Packing light for an European trip this summer

Thanks for the link to retail me not-I had not seen that one. Last summer when I went to Spain, the only pair of shoes I took was Keen Rose sandals, which have a closed toe. I'm a fan of seersucker pants-light and dry fairly quickly. And you do know that many of us wash clothes in the sink whenever we spend 2 nights in a place, but you need to make sure the items you take will dry quickly. One of RS guides, Sarah Murdoch, has a blog with lots of packing advice. adventureswithsarah.net (sorry I couldn't get the link to insert correctly.)

Eve, Check out Travel Fashion Girl, travelfashiongirl.com, or out on Facebook. This was started by a woman named Alex, in London, who is committed to helping women travel "stylishly light." She gives suggestions on how to pack "carry-on" only, with a personal item, for trips as short as a week, up to two months. I'm part of that community, and it has literally changed my way of packing. The goal is no more than 15 items of clothing, excluding outer/under wear, and shoes. EVERY bottom must go with every top, and no more than 3 pr of shoes. I'm traveling with Rick Steves Tours to Italy in September, and will be doing a carry-on and a small daypack only. The TFG Facebook postings are enlightening in all areas of travel...how to pack, what to see, transportation, etc. Between Rick Steves' information and TFG, I have learned volumes.

I do not know where in southern Europe you are going in August but be sure to check the weather situation in August for wherever you are going. For instance, RS tours do not operate in some southern places in July/August due to the high heat. We were in Italy in May and it was comfortable but I see it has been over 90*F in Rome several days already in July. In our 15 yearly trips to Europe, we have always traveled with just a carry-on sized RS roller bag and one personal sized bag like a small hand bag. Easier to pack when headed south than way north.

Make a list of what you plan to do on your trip and what clothes you need for each activity - i.e. capri's and t with sandals for sightseeing, nice top and skirt for dinner out etc, etc.
Then make your list of clothes that fit those activities. Choose 3 - 5 bottoms and 4 - 6 tops. limit shoes to 2 - 3 pairs max - make sure one pair is sturdy enough for all day walking over uneven pavement!
Add a light sweater or jacket - especially if your destinations include chance of rain.
The other posters advice is sound - every top pretty much should coordinate with every bottom. Plan to do laundry - underwear, t shirts, etc. - either in the sink , laundromat or dropped off at a laundry.
To jazz things up and add variety, pack a few necklaces, pairs of earring, bracelets, etc., etc. I generally don't travel with valuable jewelry aside from my wedding bands.

Typically for a summer trip I take a decent pair of walking shoes (closed toe), a pair of sandals and maybe a pair of nice flats.
4 bottoms - generally 3 capris and a skirt.
4 - 6 tops - t shirts typically.
bathing suit if water is involved!
underwear, socks and light pajamas
a sweater and/or rain shell.
1 crossbody purse (small)
Toiletries - decant all liquids into 3 oz. or less containers - really think about how much product you will use. To test, fill the container and use it at home and count how many days it lasts. I rarely if ever take the full 3 oz. of anything. Worst case scenario you can find just about everything you might need in Europe - EXCEPT PRESCRIPTIONS!! So, don't skimp on those!
I can pack for any season and any length of trip in a carry on - less is definitely more when traveling!!!

Thank you all for the advices and recommendations. You guys are the best!

Notice that Nancy's list of tops and bottoms adds up to 1/2 of the 15 of a previous poster. I take 3 pants and maybe a dress, 4 quick drying tshirts, 1 or 2 tank tops in summer climate, otherwise 2 quick drying longsleeve.
1 of these pants and 1 of these shirts I will be wearing on the plane-so total of 8 to pack.

I'll just add that I love packing cubes. I have used them for year but this last trip, which was 5 weeks in England and Scotland, I used ones developed by Travel Fashion Girl who is mentioned upthread. I love how they fit upright into my 21" carry one and I can access the contents without having to take them out.

Here's a link so you can see what they look like. I have no connection with TFG other than being really satisfied with this product.

https://www.amazon.com/Compression-Packing-Unique-Number-Organization/dp/B07BVSD4HM/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A4ZPQ1BXF1QZFKACNRTB

I've previously used Eagle Creek Sil-nylon compression cubes. The TFG ones are a little heavier but I'm not in to competitive light packing as some are. If my suitcase is around 20-22" I'm good.

https://shop.eaglecreek.com/packing-organizers/pack-it-spectertm-compression-cube-set-s-m.html

To me cubes also can control how much you pack. Once your cube is full, that's it, lol!!

