15 ChatGPT Packing Mistakes for Copenhagen

A couple of months ago, my sister and I went on an amazing trip to Copenhagen in what would affectionately become known as our inaugural “sister trip”. Before this, we’d never traveled just the two of us—but after talking about it for years, we finally made it happen. As a travel writer, I loved bringing my sister into my world—we flew my favorite airline (I’m a diehard Delta loyalist), experienced the coveted Delta One lounges at LAX and JFK, explored a beautiful city, learned all about Danish culture (particularly the lovely “hygge” mindset), took in the city’s famous minimalist fashion, and made some irreplaceable core memories. So much about this trip was wonderful, but there was one area that could’ve used improvement: our packing list. 

Although I often write about packing and have it down to a science, I decided to try a little travel experiment. Before our trip, I asked ChatGPT to create a packing list for seven days in Copenhagen. At first glance, it appeared to have great suggestions, and ones that were pretty aligned with my tried-and-true list. However, upon further inspection, there were some recs that I immediately threw out—plus, a few that I didn’t realize were off-base until visiting Copenhagen for myself. Here, I’ve pulled together the biggest mistakes ChatGPT made—and what I’d recommend packing for a Scandinavian trip instead. 

Skip: An inflexible carry-on

Pack: An expandable suitcase

This one is less of a mistake and more of an omission by ChatGPT—but it did not specify what kind of suitcase to bring for your trip to Copenhagen. As a carry-on-only traveler (especially for European vacations that can require lots of luggage toting), I know that it’s crucial to choose my luggage wisely. For this trip, I brought my Away suitcase, which has served me well for the last nine years, and I lent my Away Carry-on Flex to my sister. The Flex is great because it expands to offer a bit more room, while remaining overhead-bin-friendly—this turned out to come in handy for stashing all of our souvenirs and gifts at the end of the trip. 

Skip: A silky blouse

Pack: A simple turtleneck

On the list of shirts ChatGPT recommended for our trip, “silky blouse” was at the top. While I’m all for having a nicer blouse to wear out, this didn’t quite fit the bill for our trip (as proof: my sister and I both brought silky blouses, and never once put them on). For an alternative top that is chic and versatile, I’d highly recommend turning to the classic black turtleneck. I got so much use out of my Everlane Luxe Rib Turtleneck on this trip—it looked great paired with jeans for daytime excursions, black trousers for dinners, and it even layered well under other sweaters. I’m partial to the black colorway for its versatility, but this Everlane top also comes in five other colors, including grey and burgundy. 

Skip: Multiple adapters

Pack: One multi-use travel adapter

Another suggestion on the list: travel adapters. Again, this is a valid suggestion, but instead, I recommend bringing one streamlined charger that can accommodate all your devices, like the Epicka Universal Adapter. It features four plug types that work for over 200 countries and regions (including Denmark, of course), and provides the option to charge up to six different devices simultaneously.

Skip: Bulky knitwear

Pack: One versatile sweater

ChatGPT mentioned bringing one knit sweater. While that’s accurate, it’s also incredibly vague. My sister and I each brought at least one bulkier knit that wasn’t so great for layering, and immediately regretted taking up so much packing real estate with a chunky sweater. The star knit of my trip, however, was my Jenni Kayne Murphy Sweater (which is 25 percent off onsite right now). This cardigan is incredibly versatile and perfectly cozy, but not bulky in the slightest. During the Copenhagen trip, I wore it tucked into trousers with a belt, unbuttoned over my black turtleneck, and as a midlayer under a jacket. For an affordable alternative, Quince’s Mongolian Cashmere Polo Sweater achieves the same put-together look for less. The cashmere will keep you perfectly warm, plus it packs down nicely without taking up too much room. Or, try the slightly thinner Uniqlo  Merino Cardigan for just $40. 

Skip: Classic trousers

Pack: Comfortable, tailored slacks

I’m a big advocate of a reliable pair of trousers for any trip, and Copenhagen is no exception. My go-to pair with a bit of stretch is the Aritzia Effortless Pant, which are comfy, versatile, and stay wrinkle-free. I also recommend a pair that features breathable, natural fibers, feels comfortable, and looks incredibly stylish all at once: like the Juana Theory High Rise Trouser. These pants are made from an organic cotton and hemp blend, and would work great for Scandi travel. 

