What I packed for Paris

Packing for trips is one of my favorite things because I get excited to pull out my most cherished pieces. I really believe that if you have it, use it! Over the last year or two, I’ve decreased the contents of my closet dramatically and have replaced those many items with fewer, higher quality items. (I’ve found that I get overwhelmed by too many things. Especially in an industry that notoriously deals with overconsumption, I find peace in my own closet that stays pared down pretty tightly.) When we travel, I get really excited to wear my clothing in a new setting and with different styling, so I end up packing my very favorite things first in my suitcase. Likewise, I love to see what other people pack for their trips, too, because you know if it makes the suitcase, then it must be something that person really loves.

So with that said, here is everything I took with me for our anniversary trip to Paris!

AIRPLANE —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. I wore my favorite travel pants because the fabric is cooling and non-wrinkle, plus they have an elastic waist. Perfect for sleeping on the plane and yet feeling presentable when arriving at the hotel. They do something great for the legs, too. Super flattering.

These pants also dress up beautifully! As shown here during a trip to NYC last fall.

In summary, even though I call them travel pants, I don’t just wear them for travel. They are just the most versatile pants I own and I’m far too obsessed.

By the way, if you are interested but wanting to try a great dupe, try these! They are literally $20 at the moment and have the EXACT SAME fabric composition.

My blazer has brown and blue in it (size up, by the way. this is an 8 and it fits like a 4) so I wore it with these incredibly comfortable flats. This t-shirt is a favorite! (Everything is linked at the “outfit linked here” button above!)

PARIS DAY ONE —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. This outfit was an easy “throw on” during a jet lagged, yet really exciting day when we wanted to hit the ground running! I wasn’t sure if our room would be ready upon arrival (it was!), so I always pack something in my carry on that doesn’t need steaming. These pants naturally have a textured look to them, so any wrinkles from sitting just sort of blend in with the crinkly look of taffeta. By the way, these sunglasses make you feel really cool. Links above!

PARIS DAY TWO —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. I was so excited to wear this look in Paris. It’s the perfect springy mint color and feels dressier than what I’d typically wear in Charleston. My bag is borrowed from Vivrelle (my code MEGANSTOKESS gives you your first month free) and I love it so much that I actually bought one for myself while in Paris!

I wore a t-shirt underneath the blazer and wrapped an Hermes scarf around my waist. Glad I did because it got HOT around lunchtime! It was definitely our warmest day.

DINNER NIGHT TWO —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. These pants are truly my favorite evening slip-on when I don’t want to wear a jean. I probably have five colors of them.

PARIS DAY THREE —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. I was thankful I planned these mesh flats for my outfit this day because the Chanel ones I wore the day before, which are typically so comfortable, did get a little uncomfy after 20K steps. These mesh ones feel like walking barefoot, honestly.

Okay so this coat instantly makes me feel more chic. It’s satin but yet all weather, so it’s not only beautiful but also completely functional. I love love love this AYR shirt because the collar is unique. These are the same pants as the green ones I wore on day one. Oh and I cannot recommend these sunglasses enough. I really don’t splurge on sunglasses anymore, but these were worth it to me. (Stop! they are 40% off right now!)

DINNER NIGHT THREE —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. This outfit is full of pieces that separately get worn all. the. time. This oversized blazer sort of makes it! My necklace is on sale and my ring is under $60!

PARIS DAY FOUR —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. I planned to wear my Chanel flats with this outfit but they honestly gave me such blisters after all the walking on day two, only made worse by my high heel choice both nights before this for dinner. (Both of these shoes are typically so comfortable, but again it was just a lot of walking.) So anyway — I wore these sandals to save my heels.

The Hermes coat isn’t linked, but this similar one is by a luxury brand I really admire and it’s a GORGEOUS forever piece.

These white jeans are my favorite ever. I wear them all the time.

DINNER NIGHT FOUR —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. I saw this jacket in person on our first shopping day in Paris and bought it because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It ended up being the perfect thing for this dinner look… I needed a short, somewhat cropped black jacket to keep warm. I have this one at home — if you’re looking for something similar that serves the same purpose, I highly recommend it. It’s 30% off right now!

PARIS DAY FIVE —

OUTFIT LINKED HERE. I re-wore a few pieces this day... The same jeans as the ones worn the day before that I somehow didn’t get dirty at all. My satin jacket that I adore. I did add a Nadaam cashmere sweater, but that’s the only new thing! (BTW, it’s such a great, lightweight cashmere that is under $100. I travel with it a lot, as it’s great to toss over the shoulders or layer over a t-shirt pending weather.)

Heading home, I just swapped the jeans for the same pants I wore on the airplane to go to Paris! Thinking about it, this is my ideal capsule wardrobe. A lot of these pieces mixed and matched… the blazer could have carried me through every evening (except I ended up buying the short cropped one and used it the last night instead) and my daytime jackets and coats were used multiple days. It’s enough color for me without feeling busy. And you know I love tone on tone looks, especially creams and neutrals. This was a fun trip to dress for because the weather was just so beautiful.

Okay that’s it — signing off, while still dreaming of springtime in Paris and all of these outfits as I’m currently in yoga pants!