The Perfect Minimalist Packing List Ideas for Europe Travel

Europe Traveling Packing List!

I am a statistically-derived newly single woman, hear me roar! I'm so excited for all the Eat, Pray, Love bull crap that's about to smother me to bits, I can hardly contain myself. I was born with a name that means joy and slid right into an identity crisis years later, maintained that faux sense of self for a decade while aspiring to greener pastures that were always out of reach such as elitist ivy league schooling and bustling city center social networks; had a love hate relationship with fashion that was greater than any affair I'd had with the men I was dating, and succeeded in milestones that would make much more adversely oppressed gals weep with envy while I'm simply rolling in disdain and contempt of it all. Ahhh, the life of an unfulfilled zombie. There's no greater feeling than wanting what you can't have, don't need, and will end up getting anyway to ignorantly fill a void that requires much more than material possessions. A sense of self? Well, there was no course on that in college! Must be unnecessary then. So with that, let's see what sort of mess I've made this year with my wardrobe but felt comforted by after reading this post, chasing all the lovely goods I deemed necessary whilst living a life that wasn't my own (though clearly I chose it as my own and have no one to blame but my imaginary therapist as blaming myself is un-american)

THE MUST-HAVE J CREW BUTTON DOWN IS NOT A MUST

• Let's start with my disillusioned new found loyalty to J Crew. It all started with an accidental perusal of those atrocious J Crew/Anthropologie lovefest blogs, which led me down a vicarious road into the arms of Jenna Lyons and her mysteriously androgynous sex appeal (she is now openly gay after recently dropping her husband) which tickled me with subliminal messaging until I had no choice but to believe that I MUST HAVE something from J Crew immediately, even though every instance in which I had previously sauntered into the pristinely sterile J Crew stores only led me to feel more like the 1800's minority I tried so hard to suppress. My purchases from J Crew before the brainwash? A set of greeting cards. On sale. Post-identity-crisis? This ill fitting, gender bending, man repelling chambray button down called The Boyfriend. It's all the rage, and I had to have it. Of course at the price of six bucks though, I'm no full-priced shopping fool. It's called thrifting baby, get on with it. And thank goodness I did, because this whole fantasy of mine where I buy items twice my size to step out of the house with a certain je ne sais quoi like Lou Doillon or Kate Moss has to end here. The reason they look so disturbingly chic in billowy clothing is because I could wrap shoe laces around their waists twice, with room to spare. I, on the other hand, have curves. Introducing boobs and butt, or what I like to call, one third my body weight. Sorry J Crew, but this blouse purchase was an experiment, and the verdict is out: a supermodel is not the profession I file on my taxes, so it need not be what I repeatedly yet unsuccessfully embody in real life.

I DON'T LUNCH, I BRUNCH...PREFERABLY IN ROMPERS

• I dreamt of being a lady who lunches for years when I returned to Manhattan, so much so that in my early twenties I launched a company catering to their every whim, subconsciously wishing to become one by osmosis. This explains my last purchase for this year: a Chanel-style fraying tweed jacket by Cynthia Rowley since I will never afford one by Chanel. But let's talk about this word "afford" shall we. You may not know me that well, but tenacity is my strongest quality. If I want something, I will seek to conquer it. I think living beyond one's means and being able to afford something are two distinctly different things. An uneducated fast food employee with a family of four could bust his ass to save up for a Honda Accord if that is what he desired or truly needed. The same way I imagine a criminal law post grad will save for a few days to finally possess the Celine tote that's been haunting her. I, on the other hand, never had any inclination to save up for a treasured Chanel jacket, new, vintage, or otherwise. And it is as clear to me now, as it was to me when I was playing slave girl to upper east side princesses, that I AM NOT THIS WOMAN and there's nothing wrong with that. Yes the magazines say a tweed blazer is a wardrobe staple, a classic, a must-have as we chat about in this post. But not for me dammit! It is not something I would wear by choice, but rather only for the sake of intermingling with certain social circles or to disguise my true personality for business and the 9-5 grind. I much rather toss my withering denim motorcycle jacket over a silk cotton daydress and call it a day. And that is why, my dear friends, it is one of the few items coming with me on my round-the-world trip. Not this Chanel knock-off.

THE PERFECT KATE MOSS BOOTIES

• These boots are absolutely gorgeous, and again, had I been the 90s minimalist supermodel I so gratuitously tried to embody, then it would do wonders as a capsule wardrobe staple. However, I am shy of five feet six inches, and have more thigh than torso like most women of color, and these booties eat up my silhouette in a way that gives me hives.

THE "WTF DID I BUY THIS FOR" SHIRT

• There is no excuse for this. While debating endlessly for five full minutes in my local Goodwill, while circling aisles aimlessly rejecting the notion that I needed this, I still beat myself into submission and purchased a pullover that does absolutely nothing for my bust, while managing to pair well with a whopping 0 items already in my closet. Case closed.

