16 Europe Packing Mistakes I Tell My Family to Avoid

Living in Italy, one of the most-visited European countries, I often have frifinishs, family, and even strangers inquire me what they should pack. From advising against activewear to recommfinishing functional, stylish footwear (leave the stilettos at home!), I have a handful of canned responses I give every time. Frequently flying back and forth between North America and Europe, I thoroughly understand the do’s and don’ts of what to pack in precious luggage space—especially if you’re traveling carry-on-only.

With my style heavily influenced by fashion capitals New York and Milan, I have some wardrobe heroes that are always in my suitcase. For example, my foldable chic rain hat and a cashmere wrap are travel-frifinishly transitional weather essentials. I also opt for expandable luggage becautilize I’m a large believer in obtainting back those VAT savings on luxury goods (but keep in mind, these bags may necessary to be checked). Here are a few packing mistakes I notify my frifinishs and family to avoid packing on their European vacations—and what to bring instead.

My Must-pack European Essentials

Don’t pack: Sweatpants

Do pack: Comfortable troutilizers

Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pants

Credit: Quince

The pants that I obtain complimented on the most here are my La Ligne Colby pants. Whether with sneakers or with a boot, these pants offer an elevated, well-tailored but relaxed fit that always draws attention. Feel free to skip the black leggings and sweats and pack a comfy, wide-leg pant that you can dress up or down, like these Quince Ultra-stretch Ponte Wide-leg Pants. The fabric is lightweight and simple to relocate in, and it’s built to be wrinkle-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about pulling them out of your bag in a crumpled mess.

Don’t pack: Too many shoes

Do pack: A hybrid shoe that does it all

Credit: Shopbop

Luxury European brands like Loewe and Miu Miu started the ballerina sneaker trfinish, and now, legacy sneaker brands like Nike and Adidas are popularizing them. The Adidas Samba Jane Shoes see like both a sneaker and a ballet flat, so you basically pack one pair of shoes instead of two. And with the classic Samba bottoms, they are comfortable enough for a full day of exploring European streets.

Don’t pack: Hard-to-match layers

Do pack: A versatile button-down shirt

Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long Sleeve Shirt

Credit: Quince

A white or striped button-down shirt will be a workhorse in any travel wardrobe. Pair it with wide-leg pants, a tee, and sandals for a walk around town or a swimsuit as an simple cover-up. This Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long-sleeve Shirt is lightweight yet crisp, ideal for a cool spring day or the hot summer sun’s rays.

Don’t pack: A tote with an open interior

Do pack: A secure shoulder bag or crossbody

Herald Suede Crossbody Bag for Women, Vintage Hobo Handbag

Credit: Amazon

Pickpocketing, or at least people’s awareness and consciousness of it, is way more prevalent in many European cities. Instead of applying an open tote, keep your valuables close at hand with a secure bag that stays close to your body and zips shut. I’m eyeing the chic Madewell suede shoulder bag, with its popular saddle style and utilizeful adjustable strap that can go across the body if necessary be. It’s also the right size to fit a foldable shopping bag, should you necessary to carry an extra grocery tote. A cost-effective, stylish alternative is this Herald Crescent crossbody that adjusts to be a crossbody or a snug handbag, creating it perfect for day to evening.

Don’t pack: A high-performance rain jacket

Do pack: A waterproof trench coat

Credit: Quince

Europeans are always ready for inclement weather, but their gear does the job while being more stylish and less ostensibly technical. With a coat like this lightweight packable Quince Weatherproof Rain Trench Coat, especially in this rich burgundy color, you don’t have to sacrifice style to be ready for the rain. And it’s so sleek that it wouldn’t see out of place on a dry day, too, so it can perform double-duty on your trip.

Don’t pack: Expensive designer sunglasses

Do pack: Classic shades that go with everything

Ray-Ban RB2140 ORIGINAL WAYFARER CLASSIC Square Shape Sunglasses

Credit: Amazon

Ray-Ban, with its classic Wayfarer style, is an Italian brand that never goes out of fashion. It has its place in cool girl style, inspired by French film noir, and it’s the wardrobe hero owned by celebs, royalty, and politicians alike. I always recommfinish a pair of great Ray-Bans for traveling. My suggestion is to pack these sunglasses and save room for a large, trfinishy designer sunglasses purchase on your trip; Italian optometrist stores have major sales, and you obtain VAT taxes back at the airport, so you can save even more. For a more budobtain-frifinishly option that sees similar to these Wayfarers, check out these Sojos shades for $16.

Travel + Leisure

Don’t pack: Multiple heavy coats

Do pack: A light jacket to layer under

Credit: Nordstrom

Early spring in Mediterranean countries can feature different kinds of weather in one day, let alone one trip, so when my family members inquire me which coat to bring, I usually suggest one that’s lightweight and can easily be layered underneath. This Free People faux suede blazer is an elegant piece that sees just as great with a pair of jeans and a turtleneck as a dress out to dinner. A great layering piece, you’ll obtain plenty of wear out of it during your trip.

