Most college women can commiserate about the feelings of sheer frustration, anxiety, and indecisiveness when they stare into their closets brimming with clothing and are forced to make the life-altering decision of what to wear that particular evening. Wedges or flats, jeans or tights, braving the cold with no jacket or warding off hypothermia but ruining your outfit...we agonize over these choices. Don’t ask us why it matters -- just let us stare aimlessly at a collection of inanimate objects on hangers for a while, and let us stress pointlessly in peace.
But now, imagine this feeling and multiple it by 130. I choose 130 because that is the number of days that I will soon be living abroad in Seville, Spain. The stress of fitting 130 days worths of outfits inside of a fifty pound duffel is a giant buzzkill weighing down on the boundless excitement I should be feeling as I prepare to embark on new, life-changing adventures.
Unlike nights at school where my outfit decisions do not really matter (gasp), my choices concerning what to bring could actually effect my experience abroad whether it be my degree of comfort, warmth, or ability to blend in with the local population.
So based on my research, conversations with others who have traveled to there before, and my own daunting experience stuffing my wardrobe into my trusty duffel, I have attempted to come up with a couple of tips to facilitate the process of packing for a five month excursion in Europe:
1. Say adiós to (some) boots.
Boots are great. They’re comfy, versatile, and can look great with almost any outfit. But have you ever realized how heavy they are? Or how bulky? On my first packing attempt, I tried to fit my favorite five pairs in my suitcase. Not only did they take up half the space in there, but they sent it soaring up towards the fifty pound weight limit. Limit yourself to maybe two pairs: one tall and one short in black and brown.
2. Big scarf, warm heart, can’t lose.
Giant infinity scarves might be the greatest invention in the history of fashion. I’m not talking about those thin, wimpy ones; I’m talking the thick, woven, wrap three times around your neck infinity scarves. Paired with the right coat, they’d keep you toasty in a snowstorm, but they can also be worn with a simple t-shirt in more moderate weather. An added bonus is that scarves take up a very minimal amount of space in a suitcase. Invest in a couple of different colors to disguise the top you’ve worn three times this week as three different looks.
3. Stock up on your favorite beauty brands.
Can’t live without your BareMinerals foundation, YSL touche éclat highlighter, or Jergens Natural Glow body lotion? I sure can’t. Load up on your favorite beauty products before you leave because they may not be available overseas like they are here. But don’t go overboard. Part of the study abroad experience is learning to live without many of the luxuries that we find so readily accessible, so only pick a few essentials. You may find that many things are not so essential after all!
4. Stilettos are a no.
Europeans walk EVERYWHERE. While some girls may think they’ve mastered the walk to and from the bars at school in six inch heels, they will probably find that this is not the case in Spain. Fellow students have shared stories about walking 30 minutes to events at night and there is nothing more miserable than making these long treks in heels. To top it off, the roads are cobblestone so you are only tearing up your shoes and begging for a broken ankle. Stick to boots or flats instead, and when you see Spanish women rocking stilettos gracefully admit defeat and inferiority. You will never be on their level, but as long as you steer clear of tennis shoes you can at least attempt to enter their playing field.
5. Bury the "just rolled out of bed chic" look.
While I love the comfort and ease supplied by the giant sorority t-shirt over leggings as much as the next girl, this look is simply unacceptable in Europe. Even if you’re out all night and taking the metro home while other responsible adults are headed to work, you need to look presentable for class and to be out in public. This may the biggest adjustment for many college girls, but use it as practice for the real world. After college, those 50+ XL tshirts are going to be a thing of the past. Learn to put an acceptable outfit together each day, or at the very least replace the t-shirt with a fashionable oversized sweater.
¡Buena suerte!
