A Carry-On Packing List for Two Weeks in Europe in the Fall

Do you have a warm drink handy? Today I’m sharing a packing list for a recent trip to the Benelux region of Europe, and it grew quite lengthy by the end, so please feel free to make something and settle in to read (I won’t say no to a mug of mulled wine, so if that’s what you’re making please feel free to pour me one too!).

As a carry-on-only kind of traveler, I receive a lot of questions about packing for long trips. As I personally find peeking into other people’s suitcases helpful for determining what to pack (via blogs of course; I don’t usually go around airports opening other people’s bags), I always share my packing lists after we return home in the hopes that you’ll find helpful tips to apply to your own trips.

In today’s post, you’ll find everything I packed, my most versatile pieces (a.k.a. my suitcase heroes), what could have been left at home (thus, my suitcase zeroes), and a few of my favorite looks from the trip. But first, I’ll share a few notes beforehand for a little background information, which I think adds context to it all.

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During my trip to Europe, I experienced both sunshine and rain with temperatures ranging from a balmy 75°F/24°C to a downright chilly 35°F/2°C, which meant I needed to pack a range of garments and layers. As usual for me, most of my garments are neutrals – black, specifically. Black garments always match and tend to hide any grime accumulated from plane and train seats and spilled coffees better than other colors.

Additionally, I chose to pack more tops than bottoms, as tops take up much less room in my suitcase and I can usually get away with wearing my bottoms several times before washing is needed. Adding in a few quick-drying base layers that take up negligible room in my suitcase also helps extend the life of my garments between washing.

Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter

As a general rule, I pack seven to ten days’ worth of clothing in my carry-on suitcase, and plan on doing laundry at least once during my trip; one of the perks of booking an Airbnb is that you can filter homes with washing machines in your search. You can read more about my packing strategy here (although I’ve altered my strategy a bit after ordering packing cubes that specifically fit my suitcase) and more about my laundry strategy here.

Is your beverage ready? Good. Let’s dive in:

FALL PACKING LIST FOR TWO WEEKS IN EUROPE

A collage of all items packed for two weeks in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg

WHY I CHOSE THESE ITEMS

tops

Striped Cotton Tank* | This top went in my suitcase at the very last minute, when I realized I’d need something to wear on the long drive down to Miami the night before our flight. I’m happy to say it earned its place as a great lightweight base layer under my sweaters.

White Tee | I typically pack a basic black tee, but since most of my other items were black, I went with white.

Olive Tee | Another break away from black, this olive tee is a go-to on weekends at home, so it was a no-brainer to include it in my luggage. Unfortunately, Everlane changed their olive to a much more yellow-green; I prefer this color which has a hint of blue.

Cream Raw Silk Top* | I’m not sure if I just really like this top, or if I’m more drawn to it because I made it; either way, it feels nice next to my skin and is a more elevated white tee.

Black Raw Silk Top | If I’m not mistaken, this was my first time traveling with this top, as it can be a bit tricky to layer under outerwear. I’m glad it came along, as it has a really elegant drape.

Cotton Boatneck Tee* | This tee arrived in the month leading up to the trip, and I’ve worn it at least once a week since then. It’s not the most durable (the cotton is so thin), but the shape is classic and looks great tucked or untucked.

Silk Blouse* | Another boatneck item, this blouse pairs well with my blue jeans. I always wear it with a tee underneath to prevent oils from my skin and beauty products from transferring to the delicate silk.

Long-Sleeve Striped Top* | Stripes are an easy pattern to wear, and this thin cotton tee can be worn on its own for those in between warm and cold days, or layered under heavier sweaters for warmth without bulk.

Cashmere Mockneck* | I’ve had this sweater for a few seasons now, and though it’s not as pristine as the day it arrived, it is still one of my favorites. The cashmere is quite soft and the cut still feels modern and fresh.

Chunky Sweater* | This sweater has also been in my wardrobe for a couple of seasons now, and I love its slouchy-cool fit.

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bottoms

Midi Skirt* | This skirt is ideal for visiting religious sites due to its knee-covering length, and it looks nice with my heeled boots yet cool when paired with sneakers.

