What I Packed for 1 Month in France Sept-Oct 2023
It's hard to believe I'll be in France and Paris again for a month!
I must confess that prior to taking these month-long trips, the idea of packing for an entire month in France sometimes has me feeling a little overwhelmed. But with experience, practice, a little careful planning, and a bit of help from my trusty suitcase, getting to the fun part of living out every Francophile's dream – eating croissants, strolling along cobblestone streets, and enjoying the trendy fashion culture myself is not just a fantasy!
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If the thought of packing for an entire month makes your heart skip a beat out of fear, remember not to panic: I'm here to tell you firsthand how easy it is to travel light yet still keep up with all the fabulousness!
I want to share with you exactly what I packed so you can make sure your next trip is as stylishly hassle-free as mine.
1 month in FRANCe
What I Packed
From Left to Right
TOP: Blue and white striped tank top (not seen) and navy blue cardigan from J.Crew
TOP: Long-sleeve striped t-shirt from Saint James (similar)
TOP: Northside Vintage Tee from Madewell in navy (similar)
TOP: Modal Scoop Neck Tee from Quince in navy
TOP: Stio Women's Divide Shirt in Mountain Shadow Heather and Summer Cloud Heather
TOP: Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody in blue from REI
SWEATER: Light blue cashmere turtleneck from Portugal (similar)
TOP: Light grey cardigan from J.Crew
TOP: Stio Turpin Fleece Funnel Neck in grey
TOP: Stio Women's Gannett Peak Fleece Pant in Mountain Shadow
JEANS: DENIZEN from Levi's Women's Mid-Rise Cropped Boyfriend Jeans from Target
JEANS: Levi's 315 Shaping Bootcut Jeans
PANTS: Stio Rivet Cords in Mountain Shadow and Mountain Thyme
DRESS: Linen A-Line Shirtdress in navy from J.Jill (only available in green now.
JACKET: Stio Women's Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt in Mulberry
RAINCOAT: Ender PACLITE Hooded Jacket from Stio
SHOES: Jambu Giselle in brown, Jambu Glasgow in taupe, and Jambu Lilac in navy.
BERETS: Bought in Lisbon (similar)
Not pictured:
- WINDBREAKER: Stio Second Light Windshell in Mountain Shadow
- SOCKS: Compression socks from Bombas.
The Bags I am Bringing
- A coin purse, I have this double-sided coin purse from imeetu perfect for all those Euro coins and bills.
- My Haute Shore cross-body bag called the Casey Yacht in navy where I put my coin purse and cell phone.
- Several reusable sacks from Rock Flower Paper.
- My messenger bag from Jambu. They don't make it anymore. I also have a messenger bag from Timbuk2 which works great. My cross-body bag with my coin purse inside goes into it with my reusable sacks.
- Several tote bags can also go inside my messenger bag, or I carry it on its own.
- My must-have bag for the plane is this MZ Wallace Medium Tote Bag.
What I Packed for 1 Month in France Sept-Oct 2022
For this 4-week trip to France in the fall of 2002, Mr. Misadventures and I spent time in Auvergne and Normandy between mid-September and mid-October. Auvergne is a mountainous region in the center of France and Normandy is on the northwestern coast. The mountains can be cold and very rainy in Normandy so I packed layers.
Packing layers is always a good bet. I also tend to go with a capsule wardrobe style with a primary color (navy blue) and hints of accent colors. As usual, there were lots of shades of blue. My preferred clothing brands are Stio, Chico’s, J.Crew, and Prana.
1 month in FRANCe
What I Packed
From Left to Right
SHIRT: Stio Women's Divide Shirt in Mountain Shadow Heather
SHIRT: Stio Women's Divide Tee in Summer Cloud Heather
SHIRT Stio Women's Divide LS Tee (similar) in dark blue and light blue
SHIRT: Stio Women's Thermop Fleece Snap Shirt in Wind River Blue
SHIRT: Red & White striped from Target
PANTS: Stio Women's Gannett Peak Fleece Pant in Mountain Shadow
JEANS: Chico’s Petite Super Soft Jeans (similar)
JEANS: Mudd Stretch Skinny Jeans
WINDBREAKER: Stio Second Light Windshell in Mountain Shadow
VEST: Patagonia Down Vest
JACKET: Stio Women's Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt in Mulberry
RAINCOAT: Petit Bateau
SCARF: Bought in a little boutique in Dinan France
SOCKS: Bombas Everyday Compression
SHOES: Jambu Maple Eco Vegan, Jambu Spirit Too Eco Vegan
Not pictured are the bags I brought along, another essential part of being comfortable and having everything you need at your fingertips no matter the circumstances. I brought every bag mentioned in my Best Bags for Walking Around Paris post, even though I was only in Paris for 1 day!
In summary:
- A coin purse, I have this double-sided coin purse from imeetu perfect for all those Euro coins and bills.
- My Haute Shore cross-body bag called the Casey Yacht in navy where I put my coin purse and cell phone.
- Several reusable sacks from Rock Flower Paper.
- My messenger bag from Jambu. They don't make it anymore. I also have a messenger bag from Timbuk2 which works great. My cross-body bag with my coin purse inside goes into it with my reusable sacks.
