travel packing flight flying

CAPSULE WARDROBE: How I Pack for a Year in Europe in 1 Suitcase

Date
Sep, 12, 2017

Minimalism:

When you eliminate excess, you make room for LIVING LIFE. Living does not require possessions. That said, what items do remain are essentially more curated, succinct, and peaceful.


travel packing flight flying

Soaring over the Rockies

I’m going to break down how I pack for  6 months – 1 year  in  one large checked bag (22 kg / 48.5 lb)  and  one EUROPEAN sized carry on (6 Kg13.2 lb) (55 x 40 x 2 cm).

Because of the cheap flights I booked this time, this is the lightest I’ve ever packed.

Every time I arrive I feel like Mary Poppins

Guidelines:

  • Take a good ratio of  CASUAL : ATHLETIC : BUSINESS : OCCASION  pieces

  • INTERCHANGABLE, NEUTRAL colored basics should be the majority of what you pack. Add variety with accessories, hair, and makeup.

  • Do NOT bring duplicates of things or redundancies. Do NOT bring poor quality items that will fall apart after a few months.

  • Taking a reusable bottle and utensil can help cut down on plastic and paper waste considerably.

  • You will do laundry there, don’t worry about bring the minimum number of something

  • If you forgot something essential don’t worry, you can buy another once you get there

  • The TSA has always checked inside my bags (they leave a paper slip), so keep things organized & transparent. They will repack your bag when they’re done- so if you did it in a specific way, they’ll probably not be able to replicate it like you did.

  • Keep things compact. See the KonMari Method HERE

 


Keep Reading:                                                             How I Never Overpay for Flights


 

basic ootd outfits

Notice how we can rotate the top and bottom rows, and they all make wearable outfits? I typically take more tops than bottoms– they’re not as heavy and can easily add variety.

TOPS: tanks, long, and short sleeves. BOTTOMS: jeans, athletic leggings, jean shorts, athletic shorts, and black pants for work or nicer occasions.

Jackets Sweaters Ootd

JACKETS: one warm one (I wear it in the coldest months and when we go skiing), one light waterproof one.

 


Wanderlust?    Here’s $40 on Airbnb


 

OTHER LAYERS: sweaters, sweatshirts, a running jacket, denim jacket.

DRESSES: casual, work and holiday (special occasions). WORK: a blazercollared shirts, dress pants, skirts.

 

travel flight switzerland

Sunrise over the Swiss Alps

 

Shoes Handbags bags

 

HANDBAGS: One large and one small. I will typically take one on the plane and pack the other. SHOES: comfortable walking flats, everyday heeled shoes, athletic shoes for workouts, heels for nice occasions, optional: wellies/hiking boots for hiking and being outdoors.

 

Undies bras underwear socks BRAS: sport, t-shirt, and strapless. SOCKS: warm wool socks, cotton socks for everyday and workout. UNDERWEAR: one of everything you typically wear, don’t forget spandex to workout in. SWIMSUIT? 

*If your bag is overweight, these are typically the first to go. You can always buy a new pack once you’re there.

 

Other RANDOM things I bring to France:

  • Natural deodorant (My Fave) + A stick Anti-perspirant (in France, it’s mostly roll-on and aerosol)
  • Floss and Fluoride rinse (never found any I liked/worked)
  • Razors and Tampons (they’re more expensive)
  • American team jerseys
  • Gifts from home: homemade apricot jam, Local Organic Hawaiian Honey
  • Favorite Coffee, Hot Sauce, Spice Blends
  • Medicine: Prescriptions and other favorites like Advil liquid gels (in France their ibuprofen dissolves in water like Airborne)

travel flight flying the californienneAll smiles at 6am (we actually got up at 4am to catch a bus and the metro and another bus to the airport), this was a short flight over to Geneva for Christmas.

Bon voyage et Bonne courage,

(Have a good trip and Good luck!)

Anne

 

 

8 Comments

  1. Reply

    Live Lovely

    November 22, 2017

    This is a fantastic post 🙂 I have adopted a lot of minimalist ideas into my life, although I am not a perfect minimalist (I just love books!). I now travel for all trips carry-on only. I loved your tips for packing for a longer trip.

    • Reply

      Anne Donahoe

      November 25, 2017

      Thank you! That is such a compliment from a fellow traveler. Always trying to find the balance between packing light and not regretting missing anything.

  2. Reply

    Jorge Luis

    September 15, 2017

    Thanks for the piece of advice, even though I am a guy, I still find these advice to be really helpfull. Best regards and keep it up with blogs, I’ll also work on something similar in france, I’ll make Vlogs though. Please don’t hesitate to visit my channel, it’s Jorge Luis Amateco.

    • Reply

      Anne Donahoe

      September 18, 2017

      Thanks, I know my blog is kinda femme but there is some real info in here too! Check out my city guides! Can’t wait to see your vlogs!

  3. Reply

    Erin Elsewhere

    September 15, 2017

    These tips make me wish I could pull of minimalism. When it comes to clothes I’m just like, but I want it~ I am attempting to at least get my suitcase to exactly the 50 pound limit. I know from experience, many of my shoes I will not be bringing back, as they will probably be worn to death by then, so I imagine that will help on the way back.

    • Reply

      Anne Donahoe

      September 18, 2017

      SO true about the shoes getting worn out! Those are always the first things to go on the way home.

  4. Reply

    Jessy

    September 13, 2017

    Great tips! And I agree with the guideline that if you forget it, you can always buy it when you get there!

    xo, Jessy | http://www.currentbliss.com

    • Reply

      Anne Donahoe

      September 18, 2017

      It’ll def calm the anxiety of leaving things you think you need. Sometimes I enjoy it. I intentionally leave some skincare items because they might explode in my bag and are heavy. I challenge myself to try new things in the pharmacie. It’s fun when you find a new favorite too.

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