My Four Week European Capsule Wardrobe
... With just a carry-on!
Last month, I got back from my month long honeymoon through France and Italy where I truly ate my weight in croissants and gelato. I was so proud of myself for getting through an entire four weeks with just a carry-on in tow. I detailed our full itinerary in our first stop, Paris, in this post. But here - by much request! - I wanted to fully break down my packing list.
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Before I get to the capsule itself, I wanted to do a quick run through of the “containers” of said capsules. I’m a very vocal carry-on devotee. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve checked a bag. And each of those circumstances were under duress because precious liquids purchased while abroad prohibited me from carrying my luggage on the plane. Think tins of Greek olive oil, bottles of Italian wine, tubes of superior European sunscreen. You get the idea.
Luggage
What I Have: Herschel Trade Carry On
I have this in white and have owned it for a decade? Perhaps even more? It has none of the bells and whistles that more “modern” luggage is known for (like a built-in battery charger, TSA locking mechanism, or compression pad). But it’s never failed me and always gets the job done. I think about this piece from Substack often about how I would actually welcome if more of the things in my life were “dumb”. Do I need everything I interact with in my life to light up? To have bluetooth? No. I would much rather a no frills utilitarian box of a laundry machine if it meant I never had to relive the experience of one leaking over one that’s pre-programmed.
That said, I am looking to upgrade and have been eyeing this one. I love the idea of the material getting a “patina” over time - every bump and dent an indication of the journey it’s traveled. Kind of like the scars of our own human vessels, wouldn’t you say?
Personal Item
What I Have: Away Overnight Bag
Speaking of Away, I’ve had their mid-size duffel bag for a number of years now and it’s strangely the one part of my travel uniform I get asked about the most often. For good reason! This bag is sleek and roomy but compact enough to fit under the seat of every flight I’ve been on — including smaller European airlines. I can fit a change of clothes, pajamas, a sweater, snacks, and all my toiletries in here. Plus my laptop!
Bags Within Bags
What I Have: Cuyana Travel Set and Cadence Discovery Set* (gifted)
To keep yourself organized, I’m a believer in the bag-within-a-bag system. In my day to day life that might look like zip pouches that corral purse floaters like pens, lip balm, and the like. In my opinion, this is key to avoiding the Panic! Claw Machine movement one might do when searching for a random item that’s fallen to the elephant graveyard area of a purse.
I added this cherry red leather set to my life about a year ago. And of course I couldn’t resist the sweet option to monogram my new initials onto it post-wedding (*heart eyes*). The larger one holds all my makeup, the smaller one for on-the-go necessities like hand sanitizer, hand cream, eye drops, lip balm. The leather has held up really well and is easy to wipe down.
I purchased a Cadence trio myself a few years ago for my toiletries and loved it. Recently, I was gifted their newly introduced Parcel collection for this trip and it changed everything. The Parcel is so sleek, lightweight, and incredibly convenient. I just noticed they also added these adapters to their lineup which is genius.
The one thing in my travel vessel capsule I’m considering adding? A tech organizer. I’ve been making do by repurposing something else to fill this void but have found after a few dozen flights that it’s so bulky and heavy and takes up so much room in my personal item. I’ve been eyeing this one which looks to be more compact and is made of no-fuss neoprene.
As I was traveling for four weeks through a few different climates, I created a capsule wardrobe in my carry-on. When building any travel capsule wardrobe, I think these three things really help.
Plan Ahead
One of the most fun parts of capsule planning was using Indyx to help me build outfits. I threw in a bunch of the items I was thinking about bringing and it was so helpful seeing it all visually laid out. From there, I found I could easily plan outfits and made a solid two dozen (but could have kept going). This cut down on the panic of figuring out an outfit standing in front of a hotel mirror minutes before heading out the door for a busy day of sight seeing. I already knew everything worked the way it was supposed to.
Make A Color Palette
Like any capsule, I relied on a slimmed down color palette and a lot of separates to maximize the possible outfit combinations I can create. My approach to honeymoon outfits was less about creating intentional, isolated ensembles, and more about packing a collection as a whole. As this was a honeymoon, I also of course opted for a lot of bridal white. *squee*
The result was mostly neutrals (white, black, taupe) and two brighter “pops” (denim blue, cherry red).
Versatile Items
A big part of my capsule strategy is choosing items that I knew I could wear multiple ways. Like lady jacket cardigans I could wear open over a tee or buttoned up completely as a top of its own. A cashmere sweater also came in clutch, not only because of the chilly temps but because it could double as a “scarf” in a pinch.
🛍️ You can shop my European honeymoon capsule in full here.
The Pieces
I packed about two dozen items which got me through four weeks of travel across two countries, and seven cities. Phew!
1 x jacket. A classic, no-fail trench.
3 x layers. Two “if I like it, I’ll just grab it in a different color” lady jackets from J. Crew in a black/white stripe and a white/navy stripe. Plus a blazer.
6 x tops. For the casual: Two of my favorite boxy cut tees in black and white (Fun Fact: My Indyx tells me that I have worn the white tee 18 times so far this year. Perhaps this is justification for me splurging on that luxe version I talked about in my Paris travel diary?). For the polished: Two linen vests in black and white. For warmth: A cashmere sweater. For a hit of classic: A crisp white button up. Nothing hits quite like it.
