I shared our trip on my Instagram, and created full highlights of each stop with tags and links to where we stayed, ate and things we did (see those HERE), but packing is another hot topic when it comes to this trip! More specifically, what and how I packed for three weeks…in just a carry-on!
If you’ve been around here for a bit, then you know how strongly I feel about traveling with just a carry-on…especially for big international trips with lots of moving around. We had several tight connection times, which we would have missed had we had to wait for our baggage. Not to mention, countless trains (hello steps on steps!) and small cars, where having smaller luggage we could each easily maneuver on our own was essential!
However, living out of just a carry-on does require some sacrifice! For instance, I minimize my skincare and makeup routines, rely on hotel shampoo and hair dryers, and fully embrace the capsule travel wardrobe. I shared everything I packed, along with 40+ outfit combinations in THIS POST, so today I thought I’d show you the pieces in action in Europe.
First up, the packing list! These are the exact items I brought, but you could use it as a guide for your next big trip, swapping in similar pieces you already own. It’s also important to note we had multiple climates and a range of activities (chilly and rainy in Switzerland, and warm and sunny in Italy), so you can adapt the packing list to where you’re going.
Packing List //
TOPS: Gauzy Button Down (XS) | Black Top (Small) | Linen Vest (size 2) | Zig Zag Blouse (Small) (code CASSIE15) | Striped Linen Tank (XS) | Crewneck Tee | Racerback Tank
SWEATERS: Striped Cardigan (Small) | Cropped Cardigan | Cashmere Crewneck
PANTS: Linen Pants (XS) | Wide Leg Crop Pants | Black Pants (Small) | Zig Zag Pants (Small) (code CASSIE15) | Raw Hem Jeans (size 26)
SKIRT: Midi Slip Skirt // SHORTS: Wide Leg Shorts (size 2) | Striped Shorts (XS)
SWIM: Palm Leaf Bandeau Top | High Waist Bottoms | Plunge Swimsuit (Small)
DRESSES: Tropical Scene Midi Dress (Decor, Small) | Midi Slip Dress | Strapless Dress (code SUGARPLUM15) | Sleeveless Midi Dress (XS)
ACTIVE: Cropped Tank | Shorts (Small) | Half-Zip Pullover (Similar HERE) | Rain Jacket (XS) | Hiking Pants (Small)
SHOES: Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Toe Strap Sandals | Sneakers (CASSIE15) | Hiking Sneakers (CASSIE15)
ACCESSORIES: Straw Hat | Sunglasses | Linen Pants (XS) | Scarf | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
BAGS: Woven Crossbody Bag | Straw Tote Bag | Sling Bag | Backpack
TRAVEL: Duffel Bag | Rolling Suitcase | Toiletries Case | Packing Cubes | Sound Machine | Hand Sanitizer | Outlet Adapter
Curious how I fit all that in my trusty carry-on? I created THIS VIDEO to show the process! This bag (on clearance!) and this duffle are my go-to combination for the most-allowable size for maximum packing. And let’s not forget packing cubes! For this trip I tried compression cubes for the first time, and was really impressed!
I didn’t snap a pic of every outfit I wore (see even more combinations of the styles I packed HERE), but here’s a look at many of them.
Switzerland //
Vitznau/Lucerne /
Cashmere Crewneck | Zig Zag Pants (Small) (code CASSIE15) | Toe Strap Sandals | Glasses | Tennis Bracelet
Rain Jacket (Small) | Striped Cardigan (Small) | Raw Hem Jeans (size 26) | Hiking Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Sling Bag | Paris Hat | Glasses
Rain Jacket (Small) | Hiking Pants (Small) | Hiking Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Backpack | Sunglasses
Cashmere Crewneck | Raw Hem Jeans (size 26) | Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Sling Bag | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE) | Sunglasses
Jungfrau Region /
Rain Jacket (Small) | Half-Zip Pullover (Similar HERE) | Hiking Pants (Small) | Hiking Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Backpack
Racerback Tank | Hiking Pants (Small) | Hiking Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Backpack | Sunglasses
Black Top & Pants (Small) | Striped Cardigan (XS) | Sneakers (Also HERE) (code CASSIE15) | Sling Bag | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE) | Sunglasses
Zermatt /
on me: Zig Zag Blouse (Small) (code CASSIE15) | Zig Zag Pants (Small) (code CASSIE15) | Cashmere Crewneck | Woven Crossbody Bag | Teardrop Earrings
on Sloan: Tank Dress | Striped Long Cardigan | All of Sloan’s Outfits HERE
Cropped Tank | Shorts (Small) | Hiking Sneakers (CASSIE15) | Jacket (Also HERE) | Paris Hat
Linen Vest (size 2) | Midi Slip Skirt (XS) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Woven Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses
Jacket (Also HERE) | Hiking Pants (Small) | Hiking Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Backpack | Sunglasses
Ascona /
Striped Linen Tank (XS) | Linen Pants (XS) | Sneakers (Also HERE) (code CASSIE15) | Sling Bag
Sleeveless Midi Dress (XS) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE) | Sunglasses
Linen Pants (XS) | Scarf as a top | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses
Midi Slip Skirt (XS) | Bikini Top | Clear Strappy Sandals | Straw Tote Bag | Straw Hat
