Backpacking style

ummm yeah about that, there's no such thing. I have to say that the entire time that I backpacked I look liked shit, I probably smelled pretty bad too. I literally had one pair of pants that started to get moldy. Not too cute.

That being said, what to pack, what to wear?

When you can't bring a ton of stuff, i.e. you have to carry it, only bring the essentials. Trying to look cute is about as pointless as counting the angels on the head of a pin.

If you are going in the summer, bring dresses. You can roll them up without too much hassle, they don't take up much room, and you can dress them up or dress them down. My personal favorite was a cotton black dress I got at forever 21 for $10 dollars, I wore that thing religiously.

T-shirts are also key. Cotton, Hanes, these are simply a dream.

The one good thing about Europe is that leggings are everywhere so you won't look like a total asshole if you wear them. They are lightweight and easy to wash/dry. Bring as many as you can fit.

Obviously, at least one pair of jeans. You will look like a total American, but that is what you are so get over it.

Footwear is probably the most important. I am stupid, so my choice of footwear was a pair of black moccasins I bought from urban outfitters. They practically disintegrated by the time I touched down in JFK. I personally despise sneakers. I hate them with a passion but if I were to do it all again I'd bring a pair of Pumas and then a pair of black flip-flops.

Don't worry about pajama's, you can/will sleep in anything.

Bring a sweater, with a hood (rain is only charming in movies), and limit accessories to your favorite necklace and a scarf. Bangles are not conducive to backpacking.

We met one girl along the way who literally packed the equivalent of my entire wardrobe. She even pulled out a hair straightener AND a blowdryer like it was no big deal. Not to mention her hefty makeup case and hair products would have made Marie Osmond blush. Now she was nice girl, but I immediately wrote her off as not being hardcore enough. Like when you're 16 and you first go to warped tour and you see some priss wearing heels. Exactly. the dirtier and grimier you are when backpacking, the better. It's called street cred.