LIE TO YOURSELF, IT WORKS!

• You see what I wrote above? Just reread that, and imagine me in a vintage shop this time, perpetuating the idea that I can bring back the Edwardian era in the most modern way man has ever seen. Now wish me good luck with that.

IF ONLY I WAS SIX FEET TALL

• Now this impossibly chic linen blazer had massive potential as you saw in the aforementioned classics post, but due to a lack of self-esteem in my 90's supermodel self, combined with a saturating dose of me NOT WANTING to be a 90's style minimalist streetwalker, I think it's time to bid adieu to the blazer. In all it's hot pink glory. It will go on to make another Rhianna cum Diane Keaton obsessed poser much happier than I.

LABEL WHORE IS A STRONG WORD

• Recall my baseless theory that buying items in size large when you are a size small is conclusively astute? Well, not only did I use that load of bullshit to permit myself this unnecessary Ralph Lauren purchase, but this is where the awareness of my label whore alter ego reared its ugly head. More on that later.

FAIL, AND THEN JUST TRY AGAIN

• All in all I would have completed my 5 piece minimalist French capsule wardrobe building with this vegan leather doctor handbag and my skinny jeans mentioned below, but since the designer focused more on material sourcing and less on actually conceiving of a pattern that can stand up on its own, zip without fighting tooth and nail, and resist even the most arbitrary stains, then I regret to inform you that this particular Matt & Natt bag is not for me. Celine is not looking so silly of an investment now eh?
• Oh, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with these black skinny jeans other than their penchant to attract every single dusty microscopic organism floating around on planet Earth, andddd being one size too small, but I will still be giving them up as it is not the foundation upon which I want to build a signature uniform of style. Something about me being a zip fly kinda girl I assume.

So what did this fashion haul and midyear review teach me? That I have washed myself of conspicuous consumption sins, and evolved quite well into a minimalist shopper, but that I completely and utterly have no idea who I am anymore after living for years like the women in the magazines I worked on or the fashion bloggers who also are pretending to be someone else. That is why Kali's post brilliantly hit the nail on the head. I am that person that wants to start living now, not tomorrow. Not once I have already tediously decorated my apartment, or edited my wardrobe like its a science, or lost a few inches of stubborn belly fat and lived like a zen yogi. In order to do this I'll need to rediscover who I am without a man that looks good on paper but not right with me, without a job that other girls would kill for but that makes me dread getting out of bed for, and without all the unnecessary stuff surrounding me, sucking me back in. Until that happens, which I hope this impulsive trip around the world will aid in, I will start simple by pinning moodboards like crazy on pinterest and sticking to a solid uniform that makes me feel like my most vibrant, sexy, and confident self. I wouldn't be surprised if that was just a white tee and jeans or tube dresses from American Apparel. It worked once, by golly, it will work again!

By the way, have you ever heard of the expression.

“There is no such things as bad camping, just bad equipment?” 

This is one of my favorite mottos as it reminds me that most difficult situations are due to poor preparations. 

The saying perfectly applies when dealing with European or global travel. 

It doesn't matter what you expect when you reach your destinations, the chances are that unfavorable situations are bound to happen. God laughing at plans and all, remember.

But having the right travel gear can help you easily navigate through any tough situations, aka save you from crying on the hotel bathroom floor moments. 

So if you are planning to travel or move abroad, (yay you!!) it's important to prioritize your prep. 

Why?

Well, frankly traveling is expensive, if your intention is to ensure that you enjoy as much as possible your jetset getaway, move abroad scouting trip, sabbatical, or whatever category of European escapades you indulge in then 100% your first focus is to be sure you have the right gear.

Here is a look at my tried + tested personal favorites that you will absolutely need for international travel.

After traveling for some time, to everywhere from the remote islands of Hawaii to the boulevards of Rome, I concluded that I need a small do-it-all bag that can satisfy the much needed additional space for long-haul flights or even a short weekend getaway. So, after carrying out an extensive search, I settled for the Thule Crossover 38l Rolling Carry-on bag.

I bought the bag five years ago, and so far, there is no regret. Even though I travel a lot and use this bag more times than I can count, it looks functional and new. It comes with front pockets that can easily fit a 15” Macbook or iPad and has a small space dedicated for keys or sunglasses. 

The base has hideaway backpack straps for you to carry it on your shoulders easily. This is a great option when you are traveling with kids since you will not need your hands to carry the bag. 

The wheels and the handle are sturdy and well-engineered, making pushing the carry-on easy, especially when moving in crowded or small spaces.

In 2020 Thule updated the carry by adding an improved interior divider, larger storage for the keys and wallet. But the one thing that we miss in the updated version is the Macbook space. 

