Who’s daydreaming about Europe this fall? 🙋🏻‍♀️

I spent 11 weeks traveling all over Italy (in a carry-on!) and while I’ve written a lot about that trip already, I wanted to zoom out this year and give you something even more useful:

A fall packing guide for Europe that actually takes different regions into account.

Because here’s the thing: “fall in Europe” is not one climate.

Paris in October feels completely different from Lisbon. Sicily in November has nothing to do with Amsterdam. And if you try to pack the same for all of them, you’ll either freeze, sweat, overpack, or end up panic-buying a puffer jacket. (And listen, I'll never be against shopping in Europe… but emergency shopping? That’s the worst 😅)

So today I’m breaking it down region by region. That way you’ll know exactly what kind of outfits you’ll actually wear, and you can pack light without stressing.

Because you’re going on vacation, and the only thing you should be counting down to is how many days until your first plate of pasta (or croissant… or tapas… or all of the above), not whether you packed the right sweater.

This is a long one... so just scroll to where you're traveling to and save the rest for your future adventures! And if you know someone traveling soon, forward them this email 😉

🌍 Northern & Central Europe

Examples: Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna.

🍂 What to expect:

Think crisp, cool, and often damp. September still feels mild, October brings true sweater weather, and by November you’ll want a real coat. Rain is very likely, and gray skies are part of the deal. This is where layering is life — but only with the right fabrics.

🧳 What you can't leave out: (the quantities for each depend on which month you visit and length of your trip)

1. One coat that fits the forecast: trench for September, rain jacket for October showers, a puffer by November.
2. Two warm sweaters: cashmere, alpaca, or merino (cotton won’t keep you warm enough after mid October).
3. One turtleneck (bonus if cashmere): works as a chic base or solo piece.
4. ​Long-sleeve tees for layering: breathable fabrics like merino or modal. Easy to layer, easy to wash.
5. Warm bottoms: jeans for milder days, wool trousers or a cashmere skirt + tights for colder evenings.
6. ​Water-resistant boots: cobblestones + puddles are a bad combo. You'll need shoes that can handle it.
7. ​Leather sneakers: for dry days (if any) and long city walks.

✨ Style tip: Stick to neutrals (camel, navy, cream, black, grey, olive) and let accessories do the talking. A scarf or leather crossbody bag adds just enough personality without overcomplicating things. Your color palette is super important here!

🌍 Mediterranean Islands

Examples: Mallorca, Sicily, Malta, some Greek Islands.

🌴 What to expect:

Extended summer vibes. September and October are warm and sunny; November can cool down a little but still feels mild compared to elsewhere in Europe. (I was in Italy from September to December *north to south*, you can check out what I packed + outfits in this article)

🧳 What you can’t leave out: (the quantities for each depend on which month you visit and length of your trip)

• ​Easy to layer dresses airy enough for daytime, add a light jacket or cardigan at night.
• ​Linen shirts or pants: breathable and still seasonally appropriate.
• ​T-shirts and tank tops to wear on their own during the day and with a light jacket at night.
• A cotton blend sweater or cardigan: for breezy evenings or boat rides.
• ​Swimwear: yes, you’ll still use it in September/October. (water will be cold, but you can go swimming. I've seen it!)
• ​Sandals + sneakers: sandals for daytime, sneakers for sightseeing or cooler days.
• A versatile layer: denim jacket, cardigan or lightweight jacket that works as a layering piece with sweaters or tank tops.
• ​Pashminas are great for these destinations.

✨ Style tip: Keep fabrics light and stick to neutrals + one pop of color. A striped sweater tied over your shoulders adds polish to an otherwise simple outfit — and keeps you warm after sunset.

🌍 Southern & Central-South Europe

Examples: Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon.

☀️ What to expect:

September is warm and sunny (basically summer). October is transitional with cooler mornings and evenings. November finally brings sweater weather — but it never feels as harsh as Northern Europe.

🧳 What you can’t leave out: (the quantities for each depend on which month you visit and length of your trip)

• One versatile jacket: denim or utility/chore jacket will cover 90% of what you need.
• ​Basic t-shirts for easy layering and for warmer days
• ​Short sleeve sweaters or sweater vests​
• ​One mid-weight sweater: cashmere or merino — something you’ll rewear often. Easy to layer and easy to wear on its own.
• Breathable bottoms: linen pants or Ponte trousers for warmer days, jeans for cooler evenings.
• ​One dress you can layer: wear it with sandals like these early in the season, add sneakers + sweater later.
• Two pairs of shoes: white sneakers (non-negotiable IMO) + ankle boots, loafers or flats depending on your plans. Comfy leather sandals like these ones work too.

