We’re getting ready for our fifth summer in San Sebastián, Spain, where the boys attend a Spanish immersion school. It’s something we look forward to all year, and I can hardly believe our departure date is almost here!
Naturally, I’ve been thinking about what to pack for our summer in Europe—and if you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love putting together a good travel capsule wardrobe. So today, I’m sharing what I’ll be bringing along for a stylish, practical summer abroad!
Summer Travel Plans
Before diving into this year’s packing list, I wanted to share a quick look at our European summer travel plans.
We’ll kick things off with a few days in Madrid at the end of June. From there, we’ll take the train to San Sebastián, where the boys will spend one week at a soccer camp followed by another week at surf camp. We will be sad to miss El Aula Azul this year – and hope to stay longer next summer to spend at least at the school!
Next up: a trip to Stockholm, Sweden, through JB’s work. After that, we’ll return home to soak up the last few weeks of summer. Then, Africa!! Which will need its own packing list.
Packing for the Weather
One of the biggest challenges of our European summer getaways is packing for multiple destinations with different climates. I always have to keep this in mind when planning my outfits.
In past years, we’ve made stops in cities like Paris, Marbella, London, Lisbon, Colmar, Biarritz, Basel, Rioja, southwest Ireland, and even San Fermín in Pamplona—all with their own unique weather patterns. Thankfully, this summer the temperatures are more consistent across our destinations, which definitely makes packing a bit easier.
However, like many European destinations, San Sebastián’s weather can be unpredictable—ranging from chilly mornings to heat waves to sudden summer rain, all within a few weeks in July. So, having a versatile wardrobe is key!
My European Style
After five summers in San Sebastián, it’s started to feel like a home away from home. I’ve settled into a rhythm there—and that includes how I dress.
In general, I take a more relaxed approach to style during our time in Spain. I lean into easy, breezy dresses and flowy pieces, trading in the athleisurewear I often wear at home for something that feels a bit more effortless and European.
European Summer Packing List
Taking all of this into account, I’ve put together this year’s European summer packing list! While there’s always a chance I’ll make a few last-minute swaps (as we girls tend to do!), I feel pretty confident in the pieces I’ve chosen.
As always, I’ve found that sticking to a classic style and cohesive color palette makes mixing and matching so much easier. It allows me to create multiple outfits without overpacking—perfect for a European summer capsule wardrobe.
I’m really trying to pare down for this trip (which is no small task for me!). But I know I’ll be doing some shopping once we arrive in San Sebastián—and definitely in Stockholm—so I want to make sure there’s room in our tote-a-ton!
Tops, Sweaters, & Outerwear
Starting with what’s “on top,” here are the tops, sweaters, and outerwear pieces I’m planning to bring along.
Sweaters & Outerwear:
Utility Trench: Perfect for light rain or an extra layer when it’s chilly. I love that it looks great over both jeans and dresses. It’s lightweight, too—I even packed it for our spring break trip to London. It’s my go-to when it’s sprinkling around town.
Sequin Cardigan: This Doen sweater features subtle sequins that I just adore. Plus, Doen sweaters have a silk lining that makes them feel incredibly luxurious.
Neutral Cardigan: This cream cardigan from Tuckernuck has the cutest sea-inspired buttons, adding a charming touch to any outfit.
Cashmere Wrap: I never travel without my Alice Walk cashmere wrap. It’s perfect for tossing over your shoulders for dinners out or when you’re en route to your destination.
Summer Tops:
Pretty Blouse: A simple, classic Doen blouse that goes with everything.
Simple White Tee: I love the boxy fit of this one—perfect for casual days.
White Pointelle Tank: Great for layering or wearing alone on warmer days.
Cashmere Silk Blend Tee: This classic navy tee is a favorite of mine and can be styled in so many ways!
Oversized Linen Oxford Button-Down: Perfect to wear with jeans, a pareo, or on its own for a relaxed look.
Classic Polo: These polos are my favorites—they have the perfect fit every time.
Summer Bottoms & Dresses
Next up, here’s a peek at the bottoms and dresses I’m packing for our summer in Europe!