Black Skinny Jeans | When these jeans arrived I immediately sold my other pair of black denim. These feel substantial and comfortable – something I wasn’t sure was possible.

Blue Skinny Jeans* | I love the button-fly and the raw hem detail on an otherwise classic pair of high-rise jeans. It’s hard to go wrong with a pair of blue denim in most of the world.

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dresses

Silk Tee Dress* | Though silk can be quite delicate and fussy, I appreciate how this dress can fit into just about any situation.

Wrap Dress | Worn alone, this dress is perfect for an evening out; layering a tee underneath makes it suitable for the day. A fair warning, this dress is best worn on windless days.

Jumpsuit* | Nothing is easier than a jumpsuit. There’s no worrying over matching or combining pieces, as it stands alone. Plus, this one feels like pajamas.

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outerwear

Open Cardigan* | This oversized sweater can fit over the bulkiest of layers, and it is so very warm.

Rain Jacket | Rain was in the forecast for several days of our trip, and this jacket came in handy.

Leather Jacket* | A wardrobe classic, my leather jacket always comes along with me on city trips when the weather is cooler.

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innerwear | lounge | pajamas

Lounge Bra | Ideal for long-haul flights, this bra has no hooks and feels like you’re not wearing one.

Camisole | These tanks take up almost zero space in my suitcase, but help keep my tops clean for another wear.

Undershirt | These are made of the same fabric as my tanks, but have sleeves and add an extra layer of protection, reducing the likelihood that deodorant will transfer to my clothing.

Tights | Tights look great under dresses of course, but can also be worn under jeans when the mercury drops.

T-Shirt | This tee is meant to be an actual t-shirt (as in, worn out of the house), but it has been worn so much that it looks and feels more like a vintage tee – perfect for wearing to sleep.

Sleep Shorts | I always pack four pajama pieces: a short-sleeve top, a long-sleeve top, shorts, and sleep pants so everything can be mixed and matched based on the temperature inside our Airbnb. These jersey shorts are soft and comfortable.

Leggings | I bought these after reading rave reviews, but found them to be a bit too sheer to wear out of the house. They make perfect pajamas, however.

Long-Sleeve Tee | This top is soft for sleeping, but could also be used as a base layer if needed.

Athletic Leggings | My favorite “pants” for long flights, these sustainable leggings hold everything in yet allow freedom of movement.

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shoes

Loafers* | I wear these weekly and they also come along on many of our trips. They pair well with jeans and are a little “nicer” than sneakers.

Gum Sole Sneakers* | My current go-to white sneaker. I love the unexpected gum sole, which adds a bit of a retro element.

Waterproof Bootie* | I was torn between bringing these or my Chelsea boots, but ultimately decided on my heeled boots for a dressier look.

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accessories

Sunglasses | This classic pair of sunglasses seamlessly travels around the world.

Bandana* | With a very quiet color palette, a bandana is a great way to add a pop of color without taking up extra space.

Crossbody Bag* | This purse zips and has a flap closure, which makes it increasingly difficult for would-be pickpockets to access.

Folding Tote | I don’t typically love a nylon bag, but this one (my “personal item” for flying) spends a lot of time on dirty airplane floors and needs to be easy to clean. Plus, it folds for storage, which is a great perk after we return home.

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tech

European USB Charger* | Most items can be charged with a USB cord these days (eliminating the need for power converters and plug adapters). We bought our USB chargers abroad several years ago, but they can be easily found online, making your arrival seamless.

Camera | After years of leaving our bulky DSLR camera at home and feeling slightly disappointed by the quality of our cell phone photos (not to mention constantly running out of space on said phones!), we finally broke down and bought a digital camera in a reasonable size and haven’t looked back.

Mini Tablet & Keyboard Case* | Although this setup weighs about the same as my MacBook Air, I like the manageable size of the iPad Mini for travel. I load up a bunch of Kindle books from my local library, films from Netflix, and free magazines from Amazon before takeoff, and I can also use it to work on the blog (though to be honest, I really try to stay away from it when we are on vacation!).

