What I packed for Amsterdam in the spring
With a cool high of 59
Obviously, before anything else, here’s the obligatory plug for the 100k card that you should jump on now if you don’t yet have it.
I have an affiliate link I’m happy to share with you (thanks for using my links!) so just message me below (or click reply) and I’ll send it right to you.
I promise that this substack isn’t turning into a card pushing newsletter, it’s just that this offer is so high that I don’t want you to miss it! Having this card and the welcome bonus points will make following my tips and tricks possible.
If you already have this card and are feeling fomo to not be able to get the 100k points - there are always more cards! I can help :)
And if you applied but got turned down or haven’t heard back, I can help you!
Onward!
Last year, we spent less than 24 hours in Amsterdam on our way back from an incredible spring break trip to Vienna, Prague and Budapest. I visited Amsterdam a few times when I was younger and it was refreshing and familiar to return.
The kids loved the canals, the boats, the bikes, the architecture and the food. We missed the tulips with just a short layover and were determined to make it back within the next year.
So, for this spring break — as you may have seen from my post the other day, Amsterdam was our first stop! With a balmy high of 59, it wasn’t the spring dresses, no jacket kind of weather I had hoped for so packing was a little tricky!
This post has some photos that make it a little long so be sure to click “view entire message” to read the whole thing!
Here’s what I packed. Much of this can be worn through various seasons and true to my neutral core (Marrakech changed me and how I see color but didn’t like CHANGE me clearly as this is all still so neutral) most of what I brought can be worn interchangeably. Having somewhat of a capsule wardrobe is so important for a two week trip if you don’t want to overpack!
What I packed
Always the Away suitcase! This is the medium flex which is perfect for cooler temps. In the summer we can get away with one carry on each (though we still check them!) but in cooler seasons we are not great at packing light.
Shearling clog Birkenstocks: Look, I broke my toe right after Christmas and I still hobble around if I wear the wrong shoes. No more No.6 clogs for me for a while! Now I am wearing only flats for the foreseeable future (sad!). I could have also brought along the ones without shearling in case of a surprisingly warm day but decided against it to save space. I never understood the draw with Birkenstocks before these shoes but I find myself walking around trying to stop myself from telling my family how comfortable my shoes are. They don’t want to hear it 😭
I got these cute jeans in SoHO a few days before I left when I stopped in at Anthropologie (so rare to have a day when I have time to actually shop in person!). These were so soft and perfect, I felt like I shouldn’t pass up the chance to see if they fit and headed to the fitting room. They fit perfectly! I got them in two colors!
I love this dress. I’ve rented it from Rent the Runway multiple times (use this link for 40% off!) and should probably just buy it already. It’s great for wearing around town during the day with kids and also cute for our daily date nights while traveling.
This is one of my favorite dresses for date nights! It’s super comfortable but also feels elegant. It’s easy to dress up or down and doesn’t wrinkle. These are all important things for a travel outfit! I had Paris on my mind when I packed this one.
These Maeve jeans are so cute. Like I said, I bought them in two colors!
This jacket is my favorite and seems to be sold out everywhere. Mine was a Rent the Runway purchase (notice a trend/not sponsored by them BTW!) but here’s a similar one that looks just as cozy.
Sadly, I’m allergic to wool (like even allergic to cashmere! ugh!) so I’m always on the hunt for cute sweaters that are made of anything else. This Marine Layer sweater is a real favorite. I have it in a couple colors and you are in luck because they are out of the cotton ones and now have only wool! So here you go if you don’t have the miserable wool allergy I have to deal with!
Clare V. bags seem too pricey but they are actually worth it. I bring this on every trip and have never looked back. It has ended my quest for the perfect handbag because it’s one of those purses that can look small when it’s empty but also hold a ton of stuff. I always throw a collapsible bag in my purse so if I buy anything, I have an extra bag to carry it around.
Got these recently because of the broken toe situation and find them so comfortable and cute. My kids have Apple Watches and are always competing to see who takes more steps per day while we’re traveling so I have to make sure I can keep up ;)
I love Ba&sh. I don’t need to spend $95 on a t-shirt and neither do you, but if you’re feeling splurgy, I love these. I got this one at a sample sale in NYC.
And I got this Ba&sh blouse at the same sample sale. Like I said, I’m a fan.
I get more compliments on these jeans than probably any item of clothing I’ve had in years. They are soft and have some stretch but also hold their shape really well wash after wash. And they remind me of jeans I had in the 90s in the best possible way.
I will probably keep putting these on every list because they come with me everywhere! They were good when I was in third grade, they are good for walking around all day with a broken toe, and their reissue has been even better.
Love an easy blouse. Easy to go from day to night which is great because we are often too tired to change for dinner ;)
A couple other things I brought on this trip that I didn’t mention in my earlier packing list post!
A carbon monoxide detector: we used to always travel with these when I was a nervous new mom. Now, we are traveling with them again for reasons that I’m sure you know if you’ve watched the news :/ We’ve stayed at many places without even smoke detectors in the past - so now I feel skittish and will be bringing this plug in CO detector on every trip.
I was at one of my favorite Brooklyn stores Annie’s Blue Ribbon last week getting some cards and things to have ready for the home swap families staying at our house while we’re away, and saw this little travel charger set. I always bring a cord with me on the plane to charge my phone but love the idea of throwing this into my bag to charge other things as well. Inevitably a kindle, a camera, the kids old iPads with lighting connectors - something needs charging and it’s good to know I’ll have whatever I need.
Ok! That’s it for this trip’s packing report. The weather ended up being pretty nice and I was worried I’d be over dressed, but overall I was happy to have these warm things as the temperature on this trip has been all over the place.
If you’re on spring break this week, I hope this finds you well wherever you are!
Thanks for being here 🖤
In case you missed it…
Obviously, don’t miss this opportunity to earn 100k points!! Message me for details and my affiliate link to apply (thanks as always for using my links when applying for any cards!):
Do you get a lot out of the Brooklyn Family Travelers Substack? Show your support by upgrading to a paid subscription. It means so much to have such an engaged community of readers who value my work. I’m rolling out some new benefits for paid subscribers soon - you won’t want to miss this. Points have changed my life and they might just change yours too!
Hi! New here :) Curious if you have a rec for a European city stop with my husband and 2 kids(9 and 11) in August before we meet friends in Sardinia? I’d like to avoid mainland Italy bc of the likely sweltering temps and was thinking of doing a few days possibly in Amsterdam (direct flights to Sardinia from there). If you have other thoughts (Paris? Munich? Any of the other bazillion incredible cities?) I’d love to hear them. Thx!!!