Ladies,

This is a letter to you. I know you. I know the pain you’re going through as you pack your suitcase for that extended trip “across the pond.” Going through your closet once, then twice, then once more to make sure you packed everything. Calculating how many wardrobe changes you’ll probably do in a day… Thinking to yourself, “We will be walking all day in Paris so I’ll need to pack an extra outfit to change for dinner” and , “I’ll need my hair dryer, curling iron, straightener, everything else electric sitting on my bathroom sink.”

I’m here to burst the bubble, ladies. If you are content packing a 50 pound (23 kg) suitcase and lugging it all over Europe for the next two to three weeks, then stop reading and start packing. But if you are now realizing that the sixth pair of high heels you just packed is a bit excessive then read on, sister!

Currently, I am at the beginning of my own three week stint around Europe: three countries with three very different climates. Why am I going only with a carry on? It’s simple: to save money. Traveling in Europe is becoming so easy and affordable these days if all you are booking is the actual flight; the extras is where they make their money. Checking a bag on Ryanair? You may be paying an extra 20 euros and that’s only if you order it at the time of booking. The longer you wait, the more expensive the cost.

Here we have a standard carry on roller suitcase that is currently packed with all the items I will wear on coming weeks. The biggest concept I had to get over? Knowing I will wear all of these items in the 3-4 times range…dudes don’t understand our struggle on this one but believe me,  I know the pain.

Over time, I learned what are the things I can’t live without. Everyone will have a different list but here are the things that made mine:

• Ballerina flats
• 3 pairs of jeans (fall and winter), 1 pair of jeans and two skirts (spring and summer)
• 1 pair of dress pants or nice skirt
• 4-5 plain color tank tops (different colors)
• 2 blazers
• Rain booties
• 2 heavy sweaters
• 2 dress shirts
• Hair gel for curly hair
• Carmex extra moisture chap stick
• Women’s multi vitamins
• Advil rapid release
• Red lipstick
• Eye cream
• Whatever your preference of body wash is at home
• Extra fluoride toothpaste
• 2-3 sleep nightgowns
• 2-3 regular t-shirts (long or short sleeved)
• 1 active wear pants
• Rain coat (heavy or light depending on where you go)
• 2 toothbrushes
• 2-3 wash cloths (depending on how many hotels you are staying)
• Enough pairs of underwear to change twice a day
• Enough socks for once a day
• 1 scarf
• 1 hat (Ok I pack 2 but I love hats when it’s cold out)

Let me explain some of these. I realize some are quite basic but others may have you a bit puzzled.

Ballerina flats

Choose a pair of ballerina flats that are comfortable and go with just about anything in your suitcase. They can also work as your dress shoes for nights when you want to dress up a little. Do not bring your brand new Louboutin’s to Paris to go with that gorgeous outfit because of two little words: Cobblestone Streets. Bring shoes you can scuff up the bottom and not be upset about. Also, look how these Tory Burch flats roll up; perfect for packing!

Toiletries

I mentioned a few items in the list under the toiletry category and you can see them all here to the left.

• Extra fluoride toothpaste- the water in Europe lacks the level of fluoride that we are used to in USA. After living in Europe for a few years, my teeth started to pay the price. You can get these at your local dentist or buy in Europe at any local store.
• Shower gel of your choice-  I can do the hotel shampoo; I accepted that my hair will be dry and a pain to comb but I can not let me body meet the terrible soap in most hotels. If you have a problem of dry skin, then do not skimp on the body wash.
• Advil liquid release gels- They work faster than other pain medication. I am sure you’ll need some if you decide to go on the vineyard tour in Tuscany or go pub crawling in Dublin.
• Eye cream- I have such a problem with puffy eyes after flying and now I am battling the dark circles after staying out too long. Rodan and Fields has a nice eye cream that I have come to love and comes in a convenient travel size. A little dab under my eyes and I can tell a world of difference. Which leads me to….
• Red lipstick- If I had a late night the night before, red lipstick doesn’t make me look so dead; but if I am not on the brink of death,  I go with…
• Carmex lip moisture- Nothing else keeps my dry lips smooth. I probably travel with 5 sticks at a time. (Insert Napolean Dynamite joke here.)
• Finally, wash cloths- not all European hotels offer wash cloths in the bathroom. Who likes to wash their lady bits with their hand? Not me. Pack some wash cloths that you can leave behind when you check out.

Packing

Let’s look at the first layer; shoes, jeans and heavy sweaters. I hope you’re asking yourself, “Where are the rain booties?”  I wear those on the plane. Wear your heaviest stuff to free up the space in your suitcase. You might look like a freak wearing rain booties in Madrid but you’ll super happy you did when you get off that plane in Edinburgh.

Second layer is lighter sweaters, the nice shirts you picked, 4-5 tank tops and one blazer that you don’t care to get a little wrinkled.

I like tank tops from Zara because they are maximum 10 bucks a piece and are very difficult to wrinkle. I choose basic colors because I can mix and match the undershirts to wear with one of the blazers or underneath a nice shirt or even wear it solo. I can get up to three outfits with one shirt.

The third and final layer consists of the night shirts, other lighter shirts and the toiletry bags. I also fill the sides with extra panties, socks and anything else I can cram inside. You’ll notice that I roll the thicker pieces of clothing at the bottom but lay flat the lighter pieces. I found this helps maximize on the space instead of rolling every piece of clothing inside your suitcase.

Don’t forget the section on the opposite side. I use this for socks, panties, gloves, hats and any other accessories I think I’ll need. I pack one scarf, my two fabulous hats and enough underwear to cloth a small family. This is where I do not get shy on the packing; even if I don’t have time for a quick shower before my next activity, I will change out the ole lady garments. It’s amazing how clean you feel just by this little act.

All in all, you pack what you feel is important to you. But take one trip across Europe with a 50 pound suitcase and I guarantee that next time you’ll go much lighter. Be sure to account for all weather conditions so it doesn’t put a damper on your holiday!

Sincerely,

Steer into the Skid