My Fall Travel Wardrobe: What Worked for 3 Weeks in Europe

One of the practices that’s most helped me refine my packing is to recap and review my travel wardrobe after returning home, while the details are still fresh. I’ll refer back to these recaps when planning my next (similar) trip. They’re a great reminder of what worked and what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time.

So today I’m taking a look back at my fall travel wardrobe for three weeks in Europe. I’ll share how my packing choices worked out in practice, which pieces I reached for most, and what I’d change if I were packing again. If you’re planning a similar trip, I hope these notes will help you put together a wardrobe that works for your travels and feels like you.

Let’s start with what packed, with a few last-minute changes noted below.

What I Packed for Three Weeks in Europe

I always allow myself to make a couple of last-minute swaps or additions, and this time was no different. Instead of the brown jeans, I packed these Eileen Fisher brown trousers. And instead of the lighter wash jeans, I packed a pair of (dressier) wool trousers. As my Wild Card, I added a dark brown wool tee (similar).

And here’s the outerwear I packed.

Again at the last minute, I decided to go with just one bag, the dark brown puzzle bag (similar).

And these scarves:

So how did it work? Here’s the breakdown:

Most Valuable Players

• Veronica Beard Jacquard Jacket. I wore this almost every single day! It was a perfect weight: not too heavy on milder days, and warm enough over a sweater on cooler days. This was absolutely the Hero Piece of the wardrobe!
• Eileen Fisher Utility Wide-Leg Pants. These were a last-minute swap-in, and I actually wore them more than my jeans.
• Veronica Beard Penrose Sneakers. I wore these most days and regularly logged 15-25K steps per day in total comfort.

Pinch-Hitters

These are the pieces that I didn’t wear as often, but was glad to have when I needed them.

• Varley raincoat. Once again, I was really lucky with the weather, and only had two days with any significant rain. This coat was perfect, not too heavy and completely waterproof.
• Sézane striped shirt. I wore this on its own underneath one of the jackets on milder days, and under sweaters a couple of times when it turned cool. I also wore the leopard print blouse underneath sweaters a couple of times, but didn’t get photos.
• Arma Leather Jacket. A nice alternative to the camel jacket, though I probably wouldn’t have missed it if I’d left it at home.

Benched

• Brown wool trousers. So often it’s the “just in case” pieces that don’t get worn. I’d included these thinking I might need a more polished outfit for London, but didn’t in the end.
• Uniqlo puffer vest. Never was cold enough that I needed it.

I wore both the loafers and the green cardigan (similar) a couple of times, but probably would not have missed either had I not packed them.

Wish I’d Brought

• A cotton shirt. The first few days of my trip were warmer than expected, and I wished I’d had something lighter.
• A different pair of boots. I’ve had this pair for a few years, and even with my cobbler’s “refresh,” they still looked a bit beat up. Plus, the wooden heel was noisy on hard surfaces (not a problem outside, but in a quiet museum, it was noticeable).

So there you have it! Overall, I’d give this fall travel wardrobe 8/10. The pieces I wore most kept me comfortable through long days of walking, and were easy to mix and match without much thought. Next time, I’d leave a few extras at home and make room for a lighter shirt. There’s always a little trial and error with packing but each trip helps me get a better sense of what I actually need. What’s one piece you’re always glad you packed, or something you’ve learned to leave behind?

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