What I Packed for a Week in Madrid
With just a few key pieces, I was able to create a week’s worth of unique outfits.
I had three goals when visiting Madrid for a week earlier this summer: 1) Visit the many art museums 2) Have a good time with my dad, who I was taking to celebrate his 70th birthday, and 3) Look good while doing it.
I’ve traveled pretty extensively throughout Europe and wanted to take a more laid-back approach to this trip. Cramming my day with sightseeing and activities seemed much more exhausting now than when I was in my 20s, and the hot weather (90+ degrees every day!) meant there was always an opportunity for a siesta. However, looking good was also a priority as I wanted to show off the upgrades I’d made to my wardrobe since joining M.M. in February of this year.
Here’s how I was able to keep my packing list simple, my wardrobe fabulous, and my Spain shopping plentiful—all without checking luggage.
Shop all the outfits from this story here.
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The Packing List
I brought a few key items that I could mix and match easily to upgrade my outfits without having to check luggage. The Annika tees, which I have in two prints, take up practically zero space (when folded, they’re about the size of a napkin). Plus, the prints help conceal wrinkles, meaning I didn’t have to worry about digging out the iron at our Airbnb.
I did pack a couple pairs of shorts, but I’ve worn my Better Than Denim Milo jeans to M.M.’s NYC office enough this summer to know that the wide leg keeps me cool, so I threw those in, too. I also added my Daria jeans in black, which are cropped and give off an almost ‘60s mod vibe. For more elevated activities, I packed my Nora top, whose ability to evade wrinkles when packed honestly baffles me. Finally, I added my toiletries, comfy sandals, and a casual dress or two, and I was ready for Spain.
The Flight
I used to be an exclusively leggings-on-the-plane traveler, but as I’ve aged (slightly!) into my mid 30s, I’ve grown to enjoy the feeling of being at least somewhat put-together while remaining comfortable. For the plane, I chose a pair of well-worn, roomy jeans that I could move in easily, paired with one of my favorite heathered gray T-shirts. The piece de resistance was my Jolie jardigan, which matched my casual look with its ribbed knit and moto-style cropped silhouette. I looked cool but felt cozy despite the aggressive A/C on the plane and in the airport.
The Art Museum (Part 1)
On the second day of our trip, my dad and I went to the Prado art museum, which houses renaissance and other historical art. The paintings were dripping with opulence, and I felt similarly adorned in my Savannah print Annika tee and Daria jeans. After the Prado, we walked through the Botanical Garden next door, where I was able to indulge in the beautiful multitude of flowers and plants. As an avid gardener, I was in my happy place.
The Art Museum (Part 2)
When visiting the Reina Sofia, which houses Guernica by Pablo Picasso, I had to pay homage to my creative side with the scribble-print Annika tee, paired with my Milo jeans. They had an exhibit dedicated to Eva Lootz, a Hungarian-Spanish artist whose work I fell in love with instantly. Her smaller sketches, approximately street poster size, seemed to be torn from my own notebook doodles and explored themes around place, interconnectedness, and the universe—all things I ponder often in my downtime when reading about the latest theories on how the universe works.
A Woman About Town
There is so much beautiful architecture to enjoy in Madrid. Walking along the Parque de El Retiro and the Gran Via, you can see plenty of what my dad called “Wedding Cake Buildings” and other grand structures. To keep up with the elegance that surrounded me, I opted to wear my Nora top with my Milo jeans, which kept me cool but refined. Madrid’s street signs are works of art on their own, so of course, I had to look as good as they did!
With just a few key pieces, I was able to create several distinct looks while exploring different aspects of Madrid. Spending time with my dad in Europe for the first time was an amazing experience, and I was grateful to be able to give him something truly unique for his 70th. Onto the next adventure!