MY SUITCASE HEROES

Black Raw Silk Top | Black Skinny Jeans | Open Cardigan*

While I didn’t officially count how many times I wore each garment while we were traveling, I can easily pinpoint my most worn garments. When the temperature drastically dipped lower than the forecast, I was beyond impressed by the warmth of my raw silk top and my open cardigan*, which surprisingly beat out the warmth of sweaters layered under my leather jacket. Black skinnies morph from dressier environments (where they don’t look like denim) to trendier street clothes (where they are undoubtedly cool jeans), and as they hold their shape better than my Wedgie jeans, I could get away with more wears between washings.

MY SUITCASE ZEROS

| Jumpsuit*  | Midi Skirt* | Silk Blouse*

“Zeroes” is perhaps a bit harsh, as these items have all earned their keep in my wardrobe, but just perhaps weren’t quite right for this trip in particular. I love my jumpsuit for an evening out, and many of the cities we visited didn’t really feel like “dress-up” cities, so in theory, it should have been a perfect choice. But the toughest thing with jumpsuits is, of course, the issue of using the restroom – which meant I only reached for this garment once during our trip. I also ended up not wearing my midi skirt at all during our time in Europe; I love the length and shape, but its corset-like waist doesn’t pair well with rich Belgian beers. Finally, the worry that my silk blouse would get damaged prevented me from reaching for it often. I did wear it a few times after crossing that mental hurdle, but I didn’t enjoy spending time worrying about it.

MY FAVORITE LOOKS FROM MY BENELUX PACKING LIST

Alyssa wears a white tee under a black tank dress

| White Tee | Wrap Dress | Gumsole Sneakers* | Leather Jacket* | Crossbody Bag* | Sunglasses |

I definitely cop to taking outfit inspiration from Andrea here. Travel offers a unique opportunity to try new outfit combinations away from home, and though this was new-to-me, because I’d seen it before, I knew it would work. It was perhaps the wrong choice for visiting the windmills (which we did on this day), but it was the perfect outfit to wear in ultra-hip Rotterdam.

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| Cotton Boatneck Tee | Black Skinny Jeans | Loafers* | Leather Jacket* | Crossbody Bag* |

All-black is an easy way to blend into your surroundings, and with this packing list in particular, it happened all the time. And I’m not mad about it. My leather jacket was perfect for Ghent, which is a university city.

—

Alyssa wears blue jeans, a black top, black boots, and a sweater in the Ghent graffiti alley

| Raw Silk Top | Blue Skinny Jeans* | Waterproof Bootie* | Open Cardigan* | Crossbody Bag* | Sunglasses |

Some iteration of outfit this was my regular “travel day” uniform, as it contains all of my bulkiest items. On our flights, I would wear my leggings, but on the trains, I would simply wear jeans. I like the pop of pattern that the striped tank adds to a really simple look, and some days I’d add in my bandana, too.

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Alyssa wears a black silk dress with tights and boots in Delft

| Silk Tee Dress* | Tights | Waterproof Bootie* | Crossbody Bag* |

I only had the chance to wear this dress once, since the weather changed dramatically by the end of our trip, but magical Delft was a great place to wear it. Not pictured here, I believe I brought along my leather jacket on this day, as I like the contrast of soft silk and hard leather.

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Alyssa wears a black top and jeans with sneakers in Luxembourg

| Black Raw Silk Top | Black Skinny Jeans | Gumsole Sneakers* | Open Cardigan* | Crossbody Bag* |

Don’t be fooled by the sunny day and the fact that I’m carrying my sweater here – this day in Luxembourg was cold. I’d just warmed up enough after climbing up and down the hilly city to remove my sweater, but I needed it off and on throughout the day.

*many of these items are no longer available from the retailer, and I've linked a similar product

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR TWO WEEKS IN EUROPE IN A CARRY-ON

If you told me to pack a suitcase for Europe and we’d be leaving tomorrow, I’d use this as a reference and pack all of the same items over again, save for perhaps my skirt and jumpsuit. A mostly-black color palette doesn’t do it for many people, but it’s my total comfort zone, and ultimately my goal with packing for a trip is to make getting dressed a mindless practice. I have limited time in a destination, after all – why waste it on deciding what to wear?

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See you tomorrow – I’m kicking off the holiday season with five days of gift guides!

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Traveling Light: Two Weeks in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium Packing List