SUITCASE CHECKLIST

When buying a suitcase to use for your travels, you should be ready to spend a considerable amount of investment. Think of it as a mattress...that houses things and flies through the air!

SOFTSHELL

Most people assume that the harder the shell, the better, but that is not alwaysss the case when investing in traveling luggage. Here's some secret reasons why it is more beneficial to just as equally invest in a damn good soft shell.

Get extra space: A soft shell can easily expand and give you additional space. Remember how OJ Simpson couldn't fit that damn glove on his hand and walked away a murderer? Yeah, that's what life is like with a hard shell. Constant battle of wishing it would fit more like a  glove.

Accessibility: If you have a soft shell, it will be easy to get your belongings in and out while on the go. 

Durability: Soft shells have excellent durability and can hold substantial abuse. The one thing you might find if you are a reviews addict like me, is that many buyers complain of scratches and dents on their hard shell purchases after just ONE long-haul flight. I know they don't admit this in their reviews, but I can bet you there was definitely some bathroom floor crying going on after seeing how beat up their brand new Away luggage became. Ouch.

Even if you are planning on getting a soft shell, it is important to get the one that will value your money. The Thule is a brand that offers some of the best soft shell bags in the market. For instance the Thule Crossover 2 Wheeled Duffel 76cm/30” this bag is still beautiful and strong. It is also easy for you to expand and tighten the material using the interior compression straps. 

HARD SHELL

Though a soft shell is great, there are some instances when you might need to get a hard shell bag. Here is a look at when you should consider getting these bags instead.

Water-resistant: If you plan to travel in wet environments, choose to get a hard shell suitcase since it is water-resistant.

Fragile items: If you are carrying fragile items, you need a hard shell bag to protect them from impact or smashed plane compartments. 

Maneuverability: The one feature that we need to appreciate about the hard case bag is that they have four wheels which make them easy to maneuver around.

Like buying a soft case, it is important for you to be careful when choosing the hard case bag. Keep in mind that the bag you choose will affect the nature of your travels. That is why you should consider the Thule Revolve suitcase. The suitcase is made using a high impact resistant 100% polycarbonate material. It also comes with a picture resistant zipper. 

ADAPTERS

You need a light and compact adaptor like the Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 piece when travelling. The adapter comes in handy as it will be compatible with the various countries that you visit.

WATER BOTTLE

You should get a reusable water bottle for your travels. They will help in saving you money as well as help in sustaining the environment. YETI Rambler 18oz Bottles is one of our favorite pairs in the market and for a good reason.

They do not sweat or leak

Double-wall insulation- 

The colors look great no matter how many times you use the bottle

The other travel bottle you should consider especially if travelling in regions with questionable tap water quality is the LifeStraw water bottle.

2-stage filtration- this filtration removes 99.99% of water-borne bacteria. 

Bad taste- this filtration system helps to remove bad taste. This filter is able to filter up to 1000 liters of water.

TECH GEAR

Technology is broad and it can be challenging to choose the right gear for traveling. In our opinion, the Bose 700 headphones are the best options you can use. When fully charged, the headphones can last up to 20 hours. All this plus the fact that it has noise canceling capabilities is what makes the product stand out.

But for you to use the airline headphone jack, you will need to get an adaptor like the Tranesca Replacement Airplane Headphone Adaptor. This is important since the Bose 700 does not have the two-prong. 

FAVOURITE EXTERNAL BATTERY

It can be frustrating when your phone or headphones die out mid-way your travels. But this does not have to be the situation as you can get power banks from Outdoor Tech. 

After using power banks for several years, I do not have any complaints. The reason is that our tech is superb and the performance is great. The brands we use are the Kodiak plus Ultra 12, 800mAH powerbank. Besides the fact that it can charge any phone four times, it is also waterproof and dustproof, and it also comes with integrated light. 

FAVOURITE PASSPORT HOLDER

It was not until I started to live internationally and I had a couple of passports, each tied to different visas did I require passport holders. It feels great to have one container that you can store all your travel documents in. So we use the MK passport holder. The company has a colorful range of products that you can use.

In addition to a passport, I use the holder to store insurance cards, airline lounge cards, and cash for the countries we pass through.

FAVORITE PHONE CALL SERVICE FOR GLOBAL TRAVELS

The best way for you to be connected if you travel a lot is by investing in a Google Cell phone that has a Google Fi service plan. This cell phone service enables you to make phone calls to other countries at an additional to no cost at all. You can also call and text at no extra charge. In addition, you will get additional calling rates.

You do not have to get a new phone to use the Fi as it can connect to most iPhones and Android mobile gadgets. You will also get unlimited plan options, and you pay-as-you-go. Note that you only pay for what you use.

HOW ARE YOUR MINIMALIST FASHION CHOICES COMING ALONG SO FAR?