How to Pack for Your Semester Abroad
I’m not quite sure how anyone is supposed to fit everything they’ll need for five months into just one or two suitcases, but I’ll do my best to help you.
I remember sitting on my bed eight months ago, staring down at my carry-on and checked bag, not even knowing where to begin. The thought of leaving for an entirely different place—one with a new language, unfamiliar faces, and experiences I couldn’t yet imagine—was overwhelming. I had no idea how to prepare myself for such a big change.
For me, clothes have always been a kind of protection. I feel most confident and happy when I like what I’m wearing, and I knew I’d need that sense of comfort while navigating so much newness.
So, I’ll share what I packed, in hopes that it might inspire you or at least make your own planning feel a little less daunting.
Before I dive in, I should mention that I went abroad in the spring, so the clothes I packed were based on that season and my specific location. What works for one climate or culture might not work for another, so keep that in mind as you plan.
While I’m not always the biggest fan of capsule wardrobes, I have to admit they’re incredibly useful when you need to plan for a range of climates, trips, cultures, experiences, and events.
My must-haves included both dark and light denim jeans. You’ll want both for this time of year since they’re easy to dress up or down and work for almost any setting. I also brought a pair of black pants that I absolutely loved, and it became one of my most-worn items. I wore them to class, out to dinner, for late-night drinks, and even to the club.
Along with those, I brought a few of my favorite pants and skirts that could easily be styled in multiple ways. A long silk skirt, for example, is a great option. It packs small and works well for everything from walking around a new city to sitting down for a nice dinner.
Two pieces that ended up being absolutely essential were a black and a grey button-down cardigan. They’re great basic layers that can add a lot to an outfit, even if you’re just wearing them over your shoulders. I almost always paired mine with a simple white tee—a staple in my closet that works in any season, climate, or location.
Since it was cold for most of my time in Florence, I also packed a good number of sweaters. Many of them even doubled as tops once the days started to warm up.
If you’re heading abroad in the fall, the temperatures will drop significantly toward the end of your stay. I highly recommend bringing a long trench coat. It became one of my go-to pieces, and I wore it almost every day. I also packed my favorite navy poncho coat and a fun black faux fur, which always added a bit of personality to my outfits.
Coats are very popular in Europe, and they’re a classic, stylish way to add warmth and interest to your look.
Dresses and fun tops were a great addition to my wardrobe. Since it was winter and I was in Italy —where fashion tends to lean toward darker tones—I found myself wearing a lot of black and grey tops. Lace, satin, and silk were great fabrics to include, since they paired well with everything from dark jeans to a long black skirt. I also brought a handful of white tops that worked as layering pieces during colder days or could be worn on their own once the weather warmed up.
Out of everything I packed, shoes easily took up the most space. I’m not going to lie—I ended up bringing home 17 pairs (and I even left a few behind). While I did buy a couple of pairs during my time abroad, most of them I packed with me.
Now, shoe preferences definitely vary, but for me, I love heels. I’ll take any excuse to wear a good kitten heel, so I brought several pairs—for walking around, clubbing, going to class, and everything in between. If you prefer tennis shoes or boots, bring those instead. The key is to pack what you’re comfortable walking in, because you’ll be doing a lot of it.
That said, I do think a good boot is essential. I had a pair of pointed-toe black kitten heel boots that I wore constantly, especially during the colder months.
Let’s wrap up with accessories, which just so happen to be my favorite part.
To be honest, if I’m not wearing a purse, I feel completely lost. But if purses aren’t your thing, that’s totally okay—bring whatever is your thing. Accessories can make or break an outfit and completely change your look. They were especially important for my style in Europe, where small details really elevated my style.
If you want to add something that makes an outfit feel special, try a statement earring, a funky
purse, a great sweater, or a beautiful scarf. I wore a scarf—or a “twilly”—all the time, and it always felt like the finishing touch.
Whether you’re headed to the highlights of Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, or somewhere else entirely, my biggest piece of advice is to pack what makes you happy. If there’s a purse you love or heels you can’t imagine traveling without, pack them. If a certain hat is part of your signature look or you can’t leave behind your stack of bracelets, create new memories with them. Whatever helps you feel like your true self is worth making space for.
You’ll pick up plenty of new pieces during your time abroad—whether from travel, markets, or thrift shops—but don’t forget to bring and wear the things you already own and love. I did a lot of thrifting while I was abroad, especially in new cities. For me, clothes are like keepsakes, and every time I wear something I dug up in a small second-hand store, I’m taken back to the memories I made in that moment of my life.
So look, babe—pack the extra pair of shoes, bring your favorite sweater, buy the beautiful purse. And remember, you can always add a carry-on later if you really need to.
<3 Taylor
