Travel Outfits for Europe: Pack Only in a Carry-On With These 9 Strategies

Today I will teach you 9 strategies for travel outfits to Europe that will help you pack in carry-on luggage. Each travel outfit for Europe, along with the shoes to pack, will follow our packing strategies so that we can fit them in carry-on bags. #traveloutfits #traveltoeurope #traveltips #falloutfits #winteroutfits
Travel tip videos:

Travel Outfits for Europe:
My t-shirt: old J Crew

Base layers:
Striped tote: old
Pink jacket: old

Shoes for Europe:

Visible layers:

Trousers:
Pull-on denim: old Chicos

Outer layers:
Star sweater: old

Chapters:
00:00 Travel to Europe outfit strategies
00:29 Pack 1 water-resistant pair of shoes
00:58 Plan airport outfit
1:48 Base layers for outfits
3:57 Shoes for Europe weather
5:50 Visible layers for outfit
10:28 Outer layers for Europe
13:55 Strategy 7
14:57 Key strategy for travel outfits

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Instagram: @TravelTipsByLaurie (My former channel name was LauriePOP Ideas That POP, but now I produce travel tip videos only)

Occasionally I use affiliate links, and all opinions that POP into my head are my honest ones.

[fnkpfeb]

Once you accept the fact that it's okay to wear things more than once (or twice), you can pack a lot lighter. Colors and pieces that coordinate & interchange, and that attitude of "we'll never see these people again", make for very light packing. We're traveling to Italy in the fall for 12 days and my plan is a carry on and personal bag. Thank you for all your travel tips!

[christineshin]

LOL! I love your "this is not a beauty pagent... your not going to see those people again!" comment... made me laugh out loud!

[carolinecoward]

I find scarves are super versatile for trips AND the thin ones take up almost zero space in your bag. I bring two, a thicker warm one on the plane and a thin chic one (usually printed silk) that dresses up my pima cotton tshirt for a fancy dinner. This worked brilliantly on my Alaska cruise last month, as both scarves were in the same color "family" and went with all my clothes. ❤

[jegatlin]

Why doesn't anyone talk undies? The truth about older women who need pad protection with their underwear? Here's my tip: because i wear a thin pad everyday for bladder leaks, i can get 2 days of wear per pair of underpants; for a 10 day trip i need 5 pair of panties. Also, pack nylon undies vs cotton because they can be compressed smaller. I also never hear anyone talk how many bras. Comfortable and clean undergarments are as important as outerwear.

[RRavencraft]

I have switched all of my travel clothes to ultra light weight period and bought them all on Amazon over these past years. Definately an investment.
I lost all the jeans and T's and swetshirts and heavy hard to pack and wash fabrics like heavy knit anything.

