Summer Travel Basics: The 5 Things I Always Pack
Peak travel season is here and so is warmer weather! Whether you’re planning a trip overseas or a shorter getaway closer to home, being prepared will make your voyage more hassle-free and enjoyable. Warm season travel has its own set of challenges, so today I’m sharing the summer travel basics for women I never leave home without!
Summer travel basics for women
I’m delighted to be joining some of my favorite bloggers today to share our favorite travel and packing tips. Check out these links and visit them for more travel wisdom!
Classic Casual Home | Most Lovely Things | Cindy Hattersley Design
Feet First: comfortable travel shoes
When planning a travel wardrobe, I always start with the shoes. Why? I learned this one the hard way on my first trip to Paris: if your feet hurt, it’s difficult to focus on and enjoy your travel experience.
Middle row: Vionic | Ilse Jacobsen
Bottom row: Pikolinos | Mephisto | Birkenstock
Keeping our feet comfortable and supported in warm weather requires some extra attention. As we may not want to wear thicker socks for blister prevention and cushioning, it’s important to choose shoes that don’t pinch or rub anywhere, and have adequate cushioning in the insole. Be sure you’ve “road tested” them for several hours on your feet.
I always pack a pair of sleek and comfortable sneakers. Don’t worry about standing out as a tourist; sneakers have become not only acceptable, but a dominant shoe style, even in Paris!
Some people don’t like to travel with sandals, but I find them most comfortable when it’s hot. Look for styles that can be adjusted to accommodate swelling over the course of the day. And avoid insoles with a slick surface, which can make your feet sweat and slide around more.
And unless you have a wedding or other special occasion on the itinerary, leave the high heels at home. (Though some low wedges can be a comfortable option.) You can find more styles and travel footwear tips here: How to Choose the Best Travel Shoes for Spring & Summer
Relaxed linen or cotton gauze shirt
Bottom row: LL Bean | Eileen Fisher | Frank & Eileen
A relaxed, button-front shirt is one of my must-haves for summer travel! It can be worn on its own, as a lightweight topper over a tee or tank, or even as a cover-up for the pool or beach. And it’s often just warm enough for cool evenings, or if you find yourself in an air-conditioning draft. I like a collar that can be popped to keep the sun off your neck.
Linen is the most lightweight and breathable fabric, and will dry quicker, but cotton gauze may be preferable for those who can’t abide linen’s wrinkles.
Day-to-dinner pants or skirts
For travel, I utilize the “tabletop dressing” strategy, which means keeping bottoms simple (and repeatable) and focusing interest on the top half of the outfit. So I usually pack 1 bottom for every 2-3 tops. Pants, skirts, or even dresses that can go from sightseeing during the day to dinner out are key. For almost all venues, Smart Casual is as dressed up as you’ll need to be, so neat and comfortable styles will be most versatile.
Lightweight cardigan
Even in the warmest months, I always pack a lightweight cardigan. (And carry it with me for fluctuating airplane cabin temperatures.) While it may be hot, hot, hot during the day, some locales can cool down substantially in the evenings. Or (if you’re like me) you may get chilled in aggressively air-conditioned interiors.
And a cardigan is one of the most versatile travel pieces, which can often be worn alone, as a mid-layer or top layer, or even tied around the neck as a scarf.
I look for lightweight cardigans that can be tied over the shoulders, around the waist, or stuffed into a tote when it’s warm. Avoid anything too bulky or heavy. Fine gauge knit cashmere or merino, cotton, and even linen knits are my picks for summer travel.
Versatile wraps & scarves
Scarves are not only functional, but a great way to add color, pattern, and variety to your travel basics. I always pack a variety of scarves for travel. Even in summer, I bring a cashmere or cashmere-blend wrap (again, for chilly evenings and to keep air-conditioning blasts off my neck). But a large wrap or oversized silk chiffon square can also be used as a pareo, or to cover arms and shoulders. (Many cathedrals, temples and other tourist venues still have “modest” dress requirements, even in summer.)
And for warm weather travel, I like to include a few smaller cotton scarves or bandanas. They can be soaked in water and worn around the neck for cooling, or worn as casual head scarves.
