When Erin of Earnest Home Co told us she was taking a trip to Europe this spring, we couldn’t have been more jealous. Walking the streets of Paris, tasting wine in Burgundy, strolling along the beaches of the Italian riviera, and touring historical Rome…sign us up! And then she told us she was packing for her two week trip entirely in her carry-on. This sounded like a challenge that had ReDress all over it! Versatility? Mixing and Matching? Maximizing what you have? We love it!
Before we even met with Erin, we thought about what pieces would give us the most bang for our buck. What can be worn in a variety of ways, can be dressed up or down by swapping out accessories and shoes, what can be easily packed, and what pieces can be layered in case of changes in weather. Here are just a few of the items we came up with right off the bat.
After we had the basic pieces, we talked about how to mix the pieces to make outfits, and took pictures of what we created on Erin’s phone so she could easily reference her outfits while she is abroad. Just using the pieces above, we could create the following outfits:
Outfit 1: Touring the Museums…..Chambray Shirt + Stripe Skirt
Outfit 2: Date Night Dining…Silk Cami + Stripe Skirt
Outfit 3: Wine Tasting…Graphic Tee + Stripe Skirt + Military Jacket
Outfit 4: Beach Strolling…Silk Cami + Denim Cut-offs + Military Jacket
Outfit 5: Country Hiking…Graphic Tee + Denim Cut-offs + Chambray Shirt
So as you can see, just by using the pieces above (not even including accessories or shoes!) we were able to come up with 5 quick outfits that can work for a range of activities, both dressy and casual. We added some more items to the mix to include some pants and jeans, dresses, another skirt, a lightweight sweater, and more top options and were able to create 35 outfits, just by mixing and matching!
Next we moved on to accessories. The accessories we wanted her to bring also had to be versatile and really make a statement. Here are some of the key accessories we came up with.
These accessories can easily transform any outfit, taking it from day tonight quickly and effortlessly! Take Outfit 1: Touring the Museums from above. See how a few accessory swaps can take it from museums to dinner.
Day: Chambray Shirt + Stripe Skirt + Panama Hat + Sunglasses
Night: Chambray Shirt + Stripe Skirt + Statement Necklace
Luckily accessories don’t take up a lot of space in your carry-on (remember to wear your hat on the plane so it doesn’t get smashed), so we added a few more necklace options to Erin’s packing list, and she was able to expand her outfit options even more! Accessories will make you feel chic and put together in addition to adding versatility to your wardrobe. Do NOT forget these!
(we loved our furry little helper!)
And finally shoes. This is a hard one, and a place where most people tend to over-pack. Over-packing was NOT an option for Erin, considering how much space shoes can take up! Here was our initial suggestion:
Ankle boots for cooler weather (to be worn on the plane), sneakers for lots of walking, sandals for warmer weather, and one pair of versatile heels. We ended up having room to add another pair of sandals so Erin could change up her looks even more!
We added a tote bag (to be carried on), a clutch (used inside the tote to hold essentials and then taken out for nighttime use), and a cross-body for all day touring, and we were finished!
We loved this challenge of Erin’s, and we think she did to! You can read about her experience here and follow along with her on instagram (EarnestHomeCo) to see how she wears her outfits in Europe! Have a great trip, Erin!
If you would like for us to help you pack for your next vacation, send us an email! ReDressColumbus@yahoo.com. We’d love to help!
Love this! I definitely always overpack and take way too much stuff!!
Wonderful! I always pack far too much and know there’s a better way. Thank you for the ideas!