Starting with pants, I found some styles of hiking pants that are so neutral and clean cut, allot of people are buying these for their office/ business use and definitely for travel. They are stretch comfortable, not flimsy, depending the size you choose- not too clingy or tight, so i sixe one up, and made from highly breathable fabrics, so hold little order or stains, yet wind and water resistant and definitely quick dry. Mine have back and front pockets. Pick the right top and you would never know they are not dress pants. Mine are from Mountain Hardware but I tried a few China brands that seem similar.
I just love Mountain Hardware as they do some magic trick to their fabrics. If it's cold I wear good quality butter soft yoga pants underneath and these double as my sleeping bottoms. Easy wash in the sink, or in my travel scrubby wash bag, quick dry, I bring two pairs and switch off. The brand I LOVE is Walifrey and its a China brand not expensive. They wash and dry perfect in the machine with all my clothes. No pilling at all and don't attract lint.They are 92 percent poly, 8 percent Elastane. So soft !!!
I definitely layer my tops, starting always with a tank. I found these casual but classic sleeveless V neck tops that look like a chiffon material, super, super lite but definitely not see through, 95 percent polyester, 5 percent spandex, with a bit of pleat in the front, and a bit flowy, but not ridiculous, they hide everything....these can be used out hiking or walking and my definate go to for that as I get hot quickly, wear at the beach or definately out to dinner or whatever fancy place. They don't hold wrinkles much (because of the spandex), super lite for even the hottest days. Really a savior for me. I have tried a few brands now they all seem the same, last I bought are by 'Anyhold' and really it's all I ever where now I have six! So darn comfortable and they pack down to nothing.
For a mid layer cashmere is definitely great as a dress down or up option, especially the button up styles, but some companies are also coming up with a mix of Alpaca as the big rush to create Merino wool everything found allot of us allergic and itchy, no matter the brand. So this definitely does the job and definitely better then microfleece when going towards the dress up side. I got a plain button up black one. Down side is they are very expensive but I have had some for over a decade still perfect. Actually one is over 20 years old now that I think about it....definitely got the 50 dollars I put in back then, lol. Now sadly they are double.
I do pack two sun hoodies and I will say Mountain Hardwear 'Crater Lake' style is the best so far and has this amazing butter soft material in pretty solid colors or some prints. I love the forest green and the White Sprite. You don't want to take these off I promise. Not cheap but you are paying for amazing fabric I have not found even close to in China brands-yet. Great on transportation days, when you want sleeves or skin cover in grimey places, on the dusty road and definitely for me a must to walk around in sun. Easy wash, super quick dry and I trade off the two each night to use as sleeping tops. Especially if the AC gets too much in the car, or wherever place, or hotel. They keep the surface chill off your skin but do not make you hot. Plus they are UPF 50 and pack super tiny.
I go with just a few solid colors now, definitely black, pretty dark forrest green almost a jade, lighter olive green or sage so popular now, cream or beige if it's hot, and I toss in dark burnt orange or deep true maroon to mix things up if I can find cute stuff, they blend well and so I look neutral, blend in especially in crowds and in nature to not stand out which is the worse thing for becoming a target. So all my clothes are mix and match really especially with the right scarf to pull them together, and look flattering in pictures which last a lifetime. I hate gray on women, such a dead color, but that is a good option as well for the 'greyman effect'. Bright pink, blue, yellow, big prints, pictures, shapes, lines, lettering definitely attracts attention. Horizontal stipes look horrible on curvy or heavier women IMHO so I avoid them like the plague but I get why they are like camouflage in a crowd as well and why they mess up video. If I want some color on my solid base, I accent again with scarves, some pretty short neck scarves, small super lite and a good item to protect my neck from sun exposure and skin damage omg what a mess that sun makes on the neck... or protect my neck cold which then makes me super cold. Some have nice embroidery and fancy edges, like a bohemian flair, and are so pretty. I bring a thin cotten/poly shawl or a small size 'sarong', about 3-1/2' by 4-1/2 ' . I try to find fabric with UPF protection, so just a piece of fabric which is brilliant for people who fluctuate in tempreture allot, hot one minute, chilly the next. These are obviously great for the beach especially as a cover, you can even make yourself a little 'hood if its windy', dampen if it's too hot -keeps my neck cool so my temp down and for me a savior when my back pack straps start digging into my shoulders. So for the beach I just bring like a brushed swade hand sized tiny micro pack towel, and matching face cloth or banana to dry off my body and face, in lieu of a big beach towel or big pack towel even. I just to wipe off and then toss on the shawl. I use this shawl as a thin blanket for my travel naps, or to roll up as a neck pillow...wear as a fancy shawl at dinner or the threatre. I got the idea from a young woman who travels Europe allot doing quite a bit of photography, and said she often needs a head cover to enter churches and temples and this was her solution and she realized she could use it for so much more. Definitely not inventing the wheel here, I mean this 'garment' has been used for tens of thousands of years, but we modern people forget just how useful this one item is. I always had one but never thought to look beyond the beach....

For shoes for me its simple. I got Solomon waterproof trail runners in black, and you really can't beat these for weight and comfort. I have a pair of 'Mary Jane' style walking shoes by Sctetcher in black that look dressy, so comfortable and black leather thin strap style pretty sandals that are super comfortable. I keep one pair of cheap black flip flops for public showers or the beach but mostly wear Water Sox now in the water with the thin rubber bottom also like a Mary Jane style and these double as my slippers. Great to where on long rides and I stuff these always in my tiny day pack. I layer my sox as well ranging from a few no show to thin liner ankle socks by Darn Tuff and their slightly thicker hiking ankle sock. If my feet get cold I can pair up on them either add the liner inside or the no show outside of the thicker sox, which all have a lifetime guarantee. They wear so well its crazy. I got a bunch on sale. If it's really cold for sleeping as we camp allot I have teeny packable down booties. So small. I think those are by Narure Hike.
For jackets it's the same layering system. A tiny packable fully waterproof rain shell, (and thin pants) a down puffy, and a wind jacket called an KOR Airshell all by, yes Mountain Hardware. The Airshell is just amazing and packs micro small pocket sized. All this will fit in a 18L day pack easily with plenty of room to spare. For any and most all travel I keep these handy with me unless it's crazy hot, so nights above 70 I may leave the puffy behind... along with one pair of my awesome Yoga pants, my sun hoodie, ulra thin womans running shorts with inside liner and a lite spandex tank (I use these for swimming too), running gloves, and whatever layer sox I don't have on, plus spare usually spandex underware. I usually wear a spandex sports bra and those dry quickly if I take a plunge. This is my emergency change of clothes. More then not I use them especially during a whole day excursion.Sometimes I wear the running shorts under my hiking pants like underware if I know there may be a good chance I will go swimming. Or under the one sundress I bring. Easy on and off. And that is the last item, my sun dress. I chose black with cream accents, it's cotten, and similar to my sorong so it matches. I could easily wear this to a fancy event because of the style and embroidery or to the beach. Again those yoga pants look cute underneath if my legs get cold or there are bugs.
This whole wardrobe all works in synchronicity really and what you really need to pack lite and comfortable. I can fit this in a 28L backpack clamsell suitcase. Mine is by CORE surf. What takes up more room is actually tech and batteries, my power bank and camera stuff so I wish I got the 40L. And what I would definitely recommend. Otherwise the bag is brilliant.
Hope this helps.

