and darker colours often is the go-to selection, type can also be a supply of private expression. There is a uniform, positive—a sea of navy, black, and white—however inside this template may be discovered idiosyncrasies specific to the wearer themselves. An embellished pin on a lapel, a vibrant scarf tied round a bag, or a pair of glasses that make contacts irrelevant.
When it comes all the way down to it, if you happen to personal who you’re and your type displays that, you’ll match proper in. Why sweatpants don’t work in Europe? Because there isn’t intention behind the selection.
Packing Parameters
In addition to exploring my very own type and tailoring it to a European panorama, I had a number of parameters that dictated my packing:
- I’d be touring between London and Paris for nearly two weeks: March 13-26.
- There was rain within the forecast and temperatures have been predicted to fall within the excessive 40s/low 50s.
- The majority of my journey could be spent visiting museums, buying, consuming out, and naturally, strolling a ton.
With these constraints in thoughts, these have been my high three priorities when planning my 2 week stick with it packing checklist:
- Prioritize mild layers that pack properly. I opted for a lot of silk tank tops, skirts, and clothes that might be layered beneath sweaters within the daytime and worn with a wrap at dinner.
- Pack sneakers that might be worn in a number of contexts. I introduced a pair of Chelsea-style boots, sneakers, and cozy clogs that have been all straightforward to stroll in.
- Minimize cumbersome gadgets. I packed a lightweight puffer that might be squashed down in my suitcase, two sweaters, and a cashmere wrap that doubled as a shawl.
The Suitcase that Changed My Life
I’m somebody who prefers to journey mild. Not solely do I not have to fret about further baggage prices, nevertheless it makes going from aircraft to coach to in-city transit simpler. And whereas the suitcase has been lauded from nearly each nook of the web, I’m right here to verify: my Away suitcase has modified the best way I journey. I bought mine two years in the past and it’s been all over the place with me.
What’s nice:
- One facet options an inside compression system. This is often the place I pack my bulkier gadgets—jackets, sneakers, and so forth. You can clip it down and tighten the straps to suit far more than you thought attainable.
- For longer journeys, I all the time fill mine to the brim. But regardless of how a lot I pack, the suitcase all the time feels light-weight on account of its even distribution of weight.
- When you’re operating via the airport to catch a connecting flight, you’ll love the 360° wheels that by no means (ever!) get jammed. Trust me: after I had 10 minutes to make it throughout the Reykjavík airport, this was clutch.
What’s not:
- While the suitcase can match within the overhead bin of most airways, you might have to verify it on smaller or full flights.

My 2 Week Carry-On Packing List
Without additional ado, I’m sharing the 11 necessities that made packing a carry-on for 2 weeks in Europe straightforward and streamlined. Trust me, that is all you want for the last word European spring vacay.
A Roomy Tote (Maximize Your Personal Item!)
Let’s kick issues off with a bang. No matter how a lot you put together prematurely, the sudden can all the time happen. For me, that got here within the type of boarding a super-packed flight from Chicago to London and having to verify my bag. And then… continuing to have that bag misplaced for 3 days. Thankfully, I may steal from my trendy greatest good friend’s closet. But that is your signal to maximise your private merchandise. I’ve carried a trusty Everlane canvas tote for years that may match my laptop computer, a ebook, toiletries, and a further outfit/pajamas in order that I can really feel a bit of prepped ought to the worst happen.
Travel tip: Though I say maximize, you need to be certain you received’t find yourself hurting your self lugging your bag round on one shoulder. Keep your further outfit light-weight and pack solely the required toiletries: a toothbrush, hairbrush, cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. If you need to add a bit of make-up to the combo, maintain it streamlined with this glowy set and mascara.

A Light Puffer
On a number of events as I used to be packing, I requested myself: why didn’t I ebook my journey for late spring/early summer time? That means, I may keep away from the necessity to pack heavier layers like a coat. Well, with these tickets booked for months, there was no turning again—and I knew I wanted one thing to maintain me heat on London and Paris’ inevitable windy and blustery days. Enter: a light-weight puffer that packs all the way down to a fraction of its dimension. It saved me cozy with out feeling like I used to be prepping for the tundra.
Travel tip: Whether I’m in Europe or the States, I all the time go for black or navy outerwear. That means, regardless of the outfit, my topper will all the time pair completely.
A Versatile Silk Skirt
Washable silk is having a second and I couldn’t be happier. Not solely do silk items appear and feel completely luxe, however they take up minimal area in your suitcase. Trust me, it’s my go-to cloth for transitional put on because it takes you seamlessly from winter to spring. This was the skirt that I packed in my private merchandise, and I couldn’t have been extra grateful for the forethought.
Travel tip: Pair with a silk cami, a easy white tea, or an outsized button-down. Outfit, made.

