What I Packed for Paris

(and How I Got It All Into a Carry-On)

I just got back from a trip to Paris visiting my daughter, who’s studying abroad this semester. (If you ever want to feel both deeply proud and mildly ancient, send your child off to live in Europe and then meet her at a metro stop where she now “has a favorite line.”)

Packing for Paris in November, though—that will keep you humble. The weather is moody—gray and bone-cold one day, crisp and golden the next—and there’s always the possibility of rain, wind, or both at the exact moment you forgot an umbrella. (Ask me how I know this.) And because I refuse to check a bag (truly, I haven’t paid to check a bag in years), it meant getting clever.

The good news: I love getting clever about packing. There is something deeply satisfying about closing a carry-on with room to spare, like winning a round of sartorial Tetris.

Below is exactly what I packed for my November trip to Paris—the real, honest, everything-I-wore-and-used list.

Clothing

TOPS: Brown Cotton Cashmere Sweater. Gray Cotton Cashmere Sweater. Navy Sweater Vest. White Ruffle collar button up. Boden Cardigan. White Crew Neck Tees. White button up.

BOTTOMS: Piece Barrel leg jeans. Darted Barrel Leg Jeans.

Outerwear

Gap Trench Coat. Boden St Albans Plaid Coat.

Shoes

Madewell Ballet Flats. Adidas Sneakers. Chelsea Boots.

Accessories

Sezane Silk Scarves. Quince Sling Bag. Electric Picks Solitaire Necklace.

Expandable Carry-on (on sale today). Packing cubes. Clear Makeup bag. Cadence Toiletries capsules. Clear toiletries bag. Dagne Dover Backpack.

My Capsule Packing Method (a.k.a. How I Travel With Less and Feel More Prepared)

Before we get into the nuts and bolts, let me say this: capsule packing is the reason I can travel with just a carry-on, stay warm, feel put together, and not spend half my trip staring into the abyss of a hotel closet wondering why I brought twelve tops and hate all of them.

I haven’t checked a bag in years, which means I’ve saved hundreds of dollars on luggage fees, never had a lost or damaged luggage, and best of all, I don’t have to haul a bunch of extra stuff around with me while I’m traveling. And yet, I always love and feel confident in what I’ve got in my carryon.

If you’ve ever wanted to pack less but feel more prepared, this is the part you’ll want to read.

The magic of capsule packing isn’t just in packing fewer pieces — it’s in removing the paradox of choice. It feels almost counter-intuitive but the truth is, the more clothing options you bring, the harder it is to get dressed. Too many options = mental clutter = outfit anxiety. Capsule packing flips the script: fewer, carefully chosen items = more confidence, less decision fatigue, and more time enjoying the trip. Travel is expensive, and I don’t want to waste a minute fussing about what I’m going to wear. Using a capsule system for packing means, every item in your suitcase works with everything else, so no matter what you pull out in the morning, it looks intentional and you feel great. Less truly is more.

Over the years I’ve honed this system down to something almost instinctive. It’s simple, efficient, and genuinely enjoyable to pack now. Here’s the full breakdown.