💌 In my May newsletters, I am sharing with you my favorite healthy sheet pan / one pan recipes. I also send out the weekly sales, steals, and deals. And it’s completely FREE. Sign up below!
And it’s completely FREE..sign up HERE!
Hi Beautiful!
In my undergraduate university days, I studied abroad for a summer in Madrid. It was one of those extreme heatwave European summers, where the temperature hovered around 100F everyday…yet I had no air conditioning in my dorm room.
Although that was the summer I fell in love with Spanish wines, the overall experience is perhaps why I have no desire to go back to Europe during summertime. But the experience most definitely influences what I would pack if I were venturing back to Europe this summer.
Are you planning a summer trip to Europe and wondering what to pack to stay stylish and comfortable in the heat? If I were returning to Europe in summer, I would pack a travel capsule wardrobe with lightweight, breathable fabrics in a neutral color palette…and all of it would fit in a simple carry on suitcase. So if you are a woman over 40, woman over 50, woman over 60, woman over 70, or woman over 80, READ ON!
PACKING LIST:
Lightweight Jacket + Neutral Muscle Tank + Black Short Sleeve Top + Mauve Active Sleeveless Top + Neutral Skort + A-Line Brown Skort + Beige Linen Crop Pants + Beige Linen Shorts + Beige Active Pants + Black Tank Dress + Beige T-Shirt Dress + Black Slide Supportive Sandals + Slip On Sneakers + Black Straw Crossbody Bag + Mauve Camera Bag
Want EXCLUSIVE Access? 🖤
🖤 If you’d like to get links to all my posts, you can sign up for my EXCLUSIVE email list where you get my daily posts hand delivered to your inbox…without even asking for the links. Sign up link here!
Neutral Color Palette
Limiting any travel capsule wardrobe to a color palette of 2-3 colors minimizes the number of pieces one must pack…while maximizing the number of outfits that one can create. As I am a warm neutral skin tone, I stick to a neutral color palette, with my best colors being beige, black, and a light mauve for this capsule as well. (If you are a cool neutral skin tone, think of blacks, grays, and light blues.) I included two pairs of pants: beige neutral nylon active pants and beige neutral linen pants. While I did include a pair of beige linen shorts, I’m not as crazy about wearing shorts as I used to be (the skin on my legs is a little crepey in my midlife years), so I opted for two 16” skorts instead of shorts. I also included a mauve active top, a beige muscle tank, and a black loose fitting short sleeve top. The warm neutral pieces can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. I added in a black maxi tank dress for evenings out or a day of sightseeing coupled with a neutral pashmina to cover my shoulders as required by religious sites. I’ve also included a super cute t-shirt dress, supportive slide sandals, and slip on sneakers for comfort.
Linen Fabric
One fabric that should be a staple in your summer travel wardrobe is linen. Lightweight, breathable, and perfect for keeping cool in the European summer heat, linen is a versatile choice that can be dressed up or down. I have heard from some ladies who don’t want linen, so I’ve included a pair of nylon active pants. These pants are NOT VIABLE on super hot days as nylon can stick to the skin. Instead, I included neutral linen crop pants and a pair of neutral linen shorts.
Carry On ONLY
If you are changing locations during your time in Europe, especially if you are using pubic transportation to do so, it behooves you to pack everything in a carry on suitcase that can be easily transported through the city streets and on public transportation. All of the items that I am showing you here easily fit in a carry on with room to spare.
Accessories
As always, keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum and accessorize thoughtfully. For instance, you may want to buy your sun hat in Europe rather than trying to pack it or carry it with you. Make sure to pack a crossbody bag WITH ZIPPER to keep your essentials close at hand…and to keep the hands of pick pockets OUT. And one of my favorite travel tips is to leave your scarves at home: instead, buy a scarf at your destination and you will forever have that fashion souvenir of your European summer vacation.
Summing It Up…
By sticking to a neutral color palette and choosing breathable fabrics like linen, you can create a summer travel capsule wardrobe that is both stylish and practical for your European adventures. And by traveling with a carry on suitcase only, you will eliminate the risk of the airlines losing your luggage and spending 3-days in Europe with no bags. (It happened to me!)
So pack smart, pack light, and get ready to explore all that Europe has to offer in style. Bon voyage!
Happy Styling!
Valarie
I am barely 5’1 with a 26” inseam and generally wear size 4P. All items fit TTS (true to size) unless otherwise stated.
– Valarie
Similar Posts:
- Styling the Midlife Midsection for Spring Fashion 2024
- My Favorite Amazon Home and Kitchen Finds This Week
- “I Have NOTHING to Wear…” Blue Button Up + Blue Jeans
- 5 Ways to Style It: Wrinkle-Free Travel Dress
Midlife Posh Closet uses affiliate links within this site. Purchasing an item through a link from MidlifePoshCloset.com or Midlife Closet social media (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) may result in a commission. Merely clicking on a link does not result in a commission, but if an item is purchased as a result of the link, a commission is earned. If you have any specific questions about my disclosures or affiliate links, please feel free to contact me directly at val@midlifeposhcloset.com