A Comfy, Flattering Pant
A disclaimer: I’m not a hard-pants lady. You can catch me carrying denims perhaps 10 days out of the yr, and even then, they’re outsized mother denims. Point is, with regards to pants, consolation is essential—however that doesn’t imply you must sacrifice type or match. I scored these pants (with an elastic waist!) for $70 5 years in the past from a classic retailer in Portland. And if we’ve frolicked a minimum of twice, it’s possible you’ve seen me carrying them. No matter what minimize is in type, I discover {that a} cropped, wide-leg pant is universally flattering.
Travel tip: Because I’m petite, I wish to pair these pants with a small heel so that they don’t overwhelm my body. Whether you go for clogs, sandals, or boots, including peak is essential.
Reusable Bags (That Even Parisians Like)
No matter what shifting developments persuade us to put on, BAGGU baggage will eternally keep in type. At house, I really like utilizing these to hold my groceries and I all the time maintain a minimum of one in my purse in case one thing cute catches my eye. While I used to be touring, I saved certainly one of these baggage in my fanny pack to hold purchases and any layers I wanted to take off. And I child you not, my bag obtained at least ten compliments from Parisians. That’s when it clicked for me: even when the French usually gravitate towards darker colours within the metropolis, the love and fervour for colour is undeniably current. For proof, check out Merci’s, the famed division retailer, visiting exhibit.
Travel tip: If you’re checking a bag, retailer one or two of those in your carry-on or private merchandise. That means, in case your bag is over the load restrict, you’ve got further room to tug a number of issues out.

A Does-It-All Cashmere Wrap
As a Christmas current a number of years again, my mother gifted me this cashmere wrap that I’ve hardly taken off since. While it’s much less of a method in America, many European ladies drape their scarves and shawls round their our bodies for an added layer. On many an event, my Parisian journey companion and I needed to run to make our dinner reservations. Without time to alter, I merely pulled off my jacket and wrapped myself in cashmere. Easy and oh-so-elegant.
Travel tip: Use your wrap as a blanket to maintain you heat on the aircraft.

Day-to-Night Dresses
I put on clothes year-round. In the winter, you may catch me with a made-for-spring frock layered over tights and beneath my coziest sweaters. The look feels female and trendy, whereas additionally being undeniably comfy. It’s simply one of many some ways I wish to romanticize my work-from-home life. Similar to my silk skirts, these clothes packed all the way down to nothing (so I didn’t must make the onerous choice as to which of my faves would get left behind). Of course, whenever you plan forward with layers, you may take this look from day to nighttime with seamless ease.
Travel tip: Pair with tights, a sweater, and dress-down boots for the right daytime ‘match.

A Structured Blazer
A well-fitting blazer is as timeless because it will get. When you need one thing a bit of extra elegant than a loose-fitting sweater, a black blazer is an easy layer that’s each purposeful and trendy. The objective right here is to go barely outsized. That means, ought to it is advisable add a layer beneath, you’re all set.
Travel tip: This will simply grow to be one of many key items in your wardrobe, so that you need one thing that’s gentle however structured. And although the value tag could also be on the steeper facet, if we’re speaking cost-per-wear, it’s completely value it.

Silk Tanks
Let me rely the methods I really like this cami. Well, for perception, the skirt pictured above was my good friend’s and that is me rounding out day two of this journey’s suitcase-less starting. But with my black cami on the prepared, I may pair it with absolutely anything in her closet. Whether it’s pants or a skirt, silk tanks and camis are a universally elegant selection.
Travel tip: As with every thing on this checklist, we’re going for consolation. Your cami ought to rival your softest, most well-loved tee. If it’s in any respect much less cozy, it doesn’t belong in your suitcase. (Or closet, for that matter.)
Comfortable and Cute Shoes
By far, my sneakers have been what took up essentially the most area in my suitcase. But as somebody who likes to have choices, I prioritized giving them as a lot actual property as attainable. Because I’ve skilled beyond-painful blisters previously, I needed my footwear to seamlessly mix type and performance. In addition to nondescript sneakers (black, after all), I additionally went for elevated clogs that gave me some peak and my well-loved boots (which can be way more comfy than they might look). With these choices, I may go all over the place from museums to buying to a six-course meal. Consider your bases lined.
Travel tip: The boots have been extra of a seasonal choose, so maintain them if you happen to’re touring within the winter or early spring. If not, swap them out for stylish slides (I really like these).

A Hands-Free Bag
I initially bought this bag in the summertime of 2020, after I solely had walks and hikes to entertain me. It was excellent for carrying my pockets, telephone, a pair of sun shades, and one other Standard Baggu simply in case. Since then, it’s grow to be my on a regular basis bag due to the convenience of damage and the straightforward indisputable fact that I hate having something in my fingers after I’m out and about (save for a Berthillon ice cream cone, after all). Bonus: While you’ll have to show your backpack round and put on it on the entrance of your physique if you happen to convey it right into a museum, this bag already has you lined.
Travel tip: I discovered the onerous means that no matter you do, in London DO NOT confer with this as a fanny pack. “Bag” or “satchel” works completely effective. For insights, learn Merriam-Webster’s take.
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