Europe in winter for 7 days in a carry-on

If you’ve read my “lessons learned from the worst travel day,” you’ll have a better understanding of this post. If you haven’t, I recommend you read it because it really is a fantastic story. But to the point, I now try to pack in a carry-on only now. I’ve now managed to do 2 winter European trips (both 7 days) and 1 summer Caribbean trip (12 days) in a carry-on. I got an Away suitcase for Christmas this past year, but I have always used just a plain soft shell Samsonite carry-on suitcase and it has never failed me! Here is my packing list for my latest trip to Berlin + Estonia at the end of February. I actually packed too much from this list and ended up shopping, so my suitcase was bursting at the end, but you’re always learning!

I use packing cubes for my clothes and small ipsy bags for my smaller items. I put my 2 big packing cubes in my suitcase and the smaller one in my backpack.

Clothing:

• Black Lululemon Align leggings

• Black Spanx leggings

• Black moto leggings from H&M

• Black joggers from Amazon

• White mock neck sweater from Urban Outfitters

• Black turtleneck sweater (didn’t wear)

• Navy and white sweater from Aerie (could’ve not packed this)

• white rainbow sweater from Aerie

• Pink and black sparkle shift dress from Zara

• Black blazer dress from Zara

• Green Oorlay Amazon coat (the REAL MVP of this trip)

• Pink and white scarf from Loft, gloves and earmuffs from Amazon

• lots of wool and athletic socks/undies/3 bras

• I ended up buying a sheer black shirt and a white and black mock neck sweater from Zara (I clearly have a lot of color in my wardrobe)

• Hiking boots

• Black Chelsea boots from H&M

• Mint Adidas tennis shoes

Toiletries

• Toothbrush/ toothpaste

• ZO face wash / sulfur masque / enzymatic peel / toning pads (gotta keep up the skincare even when you travel!)

• MoroccanOil shampoo / conditioner / curl creme

• moisturizer

• EltaMD sunscreen

• deodorant / roll-on daisy by marc jacobs

• floss

• chapstick

• basic daily make-up / make-up brushes

  • smashbox halo powder foundation

  • covergirl concealer

  • black liquid eyeliner / black gel eyeliner

  • benefit eye roller mascara

  • the balm blush and bronzer

  • naked 2 palette

Etc.

• Teeccino (my coffee alternative)

• probiotics

• meds (my everyday medicine, Sudafed, Dramamine)

• Kindle Fire

• 2 portable chargers

• plug adapter

• wet wipes / phone screen wipes - wipe down EVERYTHING you touch when you travel! Hotel room surfaces (remote, handles, counters), airplane surfaces (tray, buckle, arm rest, head rest, screen)

• ear buds with the aux ending because airplanes don’t have the lightning port for the movies

It’s definitely easier to pack summer clothes as they are thinner, but it is doable for winter, as well! There are things on this list I didn’t wear or things I could’ve worn more often, but this is what I packed and it served me well :)