6 x bottoms. Blue denim (The perfectly worn in kind with a cute, kicky leg). Black cotton. White denim. White cotton trousers (A favorite purchase of 2024 and an MVP continuing into 2025). White linen trousers (How many pairs of white pants is too many?). White poplin skirt (I felt utterly romantic and dreamy every time I wore this - though I might ask a seamstress to add a more substantial lining to it as it runs ever so slightly sheer).
5 x shoes. White sneakers. Black flats* (Can’t recommend this pair enough. The leather was so buttery and required no breaking in period. Kindly gifted by Poppy Barley - a brand I’ve loved and worked with for years. Take $25 off your first order here!). Red Flats* (I’ll always be a sucker for a bright pop of red. The little heart detail on the buckle also felt like a thoughtful nod to the fact that I was on my honeymoon. Many thanks to Larroudé for kindly gifting these!). Plus two strappy sandals in nude and white.
3 x one pieces. A statement red linen dress. A forgiving white linen tank dress. Plus a one-and-done black jumpsuit (Very old by Smash & Tess - I’ve brought it on a lot of trips because the jersey / tencel material is so easy to pack. I’ve also successfully worn this with a sweater layered over top as fake pants).
1 x bag. My beloved green(!) Clare V.
🥖 Oui, oui: I broke down our full itinerary (and everything I wore - natch) while on our first honeymoon stop — Paris. Linking below!
The only other items I packed were:
Pajamas and intimates
1 x sunglasses. My all time favorites from Le Specs.
1 x necklace. A true heirloom-worthy piece from Dorsey* (gifted).
2 x earrings. The pearl pair I wore on my wedding day from Mejuri and this stunning TSS Exact by Three Stories Jewelry that Taylor wore to the Chiefs kickoff game to the 2024-25 season (gifted).
1 x swimsuit. A cheeky contrast trim one piece by Rumored* (gifted).
If I’m truthful, I think I could have gotten by with even less - if you can believe it.
If I were traveling to a single location or to cities / countries at a time of year with a more consistent temperature I’m positive I could have nixed half of my bottoms options and been happy as a clam. Then, depending on how hot things got, I would have probably opted for more (and less fabricated) dress options. Other things I might have left behind? That red statement linen dress, for one. I knew in packing it that it was a single use item. Not versatile at all and very much an “occasion” dress. But it sure made for a very fun last hurrah during our final dinner in Rome before heading back home (below) - and for that I am grateful.
While I packed most items with clear, careful intention to be as versatile as possible, there were definitely some standout of the trip …
THE FATED BAG
Easily the MVP of the entire trip. The item I got asked about *the* **most** in my DMs. TSSers (understandably) went wild for this Clare V messenger bag. And I completely understand why. I had been lusting after this bag for years and years. In preparing for this trip, I threw caution to the wind and checked the Clare V resale site for kicks. And would you believe this bag was there for 50% off retail? I pounced! It happened to arrive hours before our flight to Paris was set to take off. Once upon a time the planets and the fates and all the stars aligned - some might say. Meant to be!
It’s a perfect shade of green and it really popped against all my white and black outfits. The size was just roomy enough for all the essentials I needed to lug around while exploring cities but not too big that it felt bulky or obtrusive. I loved being able to wear it multiple ways and I felt very secure while traveling thanks to the zip top. Could not recommend enough! (For those wondering, it also has one internal pocket.)
MY FAIR LADY (JACKET)
I wore these lady jackets near constantly throughout the trip. Unbuttoned and open over tees. Buttoned all the way up as a top on their own. Thrown over my shoulders for a preppy pop of pattern. The fabrication was heavy enough to work well as a warm layer - comfortingly so. And, of course, I will always love a stripe.
A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND
This diamond tennis necklace - kindly gifted by Dorsey - was the only necklace I felt like I needed for my honeymoon. And, honestly, for basically any occasion in my day to day life. It makes a white tee feel special. It looks so classy peeping out from the collar of a button up shirt. And obviously she works for a special occasion. I love the bezel on it and genuinely just feel like a real classy broad whenever I wear it.
There are a lot of reasons why I prefer to travel exclusively by carry-on. The logistics of bypassing dithering around by a baggage claim carousel, for one. But more so because I feel that the less time I spend choosing what I’m wearing on a given day means I can devote more emotional and mental brain space to enjoying time on vacation and being present in the beautiful place I’ve traveled to - and the people I’ve either traveled with or traveled to see. It also makes me feel all the more grateful for the intentional wardrobe that I’ve built.
I hope this post was helpful and inspiring for your next vacation! And if it was, please do subscribe and / or leave a heart + comment.
P.S. I was incredibly moved by the comments and influx of new friends to this community who subscribed because of my personal post last week. Thank you for choosing to be here and for being the type of people I can trust with an open heart and an open hand held out in genuine earnestness. It means so much. xx - S
Ahh the Dorsey bezel - it’s haunting me from my carted wishlist. Maybe this is a sign I need to treat myself. Love all of these tips - big fan of carry on packing!
I’ve been so excited for this post, thank you for sharing!! I think I might need one of those lady jackets. They look so chic on you! And I’m hoping, if it isn’t too much to ask, that a future post might be in the works about your Italian itinerary. I’m planning to head there in the fall and would love to know what you did and how you enjoyed it. Thanks, Sarah!