My goal was simple: walk onto the plane with only a duffel and a purse for seven days spent in two regions of France (with a stop in Germany). Standing at the airport after John dropped me off, I’m proud to say I did it — just a purse and this duffel, with room to spare.
I’m a fan of a minimal wardrobe and intentional packing. Knowing how to maximize outfit options without dragging your whole closet is a genuine travel hack. Below I’ll share how I turned a small selection of items into a flexible week of outfits — this was my first trip to Europe, so planning ahead felt especially important. If you already pack this way, welcome to the club.
Packing light has practical benefits: no checked luggage to worry about, less risk of lost bags, and less chance your carry-on will get gate-checked on a full flight. A small duffel often flies under that gate-check radar compared with bulky rolling suitcases.
This isn’t a prescription to pack specific items — it’s the strategy that matters. I only brought pieces I actually wore, and I thought through how each item could be combined with others before I left. Intentional packing beats stuffing a suitcase “just in case” and then returning home with unworn clothes.
And yes, my mirror poses are cringe-worthy. Laugh and then forget them.
What I Did In France
In case you missed my Instagram Stories, I spent a week on a painting retreat organized by artist Jessi Raulet (Ettavee) in Strasbourg. The trip included stops in Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, and Paris, and was arranged with the help of Liz Lidgett. I paid my way like everyone else — it wasn’t sponsored — and I came home energized and inspired.
The week was packed with varied activities, so I needed outfits that could handle many different settings. Highlights included:
- multiple painting sessions in a studio
- a walking food-and-wine tour
- visiting a cathedral
- a spa day in Germany with pools and a sauna
- an African dance class
- an evening riverboat cruise
- mostly casual meals and one Michelin-level dinner
- flea market hunting in Paris
- and a few tiny tattoos and unexpected delights
Since the itinerary varied from casual to dressy to active, I packed a small set of versatile pieces that could be mixed and matched to suit each event.
What I Packed
My duffel held strategic options: three pairs of shoes, three purses, three dresses, two pairs of jeans, three jackets, five tanks, and a leopard sweater — plus essentials like underwear, socks, and PJs. Packing this way isn’t about deprivation; it’s about considering what pairs well together so every item earns its place. I also wore several bulkier items on the plane to save space inside the bag.
Everything else — chargers, a European adapter, toiletries, and my two extra purses — stayed in my large purse along with passport and phone. I used a small waterproof pouch for minimal toiletries, which kept things compact and accessible.
Tip #1: Packing Cubes
Packing cubes were a game changer. I used four cubes to group categories so nothing got lost or wrinkled at the bottom of the bag. My cubes contained:
- Bottom left: socks, underwear, bathing suit, workout clothes, and PJs
- Top left: jean jacket, green blazer, three dresses, and one pair of jeans
- Top right: stack-heel sandals
- Bottom right: four tanks, a leopard sweater, and flats
Packing cubes keep your bag organized and make it easy to find essentials without rummaging. They also make packing and unpacking faster and neater.
Tip #2: Plan What Pairs Well
Before I packed, I tried on outfits and mentally combined pieces to ensure versatility. A jean jacket plus sneakers might feel bulky together, but both work seamlessly with a long black dress. Choosing items that cross-work with multiple outfits multiplies your options without extra weight.
By combining three dresses with three jackets you already have nine base outfit options; add three shoe choices and three purses, and the combinations multiply quickly. Using tanks, sweaters, and outer layers that pair well together gave me roughly 27 outfit pairings just from tops and jackets, and shoes and purses further customized each look.
Keep items interchangeable: blazers and jackets that work across multiple looks are worth the space because they create different silhouettes when layered with various tops or dresses. Packing duplicate basics (like two identical pairs of jeans) also gives flexibility without adding variety that clashes.
Tip #3: Optimize Your Plane Outfit
Wear your bulkiest or most useful items on the plane so they don’t take space in your bag. For my trip I wore sneakers, a blazer, jeans, and a tank on the flight. Those items counted as part of my wardrobe and reappeared in many outfits, while saving duffel space for the rest.
A deliberate travel outfit equals efficiency: you free up space in your bag and start your trip already dressed for comfort and style.
Tip #4: Items Don’t Always Have to Be Layered
Layering is helpful, but not required. I often wore tanks alone while painting, then added a jacket or blazer for walking around town or for evenings. Having single-piece looks and layered options extends the usefulness of each item.
For example, I wore a sweater and jeans during the day and added a blazer for the evening riverboat cruise. On painting days I kept it simple — tank plus apron — and layered a jacket when heading out.
Tip #5: Analyze Your Trip When You Unpack
After the trip, take a few minutes to reflect on what you used and what you didn’t. On this trip, my compact flats were unexpectedly invaluable — comfortable, tiny to pack, and versatile. I also confirmed that nesting smaller bags inside a larger purse works well and gives accessory flexibility without clutter.
Packing light isn’t about denying yourself choices — it’s about selecting a thoughtful mix of items that can be combined in many ways so you feel prepared and stylish without hauling a heavy suitcase. This approach left me enough room to bring home a large painting I made and gifts for the kids.
Small, intentional choices lead to big payoff: more outfit options, less luggage stress, and a calmer travel experience. Try it on your next trip — you might be surprised how much you can do with a single purse and a compact duffel.
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