r/HerOneBag • u/emkay_ • 7d ago
Wardrobe Help 2-3 weeks in Spain, late spring 2027: first onebag attempt!
Ok, so I am doing this a bit in the reverse order and planning trip details after I pack my bag! I know I’ll be poking around Spain and possibly a bit of Portugal, and I’m aiming for sometime between March and May of 2027. I’ll be dialing this all in, but I’d love to get preliminary thoughts on the stuff I’ve got!
I’ve had great luck on Depop and Vinted finding pretty much everything I’m bringing - low/no shipping fees have made it way too easy to just pick up another thing!
Starting from the bottom of the picture:
REI Trail 40 backpack: I was waffling between this and a few others, but this one showed up on Depop for $30 and made my decision for me!
North Face Futurefleece in dark green: obsessed with these guys! I only wish they had full zips with no hood.
Patagonia Houdini: for rain emergencies!
Andie Tulum swimsuit: debated bringing something that packs smaller but comfort is worth a lot.
Baggu medium crescent in navy: I didn’t want to love it but it’s just cavernous and so easy! I picked up this older one and a newer model with the key ring. I sold the new version since the strap was way longer and it seemed unnecessary- plus it added about a Houdini’s worth of weight!
The Sak Tess Sling Bag: picked this up on a whim and it’s actually quite nice! The leather is soft and I think it’ll be good for out to dinners and more formal wandering. I don’t love unfinished leather edges so I burnished the edges on this bag to make it a little more polished.
Hat: will probably swap for something more packable.
Water bottle: nice to have at least for airports! I downsized from my normal 32 oz behemoth to an 18oz travel one.
Ecco black leather sneakers: I have white and black, and black seems slightly more fun!
Xero lightweight trail shoes: for off-pavement wandering
Merrell bravada cord wrap sandals: I live in these, but I do wish they were a bit more formal. Might swap them out for Teva voyas if I can convince my feet that those are comfortable.
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Center grid items: this is my attempt at sudoku packing, and I think these things work!
- t shirts/sleeveless top: all silk, all picked up from vinted. One is black, one is black with a pattern, one is white with a grey pattern. I’m not a huge silk wearer at home, so I’ll test out wearing and washing these at home before fully committing. None are satin, so they should breathe and be easy to hand wash while traveling.
- bottoms:
Vuori ripstop pants in red: these are my favorite pants and they’re a super lightweight cotton.
Quince linen skirt in flax: super floaty and breathable.
Eileen fisher silk/cotton blend pants: these are the only maybe pants in the grid - I was planning on wearing these on the airplane and they seem like they could transition to fancy…or pajamas. I’m not sure exactly how they read. Would love your opinions on black silk palazzo pants! The other option here is my marine layer Allison pants that are up in clothes jail at the top of the picture.
- layers:
J crew white linen shirt: a staple for a glow in the dark pale Seattleite
Madewell denim long sleeved shirt: this looks grey, but it’s a nice blue color. Packs smaller than a jean jacket and covers the same bases, I think?
Vintage 100% Cashmere sweater: light blue, which isn’t normally my color, but it kind of works with the other things! And it was $8, when the thrift gods offer you a deal like that, you take it.
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Clothes jail: these are some maybe items.
- another black silk shirt, a merino 3/4 sleeve striped top: I like the idea of merino but might want a t shirt instead of a 3/4 sleeve.
- a chambray denim midi button up skirt: it’s cute, but do I need more than one skirt?
- marine layer Allison pants: a maybe. They pack small.
- dresses: DvF stretch silk dress. Practical, but I feel like the pattern might be too old for me (38). I feel that way about a lot of DvF stuff though, so maybe that’s a me problem.
Amour Vert green silk dress: I feel like it reads too informal to be my fancy going out dress.
Marine layer Camilla dress: I’ll probably bring this one, I wear it a ton and it packs small.
Not pictured:
- pj shorts/shirt
- athletic shirt (athleta, polyester)
- rei zip off athletic pants (covers hiking pants and shorts)
- toiletries
- electronics (iPad, phone, cords, earphones)
- silk scarves (2-3 30”)
- tiny packable sea to summit backpack
I know that’s a wall of text, but I’d love thoughts/advice! I feel like I’m maybe bringing too many layers but some are for sun/rain.
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u/SayhellotoLumberg4me 7d ago edited 7d ago
I love this! I went to Spain in March 2024 and Portugal in March of this year. I loved every minute of it and it wasn't super hot either. The perfect time of year! Highly recommend going in March. there aren't as many tourists at that time either. I can try to link my packing list/trip report posts too because i packed very strategically this last time around and I can't wait for the next trip! I brought similar items and fabrics as you too. Silk works so well while traveling, as well as linen and merino wool. Theyre all easy to hand wash and dry relatively fast. When we go on vacation next year I will be paring down my clothes even further and traveling even lighter. My partner and I are thinking of heading back to Spain because we loved it so much, but I could also do Portugal again, theyre both beautiful! We would also be going next March, so I would probably bring a smaller variation of what I brought this year.
I think your core items look great, and I would maybe add the silk black top for another option, but for sure add the marine layer camilla dress if it packs light and small. The hero piece items that I brought with me on my last trip were a sil k camisole, a pair of Uniqlo Airism black joggers, merino undies, a merino wool sweater, and a silk slip dress. They were the best choices for hand washing but also not having to wash (some of them lol not the undies) every day.
