Hi,

I am going to Europe in august for 4 weeks, and I am so excited! I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to pack though (yes, I am already making a packing list haha!).

It is pretty challenging, because:

1. I sleep in chic hotels (W Barcelona, W Paris...), but mostly in cheap hostels (in Madrid, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lille, Strasbourg...)
2. It has to be appropriate for all kinds of weather and look good everywhere I go ;)
3. I am backpacking, so everything I bring I have to carry on my back for the whole month

I need your advice! You can browse through my wardrobe if you want to see what I already have. I plan to buy a few more things for this trip (your suggestions are welcome).

Thank you!

Emilie

All - this is a tough request. But doable. So I am going to make it interesting, if that is ok with you, Emilie, and Closet Couture is going to offer $100 gift card to Saks.com for the person who provides the best answer / packing list, as determined by me, and with Emilie's consultation.

To enter your outfit or packing list (s), just embed your entry into this forum thread (you do that by clicking on the <> button below the outfit and pasting the code into the reply box).

This contest will end on July 1, 2010. This is an unofficial contest, so shoot me a note or reply here with any questions! xx Chris

Use One Main Bag
To travel you must pack light
Bring a backpack you probably be doing extensive walking . you will carry along items
1.- Plan around a basic color. black, navy, khaki for you main wardrobe pieces , a scarf add a little color In Europe scarves are also a fashion statement. Bring one appropriate for the season and climate without sacrificing valuable space.
2.- plan to wear each item several times during that trip
choose clothing that easy to take care for. wrinkle resistand, hand wash quick drying, take a compact laudry kit along to wash as you go.
3.- very importatnt take more tops than bottoms, every top should go with every bottoms, tops are lighter and take lessroom than bottoms, and are easier to launder.
4.- Choose lightweight knits, microfibers cotton and silk over bulky sweaters , heavy denim, for colder climates pack silk long underwear that keeps you warm packs small and double pajamas.
5.- wear you jacket or coat and heavier shoes to the airport, many travelers choose multipockets, jackets in effect wearing an extra carring -on
6.- Pack for Comfort
Very confortable walking shoes, . Also, rubber soles will survive far better than leather soles on the rain soaked sidewalks of Europe
Be sure in a small travel tote just in case you checked bag are misplaced keep you need medications and toiletries etc first - aid Kit

Begin packing a few days early, laying out all of the clothing you think you might need. Then spend a day or two removing items that aren't strictly necessary, are too heavy or bulky, or don't match the rest of your travel wardrobe.

I can't possibly beat Lady Diane's packing list, but want to add in just a couple of comments - in August scarfs etc. may not work - already in June it's getting quite hot here, and you certainly wouldn't want to wear them in cities like London - far more important to prioritise coolness!

I'd take cool, lightweight trousers, eg. navy linen, pack cardigans, and most importantly, pack clothes that you'll feel good in. Forget the chic hotels, if you're paying they won't care what you wear!!

Pack an umbrella, and a pack a mac - deeply uncool, but necessary!

Finally, be prepared to buy some nice clothes in all the lovely boutique, so leave a little space in your bag!

Wow, there's a lot of good advice so far, thank you both! I'll definitely follow your advice, I'm shopping for a sturdy umbrella, a nice travel tote and a good pair of walking shoes right now...

The "everything matching" advice is very sound, but after years of packing capsule wardrobes, I have to say that I find it much more rewarding to mix up two complimentary and overlapping themes, rather than build around a single color combination. It may mean packing a couple of extra pieces, but you'll end up with a more versatile selection which better represents your personal style and works for all occasions. It also gives more options for matching pieces when the inevitable shopping moment arises.



Don't underestimate the European summers - it may be wet, but it certainly won't be cold, so you shouldn't need to pack for three seasons. This gives you the option to carry a few more light-weight items, so you can afford a broader selection. Go with separates, and make sure there is at least one glamorous top in there for evenings out. Casual pieces can also be dressed up with a pretty shawl or well-chosen jewelry. Denim can and should feature as long as it's fairly light and will dry quickly - if not, consider substituting hemp, bamboo or synthetics, or depend on finding suitable laundry services.

Comfy shoes are your best friend, and some of the nicest walking sandals are made by Teva. They wear like running shoes, and the more stylish models can look very cute with a bit of nail-polish and a toe ring. And be sure to pack beachwear. Barcelona has one of the nicest urban beaches in Europe, and Brighton and Zandfoort are also worth a visit. And don't be without a sarong - it's great for the beach, and invaluable for a late-night trip to the hostel bathroom.

have a wonderful time!

xx
e