Fall Travel Capsule

Everything I’m Packing for a 12-Day Trip to Europe this Autumn

“Packing light” is not a phrase I use often especially during the cold-weather months when bulky sweaters and layers are required. For shorter trips or domestic travel, I feel at liberty to overpack and/or haul around my ginormous suitcase. However, longer trips abroad call for more manageable luggage with extra space for souvenir purchases to boot.

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It isn’t an impossible task, but does require a little more thought and planning (at least for me). This fall we are headed to Europe for nearly two weeks and have a broad range of activities planned. To complicate things even more, we will have different weather from place to place — cool days, possibly some rain, and snow in the mountains. My challenge is to be prepared for it all with a single piece of 25″ checked-luggage and a carry-on tote bag.

This post will cover:

12 Mix-and-match outfits
The final packing list
Shopping links to individual pieces

12 Mix-and-match outfits for Autumn travel

This is how I created a different outfit for each day based on where we will be and what we will be doing. Mixing-and-matching and re-wearing basics are the clincher. I’m taking laundry soap sheets with me just in case!

Guiding principals:

Pick a color scheme and commit
Dress it up with accessories
Limit shoes

Of course, any of these ensembles are subject to change due to weather conditions or unexpected changes in our itinerary. But, these pieces will provide me with sufficient choices to come up with something suitable no matter what happens:)

The final packing list

It will help that I will be wearing my bulky peacoat and hikers on the flight. Although this may appear to be a lot, my warm layers are very squishy and packable. We have one of these vacuum-packing sets to help flatten things out if we get desperate for space, but I’m feeling confident that it is all going to fit!

Packing Guide for 12 Days in Europe in the Fall

Packable parka
Windbreaker
Quilted Vest
Peacoat
5 Sweaters / tops
3 Base layers
2 Jeans / pants
3 Leggings / joggers
Socks & intimates

Winter hat & gloves
Baseball hat
2 Scarves
Sunglasses
Daypack
Waistpack
Crossbody bag
Hiking shoes
Tall boots

Shopping links to individual pieces

The first thing I do when packing for a trip is shop my own closet. I already have a lot of what I want to take. Then, I’ve been filling in with a few new things that I know I’ll be able to wear on another trip I have planned for December. I’ve included links below to the items that are still available to purchase. For pieces that are too many seasons in the past, I’ve added links to similar finds.

Outerwear