'I spend two months in the UK and Europe most years. This is exactly what I pack.'

When it comes to packing for an international trip, nothing makes me angrier than a freeloading piece of clothing that travels to the other side of the world and does nothing but sit at the bottom of your suitcase taking up valuable shopping space.

In fact, when I'm packing for Euro summer it’s not unusual to catch me speaking to the contents of my luggage. 

"Did you save up in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis to buy this plane ticket? No! So if you want to come along for a trip of a lifetime (trench coat) you need to work for it!"

So what exactly will be the hardest working pieces in your checked luggage? Here is my list of what to pack and what to avoid.

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1. Comfortable clothing and shoes.

I know what you’re thinking, I could have just gone to my mum for this advice, she would have told me to pack comfortable things! 

Well listen to me, your mum is right! I usually spend two months between London and Europe over the summer and 9 times out of 10 the clothing that isn’t worn at the end of the trip is the clothing that was slightly too tight to begin with. 

If the heat doesn't make your body swell the delicious pastries definitely will, so keep this in mind when packing that skin-tight gym kit or tailored pair of pants. Instead opt for clothes with a bit of stretch, made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen. 

Comfort is especially important when it comes to what you wear on your feet. My holy trinity of footwear for Euro summer is a pair of trainers, a pair of Hermes sandal dupes and a pair of low-heel slingbacks for evening wear.

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2. Inexpensive crossbody bags for everyday wear (leave your designer bags at home).

Social media will lead us to believe that the staple bag of Euro summer is a raffia Loewe or Celine. By all means pick up a raffia bag from a local market on your travels but I’m telling you the MVP is going to be a crossbody.

Unfortunately, crime is on the rise and in London alone, a mobile phone is stolen every 6 minutes. Keep your valuables secure by packing a crossbody bag and a crossbody strap for your phone if you like to take photos.

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On my last two trips to the UK, I’ve left my designer bags at home altogether. In my opinion, It’s not worth the worry. 

3. A trench coat (bonus points if it’s waterproof and has a hood).

No matter what season I’m travelling to Europe in, I'll always pack a trench coat as the weather can be unpredictable at the best of times. Not only does a trench provide an extra layer of warmth on cooler days, 'trench' also translates as 'chic everyday attire' in all the major cities London, Paris and Rome. 

When on holiday you also shouldn’t be expected to lift a finger, even for an umbrella, so that’s why I recommend looking for a trench coat with a waterproof finish and detachable hood to double as a raincoat. 

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The last thing you’ll want to do when you have a packed schedule is waste time looking for a local chemist and then stand in said chemist trying to explain to them what Ural is. 

Making your own bespoke emergency health kit before you go will save you time, money and many blushes during your trip. 

(FYI the equivalent of Ural sachets in the UK are Cystitis Relief sachets and you can buy them from most local drugstores)

5. Apple AirTags that actually work.

Again, I know what you’re thinking "That’s so 2021, of course I have AirTags". Now you might have the AirTags but do they still have enough battery to track your luggage across the world? Chances are if you bought them when international travel reopened in 2021 they are now defunct because they are batteries after all.

Check your AirTags before you fly using the Find My app on your phone. The batteries often need to be replaced after one year of use.

Finally, if you really want to ensure that you wear everything in your suitcase, you can take it one step further and plan your outfits in advance.

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Before I even start packing, I put together at least 10 complete outfits from my wardrobe for all occasions. Once I've found a look I love I do a little happy dance and then I take a photo and save it to an album for that trip. 

This is so I have easily accessible wardrobe inspiration when I get to my destination. 

Pre-planning outfits ensures that I maximise suitcase space and resist the urge to shop the moment I land. It also means that I spend less time worrying about what to wear and more time enjoying my holiday. 

Read more from Paige here and follow her on Instagram for more travel tips.

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