Packing Carry-On Only For Europe With Two Seaweed Sweaters

I promised myself I’d never overpack again. Three very different stops put that to the test.

After my first trip to Europe over a decade ago, filled with train rides, cobblestone streets, and crammed spaces, I promised myself I would never again overpack for international travel. I have since chosen the ease of a carry-on bag over extra pairs of shoes and anything that can’t be worn more than once.

On my most recent trip, I gave some of that precious space to my SeaCell Crew Neck and SeaCell Cardigan, hoping they’d prove worth it, even through a heat wave. Here’s how I styled them for three very different places: Chamonix in France, Courmayeur in Italy, and Paris.

What Makes A Good Travel Sweater?

Trying to fit in with European style without standing out as a tourist is already difficult enough without the added struggle to do so with a limited wardrobe. I love choosing pieces that I know I can rewear a few times without washing.

SeaCell is naturally moisture-wicking, so I could wear it again and again without worrying about smell. Oliver Charles also knits each sweater in one seamless piece, so it’s light and folds down small in a suitcase.

While visiting the small mountain town of Chamonix, I paired my SeaCell Crew Neck with linen pants. The pants ended up super wrinkled out of my bag, but my sweater stayed wrinkle-free!

Why A Versatile Layer Matters When Packing Light

Courmayeur is a small alpine town in northern Italy. The atmosphere is more casual than larger Italian cities, but maintains a polished, put-together feel.

I loved having my SeaCell Cardigan as a quick option to dress up my outfits in the cool mountain evenings.

I wore a light tank top under the cardigan, knowing the SeaCell material would keep me warm once the temperature dropped, without feeling too warm before the sun set.

The Secret To Comfortable Style When Sightseeing

While Paris can evoke images of romance and leisure, most tourists will find themselves walking more miles than imaginable each day. Fashion is important, but comfort still needs to be a priority.

I chose to pair my SeaCell Cardigan with a patterned jumpsuit and sneakers to stay comfortable. A huge bonus of the cardigan was the flexibility to pull it on and off throughout the day when temperatures changed, and to have a quick layer to throw on when entering churches like Notre Dame Cathedral, which ask visitors to cover their shoulders.

SeaCell is naturally light and breathable, making it an incredible option, even on warm days.

Two High-Quality Sweaters, Unlimited Destinations

My SeaCell Cardigan gave me the best benefits of luxury fabrics while still feeling comfortable enough for everyday wear.

SeaCell is machine‑washable and dryable, so I knew I could easily care for it while traveling.

This cardigan let me effortlessly build stylish outfits in Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Paris, three places with completely different vibes, without any stress.

Paired with my SeaCell Crew Neck, it covered everything: a wrinkle-free sweater straight out of my bag, cool alpine evenings, and long days of walking through Paris.

Both were worth every inch of space in my carry-on. More than a decade after promising myself I’d never overpack again, I finally found the pieces that make that promise easy to keep.

Wherever your next trip takes you, I hope you pack a little lighter, wander a little farther, and spend less time worrying about what to wear.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.