[patriciamarvel]

Hi Laurie. You mentioned you wouldn’t wear the navy and white turtleneck with black denim. Perhaps that’s just your preference but I wanted to add that navy and black is a very chic combination. It’s often attributed to Yves Saint Laurent and was a combo worn often by Jackie O and other stylish women. Love your videos!

[dianasmith]

My essentials for travel: slipper socks w/tread in separate ziplock bag (to avoid being bare feet in airplanes, on hotel carpet or slippery wood or bathroom floors), a washcloth (not a given in non—US hotels, airbnbs, etc) for bathing, spills, etc. w plastic bag, 2 inflatable clothes hangars for laundry(shirts) & 1/2 dozen clothespins, 1 or 2 small bungee cords, collapsible jewelry tray for collecting car keys, room keys, jewelry, etc to prevent loss, packing checklist esp. for a longer stay, an extension cord (even for international). I also believe in rolling tops & sweaters for cubes.

[gemmabarker]

I always take a large, good quality pashmina (all year) and/or blanket scarf (winter). It’s a formal evening top layer, a normal winter scarf, a modest covering for visits to religious sites, something to prevent thigh peel in hot weather (shorts), an eye mask/neck pillow on the plane, a hair accessory (Grace Kelly style/for wash day), a Dick Whittington bag, a poolside sarong/lounger towel in a pinch, an extra warm layer on the bed, …

[carolynflathers]

Very interesting to hear your thought process through all of this.
I will say for myself, a scarf is a definite travel essential. I tend to ping pong between feeling hot/cold numerous times (thanks menopausal hot flashes) and the scarf is the easiest thing to whip on and off according to my comfort zone. It can also double as a light blanket for napping. I usually either wear it as my travel outfit or roll it up tightly into my under seat bag.

[WonderwomanG]

I'm from Europe, to answer your question, the Breton (striped) top originated from France. Coco Chanel re-imagined the top as a chic piece of clothing.

[carolgarringer]

Flying to England the day after Thanksgiving to see Christmas lights and markets. We always go carry on, pick a color combo where everything can be worn with everything. I could wear black and white stripes for days! Love it.

[kristiannem]

Hi Laurie! I love your content. My travel hack involves scarves for colder weather. Instead of a bulky wool or heavy knit scarf, I pack rectangular silk scarves. They take up no space and keep my neck just as warm. Plus, I can pack more than one so that I don't look the same in all my pictures. They fit in my purse and my jacket pocket.

[maryhuiatt]

When we go to Europe it’s for a month, so 4 or 5 silk scarves are a must for me. Three merino wool tops and a different scarf easily gives me a weeklong wardrobe that I repeat four times! The silk scarves take almost no room in my bag and are warm yet not heavy.

[meginoregon]

I think stripes are great because they are classic! They also seem to not show stains or smudges as much as a solid top would. I don't usually take a scarf with me, but scarves are my favorite souvenir to buy. I'll buy one or two and wear them throughout the trip, and after I'm home when I wear them they remind me of my travels! Thanks for all your helpful, fun videos.

[SN-blxm]

For trips to Europe I also pack single use rain ponchos. You can wear them several times and they are very small and hardly use any space in your luggage. But they won’t work for a event where you need to be dressed nice. But if it’s just for hiking and even touring a city, I think these single use plastic ponchos are great.

[peggymartin]

Hi Laurie, I found your channel in 2019 when I was planning a trip to Italy. I’ve since travelled to Hawaii and I’m now planning a two week trip through Southern France/Northern Italy and I continuously find myself drawn back to your channel…I finally subscribed 😜Your common sense advice and no nonsense attitude are so valuable and I appreciate you. You have helped me to make my trips the best they can be ❤ Thank you so, so much!! 😊😊

[florencefiandach]

Laurie, this was WONDERFUL! Hubby and I are doing 5 weeks in Europe and what you have here is exactly what I am already planning! 10 days is the benchmark that can be stretched out for the longer vacays. I also bring a couple turtleneck dickies (from long ago!) so I don't need a scarf or shirts with turtlenecks. And about stripes? Mais oui! Very VERY French! Love it! As usual, wonderful advice and tips. You've had so much experience that your videos are the best "go to" from a seasoned traveler to any wanna be successful vacationer! Thank you!!

[lilac]

Tip 1: make sure in your capsule wardrobe you have one outfit/base layers that are good for warm weather and one outfit/layer that will make you warm. Even with checking the weather right before, things can change during your trip.
Tip 2: Wear your lightest outfit/shoes on the plane to the destination and your heaviest & bulkiest outfit/shoes on the way home. This has a two-fold effect: it guarantees you have room for purchases on the way home and ensures you aren't packing too heavy to meet weight limits.

[laulutar]

I actually love scarves and button up cardigans for multi-season trips. It helps me to work on fine tuning my temperature, so I don't freeze at one destination and boil at another, when I can just unwrap a scarf and open my cardigan when it gets warm.
I went to Rome in March, and a thin silk-alpaca cardigan helped keep me warm en route to the airport in Finland (where it was least 10 degrees centigrade cooler than in Rome) and when I was about to overheat, I could undo the cardi and still keep comfortably warm.

[RitaVernoy]

I’ve traveled internationally for 40 years and am still learning from your videos😊