France, Etc. Packing List
I’m honored that (according to my affiliate tracker) y’all are still shopping from this Italy packing list from last year! The essentials (the quick-dry bras, hanging toiletry bag, toothbrush, and Soak detergent) remain my travel musts, but packing for this latest big trip was a bit of different type of doozy. I would be gone for over 2 weeks, with my itinerary starting in NYC, then onto France, back to NYC, and then spending a long weekend in Nantucket for a friend’s 40th birthday. That’s a lot to plot out for one checked bag. (At least for me, who overthinks absolutely everything.)
First, the temperature differential was no joke. When I left North Carolina, it was 92 degrees. NYC was in the high 70s, and France would be in the 60s in the mornings peaking in the high 80s in the afternoons. I had my old reliable big shirts and jeans, but the outfit I was most comfortable in had to be this cute black dress (with pockets), and this soft-as-butter crewneck sweatshirt over top (I also packed the boatneck). The fabric of these is unreal. Highly recommend.
As for accessories, my favorite classic crossbody Gucci Disco bag is no longer in production (why!?). This one is very close, just a bit more busy. I’ve also had these Celine sunglasses for years, and I feel like they’re classic and sort of a “forever” piece. They don’t go out of style, and you won’t look like a Real Housewife of SLC in them.
For footwear: The Veja Campo sneakers remain my favorite clean-cut street shoes. They have more cushion than Sambas, but with a similar “cool girl” vibe. Everyone in France was wearing Vejas, so I guess I got the memo!
In Nantucket, I opted for this silk shirt dress for the big celebration, which was so easy, pretty, and required absolutely zero brain power. This packed into like a 2-inch space, and I hung it out in the morning and it was wrinkle-free by evening. Win, win, win.
Quick Links from the long read above:
Midi Black Shirt Dress — So good! I bought the stripe colorway, too, as well as this lightweight linen dress.
Super soft striped boatneck — I have the black and the army green
Timeless crossbody bag - Perfect for touristing. It zips shut fully, and can fit quite a bit of stuff inside.
My favorite sunglasses - I don’t know how/why, but they don’t really scratch. It’s kind of amazing.
Sneakers: Veja Campo (for me, a size 10 = 41) or Sambas
Statement silk shirt dress - very packable!
Amazing jeans that are on-trend (wide leg, mid-rise, slightly rigid)
Magsafe Popsocket — I’ve become a Popsocket girlie?? I like the option to remove it, so the Magsafe is great.
Super soft crewneck sweatshirt - Wore this over dresses in the morning when it was still chilly.
“Western” Mary Janes - Supple leather and a very chic shape with cute statement buckles
(Not pictured) The best oversized button-downs to pair with jeans — I have like 5.
(Not pictured) And my go-to socks (sorry, Gen Z).
Hope this helps you in some way. I promise I wouldn’t recommend it if it weren’t a worthy investment. xo