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What to Pack for a European Vacation During Shoulder Season

What to Pack for a European Vacation During Shoulder Season

Packing for Europe, especially during the elusive shoulder season, can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back! Shoulder season, which typically falls between spring (March-April) and fall (September-November), is the sweet spot right before or after peak tourist season. The perks? Fewer crowds, better deals, and more affordable adventures. The tricky part? Unpredictable weather! One minute it’s sunny, the next you’re dodging raindrops.

But guess what? With a smart strategy and a little help from Diane Kroe’s capsule wardrobe approach, you’ll be ready for anything the European skies throw at you. Whether you’re packing for a European adventure or simply looking to travel light, Diane’s multi-wear pieces are your secret weapon for effortless style. Let’s dive into her expert tips and transform that packing stress into a fun adventure!

Be sure to check out Diane’s full packing list at the end of the article for all her shoulder season essentials.

Foundation: Wardrobe Magic for Maximum Versatility

Diane’s secret to conquering her recent trip to France (hello, unpredictable weather!) was her versatile capsule wardrobe. Her trick? Multi-wear pieces that effortlessly combine to create endless outfit combinations. For her 2 week stay, Diane packed five bottoms, five tops, a dress, and a few accent pieces, and with a little mix-and-match magic, she ended up with over 100 outfit combinations!

Her foundation pieces, like the Travel Tights, Retro Jumper, One-for-All Top, and Wear Ever Dress, are designed to be worn in multiple ways—think tops that turn from sleeveless, to halter-top, to long sleeve, and skirts that double as dresses! By sticking to neutral dark colors like black, chocolate brown, navy, and grey, Diane made sure that every piece played nice with the rest of her wardrobe (and hid any mishaps like spilled ice cream!).

Accents: Adding Layers (and Personality!)

Layering is your best friend when it comes to shoulder season packing! Diane recommends accent pieces like scarves, cardigans, or jackets that complement your foundation items. A fun tip: choose prints that share a core color with your foundation pieces to ensure everything matches effortlessly. This not only adds style but also helps you stay cozy when the weather cools down unexpectedly.

Weather: Be Ready for Anything

Shoulder season’s unpredictable weather means you’ll need to prepare for rain, shine, or even snow. Pack a light raincoat, a sunhat, and water-resistant shoes to cover all your bases. Diane’s go-to for this? A sleek, packable rain jacket that looks chic no matter the forecast. Layer it over a Glacier Fleece Minkey Wrap or hoodie, and you'll have warmth for even the coldest days—the raincoat acts as a perfect insulator when temperatures drop.

Activity: Special Moments, Special Pieces

Got special plans? Maybe a swim at that boutique hotel or a morning hike in the countryside? Activity pieces are your wardrobe's wildcard—perfect for those one-off adventures. Be sure to pack any items that aren't in your Foundation or Accent groups, like swimsuits or specialized gear. And don’t forget evening wear in case you're attending a destination wedding or other events—it's always good to be prepared!

Accessories: The Finishing Touch

No outfit is complete without a few stylish accessories! Think versatile shoes, a trusty crossbody bag, and statement jewelry that doesn’t take up too much space. Diane’s tip? Opt for multi-purpose items like sandals you can dress up for the evening or a scarf that doubles as a shawl for chilly nights. Add a Freedom Sleeve to add sleeves to other designs or a Freedom Pocket for hands-free activities—perfect for when you're on the go!

The “What Ifs”: Just in Case

We all have that 'What if?' packing dilemma. What if it’s colder than expected? What if there’s an unexpected fancy dinner? Any 'What If' items that won’t fit in the carry-on, can go in the Packable Headrest, which can hold up to six extra pieces. Diane recommends keeping your 'What If' items to a minimum—just a few versatile pieces that will cover any surprises.

Diane's Shoulder Season Packing List

Ready to pack like a pro? Check out Diane’s shoulder season packing list below, complete with the actual colors and prints she chose for each piece, to take the guesswork out of your next European vacation.
Shop the Packing List
Join Diane in this exclusive Q&A as she answers customer questions and shares how to maximize your travel wardrobe with her versatile packing list for Europe
Watch Diane’s Packing List Q&A

Foundation Pieces

These are items that are the base pieces anything that is worn on the first layer.

(5 Tops)
One-4-All Top (black)
Convertible Cami (white)
Reversible Bralette (Red Black Floral)
Origami (Charcoal Ikat)

(5 Bottoms)
Retro Jumper (navy)
• Jeans

(1 Dress)
Wear Ever Skirt Dress (Red Black Floral)

Accent Pieces

These are items you can layer over the foundation pieces.

Hoodie (white)
Mariposa (tadpole tango)
• 2 Versa Wraps (one black, one white)
Duster Wrap Dress (black)

Weather Pieces

This will be items for the weather like rain, snow, sun etc.

• Packable Rain Jacket (Cole Haan)

Activities Pieces

Items you will need outside of the “foundations and Accent” for a special activity. For Diane's trip to France, it was swimming at the pool at the chateau and the boutique hotel.

Reversible Body Suit (Charcoal Ikat)
Endless (Charcoal Ikat)

Accessories

Items you will need that are not listed above to add to your wardrobe, such as shoes, bags, belts, etc.

Freedom Sleeve (black)
Sash (black)
Cross Body Bag
DK Travel Tote
Packable Headrest
• Sandals (Ancient Greek)
• Mules (Birdies)
• Runners / Tennis Shoes (On Cloud)
• Waterproof Shoes (Tropic Feel)

What Ifs (optional)

Items that you think you may need and want to pack in your Packable Head Rest.

Wear Ever Skirt Dress (Blue Bubble)
Reversible Bralette (Blue Bubble)
Travel Tights (navy brazil)
Slip Skirt (black)
Skort (black)

Diane's Travel Uniform

This is what I wore on the flight I wear the bulkiest pieces like the Glacier Fleece Wrap and bulky runners.

One-4-All Top (black)
Travel Tights (black)
Freedom Pocket (black)
• Runners / Tennis Shoes (On Cloud)

4 Responses

Diane Kroe

Diane Kroe

September 27, 2024

Hi Signe,

Thanks for reaching out!

You can find all the products I packed for a European vacation, including the rain jacket, in my blog post: “What to Pack for a European Vacation During Shoulder Season.” I’ve listed everything I took along, even the items that aren’t from my brand.

Feel free to check it out, and let me know if you have any more questions! 💞

Diane Kroe

Diane Kroe

September 27, 2024

Hi Carolyn,

Thank you so much for your interest and support! I completely understand the desire to see and try on pieces before making a purchase. I do offer one-on-one appointments for customers at the Verity Club in Toronto. During these personalized sessions, I can bring the designs you’re interested in, so you can see them up close and try them on.

If you’re interested, simply reach out to me through the chat box on the website, and we can find a suitable time that works for you. The cost for these appointments is a $100 CAD gift card that you can use towards your purchase.

Looking forward to helping you find the perfect pieces!

Signe Mazeroll

Signe Mazeroll

September 26, 2024

I would like the name brand of your rain jacket please. It’s not mentionedhere in your blog, that I can see.
Many thanks.

Carolyn Alberti

Carolyn Alberti

September 26, 2024

I have been watching your site/trunk shows for a couple years now but I cannot buy online – at least the first time. The last time I am aware of any in person shopping in Toronto is a year ago last May, I think and I was unable to attend. When will there be another chance to attend in person in Toronto? Once I’ve seen and tried some pieces, I may will be able to buy online but I have never had a a good experience buying online yet without first seeing it. Your things are too expensive to buy on chance.
Thank you.

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