Skip: Multiple pairs of pajamas

Pack: One soft, antimicrobial set

I’ll admit that I’m a wear-a-fresh-pair-of-pajamas-every-night kind of person. But when it comes to packing, I’ve come to be a little more lenient with that policy—and I’ve even found some ways around it. One of my go-to hacks for limiting excess pajama real estate in my luggage is by packing workout or loungewear that doubles as PJs—that way I can at least wear the clothes more than once during the trip (a workout set I sleep in turns into activewear the next day, etc.) Another trick is packing sleepwear that still feels fresh after multiple wears, like the lovely Cozy Earth Bamboo Stretch-knit Long Sleeve Pajama Set. I absolutely swear by these buttery-soft sets, which feel luxurious to wear during vacation—and at home, for that matter.

Skip: Ballet flats

Pack: Flat boots

When it came to shoes, ChatGPT recommended ballet flats or loafers as a “chic option for evening.” This isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but the ballet flats I packed stayed in my suitcase the entire trip. I wore the heeled boots that I packed, since they’re much warmer—but I immediately wished that I’d brought flat boots instead. Specifically, I wish I’d brought my Blundstone Dress Chelsea Boots, which I can dress up or down with ease, and walk in for miles without any discomfort.

Skip: A trench coat

Pack: A wool coat or thicker jacket

Yes, a trench is a great classic, and you will definitely see many Danes sporting one worn over their knitwear. However, this is the only coat that ChatGPT recommended bringing, and that’s where we run into a bit of a problem. During our week in Copenhagen, my sister and I found that thinner layers didn’t quite cut it—we needed something with a bit more heft to keep us warm, particularly during the evenings. Something like the Quince Cashmere-wool Classic Coat (or my favorite Buck Mason Wool Blanket Coat) will keep you warm while still delivering the same style points as a trench. If you have room to bring a light trench and an extra coat, great, but in the fall and winter months, you’re better off prioritizing a warmer layer.

Skip: Midi skirt

Pack: Maxi skirt

The only skirt that ChatGPT recommended bringing was a midi skirt, which might be ideal during the Spring or Summer, but during fall and winter months, I’d advise going for something a bit longer and thicker. I personally packed this Dissh Charli Black Satin Maxi Skirt, which was perfect for dressier dinners. Although it’s satin, it has a nice weight to it, and was also easy to layer over thick tights and boots. This $60 maxi from Nordstrom does the trick for a fraction of the price, too—and it comes in a palette of pretty colors you can upgrade your travel wardrobe with. 

Skip: Stiff, straight leg jeans

Pack: Comfy, slouchy jeans

Of course, reliable jeans are a staple for any trip—and I brought my go-to pair of straight leg denim for this trip (which is also what ChatGPT recommended). However, while in Copenhagen, my sister and I discovered that the locals were wearing more relaxed jeans. If I were to pack for this trip again, I’d reach for my Lee’s Loose Straight Rider Jean. These jeans are stylish, incredibly comfy, and easily pair with so many different outfits. Plus, they have a bit of stretch, which means they’re great for a long day of exploring.

Skip: Loafers

Pack: Sneakers

Among the footwear suggestions, Chat recommended loafers and sneakers—and I did bring both. However, in retrospect, I would skip the former and keep the latter. While I love a good pair of loafers, those aforementioned versatile flat boots can easily take their place. So, in the spirit of streamlining, I’d stick with a nice pair of sneakers like my go-to Reebok Classic AZ Shoes, which go with practically everything in my closet. 

Skip: A button-up shirt

Pack: A rugby shirt

I am a big advocate of always packing a button-up shirt, but I found that I didn’t wear mine as much as usual on this trip. Looking back, I really wish I’d brought my rugby shirt, which has since become a staple in my fall and winter wardrobe. My favorite Everlane style is sold out, but this striped shirt from Loft is an adorable alternative—and select colors are discounted. 

Skip: A fitness smartwatch

Pack: An Oura Ring

When I asked ChatGPT about what tech I should bring on the trip, it recommended a fitness tracker or smartwatch of some kind to help log steps and monitor health metrics while traveling. I was definitely onboard for this suggestion, and my sister and I both opted to bring our Oura Rings for a number of reasons. For one, it’s a great tool to help manage jet lag and get sleep cycles in sync. What’s more, we found it was incredibly useful throughout our trip—not least of which is because it helped mitigate sister fights—as our “readiness” and “sleep” scores gave insight about what we might be up for any given day. 

Skip: Wrap or shirt Dress

Pack: Sweater Dress

When I saw “shirt dress” on the recommended packing list, I immediately vetoed it. I actually didn’t end up packing a dress at all, but my sister went for a sweater dress, which was arguably a much better option. A few options to consider for your Copenhagen travels: this Madewell Crewneck Sweater Maxi Dress in Merino wool, Cleobella’s Midi Dress, or this very packable Everlane Air Alpaca Sweater Dress. 

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