How To Euro Summer (vol. 3)

BTS on how I prepare for my annual June homage to the motherland...A breakdown on What's Getting the Ticket (what I'm packing)...and sneak peak into this summer's itinerary & Hit List !!!

May 23, 2025

∙ Paid

AHHHH isn’t it just the best time of the year!!! Now that it’s officially the kick-off of summer this weekend, I wanted to share a third volume of my guide to a Strict Euro Summer. (Also a good time to prep because of all the memorial day sales) I hope this edition of how I think about prepping for my trips helps in the lead up to your next adventure! I can’t wait to share all the good stuff and take you along for the ride xoxo

What’s Getting The Ticket: Something about me is that I believe strongly in a carryon-only-lifestyle when bopping to many stops during euro summer. Exceptions are — you’re only flying in and out of one or two places, you are taking only trains between (no tiny budget flights), or if you have a roundtrip and can keep your checked bags behind in one place. I don’t believe in spending extra time checking bags, lugging them around on cobblestone streets (trust me, I’ve been there and it’s ugly), and worst of all, the risk of loosing them. I have done the last 3 summers with just a carryon — I haven’t outfit repeated and stunted pretty much daily (if i say so myself hahaha) — it’s possible I promise. What that means… an item has to be so deeply strict that it gets the ticket to Europe. Nothing too chunky, lots of interchangeable mix and match good stuff, fun easy dresses, and lots of fun little accessories to spice it up. Anchor on some key bags and shoes and nail your simplified skincare, hair, and makeup routine…

Euro summer outfit inspo from last summer:

Strictly The Essentials:

every shoe has to be so comfy you can wear all over town, i.e. no just dinner shoes — alt on colors so you have one black, one fun color, one neutral light etc. and importantly, if you are looking to purchase a pair of fun sneaks in Paris for example… don’t pack them!
- one pair of comfy sandals (low profile can basically be smashed down flat) — i think I’m going to bring these this year, but can’t go wrong with a black (on sale rn) or neutral pair.
- one pair of flip flops that can go to the beach and get wet — either these $12 jellies or slim square toe havaianas
- one pair of low profile sneakers — i went with yellow tigers last year (easier to buy in europe tbh) and think i’m going with dries this year.
- one pair of chunky sneakers to work out in and dress up — i would normally do a grey/white, but just sharing this yellow one for vis. and i’m currently tracking these down in my size.
- one ballet flat or mary janes — the perfect packable friulane in a fun color. or my super comfy buttery sling backs — also can’t miss with these classics in black.
- if going to cities, one pair of loafers (can be interchangeable with the above — i can wear these all day long and love the white for summer. i brought these fun ones last summer for a pop of personality.
  
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bag strategy: stack them into each other
- one little neutral off to dinner bag — white and/or black, i’d go with my row 90s bag, liffner pillow pouch, or perhaps a mini st. agni and honestly, this loro dupe was my ride or die last summer.
- funky fun one — sparkly one or vintage fun vibe (i’d rent on vivrelle!!!) I’ve gotten the sickest denim embroidered fendi baguette and vintage gucci jackie for my trips…plus if you’re out east this weekend they have a popup with FWRD for the summer and you can go pick out IRL! and if you’re not out east, use code HAMPTONS for 30% off 3 months of membership!!!
- bigger over the shoulder day bag for shopping that doubles as beach bag — my pick will forever be the dragon diffusion santa croce (in the big size), etsy dupes are good too and i also love the little liffner ones and madewell for smaller sizes.
slip/maxi/mini dresses !! my favorite brands for summer dresses are: rixo, doen, ciao lucia, la maregold, hillhouse, solid & striped, dé rococo, peche, aligne, sir, jcrew…saved a bunch of recent favs here — my favorites are honestly vintage goodies I’ve found in paris (try kanelle)
white tees & tanks !! go to is the margo tee (i’d snag this pack of two), and honestly i stock up on a bunch at brandy…
one workout outfit per week you’re there — if I’m being honest with myself it’s rare i’m doing a REAL gym workout, I prefer to walk all day long so no need to overdo it on the workout sets, but i don’t leave without this onesie.
button downs! — i love to wear during the day or as a coverup
one cardi — i’d go with strictly red
one white jean — my perf fit (i’d only bring if going june/sept and def only if hitting a city like london or copenhagen) or can also go with denim shorts
easy thin bottoms: linen or silky pants, boxers (i love comme si, handover, speltham, oddli, daily drills) …maybe even silky boxers.
cozies: cutie little PJs, one light sweatshirt, one comfy set (bc sorry i gotta be cozy in transit)
one blazer or jacket depending on the destination…
swim suits!!!!! solid and striped, hunza g, and same are my favorites rn.
ton of fun jewels — eliou, timeless pearly, roxanne assoulin, dorsey, lizzie fortunato, and i love my shell and pearl necklace from merci c’est vintage!!
more accessories — silky scarves (for styling many ways), 2-3 sunglassesssss, one packable sun hat

consolidated cosmetic bag: leaving room for french pharmacy finds, bringing only the strictest essentials especially because it has to fit in the mini plastic bags at most airports (and we believe in a carryon only summer over here). Oooh and best part is you can save up to 20% on all my favs from Dermstore (ft. the strictest curation of brands) below with code STRICTLY until 5/26:
- face wash — i love this for acne prone skin! if you’re feeling crazy throw in their 2 min facial too.
- face lotion — high quality for high impact. travel size and such a snag on sale.
- one serum of choice allowed…I’ve traveled with and loved this one because it also doubles as eye serum. Also love this resurfacing one so much.
- face sunscreen — ride or die, tinted and good for your skin.
- spot treatment — for spots that come up during flights / being on the go. zit stickers good for that too and practically take up no space.
- jasmine mint toothpaste — MY FOREVER FAV. every day luxury.
- mini brush — strictest hairbrush in the game. I always travel with the baby one.
- body sunscreen — my fav body sunscreen. I love this travel size kit too (double sale savings too).
- go-to-sleep beauty packets — fav way to get my beauty sleep and adjust to jet lag.
optional hair stuff to include: hair oil, slick back stuff, and honestly all you need is this set of winners. few clips and hair bands too ofc! also this gold one doubles as jewelry.
makeup: mascara, bronzing drops, skin tint, blush, eyebrow gel, bronzer, lip options: clear lip balm, liner, compact, glossy, dior holy grail everything pallet (highlight, bronzer, and eyeshadow in one!), setting spray (essential!)

That’s my latest lineup of good stuff that’s getting the ticket. The key is to be very strict with yourself and start planning early.

Pre-trip lineup:

Facial with Abby Tweet! (try to get one at her Sky Ting popup with Monastery, it was dreamy)
Russian manicure I like Russian Manicure or Say It Nails in NYC
Get the right suitcase & hand carry — if you qualify for the checked bag loophole, we all know I’m obsessed with my Rimowa. But if not, nothing fits more than the Away Bigger Carryon. Jury is still out on the hand carry, maybe this will be the summer that i’ll purchase an LV vintage duffle and honestly one day, i think i gotta make my own, because there is really no one strict right answer. But these are some of the contenders:
- Calpack I went with last year, LLbean XL with zipper
- Stoney Clover duffle
- Longchamp XL will be coming with or purchased there for overflow
Use packing cubes, and master the art of packing. No throwing things randomly in, but instead, folding and rolling and artfully consolidating (fill your shoes with socks, bags with other bags, belts inside of them). I’ll make a TikTok on this.