I used to be terrible at packing.
I’d overpack “just in case”, forget the one thing I actually needed, and somehow still end up buying something on day one that I’d never wear again once I got home. I’d arrive somewhere new and never quite feel like myself. I was not packing. I was panic-packing.
So I built a system. Not a list of things to buy, a method. Using what I already have, wear, and use daily. One that means I never overpack, never local-panic-shop, and always land somewhere feeling like me, dressed like me, with everything I actually need and nothing I don’t. Packing is no longer something that leaves me depleted or panic-shopping. I’m actually enjoying the process.
Here’s everything in this letter:
A tight edit of 4 iconic weekender bags
so you pick the right one once and never think about it again (I already own 2 out of the 4, and we use them on every trip)
10 outfit formulas including the in-between moments
every look from a 48-hour trip, styled so you can rebuild it with whatever’s already in your closet (and my shopping recommendations if you need them)
My full packing list and personal recommendations
including clothes, shoes, beauty, wellness, the whole thing, by category
A printable packing list
download it, print it, and pin it in your closet like Joan Didion used to do
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The brief: a quick trip, 3 days, 2 nights, roughly 48 hours — no laptop, not a special occasion, just a weekend away
Non-negociables:
Only bring things I have worn and tried before: clothes, shoes, beauty & wellness products (nothing with the tag still on goes into that bag)
Everything I bring fits in a weekender bag
No “duplicates”, all clothes and shoes are unique, doing something different for the styling. I want to have options and wear the same pieces, but make them feel different every time
A “just in case” item is only weather forecast dependent (will add/remove at the last minute)
The goal: no matter the itinerary, I want to feel like myself and never in a costume. I want to enjoy my time away, confident that I packed what makes me feel great, and don’t have to think about it once I am there.
The mood: a fabulous weekender packing situation:
The packing method, we all have one, right?
Before any clothes come out, there’s an order of operations:
Pick the bag first.
The bag sets the ceiling: how much you can bring, and how you’ll carry it.
Decide this before you decide anything else, and everything else will fall into place. Promise.
Go through the itinerary, moment by moment.
Not “what do I need for the weekend”. This is too vague, and you’ll end up overpacking (all the “just in case” things).
I mean: “What am I doing at 6 pm on Friday, and what does that call for?”
Give each moment two adjectives that capture how you want to feel.
Then let this dress code follow from those adjectives.
Don’t forget the in-between moments.
The ones that aren’t on anyone’s itinerary but happen anyway…
The outfit for right after your morning shower, but before you’re fully ready to head out.
The outfit for after lunch, but before you are ready to head to town.
The outfit for right after you’ve taken your makeup off and cleansed your face, but are not yet ready for your pyjamas.
Every minute of your day is your life.
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Four weekender bags I like
Figure out the bag first, not the clothes. The bag is your floor and your ceiling here.
For a 48-hour trip (roughly 3 days and 2 nights), a weekender bag is the best choice. It actually fits more than a small carry-on suitcase, and it looks better.
You probably already have one. It’s a big bag that is also light when empty. I love weekenders that are slouchy, soft, and unstructured.
Here are four iconic weekenders I recommend buying (you only need one):
Alex Mill “The Perfect Weekend Tote”
For those who want their bag to feel unique.The monogram option makes this the pick for someone who likes a small, playful signature on their things.
Canvas and colour-forward, it suits someone who sees their weekend bag as part of the outfit, not just a container for it. Playful and unique.
Available in 8 colours + 15 colours for the monogram.
Kallmeyer “The Cottage Tote”
For those who want the statement designer piece.At $695 and nearly 80cm long, this isn’t a bag you forget you’re carrying.
It’s huge! It’s for someone confident enough to let that one oversized accessory do the talking. Best suited to the person who’d rather invest in one show-stopping piece than five practical ones.
Loeffler Randall “The Dina Travel Tote”
For those who want to stay organized.Compact, easy to clean, with tons of pockets you didn’t even know you needed.
This is the choice for someone who likes things to stay tidy, no-nonsense. The kind of person whose whole packing style is “everything has its place”. Ironically, I own this bag (and mainly use the main pocket, ooops).
Available in nine colours/patterns.