- Several tote bags can also go inside my messenger bag or I carry it on its own.
- My new must-have bag for the plane is this MZ Wallace Medium Tote Bag. It is the ultimate! I have been searching for this for years and it is perfect for travel and folds up into its own carrier, j’adore!
So there you have it, everything I packed for a month in France in the autumn – all within the confines of a capsule wardrobe. By packing clothing that can be mixed and matched and layered, you’ll be prepared for any weather or occasion while still looking chic. So bon voyage, and happy packing!
And finally, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!
How about you? Have you packed for a month using a capsule wardrobe approach? Do tell! I want to hear all about it!
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You pack really well! I am not as good. I tend to overpack!
You are a smart packer. I tend to overpack my travel bags.
Wow what you packed for a month is about what I pack for a weekend away! I’m impressed!
You really did great on packing for your trip. I sometimes tend to overpacked
I love how the style of clothing and selection of items do tend to change depending on where you’re packing to stay and that it reflects each culture to fit in accordingly!
Looks like a lovely place to visit. thanks for sharing this with us.
I love that you don’t take the whole house with you.
Wow! France is such a beautiful country to visit! Every scene and view is just so mesmerizing! I totally love what you’ve packed. Every clothes is cool, comfy and is very comfortable to wear!
Love this and such. regal post as it can help when traveling abroad and what you need and don’t need so much. I am so overdue for a good vacation and may have to get to Paris soon 😉
I definitely tend to overpack but have gotten better my last couple of trips. Loving your selections for sure!
Your ideas are awesome. To be comfortable is the most important thing!
You did an amazing job packing. I would most likely take most of my clothes with me. Which leads to unnecessary weight in the luggage.
This is such a really great and awesome country to visit! I really love your ideas! Thanks for sharing this with us
I always tend to over-pack! I am bookmarking this post for future reference. If I ever visit France, will check it out before packing my outfits.
Some good choices there! Such a tricky time of year too. The weather can be hot or turn colder so you need a variety of things. Have a great trip!
Im still daydreaming about the adventure. But you packed very well.
I so admire those who can travel with one suitcase. I tend to overpack and always bring 2 suitcases.
Hello there Andi, LOVE your newsletter and all the very useful info you send along!
We are also heading to Paris very soon for one month as we did every fall from 2013–2019 until covid days.
Just looked at what you are packing for your upcoming visit and it jives with my basics in classic navy, black, white and gray. However, it looks like you don’t bring any skirts or “fancy” clothes? I always bring a few skirts and something nice for a lunch or two at our fave Michelin starred restos or trip to Opera at Palais Garnier but maybe things have become more casual these past few years?
Best, Kathleen
And Bon voyage!!!
@Kathleen, merci for the kind words and confirmation from a fellow Francophile who love fall in Paris! I am bringing a dress for anything on the fancy side although we tend to go to brasseries and bistros since we do not like to eat too late. In addition, most of the time I am working (I am a full time corporate girl). We head out for sunrise and get in 5 hours and then I head back to our rental apartment and work from 12 or 1 to 8 or 9 pm so don’t do a lot of dinners. However, this trip I am taking 3 days off in Paris so we will do some dinners and I will do one of my button down shirts and dark jeans when I don’t choose the dress. I did wear dresses and skirts more when I was working in an office and just wore them more in general including in Paris, but since working remote, I don’t wear them is often. Lastly, I always save room in the suitcase for shopping, so I could always pick up a skirt along the way too!
That must be so lovely. I have always wanted to go to France. I think it looks like a beautiful place to visit.
It’s always a challenge to pack efficiently for long trips, and your insights are incredibly helpful. Your experience is a great reference for anyone planning an extended stay.
I really need a cross-body bag for traveling. Thanks for the suggestion.
Let me say first, I love visiting your blog and reading your travel adventures. Might I say you did an awesome job with packing, and I like your style. I’m sure I too would have overpacked…LOL I bet you had a wonderful time in France.
@LisaLisa, merci! That is very kind of you to say!
Great list! I always love seeing how and what others pack for trips. I have been eyeing those Stio jackets and shoes; do you like?
@Denise, I SWEAR by Stio! I have a lot of their apparel and keep buying more! I have worked with Jambu for years and wear a pair every day! Great for travel and comfortable.
One month in France sounds divine! I would image you’d want to pack some very stylish outfits.
Your advice are fabulous! They can help a lot to be organized!
This is a good tip. There is a lot of information here that I need to keep in mind. Your sharing is greatly appreciated.
Your packing list for a month in France is incredibly comprehensive! It’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into it, and your tips on versatile clothing choices and packing strategies are so helpful. Thanks for sharing your expertise – bon voyage!
I’d probably over pack if I went on a long vacation to Paris. But I can see where a capsule wardrobe would be super helpful to have.
You are impressive! I am not a smart packer so, most of the time I tend to overpack. Thank you for sharing your list. We can definitely learn from this.
Went to France once and it was a beautiful place! Definitely knowing what to pack will allow us to travel light and not missing out on anything important!