Hello!
This summer I am studying abroad for 7 weeks in June-July in Chambéry, France. I am then doing a 3 week backpacking trip throughout Germany, Italy and the Netherlands during late July-early August. Can anyone give me advice for what to pack for this three month journey? I am planning on taking one large(ish) suitcase, a travel backpack, and a small purse. I already have an adapter, small camera, journal, and all the medications I need. I'm mostly looking for clothes/shoes ideas since I am not sure of the weather during these months there.
Thank you very much!!

You say it's a backpacking trip, then you say you're taking a "largish suitcase."

Which is it?

I can't imagine you'd need much of anything unusual in August in Europe, other than lightweight summer clothes, a hat, raingear, and good walking shoes.

@StCirq
Sorry, allow me to clarify. I'm going to be keeping my suitcase with me as we are mostly staying in AirBNBs and I cannot afford to send it home. Thanks!

No need for a large suitcase. You can do it all w/ either a carry on sized rollaboard, or a reasonably-sized duffel or back pack.

Don't weigh yourself down with large luggage. Just plan to do hand washing now and then and regular laundry every week to 10 days.

It will be warm and probably humid humid most places so jus a light weight rain poncho and a couple pair of really good shoes plus things you'd normally wear in the summer. If you are going to high elevations maybe a fleece vest just in case.

I think the OP meant that the large suitcase is for her 7 weeks studying stay, and after that she has to bring it with her during the 3 weeks trip.

nymphlys: in late July-early August it will be hot in Europe, so bring your summer clothes. Also bring a scarf and a light coat just in case it turns cold some day in Germany or Netherlands. The coat is better waterproof and have hoodie in case it rains and you don't have umbrella. A hat if you don't like too much of sun. A light, good shoes for walking, and a sandal when it's too hot in Italy. If your sandal is good enough and you don't plan to hike mountain, the shoes are not needed.

are you male or female? Just realized that I wasn't sure.

French generally dress a little nicer. So when in doubt go for...it's hard to generalize here, but say something you'd wear out to a nice lunch with grandma. No humorous/collegiate tshirts, no cut off shorts, no saggy jeans. Basically, pack stuff that is comfortable but not sloppy. Stuff that mix and matches. Your favorite accessories- scarf or belt or jewelry. Hat, sun coverage (I burn super easily so I have sun shirts with long sleeves.)

Nice walking sandals. Flip flops for beach or dubious showers. A solid pair of walking shoes- like whatever you'd wear at home for all day at a theme park or large city or something. Just be aware of how much you WILL be walking. In the US, I think a lot of people are used to not walking. I'm not one of those people but I know people who wear heels or ballet flats a lot because they are essentially driving door to door. Then it doesn't occur to them they won't use them in a pedestrian friendly city. You can't do that in Europe- many old towns are completely closed to traffic and there is a ton of walking just between subway platforms or in train stations. Additionally, surfaces are OLD- I mean obviously, but cobble/paving stones, even good ones, aren't all that much fun walk on if you're wearing nonsupportive shoes.

I would ditch the backpack, and buy a small suitcase or duffel that you can easily handle. Think about how many clothes you would wear on a weekly basis, and only pack those, then do laundry once a week. The only time I would want to carry that purse AND backpack would be on a flight. You don't need anything except jacket and purse on a day to day basis. You don't even need a water bottle, really. You might need a map and phrase book if you don't have a data plan, but I'm going to assume with that long or a trip and your age, you've got both data and a smart phone. So leave guidebooks and phrasebooks at home. Download the various transit apps and google translate and grab a free map from the tourist office when you roll into town.

Also think about how you are traveling. Those airbnbs will likely have stairs. They may be narrow, and steep. Even in hotels with elevators, they often aren't handicapped accessible. This means (if you aren not handicapped at least) that you may be carrying your bag up a a flight of stairs to even get to the elevator. Stairs to get into trains. Stairs between subway and street surface.

Most if not all cities have great drugstores or department stores. Many brands are global- makeup and style wise. Sephora is a good one stop shop in all major cities. I don't know what shampoo or makeup or whatever you use. But unless it's an incredibly rare brand, you will be able to find it. So don't pack full sized stuff. If you're female, literally the only thing I couldn't find was the tampons I like. And my blister proof lotion for my feet. But everything else, even my contact solution and Clinique makeup- no problem.

If nothing else, think of underpacking or forgetting something as a stellar chance to shop!!

Oh, yeah. I do understand that you are studying abroad like furyfluffy says. My point is you don't need to take a big suitcase for that either. Laundry once a week is preferable to lugging a big suitcase around for the next 3. Think about what you wear to class everyday. Chances are that the same closthes get worn over and over, because you wear what you like and are comfortable in.