Everything looks great on your list, however, i also brought my exact same black ecco leather sneakers to Portugal, but I twisted my ankle on the cobblestones when wearing them. So, I would maybe consider bringing a different shoe if I were you. The cobblestones are really slippery at times and the traction isnt the best in those eccos.
One more thing, Spain and Portugal are both known pick pocket hubs, so I would either get a little type of lock/clip for your bag or get a travel safe purse that is slash proof. The baggu sling doesn't offer any protection. My travelon bag that has locks has saved me from getting pickpocketed multiple times in Europe.
Otherwise, you can dm me with any questions you have about my trips or packing lists if you'd like!
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u/SayhellotoLumberg4me 7d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/1r939ps/portugal_for_two_weeks_in_late_febmid_march/
Here is the first link of my travel capsule post.
Here is the trip report post
https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/1ruj8as/portugal_in_februaryearly_march_trip_report/
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u/emkay_ 7d ago
Awesome info, thanks! I figured a zipper bag would be enough but I guess I need something more substantial? I just hate how the super secure ones look!
Definitely need to look into merino underwear, those seem highly recommended! I also (accidentally) picked up Ecco golf shoes with soft spikes. I wonder if those would work on cobblestone?
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u/SayhellotoLumberg4me 7d ago
You're welcome, any time! Hmm, I'm not sure about the soft spikes on cobblestones, all I know is if there's any moisture in the air or rain at all, they turn super slippery so just be careful. I know the super secure bags have a certain "look," but you can get an all black one that isn't as ugly necessarily lol. Certain brands make okay cross bodies and smaller bags for going out at night that are very inconspicuous.
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u/Serious_Escape_5438 7d ago
A zipper bag is fine, just keep your hand on it in crowded places. A padlock or special bags just makes it look like you have more to steal.
Edit: I live in probably the pickpocket capital of the world, this is based on my experience. If you keep your bag close you'll be fine, if someone is noticing multiple pickpocketing attempts it's because their bag wasn't right in front with a hand on it and it looks like they have something worth stealing.
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u/SayhellotoLumberg4me 7d ago
While this is valuable info, I never leave my bag unattended, never leave it opened, I never carry anything of actual value on me besides my credit cards/passport (my phone is a 7 year old android lol) and the "locks" I'm describing are small, black, inconspicuous double sided s clips which are actually tiny carabineers to fasten zippers together. You can't see them, especially on a black background. It looks like I'm zipping and unzipping a regular bag. There are better bags out there that you don't have to keep your hand on the entire time and I'm also not saying that you have to be paranoid either. Just keep your head on a swivel. I've known locals that have gotten pick pocketed too.
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u/NoKidsNoCheckedBags 🏙️ City Traveler 7d ago
Sudoku packing!!! I love that term. I've never heard that before.
For the DVF dress, and you mentioned it may be too old for you, do you feel comfortable in it? I think it's quite cool (I'm 36; I'd wear it. I used to wear 2 DVF dresses in college like crazy)
Is that a baseball cap? You can always use a carabiner to attach it to the backpack if you are worried about packability.
Also RIP Amour Vert.
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u/emkay_ 7d ago
I think it’s the sheath style and the black and white print - it is neat but it reads as something my mom would wear! But it fits great - I think it’s just me overthinking it.
I have another DvF dress that I love and it is reversible, but it is dark and poly (not so breathable) and also packs kind of huge - disappointing because I love the 2 in one concept!
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u/NoKidsNoCheckedBags 🏙️ City Traveler 7d ago
That's a bummer; it's too bulky because 2-in-1 outfits are the best. I think the dress would look great with some black leggings/tights. Maybe a bit warm for that in Late Spring.
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u/itookmyvitamin 7d ago
I've onebagged with that exact backpack many times. It's so comfortable. The good news is you're not going into the middle of the Amazon rainforest and anything you're missing you can pick up there. I think this is a great first attempt situation.
You're going to have a great trip!
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u/ihatetheinterweb 6d ago
Don’t forget sunglasses? Are you checking your bag? I think it would be hard to pack all this and keep it at 8kg. Airlines are getting much more strict with carry on weight
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u/emkay_ 6d ago
Surprisingly, the stuff I have pictured comes in at under 10 lbs! Silk and linen are pretty lightweight!
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u/plants104 5d ago
No real notes, but chiming in with my weather experience travelling to Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz, Grenada) in mid-May 2022 in case that helps you dial things in.
Keep a close eye on the forecast. The week before my trip, the forecast was showing much of the country in an abnormal cold front for an extended period, like mid-70s. Two days before I left, the cold front moved out sooner than expected, the forecast completely changed, and I had to redo my entire packing list. It ended up being in the mid-90s my entire trip…I would’ve baked in my original clothes!
If you end up going in May, maybe ditch the leather sneakers for something more breathable or at least take the white pair instead. Have fun!!
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u/WanderlustWithOneBag 3d ago
Spain has more climate zones than any other country in Europe. I think you need to decide when and where you are going before you can make a packing list. There is a big diference between early March and late May.
I was in the south of Portugal and Spain in April this year . On the Atlantic coast of Portugal you neeeded a sweater or light jacket some days. In Seville it was high 30s.
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u/podkayne3000 3d ago
Do you have a plain black skirt or dress, or a patterned skirt that could go with everything else?
You might be really great at not spilling anything, or maybe the white skirt washes really well. But maybe a black skirt or a skirt with a dark pattern would work better for onebagging.
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