Low Budget Europe Trip.. Light Packing Ideas?

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V

verka

Member
Jan 29, 2009
16
0
#1
I'm going to Europe this summer, and I need to pack really light (maybe a duffel bag or a big backpack) and I was just wondering if anyone had ideas about types of clothes I should look for that are chique but not "overdressed" (I'm going to be with my family, some adult cousins and.. it would just look weird if I looked too good?) practical, and. light I guess. Easy to wash.. etc.

I'm thinking along the lines of a few pairs of jeans, some cotton v-neck shirts, maybe a couple scarves?

I'm going to be living rather sedentary lifestyle in someone else's paris apartment, but then I'm going on a road-trip (Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro :graucho:) in a car with 4 other people.. so I can't have a suitcase, you know? We're going to be sleeping in tents sometimes, just to give an idea about how low budget this is.

Links would be nice..
 
#2
This sounds really stupid but sometimes what I do when Im packing light is I buy nightgowns that look like sundresses. There lighter, and aerier but they go by day as dresses and by night as pjs. Just a little tip!
 
#3
I would bring only 1 or 2 pairs of shoes. Bring underwear you can throw away because they are ratty anyway. How long are you there for? Don't bring more than 4 or 5 tops, 2 pairs of jeans...
 
#4
I never check bags and only travel with a carry-on 20" rolling bag and a handbag. My tips:

Pack only a couple of pairs of shoes, comfy flats. If you want to bring a pair of boots or heels, wear them on the plane if you can, which will save room in your suitcase.

Pack enough underwear/socks to get you through the whole trip. Bring a knit pair of capris and a tshirt that can double as pjs or loungewear.

Pack a few pairs of jeans and casual pants, a few simple tops, and a light scarf or two. If the scarf can double as a wrap, even better. I always bring one cardigan for cool nights, but I wear that on the plane to save room in the suitcase. I also carry a light jacket on the plane even if it is hot, because if you catch a few rainy days while you are there you may need it. Plus, it doesn't count towards your carry-on allowance.

If you plan to shop while you are there, take a small tote that will fold flat and put it in your suitcase. Then you will have something to put your purchases in!

Essentially, it boils down to: wear your bulkiest items on the plane, carry less than you think you need and handwash or launder as needed, pack neutral colors so you can mix and match for more outfit variation, use accessories to vary your look, and either fold very very small or tightly roll your clothes when packing.

Have fun!
 
#5
Definitely keep the good stuff at home - I always pick out t-shirts and jeans so something really versatile. Wear trainers and bring one pair of heels - the beauty of jeans is that you can so easily dress up by simply wearing a pair of killer heels, no separate outfit needed! Always bring travel-sized wash stuff and buy some more when you get there (and obviously just throw it away before going back home).

Simply put, when you're on a low budget holiday comfort is always over style so pack your most favourite and comfy items :) Have fun!!
 
#7
MissM said:
Uh, but bring something chic for Paris - you will regret it otherwize - Parisiens are always well dressed.. ;)
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I'm probably going to have to find some perfect, washable.. durable day dress and hope it works with a scarf and a cardigan.

I'm keep on the neutrals so everything is intermatching... and then just pop things with accessories; that's now I usually dress do it's not much different. I guess the main things I'm going to have to actually look for are the chic-but-comfortable-shove-in-a-bag items.
 
#10
bring a pair of dark jeans- they're more versatile than light wash ones. i'd bring things that can be layered if needed- a couple of tanks and cardigans, a couple of well fitting tees (not the big ass hanes ones). these items are comfy and laidback but versatile when you add a scarf for example. and i'd definitely bring a comfy dress or 2!
 
#13
if you don't know if you're going to be able to do much laundry when you're abroad, here's a suggestion: While it's totally wasteful, it was suggested to me when I traveled and I did it about 50% of the time with the T shirts.
Buy cheap white men's understhirts (like Hanes BVDs) that are comfortable, not completely see through, but still cheap. And buy cheap underpants.
As you wear them and they get sweaty or stained, you can just throw them away. You can pack some other clothes too for a little versatility, but this way, you don't have to obsess if you get dirty or can't do wash. And depending on how your traveling (backpacking, esp), you won't need to wear fancy clothes anyway. Your bag will get lighter as your trip goes on and you'll surely pick up some fun stuff to fill the extra space.
 
#14
verka said:
How about things that wash well-- would I be better off with thin cottons, or is there some other material that wears better that I should be looking for?
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I love my jersey dresses for traveling- they roll up small but they don't hold wrinkles. They also are lightweight and dry fairly quickly. I have a navy one that looks dressy- if you find one in a dark color you can be comfortable but also look nice.
 
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