“If you don’t feel confident in it at home, don’t pack it”

What to Pack for Europe, According to a Travel Expert

• Trend Prediction: Dream Pairs Foldable Ballet Flats, $28 (orig. $35); Amazon
• Wear as a Dress or Skirt: Lululemon 2-in-1 Maxi Dress, $99 (orig. $148); Lululemon
• Celeb-Worn Style: Bojly Nylon Tote Bag, $28; Amazon
• For 20,000-Step Days: On Cloud 5 Sneakers, $150; Amazon
• Can Be Dressed Up or Down: Lululemon Daydrift High-Rise Wide-Leg Trouser, $64 (orig. $148); Lululemon
• Multi-Hyphenate Accessory: Onllh Silky Bandana, $8 (orig. $10); Amazon
• Hands-Free Must-Have: Pander Nylon Crossbody Fanny Pack, $13 (orig. $15); Amazon
• Lightweight Travel Layer: Merino.tech Merino Wool Slim-Fit Hoodie, $62; Amazon
• The Only Luggage You Need: Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase, $295; Amazon

I’m a notorious overpacker. Case in point? When I traveled to Japan for a ten-day trip, I checked in three suitcases. But ahead of my upcoming travels, I’m trying to turn a new (more minimalist) leaf. 

I called upon solo travel expert Ally Gibson, who’s spent the past five years exploring more than 30 countries, to help me cut back. She once impressively lived out of a single carry-on bag during a three-month-long adventure in Europe. Gibson’s number-one tip? “If you don’t feel confident in it at home, don’t pack it.” Staples that always make it into her carry-on include a Lululemon maxi dress that converts into a skirt and sturdy sneakers that hold up during 20,000-step days.

Below, shop Gibson’s tried-and-true travel essentials from $8. 

Related: I Spent a Week Exploring Albania with Just a Carry-On — These Comfy Staples Worked for Hikes, Beaches, and City Tours

Dream Pairs Foldable Ballet Flats

$35 $28 at Amazon

According to Gibson, red ballerinas “are going to have a massive moment in Europe as the statement flat.” I second this prediction, as I’ve spotted celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and Katie Holmes wearing the delicate shoe. 

This on-sale pair at Amazon is an affordable way to lean into the trend. I particularly appreciate that the shoes are foldable and have a cushioned footbed. Plus, one customer testified to the “skid- and slip-safe,” rubber soles. For Gibson, shoes with reliable grip are crucial in places like Santorini, where the “ancient stone paths have become slick and worn down over time.”

Skip the Heels!

“Unless you have a black-tie wedding or are heading to high-end nightclubs, you won’t need them. Focus on comfort and, ideally, traction.” — Ally Gibson

Related: I’m a Chronic Overpacker Who Just Got Back from Europe — Here’s What to Pack (and Leave at Home)

Lululemon 2-in-1 Maxi Dress

$148 $99 at Lululemon

“I’m currently obsessed with versatile ‘athleisure-chic’ pieces that don’t look like workout gear,” Gibson gushes. One item in this category that always makes the cut is this maxi dress that can be converted into a skirt. The “buttery” fabric, per a Lululemon shopper, is a major selling point for me as it’s lightweight, moisture-wicking, and ultra-stretchy. Bonus: Depending on the weather, you can easily layer with a cardigan or jacket.

““I never pack the night before, at least not for big trips. Typically, a few days out, I’ll lay out everything I think I want, sticking to a strict color scheme, so every piece is more or less interchangeable. Over the next 72 hours, I force myself to walk past the pile and take items away until only the true essentials remain. This gives me a functional capsule wardrobe, and ideally at least a bit of room in my bag for vacation shopping if I’ve done it right.” — Ally Gibson“

The “Three-Day Subtraction” Method

Bojly Nylon Tote Bag

$28 at Amazon

As evidenced by celebrities like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jennifer Garner, and Meryl Streep, tote bags are the must-have roomy accessory. Gibson’s “ride-or-die” tote bag is a Longchamp Le Pliage Nylon Shoulder Bag because it “folds down to nothing, is incredibly durable, and works as a chic day bag or an emergency ‘souvenir bag’ to bring vacation finds home.”

You can mimic Gibson’s pick at a more budget-friendly price via this under-$30 tote from Amazon. It has a waterproof nylon exterior, faux leather straps, and “plenty of space” for essentials, according to one customer.

On Cloud 5 Sneakers

$150 at Amazon

Gibson is a die-hard fan of On Cloud sneakers because “when you’re hitting 20,000 steps a day in a city like Rome, you need that support.” A nurse shared that they’re a good footwear choice for “sore feet.” Other buyers appreciate their lightweight construction. Choose from colors including white, black, orange, navy, and purple.

Shop more of Ally Gibson’s must-have travel essentials including Lululemon trousers that can be dressed up or down and a merino-wool hoodie, which is a “traveler’s secret weapon because it regulates temperature and is naturally odor-resistant.”

Lululemon Daydrift High-Rise Wide-Leg Trouser

$148 $64 at Lululemon

Onllh Silky Bandana

$10 $8 at Amazon

Pander Nylon Crossbody Fanny Pack

$15 $13 at Amazon

Merino.tech Merino Wool Slim-Fit Hoodie

$62 at Amazon

Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase

$295 at Amazon

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