Last summer, Mike and I took the boys to Biarritz, France for a pretty blissful week…and my Mom came, too. We had an absolute blast, and I loved that she got to hang out with the boys, watch them surf, and linger over dinners, well into the evening. I’m so enjoying the teenage years – the boys have become so interesting and funny – and I feel lucky to share them with my Mom.
It’s been a hot minute since Mom went to Europe, so there were plenty of phones calls (and selfies) back and forth while we figured out what she should bring. At the end of it all, her packing list turned out so incredibly well that we’re using it as a basis for this summer’s trip, too. (This summer we’re heading to Cyprus & Greece – much hotter, but the general ideas here still apply.)
What My Mom Packed For A Week In France
We keep getting requests from the 60+ crowd, so I thought a little deep dive into Mom’s packing list might be helpful for anyone else planning a trip. And frankly, this packing list isn’t just for Grandmas: my mom has an amazing sense of style – think one part Coastal Grandmother, one part French It-Girl – and her style hasn’t changed all that much in the last several decades. This packing list ends up being perfect for anyone who prefers natural fibers in the heat, likes their tops & dresses bra-friendly, insists on comfort first and foremost, and who loves a chic, unfussy look.
Summer Vacation Packing List: The Shoes, Sandals & Bag For France
Before we get into the outfits, let’s talk shoes & bags. Mom brought three pairs of shoes, and that’s really all she needed. The shoes are:
- White Leather Sneakers – The power of white leather sneakers is that they never go out of style AND they can be worn with just about anything. In Mom’s case, she primarily just wore them on our travel days as airport shoes (fun fact: rubber-soled sneakers don’t need to be removed when going through security in most European countries). Mom brought this exact pair of Cole Haan sneakers.
- Everyday Sandals – This pair was intended to be used for day, especially days when we were doing a ton of walking. Mom brought an old pair of gray UGG sandals that I can’t find anymore, but this pair or this pair have a similar vibe, and plenty of comfort-shoe cred.
- Low Wedge Sandals – Mom jokes that she’s too old for uncomfortable heels and swears by these Naot Pixie Wedge Sandals. The wedge is a really low heel, but these are delicate enough to look dressy. My sister also loves these shoes (for the same reason), and talks about them in-depth in her video, I Wear Heels Everyday & These Are The 3 I Swear By.
Lastly, given the shoes and the clothes and the climate and the activities, Mom brought one small crossbody bag (in a straw-and-leather combo) that was just big enough for the essentials, but chic enough to be worn out at night, too. Her bag (an old Kate Spade number) is long gone, but this Quince straw-and-leather bag is similar, and would work just as well (if not better!).
Summer Vacation Packing List: 10 Pieces For France
For our week in Biarritz, Mom needed outfits for all-day walking around, evenings out, day trips to Spain, time at the beach, and then, of course, actually traveling. It turns out there were basically just 10-ish pieces that she needed to pack. Let’s get into it.
1. Something Striped
Mom, all similar pieces: dress, sandals, bag
This was one of Mom’s looks for walking around and exploring the city. Stripes are always a classic choice for summer, and a striped little shift dress is casual and comfortable enough for all-day walking, but chic enough to sit down for a lovely lunch. In summer’s heat, Mom only wears dresses that are 100% cotton (or linen) and bra-friendly.
Here’s a few striped dresses that would meet Mom’s criteria:
Grandma-Approved Striped Dresses
2. A Chic, Patterned Dress
Mom: Milly shift dress (old), but there’s an epic selection on ThredUP.
The big win of the trip was Mom’s Milly shift dress. This 100% cotton shift was great for day, but its chic, playful pattern could easily be dressed up for dinners in the evening, too.
Mom scored her Milly shift dress years ago, but I found a few additional patterned dresses Mom would love. While she often prefers shift dresses, I included a few additional styles I think would be a good fit for Europe, as well. These dresses all have two things in common: pretty prints AND bra-friendly. (NOTE: Some might require a racerback bra, but none will require a strapless bra.)
Shop Chic, Patterned Dresses
3. Long Maxi Dress
Mom: similar dress (pretty bra straps can show) or this one (racerback bra required)
There’s something so elegant about a long, simple dress – especially in white. No matter how casual the fabric, most maxi dresses can easily be dressed up for dinners out, since the style itself tends to be dramatic and/or fancy.
Mom: similar dress (pretty bra straps can show) or this one (racerback bra required), sandals
Shop Bra-Friendly Maxi Dresses
4. Little White Dress
Mom: similar dress
The above photo cracks me up – Mom and I both love our little white dresses, and, apparently, MikeD got the memo, too. But seriously – little white dresses always read as really chic in the summer (and stains can be quickly treated with Tide pens or whatever). Mom wore this dress on a day trip Spain for pintxos (basically tapas) – it was hot.