Classic Summer Bottoms
Wide-Leg Jeans: I’ve been loving this pair from Frame. They’re comfortable and flattering—perfect for travel days or cooler evenings.
White Jeans: White denim is a summertime must. I especially love the ones from Mother; they have just the right amount of stretch.
Linen Pants: These have become my go-to over shorts lately. Lightweight, breathable, and easy to dress up or down.
Maxi Skirt: A great piece for mixing and matching with my summer blouses. Effortless and feminine.
Easy Summer Dresses:
Nap Dress: I brought the navy striped version of this Hill House dress to Spain last summer and wore it constantly. It’s such an easy silhouette to throw on, and I love the updated colors this season.
Go-To Dress: This is my fourth summer packing a Wells dress from Staud—and it’s still a favorite. It’s just that good and goes with everything.
White Linen Dress: Julia Amory does it again! I love the timeless silhouette of this linen dress and the fun side slit. It also comes in a beautiful blue. (Be sure to check out my previous post on Julia Amory for sizing and fit details.)
Additional Clothing Pieces
Here are a few “odds and ends” I’ll be packing as well—those extra pieces that make a big difference!
Swimsuit: Packing a cute two-piece swimsuit—perfect for beach days and hotel pool time.
Cover-Up: I love the sunshine-yellow hue and the easy, relaxed fit of this one.
Pajamas: I always bring the pajama bundle from Lake for travel. The shorts are great for warmer nights, and the pants are perfect when you want to cozy up.
Active Set: One sure way to stand out in Europe is by wearing leggings everywhere. Still, since we’ll be in Spain for a few weeks, I plan on working out a bit. I’m bringing this leggings-and-matching-top set just for that.
Bras: I’ll be packing this comfy bralette, this ultra-lightweight everyday bra, a support-focused relief bra, and a strapless option for dresses.
Underwear: A good rule of thumb: 5–7 pairs. We’ll have access to a washing machine for most of the trip, which helps. These are my go-tos: Briefs, High-Waisted, and this Hanes pack.
Summer Shoes & Accessories
Lastly, here are the “outfit completers”! These are the shoes and accessories I’m bringing along to tie everything together.
Comfortable Shoes:
Wrap Sandals: I’m skipping heels this year since I usually only wear them once or twice. Instead, I’m packing these wrap sandals—they’re dressy enough for evenings out and look adorable with dresses. They get more comfortable with each wear! That said, you may still want to pack a heel—it’s all about personal preference.
Sneakers: I love my Veronica Beard Valentina sneakers. I wore them all over London and again in the Dominican Republic for long walks. They strike the perfect balance between comfort and style. I’ll also wear them on the plane since they’re my heaviest shoe.
Slide Sandals: For a casual slide, I’m bringing these MX sandals for the second year in a row. I wear them constantly at home, too. (You can read my full Margaux review here.)
Woven Flats: I recently picked up this pair and think they’ll be the perfect versatile flat to mix and match throughout the trip.
Travel Bags:
Crossbody Bag: I’ve been bringing this little mesh crossbody for a few years now, and it’s the one I reach for the most during the day. It’s lightweight, easy to wear, and holds the essentials.
Tote Bag: My Longchamp tote is my go-to personal item for flights. I use smaller pouches inside to keep everything organized, and I love the roomy size—it fits everything I need without feeling bulky.
Summer Accessories:
Statement Necklace: This gorgeous piece adds so much personality to even the simplest outfit.
Everyday Necklace: For daily wear, I love my Hart necklace chain—it allows me to switch out different charms depending on the mood or outfit.
Earrings: I’m bringing these statement studs, drop pearl earrings, and classic gold hoops. Between the three, I’ll have something to complement every look!
Summer Scarf: The print and design on this one are stunning. It can be styled in so many different ways—worn as a headband, tied to a bag, or draped as a wrap.
Sun Hat: This is a non-negotiable summer essential for me—I never travel without one this time of year.
What to Wear in Europe in the Summertime
If you’re prepping for a summer trip abroad, I hope this packing list gives you a great starting point! Honestly, many of these pieces are staples I wear at home too—they’re classic wardrobe essentials perfect for summer anywhere.
For even more summer style inspiration and travel tips, check out these posts:
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