I split my time between LA and NYC, so I’m no stranger to being gone for long periods of time. But when I began packing for a month trip to Paris, I was really overwhelmed. My LA and NYC closets have items unique to each city, with necessities like extra pairs of underwear, socks, and skincare products. But traveling to an Airbnb starting from scratch felt like, well, a lot.
Although I’m not a light packer, I also wouldn’t consider myself a serial overpacker. I like to have options, but I really hate lots of luggage and I always try to avoid multiple suitcases unless I really need the extras.
Packing for trips in general can be stressful, but even more so when you’re planning to be gone for an entire month. That’s a long time! It’s a lot easier to pack last-minute for a one week trip, but it is essential to plan ahead when packing for an extended stay.
To prep for my longer trip I started by pulling everything I thought I wanted to take, then carefully edited down the pieces to a concise color palette, with lots of versatile items that I could wear more than once.
Other than some unexpected colder weather after my arrival, I think I packed pretty great for this trip. The most important thing to me was to pack items I wear and use regularly and worry about the other stuff later. I left LA with my trunk suitcase, a small carry-on bag, and my favorite travel backpack as my personal item..
I know packing for a long trip like this is daunting; you don’t want to forget anything, you want to be prepared for anything, and you want to look cute. But I promise you’ll be surprised by how many outfits you can get out of a super limited assortment from a suitcase – it just requires a bit of planning.
Here’s how to pack for a month-long trip, plus some of my favorite items I brought and won’t travel without.
How to Pack For a Month-Long Trip
Check the Weather Forecast
We’ve all faced the frustration of planning an outfit, only to step outside and find unexpected weather ruining your plans. Although you obviously can’t know the exact weather ahead of time, you shouldn’t just rely on the seasons for packing. During my month trip to Paris in June, the unusually rainy cold weather forced me to pack a last minute trench coat and pair of jeans and I wore them both non-stop the first two weeks of my stay.
The first thing I do when packing is check the weather. Frequently check the weather in the two weeks leading up to your trip and adjust accordingly.
Weather is unpredictable, but it’s not worth the stress of needed to pack for every possible change in temperature. As a rule of thumb, I always pack a few a lightweight sweater on any trip, regardless of the season. I’d also recommend leaving some space in your luggage in case you need to make a few emergency purchases while you’re on your month-long trip.
My number one travel tip: it’s always a good idea to pack a travel umbrella.
Pack Smart
Create a Packing List Based on Your Itinerary
It’s unlikely you’ll have every single detail of your extended stay locked in place, but having a general idea of what you’re doing goes a long way when packing.
If you’ve booked excursions or day trips that require specific clothing items or footwear, it’s helpful to have this planned ahead of time so you can pack the right pieces.
During my month of travel in Paris, I did a short trip to Provence, which has drastically different weather and dress code. Although I didn’t need a swimsuit for Paris, I was going to need to it lay by the pool for a few days in the south
You also never know when you may find yourself at a nicer restaurant that may have a dress code, especially if you’re traveling abroad. Don’t forget a dressier outfit or two just in case. A slip dress is highly versatile and takes up minimal suitcase space.
Stick to a Color Palette
When you pack for a long trip, it’s extra important to smartly utilize the space you have in your suitcase. Packing in a concise color palette allows you to mix and match your items, re-wear certain parts of outfits with ease, and you won’t have to worry about any color-contrasting choices. This packing tip also allows you to focus on specific colors so that you don’t overpack random one-off pieces.
Pack Versatile Pieces
Similarly to sticking to a color palette, you want to bring to versatile pieces that you can mix and match.
Look for durable items you can wear more than once before washing, like jeans or sweaters, but also that you can style more than one way. Also pack pieces you can dress up or down and wear with different shoes. Tailored trousers are a personal travel favorite because they work with tank tops, tees, and blouses, as well as a pair of sneakers, flats, and sandals.
If you can make 2-3 outfits mixing and matching different items on your list, you’re in great shape. You also save yourself from overpacking, have pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down, and you won’t have to do laundry every other day.
Take Outfit Photos
I’m a big fan of capsule wardrobes when packing, and you’d be surprised how creative you can get even with a limited number of items.
But, it can still be challenging to remix a limited number of pieces every morning in a new place. If you’re worried that you may forget what goes with what, try on different outfits as you pack. Take photos of the looks you love so you can quickly reference them on days when you don’t know what to wear.
Limit Your Shoes
This one may sting a little, but limit your shoes. I know, I know, but what if you need them? Chances are, you won’t!
Every time I travel, I think I will wear every shoe I pack, and this rarely has happened. Even during my month abroad, I overpacked with 10 pairs of shoes. I ended up only wearing 6, and most of the time I was in white sneakers.
Aim for white goes-with-anything sneakers, a dressy flat, a neutral heel, and a neutral seasonal option like sandals or ankle boots.
Shoes take up a ton of space in your suitcase, so don’t overwhelm yourself (or your luggage)! Stick to a handful of your favorites in the color palette you’re planning.
Use Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a real help in packing for an extended trip for two reasons. First, they can help save space by minimally condensing the items when you zip the cube. Second, you’re able to create any system of organization you want, which is key when you have a month’s worth of clothing.
The best way to use packing cubes is to organize in a way that makes sense for you. For example, you can pack all of your pants in one cube, and all of your shirts in another. Or, you could pack all of your similar outfits in the same cube—pajamas in one cube, daytime clothing items in another, swimsuits in one if necessary, etc. It’s completely your choice and how it makes sense for you.
Plan for Souvenirs
Look, if you’re going somewhere for a month, there’s no doubt that you’ll gather several items during your time away. Leave extra space in your luggage; you’re bound to bring home souvenirs and may also need to purchase some originally unaccounted for clothing items due to a change in weather or travel plans.
It’s also wise to pack a foldable bag that you can unzip and use upon your return for extra goodies, or even dirty clothing.
If you think you’ll be doing a ton of shopping during your extended stay, check prices for extra checked bags on your airline. You can always check an empty suitcase to your destination and bring it home filled with new purchases. Often the cost of an extra checked bag is still cheaper than shipping a box, particularly for international trips.
Doing laundry during your trip
Even if you pack light to minimize laundry, you’ll still need to wash a few things during a month-long stay. Even the largest checkable suitcases only fit about two week’s worth of clothing. Instead of trying to pack every item for every potential scenario, stick to essential items you can wear more than once, and plan accordingly for laundry.
Plan ahead. Does your hotel offer cleaning? Do you have a washer and dryer where you’re staying? Any nearby fluff and fold services?
Check with your rental host about detergent pods, or pack some just in case. If laundry facilities are limited, you can always hand wash your clothes in the sink of your hotel room and hang them to dry.
Don’t forget a laundry or lingerie bag to wash any of your delicates.
To quickly refresh clean, but wrinkly clothes, I love this dual-voltage travel steamer.
Buying toiletries
There are few non-negotiable skin care products that I always take with me so I can keep up with my travel skin care routine, but aside from that, I recommend bringing a small toiletry bag for the must-haves, and stick to purchasing the rest of your toiletries upon your arrival.
Packing all of your toiletries for a long-term trip takes up ample space while packing. Pack speciality items like skincare products, makeup, contacts, and prescription medications that are crucial to your everyday routine, then buy other toiletries like toothpaste when you get there.
Making packing for a month-long stay a little bit easier
Voila! Packing for a month-long trip can seem overwhelming, but once you break it down into parts, it becomes much easier. There’s no room for stress and anxiety when you’re planning for a month-long trip.
Safe travels!
