The chic travel wardrobe

Last year my husband and I travelled to Sydney for a long weekend and we had the idea to take only carry-on luggage. It was actually a fun task to plan what I was going to wear over the four days we were there.

I did the above layout a few days prior and even packed it all into my Samsonite cabin bag (top left) to make sure everything fitted. I changed a few things from the picture afterwards - I added one more top so I'd have four for four days. I swapped out my leather boots for black leather ballet flats and the rain jacket in the bottom right corner did go with me, but I never wore it, instead choosing my soft leather jacket which isn't pictured.

The plum coloured top and black leggings underneath the cabin bag are my hotel relaxing clothes. I love changing when I am at home so I had to take them, and they didn't take up much room. It's instant relaxation when I put those on. Next time I would take little travel slippers so I don’t have to wear socks or go bare feet on the hotel carpet. I’m knitting some cute ones at the moment from this pattern here, which I’ll show you when I’ve finished. They’d be nice in something cooler than wool for summer travel wear.

The tiny Dior bag (from when I worked for them, aah, staff sales) fitted exactly what I needed it to - a Visa card, passport, cash, lip gloss, tiny folded up tourist map, phone and hand sanitiser. It was so good not holding a bag on my shoulder, it was right there when I needed to get anything out and I didn't even miss my wallet. What do I need my library card and driver’s license overseas for?

I wore my trendy black New Balance every day as it was quite chilly in Sydney, but thankfully clear and not rainy. My ballet flats were great for going out to dinner. Together with my dark grey jeans and a silky black top I felt dressed up. I realised that afterwards - taking dark grey/black jeans rather than my usual blue jeans really helped me feel more polished, pulled together and stylish. They are less jeans-like and more trouser-like. A dark-wash would be similarly useful.

Below is all my clothing in the bag with makeup, plus laid out what I was going to wear on the plane (there's my extra top too). At the bottom of this post is a list of what I took. I want to keep it as a template for future trips so I don't have to reinvent it each time. That way I can add essential items to it, deduct things I didn't find useful and pare down the packing!

The black pashmina was great too. It's really large and quite fine, so it was nice and cosy around my neck, and on the plane ride there the air conditioning was very chilly, so I laid it over me like a blanket. It covered from my shoulders right down over my knees and tucked in both sides. Then I wrapped it around my neck to leave. Easy and multi-purpose.

I can't say enough good things about travelling without a big suitcase. We checked in, went through the departure gate and onto the plane. No luggage tags needed. When we arrived it was off the plane and through customs when everyone else was waiting for the baggage carousel to even start up. On the train into Sydney we didn't take up any space and then used the backpack straps to walk the two blocks to our hotel. I like to move fast and feel unencumbered and this is the way to do it.

To wear on the plane going there:

Light blue/grey Michael Kors sweatshirt
Camisole underneath
Black pashmina
Zara dark grey stretch jeans
Black leather belt
Black New Balance
Black David Lawrence leather jacket
Watch and gold coin necklace, rings, cubic zirconia ‘diamond’ studs

Coach black leather tote containing:

Dior cross-body bag
Passport
Visa card
Cash
Book
Notebook and pen
Spare car keys
Phone and charger
iPod and earbuds
Printed out flight confirmations
Printed out hotel confirmation
Sunglasses

Samsonite carry-on bag containing:

Small laptop and charger
Three long-sleeve knit tops – fine black merino, silky black with drapey neck and dark blue-grey washed Diesel top
Clarks black leather ballet flats
Three pairs of fine merino socks
Knickers
Another camisole top for layering/warmth
Bikini
Relaxing clothes for our apartment – leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt
Makeup and toiletries
Hotel toothbrushes and small toothpaste
Razor and small shaving lotion tube
Tiny handcream
Round hairbrush and small claw clip
Towelling headband and towelling hair tie
Bobby pins and thin brown hair elastics
Shampoo
Cleanser
Liquid foundation
Tiny hairspray
Hand sanitiser
Facial moisturiser
Small perfume
Roll-on anti-perspirant deodorant

I’ve decided to wear the one pair of jeans for four days in a row, and the same bra. I don’t know if that makes me manky or if it’s a reasonable thing to do on a short trip!

Available at the hotel:

Hairdryer
Conditioner
Body wash
Body lotion
Shower cap

Do you have any great tips to travelling chicly? I know there will be many of you who travel much more often than I do.