How to pack for spring & summer in Europe

Nikki Parkinson, former journalist, turned blogger and content creator at ‘Styling you’, helps women find confidence in midlife. Here, she shares her top packing tips.

By Nikki Parkinson, Styling You

I’m not one who travels with carry-on only for anything longer than a weekend because I love the theatre of creating outfits for Holiday Me. What I set out to achieve every time I travel is to curate a considered travel wardrobe. I know this isn’t for everyone but regardless of how you might like to pack and plan for a holiday, a little pre-planning definitely takes the stress out of the task at hand.

You might not be travelling to Europe this spring-summer, but these are my go-to strategies for packing for any destination at any time of year. I’ve tried and tested these many times over and they always work. It’s simply a case of adapting them to your own situation and preferences.

5 tips for how to pack for any destination

1. Track the weather at the destination of the place/places you’re visiting. 

This will give you a rough idea of what to expect and plan for. If you’re travelling trans-seasonally and across different regions, keep in mind the temperature could vary wildly between cold to hot. 

2. Consider what activities you’ll be doing or events you’ll be attending. 

Whether this is swimming, hiking, a special evening out, or a specific tour or activity, make sure you have outfits to suit.

3. Put all proposed clothes including shoes and accessories in one place a few weeks out from your trip. 

I like to hang up the clothes on a rack so I see just exactly what I might need to add or cull before I pack. 

4. Create a travel capsule wardrobe. 

A travel capsule wardrobe is one where you pack pieces that intentionally work with each other, so you have lots of outfit options. I look for pieces that can be dressed up or down with a change of shoes or accessories. Choose a colour palette and build from there. It’s totally ok if your colour palette is all neutrals or conversely, if you love a riot of colour.  

5. Be smart with your footwear. 

The shoes you choose to take could make or break your time away. When on holiday, you typically do more walking than in your everyday life. Comfort is key, even if packing for a special occasion. I only pack shoes that offer comfort and support. Depending on space/luggage limits, I take three pairs that are seasonally appropriate and interchangeable with my entire capsule wardrobe. 

BONUS TIP: If you’re travelling long haul and checking in your luggage, consider packing outfits for two to three days inyour carry-on. This is your insurance policy against your checked luggage not making it to your destination with you. You’ll be able to head to your accommodation and immediately start your long-awaited holiday, without having to worry about panic shopping for a new wardrobe while waiting for your luggage to turn up.

What to consider when packing for spring and summer in Europe

The appeal of escaping the Australian autumn-winter for a Euro spring-summer is strong. Ideally, you’re packing and planning starts in the Australian summer when more items that you will need are available in store. If you’re reading this and you only have a week or two until your flight though, I’ve got you covered.

It’s essential you understand the spring-summer weather of the countries you’re visiting and how their temperatures could vastly differ. Europe is a big continent. The weather in the Scandinavian countries is going to be very different from the Mediterranean. And if you have the UK on your travel list, then even in mid-summer you could experience days colder than an Australian winter. 

Lightweight layers are your friend if travelling in trans-seasonal months. It takes some time for high summer to arrive in Europe. When it does, it can be hotter than hot but even in the southern countries it might reach summer temperatures until mid-to-late June. With these fluctuating temperatures and/or a possibility of different conditions in different countries, lightweight layering pieces is key.

Consider packing a lightweight cashmere or merino knit, a scarf and a roll-up ultra- light down puffer jacket as an insurance policy against a cooler day or night. A lightweight jacket or blazer is also a useful layering piece over an otherwise summer outfit in the evening.

21 Piece Spring-Summer European Travel Capsule

Use the travel capsule below as a starting point for your own travel capsule, adding and subtracting pieces depending on when and where you’re travelling in Europe, the activities you plan on doing, how often you will have access to laundry facilities, your personal style and your luggage allowances.