Lately, I’ve noticed a growing movement on social media pushing back against hyperconsumerism and encouraging a more intentional lifestyle. Influencers I follow have been sharing closet clean-out videos, promoting mindful consumption, and embracing eco-friendly minimalism. When planning what to pack for my 20-day trip to Europe, I decided to adopt this mindset.
Back to Basics (Literally)
I started by ordering a three-pack of cotton long-sleeved tops since I didn’t own many before the trip—living in the South, they’ve never been a necessity. The pack included navy, black, and light grey. I also brought along some short-sleeved baby tees I already owned in white and grey.
Knowing the weather would mostly be in the 60s, I packed three pairs of jeans—two blue, one white. I also rented six items through Nuuly, which was a great decision. The most-used item? A classic Barbour jacket. I also rented two dresses, a black long-sleeved going-out top, and a skirt.
From my own wardrobe, I packed a few skirts and three more dresses, though I ended up not wearing those. For pajamas, I packed one T-shirt (wish I’d packed more!) and 3–4 tank tops that doubled as daytime tops depending on the weather. A comfy sweatshirt came in handy for lounging before bed.
Cardigans became my best friend—four in total: black, grey, white, and purple. I also brought three fun, less-basic tops, but I didn’t end up wearing them due to colder weather toward the end of the trip.
As for shoes, I could’ve downsized, but I brought one pair of tennis shoes, three fashion sneakers, and one essential pair of black boots (this is a MUST if you plan on going out).
Laundry Realities Abroad
I expected to have access to a washing machine—but I was wrong. In Ghent, our first stop, I bought detergent and resorted to washing my clothes in bathroom sinks and bathtubs. We’d let them soak for hours. It mostly worked—except for our socks, which clocked nearly 30,000 steps per day. Nothing could save those radioactive things. The smell was otherworldly—and I regularly attend heated workout classes, so that’s saying something.
Overall, sink-washing got the job done, though some clothes could practically stand on their own after drying because we couldn’t rinse out all the detergent.
Why Minimalist Packing Works
I highly recommend adopting a minimalist mindset when packing for study abroad or extended travel. Europe has no shortage of shops, and I even ended up buying a pair of shorts in Ghent when the weather surprised us with some heat.
Minimalism helped me focus on mix-and-match basics, which I came to love. There are very few clothing items you can’t pick up abroad if needed, and the freedom of packing light far outweighs the what-ifs.
A Word of Warning
American Airlines lost my bag on my return flight to the States. I was devastated, especially since I had become such a fan of my minimalist wardrobe. Thankfully, I got it back, but the scare reaffirmed my reliance on the minimalist approach to retail consumption.