I'm not advocating a firm limit like janisj- it's more about weight of your case, really, than size. I'm just saying you need to cut way down on what you've got listed. I sense that your list is already way, way too long, and likely you keep thinking "just in case I need it".

Old retired people travel light because they do not care what they look like. And this site is infested with people who are fanatical about packing light.

A young person studying abroad for 3 months is a different matter entirely. In the OP's case, I do not think that one "large-ish" suitcase is at all unreasonable for a 3 month stay.

But she also didn't ask about that--she asked for advice as to what clothes/shoes to bring for the weather.

It's going to be hot during the months that you're there, OP, but in Germany and the Netherlands and in parts of France you could run into a summer cold front and rainy weather. So bring comfortable walking shoes for both hot and cool, rainy weather; a light waterproof jacket; a few light layers, such as cardigans or long sleeved-shirts; and then summer clothes. Keep in mind that when touring churches in Italy, you don't want to wear short shorts or mini skirts, and you might want a shawl or light cardi if you're going sleeveless.

Btw, I don't agree that one doesn't need a water bottle, but then that's my form of fanaticism: plastic water bottles are a scourge upon the earth. and you can refill a bottle from the nearest tap. I never travel without one. They make one kind that rolls up, if space is a concern.

huh, well personally I'd send it home before the backpacking ordeal, although I gather you are using the "backpacking" term loosely just to mean you are traveling around, as what you have is just like a normal traveler (suitcase and small daypack).

But otherwise, it will likely be very hot, especially since you are throwing in Italy. YOu never know about Germany, etc. I was in Germany one July when it was about 95F for a week, although that was an unusual heat wave.

As far as shoes, be sure you take at least one good pair of walking sandals and one good pair of other walking shoes (I have a pair of New Balance "walking" sneaks and they are actually very comfortable, and not the kind with tie-up laces which are not what I personally want). But some other kind of more heavy-duty leather walking shoe may suit you. I guess you aren't into dressing up, but in summer, I have a pair of Merrell strappy sandals that are not heavy duty walking sandals, and can be worn with a casual skirt and look great, but they still have a sole that makes it comfortable to walk some blocks as you have to do when staying in cities, even when just going out to dinner often (or on the metro). I wouldn't wear them all day long during daytime, but they are good at night. I have little use for "ballet flats" and other flimsy shoes that provide no support as even at night, I often end up walking for blocks. But there are some like that which are sort of sneak skimmers that could work also. I wouldn't take ballet flats that are not sneakerish soles or they'll kill your feet.

What is your idea of a "largish" suitcase?

My daughter spent three months in Europe, cities and countryside, late summer to fall, using an Eagle Creek backback while in college. Others traveling with her had suitcases and tnrew them out.

<<French generally dress a little nicer.>>

Rubbish. Search this website - there have been numerous posts about how the French dress just as poorly as anyone else. They just do so with less-bright colors.

I don't doubt it, Bigruss, but I definitely noticed a difference between how locals dress and how American tour groups dress. Or even a difference between locals on Paris metro and London tube.

Maybe "nicer" was a poor choice of word. Maybe it's more like the local population dresses in normal street clothes. Not in yoga pants.

Newbe- I generally agree with you about the plastic waterbottle issue. My thing is that I lose my valuable water bottles. So most of the time I buy a plastic bottle and just keep refilling it til I lose it. Not advocating buying bottled water every time you get thirsty...for one thing that's how the tourist traps make a lot of money.

The water " bags" are super useful, though (one type of collapsible water bottle, not sure which one you're talking about). Can clip onto your purse when full, can roll down to a thin sheet of plastic and stick into purse when empty.

<<Old retired people travel light because they do not care what they look like.>>

That's just preposterously obnoxious, like all of your posts.

"That's just preposterously obnoxious, like all of your posts."

Oh that is rich! Pot meet kettle.

Sooo., what do you wear now, in -say - two weeks' time, with laundry? Because that will sort of be your pattern while you're away.

Also, I don't know about your budget, but there's always H&M to pick up things for cheap, if need be. Or better stores if your budget is higher.

Thank you for all of your advice! I think I am going to stick to the suitcase because I know I will need more room than I have in my backpack for all of my school supplies and clothing for 3 months. Although, as one person mentioned, that wasn't really the question. Thanks to everyone that gave me advice about the type of clothing I will need!

You're welcome! Enjoy your summer!

Just to clarify, my advice about shorts and sleeveless in churches in Italy had to do with enforced modesty, not temperature. Some are strict and won't let women in if they are, by some arcane definition, too bare. Others don;t seem to care. It's good to be prepared.

Thank you NewbE, good to know!!