Summer, but make it Euro
Packing essentials that say “Oui, Je Suis Chic"
So you’re having a Euro summer? I’ll be here, watching your Instagram stories closely, squinting to decode the brand of sandals you’re wearing while you sip a Sgroppino at Conca del Sogno and flirt with a man twice your age named Lorenzo—who may or may not own a boat but definitely owns white pants.
But before you step dramatically onto a dock in a linen set that flutters just so, caught effortlessly by the breeze and possibly a drone, it’s time to talk packing strategy. The goal? To look like you’ve been summering in the Med since birth, even if your passport looks like it’s never left the tri-state area.
This is not a guide for the practical traveler. This is a manifesto for the aesthetically delusional. We’re not packing 11 dresses “just in case.” We’re packing with intention. With vision. With the reckless confidence of a woman who once read an interview where Inès de la Fressange said she only brings two shirts and a scarf.
(And yes, there’s always that one hat — designed to shield you from the sun but ultimately just gives your husband something else to carry through customs.)
These are the clothes made for long, leisurely lunches; last-minute boat invitations (fingers crossed it’s a large yacht); and just enough sweat to prove you’re living your best life while expertly pretending you’re not. Think fresh pieces with timeless charm, classic finds that feel perfectly modern, and at least one bold item that’ll have your friend doing a double take: “Wait—are you seriously bringing that?”
Whether you’re Greek island-hopping, or simply mentally checked out from reality, this is what I’d pack and wear on repeat for a Euro summer scented with sea salt, Tuscan sun, and the faint, irresistible musk of a very chic straw bag.
My first holy grail of packing? The cover-up.
Not to be confused with long-forgotten political scandals—or that time I convinced myself another pair of sunglasses was a travel necessity. I mean the magical kind of piece: a dress (or maybe a two-piece situation) that works just as well poolside as it does at dinner. A wisp of fabric by day, a breezy “What, this old thing?” by night.
Here’s the thing:
Most cover-ups tend to make me look like I’ve recently churned butter and am about to enter my prized goat in a regional competition (shoutout to all those chic-looking white dresses with eyelet lace and accidental bonnet energy). But when I find one that strikes the right balance—breezy, but not breeches-y—it’s like discovering a glitch in the packing matrix. Suddenly, I’m not playing Tetris with my suitcase, shoving in one more “just in case” linen set. I’m floating. I’m free. I’m not checking my Tumi.
Now let’s talk accessories — specifically, just enough of them.
There’s nothing worse than packing every piece of jewelry you own, only to wear the same two things the entire trip. Keep it light, keep it minimal, but keep it interesting. You’ll never look better than you do with a tan in St. Tropez, so don’t overcook it.
Think drippy earrings that glint in golden hour, a necklace that frames your collarbone like a timeless Italian film star, and shoes that are chic enough for a seaside lunch but functional enough to survive the stairs of Positano.
Because nothing kills the vibe faster than feet full of blisters, a suitcase full of regrets, and absolutely nowhere to stash the hand-painted ceramics and artisanal sandals that leapt into your arms like fate.
And now for swimwear that plays well with others
If you’re doing Euro summer right, you’ll spend a suspicious amount of time in or near a body of water. And if you’re doing yourself justice, your swimwear needs to rise to the occasion: statement suits worthy of Villa d’Este’s floating pool and the gaze of a stranger handing you a gin lemonade.
This is not the time for shy bikinis. Look for pieces with personality—unexpected colors, vintage cuts, something with a little story. Think high-waist, underwire, scalloped trim, even a ruffle if you dare. Bonus points if it can pass as a top under a sarong or denim shorts for your post-beach espresso.
Rumor has it, Speedo is making a grand return, and few things summon summer faster than a clingy one-piece, goggles suctioned to your face, and hair that smells faintly of chlorine and lost innocence.
I’m not suggesting a full return to your swim team era, but a suit with athletic roots and fashion ambitions—think high-cut legs, an open back, maybe even a dramatic stripe—lands perfectly between 'I could do laps' and 'I’ll be over here, reclining with an Aperol spritz.'
And last but very much not least: the bold pieces
Packing light is a virtue, but packing boring? That’s a crime—especially in Europe, where even the old men at the café look like they stepped out of a Fellini film. I’ve currently got my eyes on this Christian Lacroix dress, and a gaudy, pea-soup-green Fendi bag that may or may not clash with every other item in my suitcase. Perfect.
If a summer in Europe is anything, it’s not shy.
Have you ever met a subtle Italian? Exactly. This is not the time for neutrals and safe choices. This is the time for sculptural hoops, scarves you don’t know how to tie, and dresses that make strangers ask, “Is she someone?” (You are.)
So throw in one item that makes no practical sense but makes your heart skip a beat. Maybe it’ll never leave the suitcase. Or maybe it’ll have you dancing on tables at a festa in Sicily. Either way: worth it.
So what are you waiting for?
Pack the heels that won’t betray you on cobblestones. Pack the swimsuit that doubles as a top. Pack the one thing that makes you feel like the flirtiest version of yourself on a Vespa. After all, this summer, you really, really, really wanna zig-a-zig ah — in style, with just the right amount of spice.
x
I needed this
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