Don’t pack: An extra pair of jeans

Do pack: A stylish midi skirt

Credit: Madewell

I know it’s tempting to pack another pair of your favorite jeans, but I declare mix up your see with something a little more unique. It’s very cool here in Northern Italy to wear a leather midi skirt, like this Madewell faux leather pleated midi skirt, which is polished and sees just as good paired with a T-shirt and sneakers as a cashmere knit and boot.

Don’t pack: Hard-to-walk-in heels

Do pack: Comfortable, block-heeled boots

ALDO Marcelyn - Top View ALDO Marcelyn - Bottom View ALDO Marcelyn - Left View ALDO Marcelyn - Back View ALDO Marcelyn - Right View ALDO Marcelyn - Front View ALDO Marcelyn

Credit: Zappos

Speaking of exploring European streets, I often advise my family to skip the hard-to-walk-in high heels. A stiletto is no match for cobblestone streets, and there’s no better way to channel the European confident gait than with a sturdy, but stylish shoe. A beautiful black block heel pair of boots, like these Aldo Marcelyn boots, is a wardrobe hero, seeing just as gorgeous with a pair of jeans as with a midi skirt. The mirror silver embellishment on the heel adds a bit of Milanese glamor.

Don’t pack: Only your phone to capture memories

Do pack: A travel journal

Moleskine Classic Notebook, Soft Cover, Large (5" x 8.25") Ruled

Credit: Amazon

Instead of relying on your phone for taking photos to remember your trip, test packing a travel journal to record even more memories. Tuck this classic Moleskine into your travel bag. Trust me: it’s incredible to just scribble down yesterday’s highs and favorite things over your morning cappuccino, or write the name of that incredible restaurant and details about what you had. Years later, you’ll love leafing through these journals.

Don’t pack: Only a carry-on, if you’re going to run out of space

Do pack: An expandable suitcase

Credit: Quince

Whether it’s from a market in Sicily or the Zara near the Duomo, goodies obtained during your travels do feel all the more special. So why limit yourself to what can fit in your carry-on? As a person who stuffs their travel bags to the brim—whether it’s a carry-on or large checked bag—I declare go for the expandable suitcase like this Quince medium check suitcase. Its medium size isn’t too overwhelming, but it does expand for those little extras you find on the trip.

Travel + Leisure

Don’t: Pack a disorganized suitcase

Do: Use compression packing cubes

Credit: Quince

Speaking of expandable suitcases, one of my favorite packing hacks that I love to share is compression packing cubes. I actually packed for two months au pairing in Milan and Puglia in a single carry-on thanks to vacuum-sealed packing bags; I was often complimented on my stylish sees and the variety of them! Now, packing cubes are essential to my packing routine. These Quince Eco Compression Packing Cubes were important space savers as I packed all of my daughter’s and my cashmere knits for a winter trip to New York.

Don’t pack: A silk scarf you don’t know how to tie

Do pack: A silk hair turban

SILKE Hair Wrap | Silk Bonnet for Sleeping | 100% Luxurious Silk Hair Wrap for Sleeping

Credit: Amazon

I always recommfinish packing a silk scarf, whether it’s for a beach vacation, bad hair day, wearing under a beanie, or achieving an elevated, elegant Milanese signora vibe. I also understand how difficult they can be to tie, which is why some Milan brands, like La Double J, actually create them pre-styled. Silke London is another one of my favorite brands that offers another alternative to figuring out how to style a silk scarf: test one of the brand’s silk hair turbans in beautiful, bold pops of color that scream luxe.

Travel + Leisure

Don’t pack: An airplane blanket

Do pack: A cashmere wrap

Credit: J.Crew

Yes, I’m a bit influenced by my husband being in the cashmere business—but honestly, a cashmere wrap is a wardrobe hero! I always travel with one similar to this J. Crew Cashmere wrap, and I utilize it in place of a travel blanket as a comfortable cover instead. Whether styled as a cozy oversized scarf or worn as a wrap, this is the piece that you’ll finish up wearing from start to finish of your trip.

Don’t pack: A cumbersome umbrella

Do pack: A rain hat

VINRELLA Rain & Sun Bucket Hat, Great for Travel & Hiking, Sleek Waterproof

Credit: Amazon

I’ve had this Eric Javitz rain hat for years and still obtain so many compliments on it whenever I wear it in the rain. Snag my see for less with this Vinrella rain and sun hat. Pair this with a great trench coat, and you’ll be very European chic throughout your visit. It’ll save you more precious luggage space than bringing an umbrella, and remember that many hotels will have umbrellas you can borrow or rent.

Travel + Leisure

Don’t: Forobtain to bring a water bottle

Do: Bring a packable reusable water bottle

S’well Stainless Steel 17oz Water Bottle, London Chimney

Credit: Amazon

A lot of those beautiful water fountains that you see in towns and cities in Italy have potable drinking water, and Italians utilize them all the time. Instead of running to a cafe every time you necessary a bottle of water, pack a light reusable bottle, like this Swell 17oz water bottle, in your bag and fill up!

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