10 STEPS TO PACKING FOR PARIS AND ITALY

 

 

 

I’m Going on a Trip to Paris and Italy and Have No Idea What to Pack?

 

Planning a trip to Paris and Italy can be the dream of a lifetime until you realize you need to plan what to wear. Don’t stress! We’ve put together all the best tips from the entire blog so you can easily access everything in one easy location. Follow these tips for stress free packing for your dream trip:

 

 

STEP 1

 

Start by reading our Paris Packing List and Italy Packing List,  which are seasonal guides offering information on what to wear in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

 

If you’re traveling between May-September, you’ll love our ebook on what to wear in Paris in the summer – everything you need to know including valuable travel tips on where to stay and shop. For Italy,  you’ll love this post on what to wear in Italy in the summer where we’ve sought out guidance from some of our favorite Italian fashion bloggers.

Style in Paris and Italy are both tailored and chic, yet conservative with an edge. Parisians and Italians love neutral colors and adhere to the “No more than 3 colors” rule. Black really is an easy color to wear here year round and navy is a good neutral for summer.

For even more tips, take a look at French girl inspired fashion tips and how to dress in Italy.

If you’re traveling to other destinations in Europe in addition to Paris and Italy, use the guidelines explained in this Europe Packing Guide.

 

 

STEP 2

 

You might be surprised to learn that it is possible to travel carryon only even to a fashionable city like Paris and Italy. All you need is a strategic capsule wardrobe!

A  capsule wardrobe is an essential concept to understand in order to create a minimal yet highly functional (and fashionable) travel wardrobe. Read this packing ebook to help you create the perfect travel wardrobe for your trip.

If you feel extremely overwhelmed at the idea of packing light or have a complicated itinerary, review this packing course which shows you specific techniques to plan around limited clothing choices, varying climates, and other unexpected life situations.

 

Use the Paris Packing List and Italy Packing List to find clothing ideas to dress appropriately for your destination then use the guidelines from TFG’s Signature Packing Lists to help you customize your travel wardrobe.

If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, post a question on TFG’s Facebook Group.

 

 

STEP 3

 

Check weather.com’s extended forecast in advance and 3 days before you leave. Think about how many days you will be in warm vs cold weather.

 

If you have a 10 day trip to Paris and Italy and will be spending 7 days in the cold and 3 days in warm weather, plan for 70% of your travel wardrobe to be for the cold and 30% to be for the heat.

If you are only spending a short amount of time in cold weather or if you’re unsure if you will encounter cold weather on your trip, pack only the essentials: two outerwear PLUS two additional items: long sleeve top and leggings.

Both Paris and Italy experience four seasons with a hot muggy summer and a grey cold winter. Even if you’re traveling in Spring or Summer, you might encounter colder weather than you expect so make sure to aways check the weather so you have the most accurate information for your travel dates.

 

If your trip shows both cool and warm weather, please read this packing guide for mixed weather trips.

 

 

STEP 4

 

Knowing how to pack for cold weather travel can be quite daunting especially if you want to pack light. If you’re traveling in winter, bundle up! 

There is one major difference between being at home in the winter and traveling when it’s cold: the amount of time you’ll spend outdoors. When you’re traveling, you’ll likely spend extended periods of time outdoors sightseeing. Don’t be unprepared. Consider layering lightweight clothing such as the ones featured in this Europe winter packing list to minimize the need for bulky sweaters and coats.

Avoid bringing a thick heavy coat when possible and opt for a packable down jacket instead. Thermals are also key to keeping you warm without having to pack thick sweaters. Don’t skip these!

You can even wear leggings or tights under jeans or pants for extra warmth. If you’re not used to the climate, add additional layers until you feel warm. Don’t forget essential winter accessories like a scarf, hat, and gloves!

 

 

STEP 5

 

Picking the best shoes for travel to Paris and Italy will be one of your biggest challenges so start by reading this 10 step guide to packing the best travel shoes for any trip.

 

One unexpected issue that many travelers discover once they get to Europe are the cobblestone streets. While great to look at, stone streets aren’t always the easiest to walk on and can make for sore feet even if you don’t normally have discomfort. Depending on the city, these streets can also be hilly, slippery when wet, and uneven. Find out how to choose the best shoes for Europe here.