Black Tank (Small) | Wide Leg Shorts (size 2) | Striped Cardigan (XS) | Woven Crossbody Bag | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE) | Sunglasses
Gauzy Button Down (XS) | Striped Shorts (XS) (Solid Colors Here) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses
Striped Tank Dress (XS) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Straw Hat | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
Sleeveless Midi Dress (XS) | Cropped Cardigan | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
Black Tank (Small) | Wide Leg Shorts (size 2) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Woven Crossbody Bag | Straw Hat
Lake Como /
Racerback Tank | Wide Leg Crop Pants | Cashmere Crewneck | Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Sling Bag | Sunglasses | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
Linen Vest (size 2) | Wide Leg Crop Pants | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
Tropical Scene Midi Dress (Decor, Small) | Cashmere Crewneck | Clear Strappy Sandals
Linen Vest (size 2) | Linen Pants (XS) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag
Strapless Dress (Small) (code SUGARPLUM10) | Straw Hat | Sunglasses | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
Palm Leaf Bandeau Top | High Waist Bottoms | Straw Hat | Sunglasses
Striped Cardigan (XS) | Wide Leg Crop Pants (2) | Toe Strap Sandals
Palm Leaf Bandeau Top | Wide Leg Crop Pants (2) | Clear Strappy Sandals | Straw Hat | Sunglasses
Striped Linen Tank (XS) | Striped Shorts (XS) (Solid Colors Here) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE) | Teardrop Earrings
Tropical Scene Midi Dress (Decor, Small) | Cropped Cardigan | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Teardrop Earrings
Cropped Tank | Shorts (Small) | Jacket (Also HERE) | Hiking Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Sunglasses
Cashmere Crewneck (Small) | Wide Leg Shorts (size 2) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE)
Lemon Top (XXS) | Striped Shorts (XS) (Solid Colors Here) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Straw Tote Bag | Straw Hat
on me: Strapless Dress (Small) (code SUGARPLUM10) | Cropped Cardigan | Clear Strappy Sandals | Woven Crossbody Bag
on Sloan: Tropical Scene Midi Dress (Decor, Small) | Platform Sandals | All of Sloan’s Outfits HERE
Striped Cardigan (XS) | Raw Hem Jeans (size 26) | Woven Crossbody Bag | Sneakers (code CASSIE15)
Gauzy Button Down (XS) | Wide Leg Crop Pants (2) | Sneakers (Also HERE) (code CASSIE15) | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses | Beaded Necklace (Similar HERE)
Cashmere Crewneck (Small) | Midi Slip Skirt (XS) | Ankle Strap Sandals (Similar HERE) | Crossbody Bag | Sunglasses
Midi Slip Dress (Small) | Cashmere Crewneck (Small) | Toe Strap Sandals | Woven Crossbody Bag
Pajamas/Lounge
I also packed this ribbed set as both my pajamas and lounge… it’s super soft and slinky, which means it also packs small.
Pajama Camisole | Pajama Pants
Travel Day //
As for what I wore on the main travel days to and from Europe… no surprise it’s my Vuori Performance Joggers! I also had this luxe pullover for staying warm and cozy. And of course, my latest travel essential, compression socks!
Crewneck Tee (Small) | Performance Joggers (Small) | Sneakers (code CASSIE15) | Sling Bag | Duffel Bag | Rolling Suitcase
Skincare //
My skincare and makeup routines definitely get down-sized, and I pack just the essentials to keep my skin clean and hydrated. We do have TSA PreCheck, which allows me to keep all the liquids (under 4 oz.) in my bag, but I do keep my Toiletries Case in the Duffel Bag for easy removal if needed.
Illuminating Eye Cream | Mini Radiant Cleansing Balm | Vitamin C Brightening Serum | Intense Hydrating Mask | Sheer Renewal Cream | Quench & Shine Restorative Hair Mask (Mini Size Included HERE) | Micro-Mineral Resurfacing Scrub // Code SUGARPLUM20 for 20% off site-wide!
Travel Essentials //
These are the essentials that come with me on most every trip… plus this new Toiletries Case I recently added to the mix, and LOVE! The Curling Iron is dual-voltage, which means it works in other countries with just a plug adaptor! And if you’re in need of a new carry-on, I’ve had this Rolling Spinner Suitcase for years and it’s currently on clearance!
1. Curling Iron // 2. Kindle Paperwhite
3. Charging Cord Organizer // 4. Pill Case
5. Outlet Adapter // 6. Travel Steamer
7. Zippered Makeup Brush Case // 8. Foldable Vanity Mirror
9. Clear Zipper Pouches // 10. Hat Clip
11. Toiletry Bottles // 12. Noise Machine
13. Packing Cubes // 14. Carry-On Duffel Bag (Also HERE)
15. Luggage Scale // 16. Rolling Spinner Suitcase
For another peek at how I packed my bag, check out THIS VIDEO… and THIS VIDEO for all the styles that went in my bag! I’m also working on a post with our complete itinerary, but you can see highlights of each of our stops in Switzerland, Italy, and France in my profile HERE.
I hope this post is helpful in packing for your next trip… feel free to leave any questions in the comments!
The post What I Packed for 3 Weeks in Europe… in a Carry-On! appeared first on Hi Sugarplum!.