One bag travel: what to pack for Europe summer 2022

Hi Frugalistas!  After what has been a very long three years, I’m thrilled to be returning to Europe in June.  Because fashion never stands still I’ve been thinking about what to pack for Europe summer 2022 style.  It has to be a packing list for one bag travel (of course) and has to be suitable for a three day conference in Brussels, wandering the streets of Paris and also suitable for rural Alsace.  So as usual, I need a  multitasking packing list that meets my myth busting packing list requirements.

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What to pack for Europe summer 2022

As always, I’m using the principles I set out in my colourful spring packing list (but just bending the rules slightly).  So this means shoes first.  For this trip I’m choosing a pair of white leather sneakers (which remain perennially fashionable in Europe) as well as a pair of espadrilles.  My espadrilles are blue and have nice thick soles.  They are smart enough to wear to the conference dinner in Brussels, and will get me round the “no sporting wear” rule at Le Meurice when going for afternoon tea.

It doesn’t matter what brand sneakers you buy, but choose something with good arch support, a thick enough sole for uneven surfaces and that are waterproof, like these Adidas:

My colour palette this trip is navy, white and tan, with just a dash of red and pink.

Tops are four Tshirts in navy, white, tan & white stripes and navy & white stripes.  Plus I’m also packing a white linen shirt.  I’ve chosen round neck Tshirts to keep the sun off my decolletage with short sleeves to protect my shoulders, but obviously you should choose a style that suits you.

casual and classic pants that match every Tshirt

Because it’s summer I’ve decided to leave the jeans at home because I think I’ll just be too hot in them.  Instead I’m packing a pair of navy loose trousers and a pair of more casual tan cotton pants.  So both pairs of pants will go with all of my tops, giving me ten different outfits straight off.

My two other bottoms are skirts, and this is where I’m breaking my own rules just a little.  My first skirt choice is pretty straight forward – a navy linen skirt that is perfect for the heat and humidity.  It goes with all five of my tops, bringing my total number of outfits to fifteen so far. 

My rule breaker skirt still matches my plain Tshirts and linen shirt

My rule breaker skirt is a pink, red and white pleated skirt.  It’s a little dressier but still goes with both my pairs of shoes.  It won’t go with my striped Tshirts because the pattern is just too, well, patterned, but it goes with my white and navy Tshirts and my linen shirt, so I still get three outfits with it, bringing my total to eighteen outfits.

To complete my list of outfits, I’ve chosen two dresses – one navy linen and a slightly dressier blue, black and white wrap dress with a pleated skirt.  And just to change things up a bit, I’ll pack one light silk scarf in toning pinks and navy.

Not including scarf, jackets and different pairs of shoes this gives me a total of twenty outfits – perfect for a two week trip.

dresses and shoes – I will likely roll the sleeves up on the one on the right, but if it’s cooler in the evening long sleeves will be fine

I’m being classic with my jacket choices.  Firstly, a denim jacket, then a navy blazer.  For chilly evenings I’ve chosen a very light merino wool Vneck cardigan.  Again, everything goes with everything else.

Extras to make one bag travel easy

To make sure everything fits in my carry on bag I’ll be wearing my navy pants and denim jacket with a Tshirt and my sneakers on the plane.  I’ll be taking a pair of old airline pyjamas to change into to keep my travelling clothes fresh.  

Because it’s summer I’m leaving my ever reliable trench at home, and taking a very light rain jacket in its place.  It will pack down to nothing in the bottom of my case so it’s out of the way until I need it.

Night attire is a simple slip style nightie and my lingerie is classic and light coloured that will go under everything I’m wanting to wear – avoid any garments or outfits that need special underwear so you don’t need to pack extra.  Choose colours you can wear under every outfit so you don’t need to pack extra (my normal rule is one on, one off and one in the wash).

As usual, I’ll be packing my clothes (except for the navy blazer and what I wear on the plane) into my packing cubes.  They really do help keep your packing tidy and enable you to get more in.

For my toilet bag, I use a very small, light zip model that’s perfect for my Go Toobs.  Choose something squishy so it takes up less space and will be lighter.  Prescription medicine goes in a ziplock bag, along with a couple of Covid19 antigen tests (it is 2022 after all).  A small supply of spare surgical masks will tuck around the sides of my packing cubes.

If you are travelling to warmer or cooler climates, this list is easily adaptable.  For northern Europe and the UK swap out one of the dresses for an extra pair of pants and blouse or Tshirt.  For southern Europe such as Greece, Spain or Italy my choice would be to ditch the denim jacket and just keep the smarter jacket (not as thick, and more wearable).  I would also think about whether I needed two pairs of pants and add in an extra skirt instead, plus an extra dress or skirt and top instead of the second jacket.  A lighter sweater or cardigan rather than wool would also be a better choice.  If you are travelling to Italy, remember you need to cover knees and shoulders in churches, so plan your wardrobe accordingly.

If you want to see what I actually wore, you can see my pics later this month in my France Travel Planning Facebook group.  (You can join here if you aren’t a member).