My biggest piece of advice is to choose function over fashion. Really? Yes! The last thing you want is to allow pulsing, injured, or tired feet prevent you from enjoying the trip of a lifetime.

 

Bring no more than three pairs opting for shoes that match all your clothing. Pack one pair for sightseeing (walking), one pair of any special activities you have planned, and then a third pair to either dress up your outfits or one that’s appropriate for a change in weather.

These are the best shoes for sightseeing in the cold and these are the best shoes for sightseeing in the heat. Black ankle boots like these are the most recommended shoes for Italy when dealing with either cold or mixed weather.

 

Please read these posts for more Europe travel shoe inspiration:

• The Best Shoes for Paris
• The Best Shoes for Ireland
• The Best Shoes for Italy

 

Please note: ballet flats are a popular travel shoe option when you want a dressier look but they are NOT recommended for long hours on your feet sightseeing.

Choose one of these cute and comfortable walking shoes instead – they’re the options most recommended by our readers!

 

 

STEP 6

 

It’s important to note that Europeans generally wear the same things that everyone else does around the world – the only difference is HOW they wear them. People value simplicity, clean styling, and a good tailored fit above anything else.

 

In general, day-to-day European style is more dressy than American style. This DOES NOT mean business clothing. Think dressy top (or the type of top you’d wear to work) plus nice jeans (dark colors are always a good choice).

Both Parisians and Italians LOVE an ankle fit jean or trouser! In general, slim or Skinny fit jeans are the preferred denim option.  If that’s not your thing, having tailored denim always makes for a smart appearance no matter what the pant style. For example, hemming the leg length so there’s not an excess fabric at the bottom. If you’re not a pants person, black tights paired with skirts or dresses is perfectly acceptable.

Like anywhere, pack for the environment. Are you spending your time café crawling in the cities or getting lost in the wilderness? As with most destinations, practical sense applies. Leave the beachwear on the beach because it doesn’t translate well to streetwear in the city.

The same goes for gym wear; unless you’re actually headed to the gym, don’t dress in your gym attire.

There are many misconceptions about what should and shouldn’t be worn in Europe. To clarify a couple of the most common myths: you DON’T need to wear slacks or business clothing to sightsee and locals DO wear athletic shoes especially these – they just tend to wear them with a fashionable outfit.

 

 

STEP 7

 

Start with luggage. If you don’t already own a suitcase, choose one wisely. Read these tips on how to pick a suitcase and consider one of these top brands. Make your life easy with our best suitcase recommendations.

If you’re going on an adventurous trip, learn how to choose the best travel backpack.

 

Use packing organizers. Do you want to know the ultimate tool to travel in a carryon? PACKING CUBES! They changed everything for me and thousands of other travelers. See my packing tutorial on how to use them! Trust me, they are a must!

 

Use tried and tested packing strategies. For a summary, read our top 75 packing tips.

I’ve recently taken on a few extreme packing challenges to show you that packing carry-on only is possible for any trip. If I can pack like an ultra-minimalist (with style of course) then you can pack more comfortably in a regular carry-on. Watch these packing videos to learn more:

• Luggage Free Travel: One Week in My Favorite Purse
• What’s in My Bag: 4 Weeks Carry-on Only

 

Watch all my packing videos here!

 

 

STEP 8

 

The biggest mistake travelers make with toiletries is not considering how much product they actually use. There are five key steps when it comes to downsizing your toiletries properly for a trip:

 

• Find combination items. You can find two-in-one shampoos and conditioners, body cleanser that can double as shave gel, a foldable brush with a mirror attached on the handle, and multi-use makeup products.

 

• Purchase empty containers of various shapes and sizes and DO NOT default to choosing “travel size 100ml or 3oz” options. These are the best travel containers.

 

• Stick to the basics. Simplify your skincare and pampering routine and bring a capsule makeup collection. It’s only temporary.

 

• Replace liquid beauty products with solids. While solid toiletries may not help you downsize they will help you meet the carryon 3-1-1 liquids rule.

 

• Choose the right toiletry bag. These are the best toiletry bags and these are the best hanging toiletry bags.

 

For useful tips such as downsizing toiletries and choosing the best travel makeup, read our Ultimate Guide to Packing Toiletries. It includes a free printable checklist!

