06_Sunday musings
Packing light for a holiday is an art form
I am on a countdown to my holiday to Barcelona with my best friend. Five days of chatting, eating and lounging, with hopefully some sun. We’ll arrive straight into the city for an afternoon and evening where we plan to shop, drink vermouth and eat tapas, before a quick train the next day down the coast.
However, my biggest irk is that I now have to pay to take a wheelie cabin bag on some short haul flights. Sometimes it’s worth the money, but as we’re lucky that the place we’re going has most of the amenities we need and we’re in a small beachside town with only local restaurants, we’re attempting to pack very light.
Here’s my list of what’s (hopefully) making it into my bag:
**I’ve starred the clothing that I’ll be wearing to travel - the heaviest items!
1x wrap denim jacket - for the cooler evenings and flight. Denim jackets can give you no shape, but this one from H&M brings in the waist with the tie.
1x thick long sleeve/sweatshirt - for the flight and nipping out to grab breakfast. I have this amazing one from Brut Archives and it’s so thick it’s almost a sweatshirt - it also doubles up as a cool graphic tee to stop holiday outfits feel too girly.
4x tees/vests - 1. a boxy tee (this one from Cos) works well with high waisted shorts/trousers so there’s less material to tuck in on a hot day, 2. an oversized graphic tee works hard on holiday - beach, breakfast and lounging post sun, 3. this towelling baby tee from ME+EM has the perfect fabric and fit - again less material to tuck, and 4. my favourite vest top that actually allow bras from Perfect White Tee.
1x blouse for dinner in the city on the first night. The red of this blouse from Australian brand Posse (available at Selfridges) really stands out amongst the other quite neutral palette.
Swimwear - this is almost impossible to narrow down but needs must. I am taking my swimsuit from M&S (love the straight neckline on this and I’ll be wearing this as a top with shorts) and 1x crinkled bikini. &Other Stories do amazing dupes for Hunza G, I have bought this top and bottoms.
2x pairs of shorts - these Bermuda denim from &Other Stories and these ecru linen shorts from M&S. If I need to save space, the denim shorts will have to go but let’s hope.
2x pairs of trousers - these cream linen/denim blend trousers from M&S are perfect for warmer temperatures, as well as these cotton slouchy wide-leg trousers in sable, also M&S! I go for long in these (I’m 172cm for reference) so they fall right on my shoes, these are not for a cropped look.
This really cool beach coverup dress/knit from Arket that could easily be worn in the beach bar afterwards.
I read once that you should always pack for the in-between moments on holidays, and I’ve never forgotten it - the hotel breakfast, the coffee run, the nip to the supermarket. I always a pair of Sweaty Betty All Day leggings (there are no better leggings to wear… all day) - I get in navy blue to make it feel more chilled. Also a sports bra in case there’s a fun yoga class.
Next Sunday - bags, shoes, jewellery, beauty and hats.
Have a good week!
—Rhi