Paris packing - a confessional

Despite my best efforts, not everything went as planned

I’m not even going to pretend for a second that I’m some sort of packing expert. There are plenty of humans on the internet who are far more qualified than I. Those who really know me, however, will quickly confirm that my type-A personality (thank you, Aries) makes me a bit of a planner. So when it comes to vacation - especially for trips abroad - I absolutely spend (above average) time thinking through the complex equation of…

historical seasonal data +

future weather forecast +

consideration of comfort without wanting to sacrifice personal style +

will definitely be walking at least 8 miles per day +

need to be able to mix & match in order to not overpack

= suitcase contents for a 2-week trip that still fit in just one suitcase

Who else is with me?!

Gosh - all I can say is that I found packing for Paris to be difficult due to the constantly changing weather forecast in advance of our departure. What I brought in my suitcase was clothing for 70+ degree weather, but the reality was that most days were high 50s to low 60s with real feels even a bit cooler. I found Paris weather to be way more mercurial than London.

Here are my biggest learnings from our early September trip…

Where I mis-packed:

Too many dresses: In anticipation of warmer weather, I packed a number of sleeveless midi dresses, but ultimately only ended up wearing one. Dresses were too cold prior to 12PM and after 4PM, so I found that it just wasn’t worth the risk.

Too many outfits per day: I also packed separate outfits for nicer dinners, and, while I did wear 1 or 2, based on our schedule and desire to see more of Paris, we most often ended up staying out all day. The traffic and metro system in the city were less than ideal, so even if we wanted to take a break at our hotel, it just didn’t make sense.

Where I should have doubled down:

In hindsight, the pieces that ensured maximum wear were easy-to-layer classics that seamlessly transitioned from morning to day to night. It sounds way too obvious, but for someone who overly relies on dresses when packing for new adventures, the top + bottom combinations became the unexpected stars.

A leather shacket: Packing a leather jacket was the best decision I could have made - it was a good balance of style while providing a layer that protected from the wind. I wore my shacket way more often than planned...like WAY more often. When we were in Japan in October of last year, I also packed a leather jacket (this one a bit heavier) and this too turned out to be just what was needed for maximum comfort and style.

A few of my favorite shackets are here - from Iro, COS, Nanushka, Stella McCartney, and Isabel Marant.

Easy black pants: Perfect for transitioning from day to night without having to worry about being presentable for dinner and drinks. The pants I wore most often were one of my favorites from Toteme via the Outnet (same pants also at Ssense). Another great style includes this one from Toteme. These were easy to pair with sneakers, sandals, and heels.

Feet-friendly sneakers: I’ve professed my devotion to my Golden Goose Ball Stars and can confirm that these are definitely the investment to make if you’re walking many miles per day. I prefer the versions I wear to be understated (read: not sparkly), like these white + black ones, silver + white ones, all white ones, and ivory nylon ones.

Blouses: I really should have packed even more blouses than initially planned. These layers are lightweight, taking up very little space in a suitcase, but great elevated transitional items. Here’s one of the blouses I wore a few times (and have proudly owned for 4+ years). I also love this from Isabel Marant (because when in France).

Classic Button-Downs: I packed my plain white Apiece Apart top and my black Frame poplin shirt (both closet staples for 4+ years as well) and was able to wear them easily with blue denim, black denim, black wool pants, and over a dress. I would also dress these up at night with elevated earrings from Agmes.

Classic T-Shirts: Always perfect for layering. My two go-to styles are from James Perse and Leset. I prefer sizing up in both based on the fact that I like wearing my t-shirts a bit more breezily.

Where I made a last minute purchase in country:

A versatile scarf was necessary for a layer of added warmth - particularly in the evenings. Normally September would feel way too early for a scarf, but it just happened to be what the weather required in order to stay cozy.

Cheers to the classics never failing us. And cheers to Paris because, my goodness, it’s Paris!

x

jz

Images | 1 - 5 | @b.g.mckay

This post contains some affiliate links. Please note that all recommendations and opinions are my own.

_________________________

Looking for a gift? Check out these female-founded options across capsule wardrobe fashion, luxe style, beauty, home decor, food, and general gifting

Need a gift for your favorite guys? You’ll find recommendations here and here

Read more about my morning with stylist Allison Bornstein IRL - part 1 and part 2

Packing tips for your upcoming trip can be discovered here, plus options and accessories for the beach, sunny cities like Miami, and perfect summer totes for every occasion

And if you’re a modern classics lover like me and seeking timeless pieces, you’ll love this analysis of Camille’s style from Emily in Paris, plus this and this. And if you’re a fan of denim on denim, look no further