✨ Style tip: Versatility is everything. Every piece should work for both warm and cool temps. A silk midi skirt, for example, can be styled four different ways just by switching up shoes and adding a sweater/layer.

🌍 Eastern Europe

Examples: Budapest, Kraków, Warsaw, Bucharest

❄️ What to expect:

Crisp in September, properly cold by October, and almost winter by November. If you run cold, this is where you’ll need the warmest suitcase.

🧳 What you can’t leave out: (the quantities for each depend on which month you visit and length of your trip)

• ​One warm coat: wool or lined puffer, depending on your dates.
• ​Sweaters that mean business: cashmere, alpaca, or thick merino.
• ​A base layer: a thin merino tee or thermal to wear under your sweaters.
• ​Wool trousers, cashmere joggers or cashmere skirt: nothing lightweight here — you’ll want warmth.
• Boots: waterproof ankle boots or leather booties.
• ​Cold-weather accessories: scarf, gloves, and a hat if you’re going late October or November.

✨ Style tip: Think city chic meets cozy. A cashmere sweater under a wool coat with leather boots looks sleek and keeps you warm. Burgundy, forest green, and cream/pastels look gorgeous in this region and photograph beautifully!

*Quick Note Before You Pack Your Bags*

I know I didn’t cover every corner of Europe (sorry, Scandinavia lovers — I'm no expert and this suitcase deserves its own email 🥶).

But the regions above should give you a really solid framework to start planning, no matter where you’re headed. Also, that's not a full packing list. Those are just the basics you might need for that specific region depending on the time of your visit.

And because I want this to actually make your trip easier, here are a few must-know tips for fall in Europe that apply anywhere:

👟 Test your shoes before your trip. Wear them for 4–5 full days at home. If you can’t walk 10,000 steps in them comfortably, they don’t belong in your suitcase.

🎨 Color palette = sanity saver. Make sure all your tops work with all your bottoms. Especially for cooler destinations, this is the difference between 20+ outfits with 10 pieces… or hauling a stuffed suitcase you never want to open.

🧺 Laundry is your friend (if your trip is longer than 11-12 days). Plan to do one quick load of laundry halfway through your trip. Even just refreshing 5–6 key pieces will give your suitcase a nice “reset” and double your outfit options.

🌦️ Check the weather twice. Once a week before (so you can plan smartly), and again 1–2 days before (so you can make last-minute swaps). City by city. Trust me — this will save you from packing “just in case” pieces that take valuable space and you’ll never actually wear.

🌅 Pay attention to daylight hours. Fall means shorter days. A city that feels bright and bustling at 8 pm in July will be pitch dark by 5 pm in October. This matters for your packing: are you mostly out during the day or will you be outside at night?

🎒 Think in outfits, not pieces. Before you pack, lay out at least 10 full outfits (shoes included) and make sure everything can be mixed and matched. This prevents “cute top, no bottoms” syndrome.

Packing for Europe in the fall isn’t just about the weather — it’s about your activities. Are you walking all day exploring cities? Sitting at long outdoor dinners? Visiting museums where you’ll be mostly indoors? Think about how you’ll actually spend your time, and pack for that first.

Because when you pack the right pieces, getting dressed becomes the easiest part of your trip — and you can spend your energy on the fun stuff (like how many croissants or glasses of wine are socially acceptable in one day. Spoiler: it's a high number in Europe! 😜).

Hope this was useful - thanks for reading!

XO,

Aimara

PS: we're not heading to Europe this fall, but I'm seriously thinking about it for next year and I got SO EXCITED just by writing this email! So many possibilities. It's kind of cool because now that this newsletter is growing, it's challenging me to travel to climates I wouldn't usually travel to (I'm 100% a hot weather kind of girl). So I already told G, 'hey the girls want more fall travel content for next year' 😅

Thanks for being here! Cheers to more traveling and more diverse packing lists! (this was just a random personal note)

Keep reading, why not? ⬇️

• ​What to pack for fall in Italy (30 outfit ideas)
• ​My best packing advice for trips with different climates (like hot and cold in the same trip)
• ​Your winter carry-on packing list! (like mild-ish winter, not Iceland)