What I’m Packing for Three Weeks in Europe This October

My suitcase beckons, and it’s time to quit dithering and finalize my travel wardrobe. I’ll be spending three weeks in Amsterdam, Paris, and London in October, so I need pieces that can handle everything from mild afternoons to chilly, rainy days. I think I’ve chosen a mix that will have me covered, whatever the weather brings.

How I’m Packing for Three Weeks in Europe

I’m traveling with a medium-sized checked bag, but still need to keep it light enough to carry and stow. I’ll be taking trains between cities, and experience has taught me to expect that I’ll have to navigate stairs at some point. Plus, I like to have room for the inevitable bit of shopping, so try to leave home with the suitcase only half full.

I’ve been obsessively checking my weather apps, and it looks like after a mild few days, it will turn cooler and wetter. So as usual, I’m relying on lightweight layers.

There are no fancy events on my itinerary, so I’m bringing versatile, comfortable pieces that can dress up to Smart Casual. I’ve based this wardrobe around a neutral palette of camel, brown, and navy, with pops of color provided by sweaters and scarves.

My Fall Europe Travel Wardrobe: What’s in the Suitcase

When planning a travel wardrobe, I start with the pieces that have worked reliably for past trips. I always look back over my previous recaps as a reminder of what worked or didn’t. And I make sure the pieces I’m considering will work together by trying them on in different combinations. So here’s what I’m packing…(some pieces are a few years old, so I’ve linked to similar items if no longer available).

Here’s the breakdown — what I chose and why.

Walking Shoes for Amsterdam, Paris, and London

I always start with the shoes when planning my travel wardrobes, as they’re the most important part to get right! They should be comfortable and supportive enough for a full day on your feet, and appropriate for your activities. I always have my cobbler add a rubber half-sole to any leather-soled styles for traction and moisture resistance.

• Boots. (Similar style) I’ve traveled with this pair multiple times, and just had the cobbler give them a refresh and extra waterproofing treatment. I’ll wear these on wet days — the shaft of the boot will keep my ankles dry.
• Sneakers. Perfect for daytime sightseeing and casual evenings. You will see sneakers worn everywhere and by almost everyone in Europe, so don’t worry about standing out if you bring them.
• Loafers. A comfortable and stylish option.

Jeans and Bottoms

Yes, I’m bringing three pairs of jeans. They’re what I’m most comfortable in, and appropriate for my itinerary. (The dark wash pair can dress up if need be.)

• Ruti barrel jeans (both washes). These are the ones I wear most often at home, and always seem to work.
• AG brown jeans. My trouser alternative.

Tops, Sweaters, and Layers

• Two silk blouses: striped and leopard print. I’ve traveled with both of these styles before. They layer brilliantly and always make me feel polished and put-together.
• Layering tee. (Similar look.) The one shown here is several years old and may be on its last legs. But it’s a comfortable piece that layers well for travel days, and can go underneath sweaters for extra warmth if needed.
• Sweaters. I love cashmere for travel as it’s warm but lightweight. Avoid heavy, bulky sweaters, which will take up more room in your suitcase and be a pain to carry around when the day warms up. My rule is I have to be able to tie it over my shoulders or around my waist. For variety, I selected four different styles and included some color. Orange crewneck | green cardigan (similar) | lightweight v-neck (similar) | collared cardigan.
• Leather jacket. This one is unlined and very lightweight, so it can function either as a topper on cool-to-mild days, or a mid-layer underneath the raincoat if needed (see below).

Lightweight Outerwear and Bags

I’ve also learned to avoid heavy, bulky outerwear. It’s better to layer up underneath for warmth if needed. The leather jacket can function as outerwear, but I’m also bringing these:

• Rain Jacket. I picked up this one at Varley in London last year, and it truly is waterproof. Runs quite large, so I suggest sizing down.
• Puffer vest. This one from Uniqlo packs down to nothing, and adds a nice non-bulky insulating layer for those chilly mornings.
• Jacquard Funnel-neck Jacket. This one was a coup de foudre the minute I saw it on the mannequin. It’s both stylish and functional, lightweight enough for milder days, but roomy enough to wear over warm layers when it gets chilly. The jacquard fabric adds some chic to the sporty.

• Lo & Sons “Aoyama” bag. This lightweight and functional crossbody bag is what I’ll use for travel and casual days.
• Puzzle Bag. (Similar) To dial my outfit up a notch. I purchased this one last year in Paris. This budget-friendly option is very well-reviewed!

Scarves, Jewelry, and Base Layers

• Scarves. I always pack several scarves of varying sizes and weights, from my favorite travel wrap to silk and smaller square scarves. They take up almost no space in my luggage and can do a lot of heavy lifting to add color, pattern, and variety to my outfits.
• Jewelry. I usually bring just a few pieces, mostly costume and demi-fine. Leave your expensive jewelry at home…one less thing to worry about!
• Underpinnings. I always bring a few of these silk jersey tanks to wear as a base layer. (This budget-friendly cami is also good and comes in a bunch of colors.)

Before I Head to the Airport

I always do a last minute weather and “vibe” check, and may make a last-minute swap or add a Wild Card piece. And of course, I double-check to be sure I have the other essentials: passport, travel documents, medications, and device chargers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this wardrobe include what you’ll wear on the plane?
Yes. I usually wear the lighter wash jeans with the striped tee, a sweater, and jacket.

Will it fit in a carry-on?
While I do bring a slightly larger checked bag, I think a similar wardrobe would fit in a carry-on (though you may want to swap out one or more pairs of the jeans). In addition to what I’m wearing on the plane, I include a change of clothes in my cabin bag (just in case) and the rest fits into my medium-sized spinner with plenty of room to spare! I find compression packing cubes are a huge help too!

What about skirts and dresses?
I never wear them at home, so don’t travel with them. However, if they are a regular part of your wardrobe, by all means, do include them. For cooler climates, I’d suggest packing some warm tights.

Do you do laundry during your trip?
I’ll usually hand-wash underwear and my silk tanks once or twice (using hotel shampoo 😉), then let them dry overnight on a towel rack. One advantage of traveling with jeans is that I can wear them several times between washes. I’ll occasionally splurge on hotel laundry service, but most of the time a light spritz of diluted vodka is enough to freshen clothes between wears. (Just bring a small travel spray bottle and buy a mini bottle of inexpensive vodka after you arrive.)

That’s the plan, at least until my final weather check tempts me to make one more swap! I’ve packed for enough variety to feel like myself in all three cities, with layers I can adjust as the days get cooler or wetter. I’ll report back after the trip on what I wore most, what stayed in the suitcase, and whether I left enough room for the shopping.

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