Packing for a European Summer
All credits to Ashley Humphreys on Pinterest
Since Summer is finally here, I took it upon myself to compile my tips for packing for a European Summer. Packing for anything is not my strong suit, but since I do it so often I’ve gotten better at it.
Packing pointers:
Find a color scheme and stick to it!
Last year when I went to the Mediterranean, I had no color scheme or common denominator amongst my clothing and therefore it felt like I had overpacked but had no outfits. This year, I am definitely doing better and chose a color scheme of blue and white. While curating a color scheme helps with being able to mix and match, it is also important to bring a few outliers to the color scheme. For example, I brought pink shirts and a green dress to help supplement the color palette I had already created.
2. Add in base pieces to mix and match
Having base pieces like white jean shorts that can be styled with outlier pieces or ones within the color scheme. For me these are my white jean shorts and white tennis skirt. They can each be easily matched with the colorful t-shirts or the muted blue tones. This goes for accessories as well: stick with ones that can be mixed and matched with tons of outfits and are practical for the trip!
3.Take into account where you are going/doing/seeing
Last year, we were in Italy during a heatwave. It was so uncomfortable but we had to withstand the heat to see the wonderful sites in Rome. However, if you are visiting religious sites, they may have strict dress codes that you must abide by. When touring the Vatican, your shoulders and knees must be covered. So when we toured there I wore a spaghetti strap maxi dress and put a light wrap over my shoulders. That way when we were walking around after, I could be cooler. If you are hiking in the Swiss Alps,or spending your time by the beach on the Amalfi Coast, you may want to pack differently because you are not visiting historical or religious sites, but either way you must take your activities into account!
4. Use pouches and packing cubes to organize
I used to not understand the point of using packing cubes and pouches to organize but they are an absolute game changer. They can allow you to pack more clothes or if you’re like me and are a shopping addict, they allow you to bring more home. I especially love using pouches to organize my toiletries and items in my carry-on. When you’re on long overnight flights it’s essential for me to have everything I need to wind down for the night like melatonin, moisturizer and also things like hand sanitizer to keep clean. I love to keep my freshening up essentials in a clear pouch from Stoney Clover Lane. I also keep a second pouch with all my electronic essentials like chargers and airpods in another pouch. Pouches and packing cubes keep me super organized and make it so much easier to find things in my carry-on without rummaging through.
5. Don’t procrastinate Packing!!
Ok confession: I do this all the time. I tell myself I’ll pack the weekend before but then I always end up waiting until the night before to begin packing. This will always stress you out and can cause you to panic and overpack! Allowing yourself time to pack can help you contemplate what you do and don’t need and allow time for you to remember and add things you may have forgotten. Procrastinating your packing will not serve you well at all so don’t do it!
6. Download things to keep you entertained
While I love bringing physical books to read, they take up lots of space, and since we will be traipsing around, I also like to download books onto the Kindle app on my phone to read while in the car. This helps so much with boredom during long travel days when there may not be service. If you don’t like to read, you can download podcasts or music to help keep you entertained and stimulated.
7. Bring the appropriate Baggage
When packing for a trip, you may not consider the bags you need to take with you. If you’re going on a beach trip you may find it important to bring a beach tote and if you’re going a hiking trip you’ll need a backpack to carry your hiking gear. Sometimes the bags can double, you can use your beach tote as your airplane carry-on and then repack it for the beach. For my carryon, I usually use one of my many beloved Longchamp totes. They hold so many things, don’t hurt my shoulders, and are chic at an amazing price point. I highly recommend them. They are my go-to babysitting and traveling bags. But I don’t like to carry the big tote around when I don’t have to. I love to bring a crossbody that can fit all my daily essentials like my phone, lip gloss, identification, sunscreen,etc. I got a new wooden one from Madewell for this trip and cannot wait to use it!
8. Feeling Uninspired? Look at Pinterest!
If you feel like your closet is too bland for your trip to Europe look for inspiration on sites like Pinterest and Instagram. Looking for inspiration on social media is so helpful when you don’t have time to shop for new clothes before your trip and have to make do with the existing pieces in your closet. It never hurts to find inspiration from outside sources, and you never know what hidden gem may be lurking in your closet! If you’re getting a head start on outfit planning, looking at outfits to your specific niche or aesthetic for the trip can make it easier to figure out what you need to purchase in advance. But be wise about what you purchase for the trip and make sure you can wear it when you’re back home as well! Finally, taking inspiration from other creators can help doctor up an otherwise boring outfit into a more elevated and completed look.
I hope you found these tips useful and can use them on your European vacation this summer! By the time this is published I will be living out my Swedish adventure!
Xoxo,
Kate Violet