Shop Bra-Friendly Little White Dresses
5. Linen Shell
Mom: similar shell
If there’s one top that’s worth packing, no matter where in Europe you’re going in the summer, a linen shell is the most versatile. It looks spot-on with flowy pants, skirts of any type, jeans, shorts – everything. It’s bra-friendly, and will make everything else you’re wearing look really chic (even denim cut-offs, which is how I often wear mine, haha).
This summer, we’re headed to Greece, and Mom and I are both packing this shell from J.Crew. It’s such a winner that it’s worth the risk of twinning. 😉
Shop Our Favorite Linen Shells
6. Flowy Linen Pants
Mom: similar shell, similar pants, sandals
I love a good flowy pant in the summer – and they look especially chic paired with a linen shell. It’s almost like a matching set, but cooler. For casual European destinations like Greece (or any sort of coastal town – like Biarritz), flowy pants with a drawstring waist are great. If, however, you’re headed somewhere a little more cosmopolitan (Italy, Paris, etc), then I’d opt for a linen trouser instead (I like this pair).
Mom, all similar pieces: tank, pants, bag
While some may argue black is the more practical choice for traveling, I do love white linen for summer. (Again…Tide pens.)
Shop Flowy, Linen Pants & Trousers
7. Dark Wash Jeans
Mom, all similar pieces: shell, jeans, bag, sandals, cardigan
One could argue that jeans – of any kind – aren’t necessary to pack for Europe, especially in the summer. And in most cases, I’d agree! But if you are a denim girl (I am, and so is Mom), and you know the nights will be considerably cooler (like in Biarritz), then a pair of denim makes sense. In this case, I’d opt for a pair of chic, sophisticated jeans – something with a clean, dark wash, or maybe even sailor details, in a classic cut: wide or straight legs. Pick something a little elevated and decidedly not casual.
Shop Our Favorite Jeans For Europe
8. Lightweight Black Cardigan
Me: Halfdays windbreaker | Mom: Similar cardigan
My mother would never be caught dead without a cardigan, so here it is. Honestly, it’s not even a fancy cardigan (this one from Quince is suuuuper similar) and while this piece is not exactly exciting, it is useful.
But then! She did this:
Mom: Similar cardigan
Of course my mother knows how to casually tie the cardigan around her shoulders like a French Vogue editor. Well played, Mom. WELL PLAYED.
9. Lightweight Matching Set
Mom: similar tank & pants | Me: Halfdays windbreaker, Marysia swimsuit
While this addition to the packing list might *seem* redundant – it vibes a little like the linen shell + flowy trouser combo – it serves a totally different purpose. This matching set is made from cotton gauze, and is as comfortable as PJs. So when you’re doing an early morning coffee run and want to wear sweatpants? Cotton gauze matching set. When your grandkids are surfing at the beach below and there’s a lovely little cliffside espresso bar where you can sit and watch, nice and early in the morning? Cotton gauze matching set.
Or if you’re heading to the beach and want an impromptu cover-up? Yup – cotton gauze matching set.
Mom: similar tank & pants | Me: Farm Rio dress, Clare V Sandy Tote, Saltwater Sandals
Shop Cute Matching Sets
Most of these are cotton gauze and bra-friendly, but I threw one linen blend set in there. It’s from Amazon, but Laura owns it in three(!!) colors because it’s so good. And while it doesn’t necessarily *look* bra-friendly, I know she wears hers with a regular bra!! The only caveat is that the top runs a little short, so unless you want a cropped top, this set might be best for petites.
10. Mom’s Travel Outfit
top (xs) | pants (xs) | sneakers | similar sling bag
For travel outfits, there are three I can personally recommend: Frank & Eileen’s triple fleece travel sets (my go-to is The Greece, in black – runs big), separates from Eileen Fisher’s silk collection (what Mom is wearing, above), or Athleta.
My Mom is tiny (5′, 100 lbs), so Frank & Eileen’s Triple Fleece Set is out – it runs big, and is overwhelming on someone as small as Mom. Athleta is always a win (love the petite, tall and plus sizing options, too), but the most incredible travel outfit, especially in the summer, goes to Eileen Fisher. Eileen Fisher’s silk collection is stunning. It’s also impeccably made, machine washable, and virtually indestructible. It stays nice and cool in the heat, but is also comfy-cozy on the plane – those natural fibers are not to be underestimated. And each piece can be dressed up/down with ease.
Shop More Travel Outfits (Athleta)
While my Frank & Eileen and/or Eileen Fisher recommendations don’t change from year to year (they really are forever classics), Athleta is often coming out with something new. Here’s what I’d recommend from their current line:
That’s it! Happy adventuring!
xo,
S