Definitely do a packing list ahead of time and stick to it. I've used the same capsule wardrobe the last 3 trips which were to France and UK. Also do a trial pack well ahead of time! If you are leaving in August, I'd do it this weekend! Recreational packing is a great activity when it's hot, lol!! Here is a link to my last Trip Report. My wardrobe is in the second post down.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/tour-report-villages-of-southern-england-5-21-6-2-18

I go 10-12 clothing items, not counting underwear, jacket, swimsuit. For a trip this summer to Greece (HOT) I have 2 skirts, 1 shorts, 3 tops, and 6 dresses. That's 12. I could cut down to 4 dresses but the ones I have are very lightweight so I am not concerned. Then a pair of sandals that can get wet at the beach and a pair of walking sandals. I will not be hiking but the walking sandals are fine for light trail walking and walking 15+ miles per day in cities and towns, and also look fine with dresses as well as shorts.

Also one raincoat, one swimsuit, underwear, shorts and a t shirt for sleeping that in a pinch could be worn on the beach or to exercise. Or to leave the hotel in a hurry if there's a fire alarm (has happened to me before!)

In cooler times it's 3 pants, 6 tops, and maybe one dress or a skirt.

As far as resources I found the blog of Sarah Murdoch very helpful. She works for Rick Steves and I found her linked on this sight somewhere. She writes a lot about packing for women.
https://adventureswithsarah.net/

To me even these suggestions seem like a lot of clothes :)

In winter we travel with only the pair of waterproof shoes we are wearing. For summer I'd pack one additional pair of sandals (if they are VERY comfortable) or sneakers, but no more than that. Although it probably depends how big your feet are, if the shoes make much of a difference.

For clothes, if you want to go super light you really only need the pair you're wearing. For me that's too extreme, I pack one and wear one pair of pants/shorts. Try to stick to 4 t-shirts and 2 long sleeve/sweater/jackets if you're willing to hand wash items.

Basically, whatever you pack - take a look at it and remove some items!

If you go on You Tube, there are dozens (hundreds) of vloggers telling you how to pack. You can sometimes find a nugget of knowledge ....

Are you staying in the same place for more than one night? That helps, for sink washing tops, bras and underpants, although some might dry overnight. I use the shampoo the hotel provides for detergent.
For 3+ weeks I take three bras and three pair of quick dry underwear and 2 sleepshirts- I take a shower before bed and then switch to #2 sleepshirt 1/2 way through. It doubles, for, me, as a robe in the room. I also take panti liner pads. All this should fit in one of the small packing cubes.
At home I never wear the same pants or skirt more than once before washing, but when I travel I do! So I just wear the same pants or skirt 3-5 times ( dark colors), 3 pieces + your plane outfit. Then 4-6 tops, a couple lightweight scarves ( keep one for shoulders in churches in your day bag). Some sort of very light rain poncho or jacket. And a ligntweight fleece or cardigan in case there is air conditioning or colder than anticipated weather- and wear that on the plane.
Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane, a pair of flip flops for the hotel room and bathroom and something else lightweight and comfortable ( I love Allbirds). Lastly, I always take a well - stocked small zipper case with bandaids, blister pads, pain reliever, anti diarrhea tablets, etc.
Hope this helps! Have a wonderful trip!

My favorite pants on our trip to Ireland in June were my black Eddie Bauer travel pants. They were super lightweight (much lighter and less bulky than jeans!), easily rolled up into capri's, resisted wrinkling, and dried fast. I intend to buy more for our next trip!

I second Mira’s suggestion to learn from Sarah Murdoch. Watch her “Packing light and right” video demonstration here on the RS website: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks/packing-light-right-with-sarah-murdoch

You-tube is my second favorite form of research for a trip. My ritual is to grab a hot drink, settle in and just watch videos on efficient packing, packing in a color pallet, using packing cubes, how to pack toiletries (which bag to use), which toiletry containers are the best and of course once you start looking you tube gets smart and starts showing you related videos...and I usually land up in some health and fitness arena, or makeup...

My packing rule is not to take anything that will not be used at least three times on the trip.
For example: that extra cute pair of shoes, a snorkel, more t shirts, etc.

My advice: Make a LIST of absolutely EVERYTHING that you intend to take (all the way down to nail clippers and pens). Then look at each item. Is it truly necessary? How can you make it a bit lighter (ie: travel sized mascara; only as much shampoo in a travel sized bottle as you expect to use while you are travelling - no extra!) I have my "travel list" in my "notes" app on my phone, and adapt it for seasons, but many of the items remain the same. Then, when it's time to pack, ONLY put in your bags the things on the list. I manage to go to Europe always, no matter the season, with carry-on only: a rollaboard and a big "purse" that is my "personal item." Also MEASURE your carry-on carefully, yourself, and make sure that it meets the carry-on guidelines of the specific airline/s that you will be traveling. Some European airlines have smaller carry-on size requirements than do some US airlines. I have my "Southwest Airlines" bag (largest), my "United" bag (medium) and my "European" ie Vueling, etc., (smallest). Finally: I've been known to stuff my Eddie Bauer raincoat pockets with heaviest items, on my way home, if necessary, and wear it, even in mid-summer!

Thanks everybody! I agree, the packing cubes sounds great!

if you could use some visual help, check out Pinterest posts on "travel capsule wardrobe". Tons of ideas.