A Week in Paris & Heidelberg: How I Survived With Just the Essentials
This September, I went on the ultimate mom trip — one whole week in Paris and Heidelberg, Germany with six of my closest friends. Think: sightseeing, laughs, good drinks, and lots of memories. But the trip didn’t exactly start the way I imagined.
Within the first few hours of arriving in Paris, my luggage was stolen. Yep. Every outfit I had planned, every carefully packed travel essential — gone. It was one of those “pivot quickly or let it ruin the trip” moments, and I decided to make the best of it. Spoiler: I ended up loving my pared-down, classic European wardrobe so much that I’d honestly recommend it for any mom trip abroad.
My Travel Capsule Wardrobe
With almost nothing to wear, I built my outfits around a few main staples that carried me through the entire trip:
- [New Balance 327 Sneakers 🔗] – Comfortable enough for cobblestone streets, train rides, and long days of exploring.
- [J.Crew Wide-Leg Jeans 🔗] – A classic cut in a versatile wash that worked for day or night.
- [H&M Trench Coat 🔗] – The piece that pulled everything together. Lightweight, chic, and timeless.
- [Classic White Blouse 🔗] – Airy and oversized, perfect to just throw on and go while still looking put together
- [Leather City Bag 🔗] – Crossbody and top handle so versatile for of from day to night while also being a zip top closure so nice and safe
From there, I mixed in a few affordable tops and accessories I picked up along the way. Suddenly, I had a capsule wardrobe that worked for strolling Parisian cafés by day and sipping wine on the patio by night.
Dressing Up for Moulin Rouge
We did take one night to go all out — dinner and a show at the Moulin Rouge. It was such a fun contrast to the casual, effortless style I had leaned on the rest of the trip. I was able to quickly grab a new dress at Zara in Paris that fit the evening and then of course had to splurge a bit on some new heels from Jonak Paris, but who can honestly complain about buying new shoes in Paris!
Getting Around: Planes, Trains & Trams
Our itinerary was full: flights into Paris, a day trip to Versailles, and then onto Heidelberg, Germany by train. From buses to trams to planes, we used it all. Having sneakers and jeans I could move in was key — no blisters, no stress, just comfy chic while sightseeing with my friends.
Final Thoughts
This trip was full of unforgettable memories: laughing until our stomachs hurt, sipping drinks in the late summer air, and soaking in the beauty of Paris and Heidelberg. And while I wouldn’t recommend having your luggage stolen as a travel “hack,” it turns out that living with less can make you feel more present, more free, and surprisingly stylish.
So here’s to packing lighter, living in the moment, and maybe buying that trench coat you’ve been eyeing — because trust me, it goes with everything.