How to Pack for a European Summer

How to Pack for a European Summer: The Rihoas Guide to Looking Effortless Abroad

Summer in Europe has a very specific kind of magic. The streets hum a little slower, the light is softer, and the air smells faintly of salt or citrus or old books, depending on which city you’re in. But between the excitement of booking flights and making dinner reservations, there’s one thing most travelers stress over:

“What should I pack?”

At Rihoas, we’ve heard this question a hundred times — and we’ve lived it. Our design team is made up of women who love to travel and hate feeling like they brought the wrong clothes. That’s why our summer collections focus on pieces that look good, feel breathable, and adapt to whatever the day (or the weather) throws your way.

So let’s pack — not just smart, but beautifully.

5 Common Packing Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them

1. Trying to Dress for Every Vibe = Overpacking
Europe has range — you’ll go from sun-drenched plazas to candlelit dinners. But that doesn’t mean you need 14 outfits. Build a mini capsule:

• 3 dresses

• 2 tops

• 1 versatile skirt or trouser

• 1 light jacket or scarf

You’ll be surprised how many combinations you can create.

2. Choosing the Wrong Fabrics
High heat and humidity call for natural fibers that breathe. Cotton, linen blends, and lightweight viscose are key. Bonus points if they resist wrinkles — or look charming when they do.

→ Our Draped Square Neck Cotton Dress is a team favorite. It’s structured but soft, holds its shape even after a day in transit, and works from lunch to late night strolls.

3. Only Packing Casual = Feeling Underdressed
Europeans don’t necessarily dress “fancy,” but they do dress with intent. A slip dress and dainty earrings can take you from breakfast to a jazz bar without needing to change.

4. Forgetting Cultural Dress Codes
Many churches, museums, and even upscale restaurants expect covered shoulders or modest hemlines. A lightweight button-up shirt or scarf in your bag solves this in seconds.

5. Not Planning = Photo Fatigue
You will take pictures. You will wish you liked what you wore in them. Give yourself 2–3 “hero outfits” — pieces that you know photograph well, feel amazing in, and speak to the setting.

Which European Girl Are You?

Not sure what your summer vibe is? Here are three styles we keep coming back to — with a Rihoas twist.

The Riviera Romantic
For the ones who daydream in pastels and prefer sandals over sneakers.

• Light florals

• Backless slip dresses

• Soft yellow, sea blue, lavender tones

• Think: Positano balconies and lemon spritzes

Try: Yellow Floral Backless Slip Midi Dress

The Gallery Minimalist
You live in black, white, and neutrals — and somehow never overheat.

• Clean lines

• Wide-leg trousers + tailored tank

• Sharp sunglasses

• Think: Berlin art spaces and afternoon espresso in silence

Try: The Green Boat Neck Cutout Back Midi Dress

The Vintage Café Muse
Retro charm with modern ease. You dress like someone who might get sketched in a notebook.

• Puff sleeves

• Polka dots

• Fitted bodices and full skirts

• Think: Parisian mornings and antique bookstores

Try: The Red V Neck Polka Dot Tie Back Midi Dress

 A Realistic Packing List for 7 Days

Here’s what we’d actually bring for a weeklong trip:

• 3 dresses (1 cotton midi, 1 slip dress, 1 day-to-night piece)

• 2 tops (1 neutral tank, 1 statement blouse)

• 1 bottom (linen skirt or relaxed trousers)

• 1 layer (cardigan or structured shirt)

• 1 scarf (can double as a top, shawl, or bag accent)

• Shoes: 1 pair of sandals, 1 comfortable sneakers

• Jewelry: 2–3 pieces to rotate for polish

Everything fits in a carry-on. And nothing feels like a compromise.

Final Styling Tips — From Suitcase to Sidewalk

• Hang your clothes when you arrive — most wrinkles drop out naturally overnight.

• Use your scarf — for sun protection, church visits, windy ferries, or just to look effortlessly put together.

• Take photos early — the lighting is kinder, and you’ll feel fresher.

• Lean into texture — even with simple outfits, a linen crinkle or pintuck sleeve adds depth.

• Don’t forget your signature — a red lip, a low bun, a favorite perfume. It’s not the outfit — it’s the woman in it.

A Last Word: Dress for the Moments You’ll Remember

You’re not packing for perfection. You’re packing for moments — the ones that sneak up on you. A breeze in an alleyway, a conversation with a stranger, a dinner that lasts three hours.

At Rihoas, we believe what you wear should feel like you, just in a new setting. Nothing loud. Nothing trendy for trend’s sake. Just beauty, ease, and maybe a little poetry in motion.

We’ll see you on the next terrace.