✈️ You’ll find more travel wardrobe and packing tips in The Travel Hub. And be sure to check out more of my favorite travel-friendly styles in le SHOP! 🧳
Let’s see what travel tips my blogger friends have shared today:
Classic Casual Home | Most Lovely Things | Cindy Hattersley Design
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You have the best ideas, Susan. Thanks so much. I see several things I desperately need. Lol.
very good advice. thank you
Thank you Susan,
I don’t always comment but, I always appreciate your advice.
Especially for travel ideas!
None of the Nordstrom links are working – gives a message that it is unsecure.
This has never happened before, seems to be a back end issue??
Hi Carol, if you’re reading from a phone or tablet, this is a known glitch I’ve reported and is being worked on. My apologies for any inconvenience! But the links/site are secure.
I have been following you for awhile now and wanted to let you know I thoroughly enjoy your content. I’m of a similar size and love to wear my blue jeans! I’ll soon be 76 and want to remain fashion current and comfortable so watching you is perfect. Thank you!
Your sweater and wrap guides are SO helpful! And I agree with you about comfortable shoes…just walking in the airports can be killer and that’s not even sightseeing.
Thanks for mentioning the requirement for modest dress in many parts of the world, esp at religious sites. I prefer to blend in when traveling, and nothing screams tourist more than a lot of bare skin in a conservative part of the world.
Susan! I’m with you on wearing sneakers and I love that they no longer scream “tourist”! —even in Paris!
I agree with sandals for summer heat as being the most comfortable, but in big cities, I still prefer my Adidas Sambas for all day…I just don’t like my feet getting dirty!
Love all those linen shirts! I don’t mind wrinkles, but I know some are not okay with that! It sure is versatile, cool and dries quickly!
Very good advice. I followed a lot of your suggestions going to France. But, going with the car, I took a lot more with me than you would have.
Greetje
I love your posts like this that always provide good recommendations and a variety of lovely options from which to choose. I always wear (fashionable) sneakers when flying for the long hikes through airports, and to save space in my luggage. That is also recommended by flight attendants in case one has to evacuate the plane, and it’s also recommended for safety to avoid wearing over-sized, flowy clothing in case of fire and/or emergency evacuation. Although it’s rare to evacuate on a slide, it does happen; so I never wear skirts/dresses on a plane, just in case.
Great post thank you Susan. I do like to wear skirts when travelling!
Happy summer 🙂
Thanks for the great suggestions for a coordinated travel wardrobe. (I always love your travel guides and posts). My big trip to Europe isn’t until this fall but I really liked that J Crew pleated skirt and went to the store to try it on. It’s a great piece for travel. Runs a little big so I sized down and bought it in black.
What tops would you pair it with for a fall Rhine riverboat cruise and a stop in Paris on the way home?
Susan, that is my ideal travel wardrobe (except for the white bag) and would order (online) a couple of the items, but am wary about sizing. If travelling somewhere hot though, I would have to add a dress or two as well. I really fancy the J Crew navy skirt. You are always spot on with your travel wardrobes.
I like your colorful approach to this summer travel wardrobe, without going over the top. These pieces are perfect for summer city holidays, for touring, museums and meals al fresco, but playful enough for summer, too.
There is a time and place to go over the top. I’ve done that. It depends on location. However, these items would satisfy my summer craving for color.
Hi Susan: I’m looking at the F and E Murphy pants and thinking because they’re skinny I might need a medium. I usually take the same size pants you do–just not in petite. What do you think?
Also: can you refresh my memory about the kind of compression socks you like to use? Thanks so much!
Hi Sally, I sized up to a Medium as I found this style runs a bit small. I’ve liked Smartwool compression socks, as well as these: https://bit.ly/3OOz6KK
I’m staying in Europe for 2 months. I have a 2-week period where I will have access to a washing machine. Otherwise, I’m in hotels or on boats. My experience with outside washing has been the use of hot water and over-drying. The best hotels/cruise lines have ruined my clothes many times over the past 30 years of traveling. I see you don’t have any wardrobe capsules for 1-2 months of travel. With a Spring/Summer time of year that I will be traveling, it’s difficult to guess what will work best. I wear skirts and dresses and never wear jeans. Any ideas?