The Petite Travel Capsule: Paris & London
- Summer Packing Guide for Petites: Outfits, Shoes & Beauty Essentials -
After sharing my "What to Pack for Italy This Summer" guide last week, several of you reached out with a natural follow-up question: What should I pack if my trip also includes Paris and London?
I heard you — and today, I am here to lift up the fog and pack with you!
There’s a particular kind of beauty and elegance that lives in Paris and London — one that isn’t rushed or loud, but quietly refined. These two unforgettable cities, while climatically similar, each carry their own quiet charm — almost like two old friends with distinct personalities.
I often think of Paris as the softer, more feminine one — elegant, romantic, and just a little quieter, as if speaking in a gentle whisper. London, by contrast, feels more structured, a touch more witty, with its grounded elegance and clever confidence. As I pack, I hold these moods in mind, choosing pieces that allow me not simply to visit, but to belong — to walk in step with the rhythm of each city and feel quietly at home within its story.
But the ease you see? It doesn’t happen by accident. It begins, once again, in how you pack.
Let’s pack together!
Preparing a petite-friendly travel capsule for London and Paris.
Lightweight sweaters and neutral layers being packed for effortless European summer style.
Build Your Paris & London Travel Capsule
If you’re crossing the Channel this summer — wandering between the romance of Paris and the classic charm of London — your suitcase becomes your most intentional companion. A petite-friendly capsule that simplifies your mornings, weathers every forecast, and carries you confidently through both cities’ quiet demands for beauty. Both cities reward simplicity, but notice every detail. This capsule builds upon the same principle as Italy: less is more.
However, the mood shifts — from linen sunlit dresses to polished layers that breathe structure into your look.
My core palette always begins here…
Navy, Camel, Ivory, Taupe, Black (for evening polish and city sophistication) and a touch of Olive or Burgundy for depth. When every piece speaks to the others, you’ll create endless combinations without ever feeling repetitive.
London-Paris Mood Board for Summer 2025. Curated by Élan Petite.
Petite-friendly travel capsule wardrobe for London and Paris summer trips, featuring versatile dresses, lightweight layers, trench coat, and chic accessories.
If you love any outfit in this little collection I made, here are all the links. (Crossing my fingers everything is still in stock when you read this!)
Dresses: Aritzia Black Dress| Quince Slip On Dress | Aritzia Crepe Button Mini Dress
Tops: White T-Shirt | Olive Cardigan | J.Crew Tan Cropped Cardigan | Sézane Striped Tank Tee | Black Vest
Striped Tees: Sézane Striped Tank Top - some other ideas (links)
Shorts: Black Shorts | Mango Tan Shorts
Pants: J.Crew Ecru Denim | Zara High-Rise Jeans
Shoes: Adidas Samba OG | Neutralizer Ballet Flats | Mango Nude Sandals | Quince Loafers
Coats: J.Crew Trench Coat | longer alternative: Sézane Trench (runs big)
Purses: DeMellier Tokyo Purse | Celine Clutch
Accessories: Mejuri Earrings | BR Chunky Bracelet | Sun Glasses | Ralph Lauren Silk Scarf | Umbrella
Travel Gears: Neutral Suitcase Set | Quince Silk Mask (my favorite!)
The Weather May Change — Be Ready to Dance with It
Paris and London both require an art of layering. You’ll wake up to cool misty mornings, step into warm afternoons, and return to crisp evenings.
My trusted petite-friendly layers:
A lightweight trench coat (always my first layer)
A cashmere wrap or thin merino sweater for cooler moments
A tailored blazer that sharpens any outfit instantly
Silk or cotton scarves — lightweight, compact, and endlessly chic
A few simple white tees to layer under a blazer of cardigan
Petite Tip: Proportions matter. Choose jackets and coats that hit at or just above the mid-hip to elongate your frame. Avoid oversized shapes that may overwhelm.
The Bottom Half: Streamlined & Sophisticated
Both cities involve plenty of walking — but also moments when you’ll want to look beautifully pulled together.
Slim ankle trousers or cigarette pants
Dark cropped denim (straight or slight flare)
A-line midi skirt or petite slip skirt
A polished midi dress for daytime museums or evening dinners
Petite Tip: Cropped ankle pants visually lengthen the leg. Look for inseams designed for petite proportions.