Longchamp “The Pliage Original Travel Bag”
For those who want the classic, chic, and timeless option.Decades of proof this bag does the job.
It’s foldable when you’re not using it. It’s one of the best travel bags out there. This is for someone who values reliability. I bought mine (in cobalt blue) when it was still 85€, 15 years ago, and we are still using it every single trip.
Available in eleven colours in the original, and five colours in the newest iteration, the one (love it, so chic).
Ok. Bag sorted. Which one did you pick? Which colour? I want to know.1
Now the fun part: figuring out what actually goes in it.
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The itinerary and the vibe: how I want to feel
Day 1
11 am, travel day to destination — easy & comfortable
3 pm, check-in & freshen up — relaxed & cocooning
6 pm, dinner time — simple & romantic
Day 2
8 am, breakfast buffet — refreshed & effortless
10 am, poolside — minimal & sun-soaked
3 pm, around town — easy & minimal
7 pm, sunset dinner — playful & practical
Day 3
7 am, peaceful morning — slow & cozy
11 am, outdoor brunch — light & sun-kissed
2 pm, check out & travel back home — comfortable & familiar
Before you scroll!!
Given the itinerary and the vibe, take a second and picture each moment. What would you reach for?
There's no wrong answer here, only what feels most like you. Once you've got your version in mind, keep going. I’ll share in a second what I would pack for each one.
→ Ten easy, replicable outfit formulas that you can make your own with what you already own.
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10 outfits for 48 hours away from home
Quick note: I left out any jewellery on purpose. For 2 reasons. First, it’s highly personal. Second, I’d personally go minimal and pack only two bangles and a necklace. You know what you love.
Your 48-hour trip is likely to follow a different itinerary than mine. That’s ok. You can refer to the vibe and how I want to feel and borrow the outfit formulas.
Day 1
11 am, travel day to destination — easy & comfortable
You can’t go wrong with a neutral colour palette and comfortable layers.
grey sweatshirt, sleeves pushed up beyond the elbows
white cami top, soft like a second skin
black cotton trousers, no belt
small navy bag for the essentials
weekender bag for everything else
3 pm, check-in & freshen up — relaxed & cocooning
The first thing you do when you arrive is to unpack the bags. You set everything up in the closet and bathroom, make a cup of tea, change into soft clothes, cleanse your face, and then you can think about what’s next.
6 pm, dinner time — simple & romantic
By now, you’re hungry, and you want to feel at ease. This is quite simple. Apply a touch of blush, lipstick, mascara, and voilà.
seersucker striped shirt, barely buttoned, sleeves rolled, over a pretty bra
black cotton lace edge skirt (it’s a good one)
black leather sandals (no breaking-in needed, can walk 10k+ steps in them)
small navy bag (it doubles as a little evening bag)
Day 2
8 am, breakfast buffet — refreshed & effortless
It’s still early and fresh, and the jeans give you the ease you seek. With the black sandals, it feels polished. A white tee makes you feel crisp and fresh.
white baby tee, not tucked in, ideally ending at the hip bones
white long-sleeve tee, tied around the waist if it’s too warm
10 am, poolside — minimal & sun-soaked
I know I’ll find you by the pool. The big shirt as a cover-up over short shorts always does it for me, try it?
seersucker striped shirt, worn as a cover-up, one button or none
3 pm, around town — easy & minimal
Okay, but what if you want to go explore the local town? Keep it so easy, with the bathing suit that I can wear 8 hours straight because it’s that comfortable, and a skirt.
black one-piece swimsuit, worn as a top/bodysuit
7 pm, sunset dinner — playful & practical
Can you not wear a dress to dinner? Absolutely. The top feels unexpected and cute, with barely there sandals and black trousers. Add a few finishing touches: a bangle, mascara, blush.
white long-sleeve tee, tied around the waist (or through the belt loops) before sunset, on your body after sunset
black cotton trousers, full length or do a turn up to expose the ankles
Day 3
6 am, peaceful morning — slow & cozy
Turns out you actually love a quiet early morning, just you and the sunrise, writing your morning pages or walking around the property.
