What’s the trick? Jack: Vuori joggers | Suitcase | Green bag | Susie: Black blazer | Anine Bing tee | Vuori jogger | Suitcase | Weekender tote | Hat
15 days in a carry-on? The trick that made it happen!
No one thought I could do it! 😂
By the time you read this in your inbox, my son and I will be in London where we’ll be staying for the first three nights of our trip. Since London’s Heathrow Airport made the news earlier this year with record numbers of lost luggage, I decided not to take any chances. So, I decided to squish all my clothes into a carry-on! Even my son couldn’t understand why, and he was quick to tell me I did not have overflow rights in his suitcase — hah! In fact, even I can’t actually believe that I did it 🙂 Read on to find out the trick that made it happen!
Today’s post is about what all I packed for a 15 day trip to Europe. The tricky part is the differences in weather between the Italian Amalfi coast, London and the British seaside. London is forecasting rain (what in the world!) and the Amalfi coast is going to be in the high 80’s (perfect). For packing inspo, I selected pieces from my capsule wardrobe boards for both summer and pre-fall (see here and here) And, keep reading to see which items made the cut, some of the outfits I hope to wear, and how I got it all into one carry-on!
P.S Full disclosure: I’m not a packing expert, and as I’m writing this on the plane, I realize there are some things that should have stayed behind. But that’s what happens when you pack the night before, and don’t take the time to think through every outfit 😉 I’m just like many of you — figuring it out as I go. So, the bottom line is I still over-packed … and there’s a little part of me wishing I had checked luggage 🙂 Oh well!
My Favorite things
Years ago, on my very first website called “The Susie Wright Project,” there was a “My Favorites” section. I loved this website very much, but it needed to go once I started my blog, So Susie, in June 2018. I’ve included some photos above that I lovingly selected for the favorites section on that first website because they remind me of the trip that Jack and I are starting today.
The lower middle photo is one of my grandfather’s paintings, many of which I have hanging on my walls at home in Portland. There’s a special story around them, and on this trip I will finally get the rest of paintings that I’ve longed for since my 20’s! We are also here to visit my family — both of my parents are British, and they immigrated to the US in the early 1960’s and left behind their entire family. I spent summers here as a little girl, and have visited regularly since!
Best Travel day outfit
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
On long airplane trips, I always wear either leggings or joggers. This trip I decided on Vuori joggers, and funny enough my son is wearing Vuori joggers as well! Also, since I’m always cold, I’m layering up with this hoodie, this new Rag & Bone blazer and this t-shirt. This way I’ll have a few warmer pieces for chilly nights in London. Layering is a great trick for bringing several items that go together, but that you can also wear separately.These Golden Goose Ballstar sneakers keep everything looking cool, and I’ll wear them with dresses too.
The basics (and the trick that made it all work)
Luggage, packing cubes and travel gadgets
The one trick that made this all happen? Compression packing cubes! Thanks to an Insta friend, I decided to try them, and even my skeptical engineering brain son agreed: they’re amazing. As a matter of fact, there’s no way I could have fit everything in a carry-on without them. I went with the Paravel suitcase, and my son is using the Monos one. Of course, the Beis Weekender is coming along as well, and the trick there is to not overpack it so it squishes under the seat.
What’s in my suitcase!
Don’t ask me how this all fit, but it did, thanks to my trick: compression packing cubes
Jeans (3): Fidelity white, Mother Dazzler ecru and Mother Dazzler black
Blouses (4): Citizens of Humanity tan top and navy top, pink Rails, Alice & Olivia and black Rails top
Tees(4): Anine Bing tee, white and black tanks, and white ATM
Dresses(7): Kule, Ulla Johnson, Vince slipdress, Green toile, J.Crew dress, this and this, Green shirt dress
Jackets (3): Rag and Bone denim jacket, Rag & Bone blazer, and Anine Bing utility jacket.
Swimsuit(1): LemLem and this coverup
Workout: Leggings, tennis skirt, Vuori tank and Lululemon tank
Shoes(5): GG sneakers, Schutz sandals, Dior slides, YSL sandal and Adidas (GG not great for hikes!)
Handbags(3): YSL Tote, Gucci bucket bag, Loewe basket tote, Valentino pink bag
London outfits
Board 1: Pink shirt | Fidelity white | Loewe basket tote| YSL sandals | Board 2: Vince slipdress | Sweater | Gucci bag | Schutz sandals | Board 3: Alice & Olivia blouse | Mother Dazzler | Gucci bag | Schutz sandals
Dinner
Vince slipdress + Black sweater + Schutz sandals + Gucci bag
Tea at the Orangery
Green print dress + Schutz sandals + Valentino pink bag
Sightseeing & Touring around London
Pink shirt + Mother Dazzler + YSL sandals + Loewe basket tote
Citizens of Humanity navy shirt + Fidelity white denim + YSL sandals + Loewe basket tote
Amalfi coast outfits
Board 1: Denim jacket | Vince slipdress | YSL sandals | Loewe basket tote | Board 2: White dress | YSL sandals| Tote | Bracelet | Board 3: Cover up | LemLem swimsuit | YSL Tote
Dinners, including the cooking class we’re taking
Family time with my aunt and cousins
Kule green dress + Golden Goose sneakers + Loewe basket tote
J.Crew gauze dress + YSL sandals + Loewe basket tote
Beach time & Boating
LemLem swimsuit + White coverup + YSL sandals + Loewe basket tote
British seaside outfits
Board 1: Sweater | Mother Dazzler ecru | YSL Tote | Bracelet | GG sneakers | Board 2: Pink shirt | Fidelity white jeans | Valentino pink bag | Dior slides | Board 3: Tan shirt | YSL Tote| Mother Dazzler ecru
Family time at the beach
J.Crew cashmere black Sweater + Mother Dazzler ecru + GG sneakers
Casual hanging out with the fam & day trips
Pink shirt + Fidelity white denim + Dior slides + Valentino pink bag
Anine Bing utility jacket + Fidelity white denim + Dior slides + Valentino pink bag
Thank you for reading! xx
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