How I packed for my Summer trip abroad
Packing is stressful for most women.
The fear of not having enough pieces or worrying if something will happen to their clothes is common. What if it gets unexpectedly cold? What if it rains? The list goes on. On the other hand, I believe it's even more stressful to carry a large suitcase with us.
For my European trip, I had a challenge. I had to pack a carry-on bag for a two-week journey. Most of the time, the weather was hot. I went on boat trips. I visited islands and beautiful beaches. I changed hotels many times with no time for unpacking. I could hand wash swimwear or other clothes for a few days only. So I decided to try something new. I used packing cubes. That way, I could easily find what I needed without making a mess.
I had different sizes for each clothing category:
underwear/sleepwear
swimwear/dresses
shirts/shorts
I also included one for shoes.
What I left outside of the cubes: one pair of linen pants and two belts that I spread across the entire length of the suitcase.
Whenever I picked an outfit, I first thought of what I wanted to wear. A dress? Shorts and a shirt? Then, I would go directly to the packing cube.
My luggage never got messy.
When I returned to the hotel, I would hang the used clothes so they could get fresh air. Sometimes, I used The Laundress fabric refresh. In the morning, I would put them back in the packing cube.
Besides the organization, I noticed that my clothes didn't get wrinkled. Since I knew I needed to wear my linen shirts more than once, this came in handy.
The first step was to decide what to bring. I wanted a cohesive capsule wardrobe, but I was concerned about the heat and how I could style my clothes several times.
Here's what I packed:
Five dresses
I could have taken four, but I wore all of them. Some fabrics worked better than others. The shirt dress got very wrinkled, but I wore it many times.
Three shorts
One denim, one off-white, and one off-white Bermuda shorts). I wore all of them many times.
Shirts
Three tank tops, one T-shirt, and two linen shirts.
I kept the T-shirt clean to wear on the long flight home. I wore all three tank tops. Could I take only two? Maybe, but they don't take up too much space. Despite worrying about the linen shirts, I wore them many times, including as a cover-up to the beach and as the third piece over a tank top. As a natural fiber, linen looks and smells fresh.
A denim jacket
I always bring a denim jacket on a Summer trip because of chilly nights or air conditioning. For this trip, we only ate outside, so the AC was never a problem. However, I needed to wear a jacket when we went to the lakes. So I am glad I packed it.
One pair of linen pants
I only wore my linen pants for two nights when it wasn't so warm. I don't regret taking them.
Six swimsuits
I didn't need that many, but I wanted to have clean and dry clothes. Besides, I couldn't wash them every day. I also styled two of them as a top.
Three Cover-ups
I chose flowy dresses that I would be comfortable doing sightseeing or having lunch. I also had the linen shirts that doubled as cover-ups.
Sneakers, two flat sandals, and beach sandals
I never pack heels for a beach or Euro trip unless I have an event to attend. I didn't wear sneakers so much. It was hot, so my sandals were comfortable. Sneakers are necessary for the flight, hiking (I wore them at the lakes on a 4-hour walking tour), and rainy days.
Two belts
I wore both my black and brown belts with shorts.
Three bags
A small straw bag, a mini straw clutch, and a mini yellow handbag.
They didn't take up too much space since they were small, but I knew it might be risky. I wore the straw bag to the beach and most of the time during the day. At night, I alternated between the two mini bags. I was a bit worried if the yellow bag was a good idea, but most of my clothes were neutral, and the dresses with print looked good in yellow.
The only day I missed having a crossbody bag was at the lakes, where we did a 4-hour walking tour.
Jewelry
A couple of earrings and necklaces. Nothing heavy. I wore all of them!
My airport outfit:
I wore a T-shirt, comfy pants, a pullover, and sneakers on the flight. I wore the same outfit on the returning flight. I just changed the T-shirt. I left everything in the rental car until the last day, except for my sneakers. They were in the luggage the entire time.
What did I learn this time?
I could still pack fewer things, but everything I had was small and light, so it wasn't a big deal. Additionally, packing cubes are the best!
In the end, packing for a trip is simply creating a capsule wardrobe that will serve you for all the occasions you travel. I felt that I was comfortable and confident. I didn't miss anything either.
Did you know I help my clients to pack for their trips? If you are struggling with what to bring with you, send me an email at hello@marciacrivorot.com. It will be pleasant and fun to help you prepare for your next adventure!
BONUS TIPS:
Here are some of my favorites about Croatia:
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