I would be lying if I told you I was in any way, shape, or form prepared (clothing wise) for this trip. I had spent the last 4 months conceptualizing what I wanted to wear, but could never quite figure it out. As my departure date crept up on me, I realized I own 0 dresses, and was missing about 10 other essentials that were key components of the outfits I dreamt up in my head.
The above happens every single time I go on a trip where I cannot fall back on the trusty jeans & tee uniform. I was slightly frazzled pre-vacation so I don’t think I nailed the packing completely (this just means theres room to shop here, right?), but here is every single piece that I managed to fit into my July luggage carry-on (with the help of my Mary-Poppins-esque RSVP Paris tote that somehow fits under the seat of a plane. Many people have doubted this, I promise it fits).
Beginning with dresses (all 3 of them):
My incredibly last minute purchase of this Faithfull the Brand dress, was possibly one of the best fashion choices I’ve made in a long time. I decided I wanted to wear this about 1 week before leaving which prompted me to purchase the dress from 2 different websites 3 days before leaving with my fingers crossed (thank GOD it showed… well one of them).
Second, this Meshki dress I wore to my cousins wedding (I promise you it’s yellow)… a consolation prize to the $3000 CAD Khaite dress I tried on in NYC. Have never received so many compliments on a dress… plus it was stretchy & comfortable. The last dress was a vintage find from one of my fav places in Vancouver, Undun. However, upon further investigation the dress is a little bit too big in the chest area, so unfortunately it will only continue taking up precious real-estate in my suitcase.
The Bottoms:
The collection of bottoms in my closet is as follows: denim and boxer shorts. While 1/2 of that equation is not viable here, we had to get creative. I scrounged up every skirt and poplin pant I could find in my closet and packed it into my luggage.
From top to bottom, left to right:
Massimo Dutti Poplin pants, Parke boxer shorts, Lululemon running shorts, Set Active biker shorts, Happy Hour linen skirt, Lululemon shorts, James Street Co. knitted shorts, Jubi the Label Cargo Skirt, Deiji Studios boxers, Deiji Studios Poplin pants, Donni linen pants, Jubi the label boxers, Set Active onesie, Massimo Dutti Skirt, Aritzia skort.
Ironically I have not exercised once, however I should with the amount of workout shorts I packed. In addition to these workout shorts, I also packed the matching Set Active bra, a blue Set Active bra, and my favourite Aritzia bra.
The Tops:
I felt ever-so-slightly- more prepared on the top front. I am usually a strict plain tank/tee girl, and I am SO ok with that. I packed what feels like the perfect arrangement of flowy linen shirts, to casual tanks and tees.
From top to bottom, left to right:
Okay to Rest tee, Marle knit top, James Street Co. cardigan, Deiji Studios linen top, Doen blouse, Merge Tank, Organic Basics Flex tank, Sir. tank, Massimo Dutti linen shirt, Aritzia tube top, Parke linen shirt, Massimo Dutti tank, Guest in Residence tunic (have been using this as my bathing suit cover up alongside a thrifted beach house bathing suit skirt), The Fringes tank.
Honorary mention the 3 Brandy Melville tanks also in this packing cube + the perfect sweatshirt that is always my companion on the plane. I buy all my Brandy basics in person and can never find links for them… their website confuses me LOL. Always go with the long version!!!
The Accessories & Jewelry:
99.9% of the jewelry I own has been brought with me, it all lives here for a quick and easy search.
I’m coining the theme of this vacation as chic cowboy, as I’ve been wearing a raffia cowboy hat pretty much every second of the day… and I don’t plan to stop.
From top to bottom, left to right:
Affaires blue bag, Lexxola sunglasses, Telawave bracelet, Zycloom necklace, Lack of Color hat, Dorsey necklace, Okay to Rest hat, Lie Studio bracelet, Cuyana pouch (all of my jewelry is packed in this), Zycloom anklet, Ayllon pouch, DMY sunglasses, Dorsey necklace 2, Sisi Joia necklace. My beloved Paco Rabanne bag + Bottega Hobo have also made it across seas with me… I’ve bought both off Vestiaire Co.
Bathing Suits & Intimates:
The one thing I did ensure I purchased pre-trip was swimwear. Every time I go on a beach vacation I feel the need to buy 10 buy more bathing suits (please tell me it’s not just me). I’ve been living in this bikini from Feline swim.
Others I packed are this Triangl bikini, With Jean bikini, Sir Bikini, and this Christopher Esber top, with Monashay bottoms.
The only “bras” (I have a B-cup so take this with a grain of salt) I ever pack on vacation are the triangle bralettes from Aritzia… I bought my first 7 years ago and it’s still going strong.
Somehow, I managed to bring 6 pairs of shoes on this trip… still not entirely sure how that happened.
My favourite, favourite, favourite Cordera slides of course made the trip (from 2021/2022, they’re called the Monica sandal), Freda Salvador studded fisherman sandals, blue Havaianas sandals, Plasticana jellies, reg. Havaianas for the beach, killer (literally the most beautiful & painful) purple Jimmy Choos I bought off The Real Real for the wedding.
OK- time to get dressed for dinner.
Chat soon x
-CM