I may always pack trusty flip flops and mules, but the one pair of shoes I always end up wearing most – for a city break or beach escape – are styles with a back strap. It’s not often fashion meets function, but with so many chic sandals that actually stay on your feet and won’t fling off like some slip-ons, there’s no reason not to opt for the practical choice. Chunky pairs will always work with anything from a white linen dress to cool co-ords, but I also love the minimal iterations (just like the silver Aeyde style, below) that’ll look just as good with an evening dress, too.
Dresses
Pack: Simple cotton dress
Leave at home: Satin dresses
For a poolside lunch, a trip to the nearest town or even a visit to the local foreign supermarket, a cotton dress will never let you down. Lightweight, breathable and cool even during the hottest of days, you also don’t have to stress about it creasing as much as linen does. Sometimes simple is best, and I think a block colour dress with ruching or back-tie detailing can look just as chic as a fancy satin style (and won’t be as sweaty). It’s also all about the accessories. Use your dress as a base: add a crochet bag with flat sandals for the day, then switch to a platform heel with layered jewellery when you head out to dinner.
Outerwear
Pack: Light layers
Leave at home: Bulky coats
If you’ve ever put on a big coat to go to the airport and instantly regretted it when you got there, you’re not alone. Let’s face it, you won’t wear it again until the journey home. Instead, I always wear a blazer or bomber jacket with a cardigan or sweatshirt around my shoulders – aka the layers I can actually wear in the evenings when it can sometimes get a bit chillier in a windy place like Santorini or Mykonos. A linen blazer or oversized denim jacket are also easy-to-style pieces you can throw on over a vest top and shorts or with a dress while you eat al fresco.
Bags
Pack: Two-for-one bags
Leave at home: Work bags
For a quick trip to the south of France or a weekend away in Lisbon, there’s often no need for a big check-in case. The key to packing light is choosing items you’ll be able to wear on heavy rotation, and when it comes to bags, a removable strap is all you need. Switch the big leather tote you would usually take to the office for a big basket bag you can use as your handbag to the airport but also take to the beach when you get there. A crossbody in a go-with-everything colour such as white, tan or soft sage is also ideal for exploring days and can be styled as a handheld bag by whipping off the straps before you dash out to dinner.