11 am, outdoor brunch — light & sun-kissed
Think: brunch, but you are also sitting by the water and might end up on a lounge chair with a book.
black bikini bottoms (the most flattering!)
seersucker striped shirt, barely buttoned, maybe 2 buttons, worn over the shorts
2 pm, check out & travel back home — comfortable & familiar
A quick shower and changing back to a travel outfit, using things that make you feel at ease, but also put together and covered.
white long-sleeve tee, on the body if needed (think air conditioning) or on your shoulders
Ok!
Ten outfits down! Which one would you instantly recreate?
Here's everything else that made the cut and will support me in feeling great no matter the itinerary.
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My packing list
A quick note: when I pack in a suitcase, I use half of the space for my clothes, packed flat, and the other half for everything else — I pack by category. I use dustbags, packing cubes, or pouches to stay a little bit organized. I made a video for you, with all my tips, in this post (unlock the post with a paid subscription):
When I pack in a weekender, I put all the clothes in the bottom, and on top, I add the shoes (in dustbag) and multiple pouches (underwear, swimwear, skincare, make-up, wellness, etc.). I promise, everything fits!
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This is everything that makes me feel like myself, even away from home.
And it goes beyond the right shoes and the right clothes!
A simple AM+PM skincare routine can do a lot to keep you grounded. A minimal summer makeup keeps you glowing… I’ll also share the small things that keep my mind and body steady while I’m somewhere new.
What follows is my personal packing list, inspired by what I use daily.
Take what’s useful, swap in your own favourites where you already have them, and leave the rest. The goal was never to replicate my closet or my shelf. It’s to have a category to check against, so nothing gets forgotten and nothing gets overpacked.
This is your permission slip to bring what makes you feel great.
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I’m good at seeing the content of the bag, suitcase or literally anything (a shop I’ve visited, our fridge, my closet) in my head. But to help you see what I see, I broke it down into categories with visuals.
Small handbag for the essentials (also comes in red)
phone + charger + headphones
keys
passport
wallet
Weekender bag (the Longchamp Pliage or the Loeffler Randall since I already have them), and everything below goes in there:
Bodycare + Skincare
Summer make-up
quick manicure kit (will make you feel less frumpy/more fabulous in minutes)
tinted hydrator (this is amazing)
tubing mascara (travel size)
lips & cheeks blush (I have the shades ‘caresse’ and ‘plaisir’)
Wellness
to-go leakproof tumbler (or water bottle)
rest + digest tea bags (organic coriander & cumin seeds in a tea bag2, 2 cups daily, great when you eat out, no bloating)
collagen sticks (1 stick/day)
electrolyte sticks (1 stick/day, in case of heatwave, headache, or fatigue)
incense sticks + a lighter (yes, I’m serious)
notebook + a pen (morning pages forever)
book I’m currently reading (Bird by Bird: some instructions on writing and life, by Anne Lamott)
socks (2 pairs, to keep my feet warm upon waking up)
signature scent (mine!)
Undies
pack 2/day (or number of days you’re away +1) (you do you)
100% organic cotton options, here:
Bras
pack 1/day
Nightwear
pack 1 (or 2 if it feels better)
Swimwear
pack 2 (in a pouch like this — or the zipper bag you get for free when you order on Left On Friday3)
black bikini (so simple, timeless and chic, true to size)
black balconette bikini and bottoms (so flattering, true to size)
black one-piece swimsuit (regular and long torso length available)
White tops
pack 3 (this makes you feel crisp and fresh and it goes with everything else)
Other tops
a big shirt (size up)
grey sweatshirt (size up) (black alternative)
lightweight nylon pullover parka (or a great windproof blouson here) — it’s the just in case piece I’ll add or remove depending on the weather forecast
Denim jeans
Other bottoms
pack 3 — ideally, no repeat: 1x shorts, 1x trousers, 1x skirt or dress
Shoes
wear one pair, pack two pairs
black sandals (sized up 1/2 size)
ballet flats (amazing, true to size, best for narrow/medium width feet)
flip flops (lightweight, a no-brainer, size up 1 size)
Accessories
extra tote bag
sunglasses (one pair is enough)
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Can you believe this? I used to be really bad at packing and now I’m actually looking forward to it?
The Packing List: tape it inside your closet door
like Joan Didion4
The list you’ve seen in the thumbnail? It can be yours with a paid subscription (as well as the pre-access to my new 1:1 service):