I can’t tell you how much of a relief it was to pack for the Twin Cities.
With a record-breaking heat wave at home (we were already in triple-digit temperatures in May), the forecast in Minnesota (highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s) looked absolutely dreamy.
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
To get to the Twin Cities we flew two budget airlines, and both charged for a carry-on bag. To keep costs low, we shared my Away Carry-On (with room to spare), and each brought an allotted “personal item” as well – all of this is pretty typical for us. What was new to me, however, was the challenge I bestowed upon myself to wear some of my more “precious” items throughout our trip. I often leave more expensive or special garments at home for fear of staining or ripping them during a trip, but I’d like to be better about wearing the clothes I love when I’m away from home too. For this trip, that meant bringing a lot of silk – in fact, nearly all of the tops I packed were silk – which aligned perfectly with the weather. I knew we’d be doing some cycling and eating some messy foods during our visit, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to put garments I hold dear to the test. I even painted my nails, which is something I almost never do before we leave for a trip. Dear reader, I was living on the edge.
And with that, here’s everything I packed for our three days in Minneapolis and Saint Paul:
*this post contains affiliate links
Packing List for Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
innerwear || Silk Tank* || tops || Silk Tank* | Embroidered Tee | Silk Tee* | Long Sleeve Silk Tee* || bottoms || Light Denim* | Wide-Leg Pants* || outerwear || Olive Jacket* | Silk Bomber Jacket* || shoes || Sneakers* | Leather Flats || pajamas || Tee | Silk Shorts* || tech & accessories || Sunglasses | Digital Camera | Belt* | Portable Charger | Crossbody Bag* | Tote
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Outfits
Thoughts on Packing for the Twin Cities
So how did everything fare?
Just fine.
Despite sweaty bike rides, sudden downpours, and ingesting an entire Jucy Lucy, all of my clothes survived the trip.
And even better? I felt right at home in the stylish city with its own kind of alternative and international flair. Packing a suitcase full of a more “precious” fabric was a great travel exercise, and I think it worked well. These garments withstood the test, and they’ve lost a little of their luster. And yes, that’s a very good thing.
*many of the items in my closet are several seasons old and no longer available; I've linked a similar item
Enjoyed this post? You may also like:
- Weekend Travel Guide: Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Traveling Light: St. Louis, Missouri Packing List
- Traveling Light: Kansas City Packing List
- 36 Hours in Downtown Chicago Travel Guide
- Traveling Light: Chicago Packing List
- Traveling Light: Packing List for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The Best of Brew City: The Ultimate Weekend Travel Guide for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The Essential Weekend Travel Guide to Cleveland, Ohio
- 36 Hours in Nashville, Tennessee
- Traveling Light: Nashville, Tennessee Packing List
- Four Days in Memphis, Tennessee
- Traveling Light: Alabama Road Trip Packing List
- Style Reviews by Brand
- Shop My Closet
- Exclusive Discounts + Promo Codes
How do you feel about bringing your “nice” clothes on trips? Do you leave certain pieces at home, or do you chuck it all in your bag?