 

 

STEP 9

 

Don’t forget about safety: Be cautious about where you stash your cash. The safest place for your passport is locked in your accommodation. Carry a photocopy or other ID when you’re sightseeing or are out at night.

 

Keep your valuables safe with these anti-theft products:

• Money Belts and Anti-theft Accessories
• Best Anti-theft Bags for Women
• 6 Tools to Protect Your From Pickpockets in Europe
• 10 Tried and Tested Tips to Avoid Theft While Traveling

 

Read these tips on how to keep your passport safe when you travel!

 

 

STEP 10

 

Sign up for Travel Fashion Girl’s monthly newsletter and get instant access to free packing templates, downloadable checklists, ebooks, and more!

 

 

BONUS SECTION: TRAVEL TIPS

 

One of our biggest travel tips for any destination is to buy either a print or digital guidebook. They help you plan your itinerary, give you insight on where to stay, and even give you facts about the historical sites, too.

 

These are a few popular Paris and Italy guidebooks:

• Lonely Planet Europe
• Lonely Planet Paris
• Lonely Planet Italy

 

Learn more about why I still use travel guides!

 

Transportation

 

Fortunately, country hopping in Europe is relatively easy with an abundance of transportation options to help you tick items off your bucket list. Research in advance to see which mode of transportation best suits your budget.

Trains can be the most expensive way to travel when you compare them to cheap flights on airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet. For even more budget prices, check out long distance bus companies, too.

 

If you are planning an inter-railing trip around Europe, check out this post for some train travel essentials to make your journey more comfortable.

 

Accommodation

 

For accommodation, we love Airbnb for accommodation in Italy and other parts of Europe. Sign up here for a free $40 credit!

I prefer to to book “the entire home” instead of opting for shared accommodation on Airbnb. Aside from safety, I also like to feel like I’m living in the destination. It’s a small taste of local life plus you get more amenities than you would at a hotel such as a kitchen and washing machine.

 

Read these Airbnb tips for more info!

 

If you prefer the convenience and comfort of a hotel room, I like using both Agoda.com and Hotels.com. Tip: Hotels.com gives you a free night for every ten nights you book!

For flights, I like booking through Travelocity or Cheapoair (whichever one’s cheapest). Although I prefer Travelocity because they have a 24 hour money back guarantee.

To maximize your vacation time, fly into the city where you’re starting your trip and out of the city where your trip ends. Many times it’s the same price and saves you from having to spend extra time and money to go back to where you started your trip.

For hostels, we recommend Hostelworld and Hostelbookers. Always read the reviews before booking to get the best idea if the hostel is right for you. Some are quiet and family friendly while others are known for their party atmosphere.

As a personal tip, if you’re backpacking, instead of booking all your nights in advance, maybe just book one or two so you can first get a feel for the place without overcommitting. Of course, should you be traveling during a special event or holiday, book in advance.

 

Not sure about staying at a hostel? Read this.

 

Dining

 

In the US it’s common to eat everyday meals with a fork. In Europe, however, it’s generally customary to use a knife and fork even if you’re eating in a casual restaurant. This small tip might help you blend in a little more than your clothing.

 

Travel Insurance

 

For travel, I recommend Travel Guard, which saved me over $800 in hospital bills on my round-the-world trip. As a scuba diver, I also recommend using DAN, which helped me rearrange my and my husband’s flights at no extra cost when we had a dive incident.

 

Europe Tours

 

Tours are a great way to travel if you’re not ready to travel alone. A few top choices include G Adventures or Intrepid Travel. While I haven’t traveled through Europe with G Adventures, I did go to South America and Africa with them as a new traveler in 2008 and enjoyed my experiences!

One of my favorite type of tours to do when I travel are food tours. In Europe, I’ve received complimentary tours by Eating Italy, Eating London, and Madrid Food Tours. I can’t recommend them enough!

In Rome, I did a City Tour and a VIP Vatican Tour with Roman Guy tours. Not only were there were only 3 people on my Vatican tour versus the groups of 25-50 around us but my guide Nina was a local fashionista. I also got to skip the massive lines and enter the Vatican one hour before the public!

For more city tours, New Europe has excellent tours and the best part? They’re free! All you have to do is tip your guide.

 

Before your trip, it’s very beneficial to learn a few key  French and Italian phrases. Locals will have a warmer reception to you if you’ve taken the time to learn this simple courtesy.