Shoes: Chic, Walkable, and City-Ready
Cobblestones, long walks, light rain — your shoes must serve you.
Loafers (my favorite for London — polished yet practical, and perfect under trousers or dresses)
Ballet flats (Parisian classic that pairs with everything)
Neutral, sleek sneakers (perfect for long days of sightseeing)
A small-heel sandal for evening (for warmer weeks)
Slingbacks or toe-cap pumps — these are my personal favorite summer alternative to boots. The right pair adds the structure you need under trousers, works beautifully with midi skirts, and offers that quietly elevated look without the visual heaviness of darker ankle boots. I especially look for pointy-toe shapes in soft beige or camel tones with black cap detail — endlessly versatile and perfect for petites.
Petite Tip: Slight heel or pointy-toe shapes help elongate without sacrificing comfort.
Petite-Friendly Picks for Effortless Italy Summer Packing
The Elevated Sneakers: Adidas Samba OG | Rebook | Converse Run Star
The Everyday Low-Heel Sandals: Ann Tailor Cork Kitten Heels | (alternative) | Margaux Sandals | SM Gold Heels
The Ballet Flats: Vivaia Pointed-Toe Flats | Margaux Ballet Flats | J.Crew Gold Mesh Mary Janes
The Nude Evening Heels: Mango Pointed Heels | Anthropologie Raffia Sandal | Sam Edelman Gold Sandal (alternative)
(PS: if you are wondering about the best ballet flats for a petite, make sure to read my Élan Petite Ballet Flats Edit.)
The Evening Edit: Always Pack a Little Glamour
Whether it’s dinner in Saint-Germain or cocktails overlooking the Thames, you’ll want one elevated option:
A black or navy slip dress
Tailored jumpsuit with a belt to define your waist
Statement earrings, silk scarves, or a bold lipstick to complete the look
Petite Tip: Choose structured rather than flowy shapes to avoid being visually "lost" in fabric.
Paris travel glamour for petite-friendly style. Woman in an elegant beaded evening gown enjoying Eiffel Tower views from a Parisian balcony.
Accessories: The Finishing Touches
Silk scarf (always in my carry-on)
Structured crossbody or small tote (proportional to your frame)
Sunglasses (Paris practically requires them)
A compact umbrella (London absolutely requires it)
Petite Tip: Keep bags scaled to your frame. Oversized totes often overwhelm petite proportions.
Beauty & Hair: Light, Intentional, Adaptable
The beauty of both cities is that you never need much — but a few intentional touches make all the difference.
Light base (tinted moisturizer or BB cream)
Cream blush or bronzer for a healthy glow
Signature perfume (I decant into a travel spray)
A lipstick that transitions beautifully from day to night
Travel-sized styling tools (I often bring my Dyson Airwrap for hair consistency, just as I do for Italy)
Mini anti-frizz serum for humid London days
Voltage Tip: London and Paris both run on 220V — always check your devices before packing.
Travel Makeup Bag | All my other Beauty Favorites can be found here.
Leave Room for Discovery
Europe always has surprises waiting for you — whether it’s a silk scarf in a Paris boutique or a pair of Chelsea boots you didn’t know you needed in London… and you never know when Dior or Chanel calls you in.
I always leave some room in my suitcase. Because some treasures are better found, not planned.
Luxury shopping inspiration for petite-friendly Paris and London travel capsules. Elegant storefronts of Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Salvatore Ferragamo reflect quiet luxury style.
Packing Tips Recap:
Neutral capsule wardrobe built for layering
Petite-proportioned outerwear (trench, blazer, sweaters)
Walkable chic shoes (loafers, flats, slingbacks)
1-3 elevated evening options (depending on how long you are there)
Simplified, intentional beauty routine
Scaled accessories, silk scarf & small travel umbrella
Leave space for new finds
One last thing…
And above all? Pack like the woman you already are.
The one who knows what feels good, what flatters her frame, and what makes her feel quietly beautiful whether standing beneath the Eiffel Tower or wandering through Kensington Gardens.
Wishing you softly elegant mornings, magical evenings, and plenty of unforgettable stories to tell.
With love,
Lily
