Okay so I’ve been to Europe twice now and packed wrong both times. The first trip I brought way too many “cute” outfits that made me look like a tourist dressed for a photoshoot.
Second trip I went too plain and felt frumpy in every photo. This list is what I wish someone had told me before either trip.
Quick note before we start. Europeans dress more put together than Americans, but they’re not fancy. Think clean lines, good shoes, nothing too loud. You want to blend in, not stand out. That’s the whole vibe.
1. Straight leg jeans + white tee + loafers
The most boring outfit on this list and probably the one you’ll wear three times. Mid wash jeans, plain white tee that actually fits, brown or black loafers. Done. Add a small crossbody bag and you look like you live there.
2. Linen pants + tucked tank + sandals
For warm days when you’re walking 20,000 steps. Beige or olive linen pants, a fitted ribbed tank tucked in, leather sandals that won’t tear up your feet. I wore this in Rome in July and didn’t die.
3. Midi skirt + plain tee + sneakers
I was scared of midi skirts for years. Don’t be. A black or denim midi with a tucked white or grey tee and clean white sneakers is honestly perfect for museum days. You can sit on cathedral steps without flashing anyone.
4. Slip dress + denim jacket
Easiest thing to throw on. The slip dress does the work, the denim jacket makes it feel less “dinner reservation” and more “wandering around Paris eating a croissant.”
5. Wide leg trousers + fitted top
Tan or black trousers, anything fitted on top so the proportions don’t go weird. This is what I wore to nicer dinners when I didn’t want to bring a separate “going out” outfit.
6. Striped boat neck + jeans + ballet flats
I know. Very on the nose for France. But it works because it works. The trick is the jeans should be a darker wash and the flats should be real leather, not those cheap ones that look plastic.
7. Button down + bermuda shorts
Hear me out. Long bermuda shorts had a moment and they’re actually really comfortable for hot cobblestone walking days. Pair with an oversized white button down half tucked.
8. Black jumpsuit + gold jewelry
One piece, no thinking. A simple black jumpsuit, some thin gold necklaces stacked, sandals or sneakers depending on the day. This saves you on travel days when your brain is fried.
9. Cardigan + tank + jeans
For those weird in-between weather days when it’s cold in the morning and hot by lunch. A thin knit cardigan you can tie around your waist when the sun comes out.
10. Linen button down + denim shorts
Beachy towns like Nice or Croatia. Oversized linen shirt, denim shorts that aren’t too short, slide sandals. Easy.
11. Trench coat + everything underneath
If you’re going in spring or fall, bring a trench. It makes literally any outfit look 30% better. T shirt and jeans? Now it’s a look.
12. Pleated skirt + chunky sneakers
The pleated skirt does the feminine thing, the chunky sneakers keep it from looking too sweet. I wore this all over Amsterdam and felt great.
13. Cropped sweater + high waist jeans
Slightly cooler days. Make sure the crop and the waist meet so you don’t have a weird gap of skin in chilly weather. A small structured bag finishes it.
14. Maxi dress + sneakers
Sounds wrong, looks right. Floaty maxi dress, white sneakers, you can walk forever. Way better than dying in cute sandals you didn’t break in.
15. Cargo pants + crop top + sneakers
For the days you want to look young and not care. Olive or black cargos, a fitted crop, sneakers. Surprisingly cute, surprisingly comfortable.
16. White button down + black jeans + boots
City days when you want to look slightly more pulled together. Tuck the shirt in, roll the sleeves, ankle boots. Works in Berlin, Vienna, anywhere a bit cooler.
17. Sundress + cardigan + flats
Floral sundress, thin cardigan over the shoulders, ballet flats. Lunch in a small Italian town energy. You know the vibe.
18. Bike shorts + oversized button down
Controversial pick. Long button down worn as a dress with bike shorts underneath for walking. Comfortable, lets you actually move, looks intentional.
19. Knit polo + tailored shorts
Polo shirts came back and I’m fine with it. A short sleeve knit polo with tailored shorts and loafers looks really clean for warm city days.
20. Slip skirt + fitted tee + sneakers
The satin slip skirt is the move. Tuck a basic tee into it, throw on white sneakers, and you have an outfit that works for breakfast, sightseeing, and dinner without changing.
A few honest things I learned the hard way.
Bring shoes you’ve already walked in for hours at home. The cobblestones will end you otherwise. I had blisters in Florence that I still think about.
Most apartments and hotels don’t have dryers, so pack stuff that air dries okay. Linen and cotton blends are your friends. Anything that needs to be tumbled dried will be damp for two days.
Black, white, beige, and one colour you actually like. That’s it. Everything mixes, you re wear things, and your photos look better because nothing clashes.
For more outfit inspiration I keep coming back to this Pinterest board when I’m planning trips. Saves me from the 11pm packing panic.
That’s it. Pick five or six of these, mix the pieces, and you’re good for two weeks anywhere on the continent. Don’t overthink it.