Everything to Pack For a Summer Trip to Paris, According to an Editor

POPSUGAR Photography | Yerin Kim
POPSUGAR Photography | Yerin Kim
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In "Pack With Me," influencers and editors give us a rundown of their travel must-haves and a few travel hacks to go along with them. For this installment, PS Features Editor Yerin Kim shares what essentials are in her suitcase for a trip to Paris.

An extended weekend getaway to the City of Light? Say no more. The vibrant neighborhoods, elegant fashion, and delicious eats — against the backdrop of its artistic heritage — are just a few reasons Paris is the most visited city in the world. Ahead of the Summer Olympics, I traveled to Paris for the first time by way of Kizik, known for its innovative, hands-free shoes.

From walking around the stylish Marais district and stumbling into the manicured Tuileries and Luxembourg gardens to catching an epic view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, there was so much to see. We even squeezed in quick trips right outside of Paris to Claude Monet's house and garden in Giverny and to Champagne houses in Reims. Though only three full days in the city had me craving more, it also made packing in a carry-on suitcase more than manageable. Keep reading for a complete guide on what to pack for Paris to make the most of your time there — while still looking as chic as a Parisienne.

POPSUGAR Photography | Yerin Kim

Best Packing Tips For Paris

I'm firmly team carry-on, especially for European travel in the summer, and since my trip was only four days, it was definitely doable (though I admittedly didn't leave enough room for shopping finds). When working with less suitcase space, I always recommend adhering to a neutral color scheme. Luckily, French-girl style typically revolves around an effortless capsule wardrobe, so I opted for timeless classics like a slip dress, elevated basics, and a versatile blazer. Because I knew my days would be busy, I mostly stuck to pieces that could easily take me from day to night, with simple additions like a leather belt, fun purse, or smart heel.

Paris is a walking city, so I packed footwear that I'd be comfortable wearing anywhere — no matter how dressy a restaurant or bumpy a road. The weather in Paris can also be unpredictable — it wasn't unusual to experience multiple climates in a span of a few hours — so prepare yourself with light outerwear options, protective shoes, and a small umbrella.

Best Travel Tips For Paris

Paris is divided into the Left and Right Bank, crossed by the Seine river. The Left Bank has an artistic, historic vibe, known for sights like the Pantheon, Musee d'Orsay, Luxembourg Gardens, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, while the Right Bank is considered more luxurious and fashionable, home to the Louvre, Champs-Élysée, and Place Vendôme. It's easy to travel between one another, but I suggest staying in a centrally located neighborhood, so you can walk to most of the popular sights in the city.

If time allows, I highly recommend taking a day trip or two to the Versailles Palace, the Champagne region if you're a fan of bubbly, or Giverny to see the garden that inspired Monet's paintings. Though Paris is beautiful all by itself, there's more to offer outside of the city.

Ahead, check out all of my packing must-haves for a Parisian getaway.

Comfortable Sneakers
nordstrom.com

Comfortable Sneakers

Kizik Milan Monument Hands-Free Sneaker ($149)

Paris is designed to explore by foot, so chic, comfortable sneakers are a must. I wore this sleek, leather pair with casual daytime outfits, dressier evening looks, and everything in between. The best part? Kizik's slip-on sneakers are completely hands-free, so I never had to worry about bending down and tying my shoes.

A Slip Dress
ssense.com

A Slip Dress

Silk Laundry Black 90's Midi Dress ($184, originally $275)

This silk dress from Silk Laundry is easily my favorite clothing item I packed for this trip. Effortless, versatile, and flattering, this slip worked with sneakers during the day and chic heels and jewelry at night. It made for multiple outfit combinations and took up minimal room in my suitcase — a winner in my book.

A Standout Duffel
calpaktravel.com

A Standout Duffel

Calpak Luka Duffel ($128)

For an extended weekend trip, this Calpak duffel is the perfect companion to a carry-on suitcase. It has multiple compartments — including one for shoes — and an essential trolley sleeve to firmly sit on your luggage. When it comes to travel gear, I always prefer bright colors that stand out in a crowd.

A Relaxed Blazer
lovebonito.com

A Relaxed Blazer

Love Bonito Mili Shawl Collared Blazer ($69)

While summer days in Paris are mostly hot and sunny, there are pockets of cool breezes at night. I recommend packing a relaxed, easy blazer like this one from Love Bonito to throw over any casual outfit. For a summer-appropriate look, I prefer a light pop of color and lightweight fabric.

A Silk Sleep Mask
nordstrom.com

A Silk Sleep Mask

Slip Pure Silk Zodiac Sleep Mask ($60)

I couldn't have slept through my red-eye flight from NYC to Paris without a soft sleep mask — and my trusty neck pillow. This 100 percent pure silk version kept my skin protected and made a long flight in economy feel so much more luxurious.

A Face Sunscreen
target.com

A Face Sunscreen

Vacation Super Spritz Face Mist ($24)

Unexpected rain showers aside, the sun can get strong in Paris. Face sunscreen with a high SPF that's also easy to reapply is a nonnegotiable. This SPF 50 sunscreen mist from Vacation is water-resistant, invisible, and dries down quickly, which makes it ideal for spritzing over your makeup throughout the day.

Cozy Pajamas
lakepajamas.com

Cozy Pajamas

Lake DreamModal Daydream Shorts Set in Geranium Regalia Stripe ($88)

After a long day of touring, there's nothing I look forward to more than a plushy hotel robe. But, I also love feeling at home in a pair of cozy pajamas. This set from Lake Pajamas is made from the brand's DreamModal knit, which may be the softest, stretchiest fabric I've ever slept in. It's also ideal for hot sleepers.

A Multi-Use Makeup Brush
amazon.com

A Multi-Use Makeup Brush

Saie The Big Brush ($26)

I struggle with condensing my makeup collection for travel, so multifunctional tools are always helpful. Instead of bringing separate brushes for blush, bronzer, and foundation, I stuck with just this super soft yet dense brush from Saie to blend both my cream and liquid products seamlessly into my skin.

A Leather Belt
madewell.com

A Leather Belt

Madewell Medium Perfect Leather Belt ($48)

I've only recently started wearing belts again, and realized how much a classic strip of leather can transform a look. I wore this timeless belt from Madewell with dresses, baggy jeans, and leather shorts throughout my Paris trip, instantly elevating and adding shape to simple outfits.

A Travel Skin-Care Set
amazon.com

A Travel Skin-Care Set

Sulwhasoo First Care Trial Set ($58)

As someone who takes skin care very seriously, I try to maintain my routine as best as I can even while traveling. So instead of throwing some random samples into my toiletries, I like to have travel-size beauty products of my mainstays on hand for carry-on only trips. This sampler from Sulwhasoo includes all of my favorites, including the brand's popular First Care Activating Serum VI.


Yerin Kim is the features editor at POPSUGAR, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women's lifestyle spaces. She's passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.