Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The bulk of what's in your bag will be clothing, so if you want to lose the weight you need
to minimize and be smart about what you pack. Below are some guidelines to help you pack
light.
Mix and match for versatility.
The key to being fashionable and packing light is choosing
items that are versatile. You'll only bring a few different pieces, but you'll mix and match dif-
ferent items to create multiple outfits.
Everything you bring should look good when paired with any other article of clothing you
have. For example, you should be able to blindly pull any top and bottom from your bag and
they should look good together. If you can't do this, then you should probably reconsider what
you've chosen.
Dark solid colors or simple patterns.
Dark colors and simple patterns do a good job at
hiding stains and they're easiest to coordinate. Plus, most Europeans tend to wear darker col-
ors, so you have the added benefit of blending in better with the locals.
Bring low maintenance clothing.
Make sure the items you bring don't have special wash-
ing instructions since you'll be washing your clothes at laundromats. Furthermore, your
clothes are going to go through a lot more abuse than normal while you travel so ensure the
fabrics you choose are sturdy enough to withstand some punishment.
Forget the “single use” items.
That super cute dress or nice slacks you'll only wear once
should be left behind. Instead, bring items that can be worn in multiple situations. A good
guideline is that if you aren't going to wear it at least three or four times, then you shouldn't
bring it.
Add accessories.
A nice scarf, fancy belt, or another fun accessory is a simple way to add a
little variety to your outfit.
Bring a smaller backpack.
You can only bring as much as your bag can hold, so force your-
self to bring less by buying a smaller backpack.
Shop as you travel.
The shopping in Europe is amazing so you can always buy more cloth-
ing as you travel.
There is no difference between packing for three weeks or three months.
The length of
your trip really doesn't have a big impact on how much you pack because you'll do a load of
laundry every week or two.
Clothing Packing Guide for Women
Shirt/blouse.
Pack a combination of short and long sleeve tops. Make sure to check the av-
erage weather for when you're traveling since it will dictate which type of top to bring. Long
sleeve shirts are more versatile since the sleeves can be rolled up if it gets warm.
