Minimalist wardrobe for Europe
 

Hi all,
We will be in London, Paris, Ghent, and Amsterdam in June. I want to bring only:
2 pairs of shoes (one a pair of sandals for long walking days)
I capri, 1 pants, 1 long shorts (or skirt?)
3 nice sleeveless tops
a shawl
a rainjacket of some sort
Plus underwear and socks!
pajamas

Is there any way that will be enough clothes? I made sure all of our apartments had a washing machine plus I can handwash if necessary. Obviously everything will match.

Any suggestions for wardrobe or shoe brands would be appreciated! I like Josef Seibels but sometimes they don't have enough arch support.

- I'd add a shirt with sleeves. Sometimes a bit more coverage is called for and a shawl doesn't always do it, especially in warm weather.

- I'd also add 1 more pair of long pants, possibly in place of the capris. More versatile, I think.

- Skirt instead of the shorts.

- A nice tee or light sweater to wear on the plane and relaxing at "home".

If you can travel with these few items, I am extremely impressed.

I am going to try for carry on for two weeks next year to Paris. It will be a real stretch for me.
Heck, I could take your list in my purse. Please let us know how it works.

I wore Skeechers Go Walk for six weeks in Europe several years ago. Legs and back were tired but no feet problems.

these place can all be cool - I think I'd pack a warm sweater or something you could layer - wiundy and cool and wet - I used to lead trips thru this area for years and one summer it rained 35 straight days - never hard but a cool drizzle - not likely be very possible a few days. Make sure it is good rain gear - some folks had gear that just wasn't up to a lot of wet windy weather.

definitely need sleeves!

At that time of year I'd take at most ONE sleeveless top, and several w/ sleeves. Most of the time the sleeveless top will end up being layered under something warmer.

I seldom take sandals unless going to the beach - but a pair of supportive/walking sandals would be OK. You will likely want your feet more covered up due to the grime and walking miles every day.

One pair of capris, one pair of long slacks or jeans, plus the pants worn on the plane will be plenty. Ditch the shorts. It <i>might</i> be warm enough a day or two, but more likely you'll want your legs covered.

I'd also take a cardigan - the chance of cool is as good or better as the chance of warm . . .

To clarify -- I have nothing against sandals as city wear. It is just that nice flats work fine in warm/cool/wet/dry weather . . . whereas sandals are only good in nice weather. So I avoid taking them because everything I take needs to be double duty. I always travel w/ only a carry-on sized bag.

Good ideas! I can wear the long sleeve shirt on the plane.
MmePerdue why 2 pants? Won't I get hot? I was hoping I could wear the capris most days, weather permitting. I am from a very dry climate so I never know what to wear in places with humidity. I will make sure the jacket is decent.

I'd take the skirt instead of shorts and only 1 sleeveless blouse. The other 2 should be short sleeved.

Can the skirt be worn with the shoes/sandals?

How about something for your feet for the hotel room when you get out of the shower, etc. Flipflops or soft slippers.

Your packing list is very minimal. I'd worry about the pants getting wet and not drying. Add a second pair of long pants and an extra shirt or cardigan.

One sweater or cardigan is a must-have. You may encounter temperatures above 30°C but it may just as well be notably below 20.

janisj you just reminded me of how dirty my feet were after walking around Rome in sandals. It was really disgusting, so thank you!
OK so...definitely adding a cardigan too. Maybe I should buy one in London instead? :)
That's another reason to pack light, I get to shop.

Two pairs of pants, Jennifer, because long pants go anywhere. You might like a change before dinner. Or after a seagull has his way with you, or any of a number of possibilties, like (oh, no) sweat. If it's hot, that's where the skirt comes in. But I doubt it'll be that hot, as PalenQ says above.

At that time of year I'd take at most ONE sleeveless top, and several w/ sleeves. Most of the time the sleeveless top will end up being layered under something warmer.>>

i would keep the sleeveless tops but add at least one long-sleeved shirt [preferably with sleeves that can be rolled up]; two shirts would be better then you can ring the changes and one can be worn while the other is in the wash.

I would keep the capris [in fact I'd bring 2 pairs on the same basis as above] and 2 pairs of long trousers - one to wear and one to pack.

And a cardigan. The shawl is pretty but nowhere near as useful as a cardigan in the UK - I wear one most of the year.

If it gets particularly cool [or hot] you can always buy a jumper while you're here - we do have shops.

As for shoes i usually pack three pairs - one pair for walking, another for best [dinner etc] and a pair of sandals. I find that my feet get less sore if i can change out of what I've been wearing in the day into something different in the evening. if you wear the walking pair to travel, you'll only need to pick the best pair and the sandals.

shoes for walking should be waterproof as much as possible - no fun slogging around in wet socks and shoes.

I love Icebreaker clothing for travel - light and quick drying.

I swear by Cole Haan shoes when I know I am going to be walking alot.

you didn't say how long you will be gone on your trip.

sanderskn we will be gone 3 weeks.

I am always hot but a 3/4 length short or short sleeve might be nice. Save room for a purchase or two there. I live in sanuk sandals and converse so am not the norm there apparently. I have a pair of prada loafers and ballet flats for dress and they are both comfy. My sandals take up so little room. You can't go wrong with black leather. Skip the shorts, op for capris.

Ha ha my whole family lives in Converse and I am really tempted to bring them. They go with everything in my mind!

Every time we are in England in June, I am surprised at how chilly/damp it can be. I end up wearing a jacket more than I ever expect, and end up buying a fleece or cardigan or something else.

I love my naot shoes.After trying many many brands and ending up with sore blistered feet I won't leave home without my NAOT's