What made the CARRY ON cut!
No schlepping down cobblestone streets with 40kg of unworn clothes for me.....
As a girly who has spent the better part of my WHOLE LIFE overpacking, I have finally learnt the big fucking lesson, and oh boy am I grateful I did. I was the person that even for a weekend away would take 18 pairs of underwear (did I plan on shitting everywhere?????) and would shove 5 pairs of the same shoes for a trip that never needed that style of shoes to begin with. Like heeled leather ankle boots for a weekend at the beach. What? Wot? WUT?
Whilst I am a very low key clothes wearer and pull things together without thought or anxiety, whenever it came to packing for being away from home - it suddenly was a panicked scenario where I suddenly needed to bring the entire contents of my bedroom.
For some ungodly reason I believed that at any point, on any trip I took, a serious fashion 911 may occur and I best be prepared. It had ‘stuck on a desert island’ energy surrounding the stress-packing-experience. Let me be very clear: no emergency arose, no fashion catwalk arrived and instead I have spent the better part of the last 20 years of my life on holiday, dragging an unnecessary amount of clothing and shit behind me as I huffed and puffed with a ‘FUCK ME’ in tow. Loudly I might add. Always loudly.
Well last year was the final straw. As I draaaagggggggeddd my 40 kilos through 40 degree heat in Naples, up a hill, at midday, on cobblestone streets and with all taxi drivers on strike and still 2 kms to go - I decided that I shall not be this girly again. I cannot lift, pull, drag, wrench or throw my suitcase of useless things around Europe a-n-y-m-o-r-e. I gave up on vacay fashion PMami in that instant.
I was one of those people who’d gawk “what DO YOU MEAN you are taking carry on” to people who would choose this option in the past. My parents are well seasoned travellers and since I can remember have always taken carry on luggage, to which of course I would roll my eyes and be semi-embarrassed that my mum wasn’t packing giant Gucci suitcases of Valentino dresses. I used to think they were nuts but like all (or just some) parental things go, now I see that they are smart.
You see, I didn’t choose the ‘carry on’ dream because of trying to save on purchasing checked-in luggage whilst going around Europe. I actually still checked in my carry-on bag on a few flights and put it under the plane for the main hall flight from Sydney to Athens - which in theory makes no sense at all. Why take carry on to then check it in, you ask? Well…for the: carrying my bag with ease part. I was interested more in having a small and easy bag that I could carry if need be, squeeze into tiny Athenian lifts and not want to die when I see a 10 set staircase ahead of me when arriving at the apartment building.
I had also realised during my trip last year that amongst my 40kg of luggage that I painstakingly pulled around with me, I legitimately wore the same 3-4 outfits on rotation. AND I had the photos to prove it. When I sat on my decision this year to take carry on only, I went back through my photos and was both mortified and proud that I had recycled the same general outfit every single day: togs (bathers), a sarong or shorts, button up tee, a PMami cap and pair of sandals. Thats really it. With different aversions. I didn’t wear any of the dresses I packed, or the silk tops, or the makeup, or the extra accessory jewellery that I thought was crucial to bring.
It definitely does help my ‘carry on’ case when I tend to travel to places where I am really and truly just going to two main places: the beach and the markets. No clubbing, big busy cities, fancy restaurants or bar hopping in my relaxing repertoire which means that I am not the fashion girly looking to make a catwalk statement on vacay. I just wanna respectfully cover my Mediterranean-soaked-titties + pebble-dented-asscheeks to go and get a peach from the market without offending the Nonna or Yiayia on the way there. And so - I packed this year according to those needs, and with only a thoughtful 40 litres of carry on luggage space in tow. So, here is what made the cut….
It’s worth mentioning that I am an avid op shopper, which means that a lot of my wardrobe are vintage things that cannot be linked or shared because alas, they are no longer or never were online, however I have listed these things at the end. Below are 97% of the contents of my carry-on bag for 1 month in Greece. There are the links to the shop items in the title! I have left some comments on some things to note but all in all I think I NAILED the assignment and have yet to miss one single thing from this list. All bases and outfit options were covered. I had packed according to mixing and matching all these things together perfectly and I made sure I had one nice outfit (Ilio Nema Robe + Aemery Sandals) in case we had to go somewhere where I had to look half decent and not like an ocean-soaked rat or mermaid 24/7.
I normally take 6-7 books but this time I decided to be really really thoughtful and instead of smashing through lots of them, attempt to read it slowly and take it in more. This was a great idea! I also brought along my ‘dump book’ (I doodle and write notes) and some oil crayons for some mindless play, which was a stunning decision and my creativity was deeply thankful for it.
I will share what made the skincare/beauty bag in another post as this one alone has taken me 6 hours total. Not complaining because it's a lovely thing to share, but if you were ever wondering why writers charge for their words and time…that's why. :)
Please enjoy the wardrobe of me on holiday! I hope you can follow suit and make your life, and your dragging abilities - lighter!
With love, chaos and rigatoni,
PM xx
TOPS
ILIO NEMA Ariane Xania Stripe Kimono
I always take one robe on my trips and this year I was *gifted this with honour! It has PMami written all over it and it was the perfect thing to throw on between the beach and dinner. Australian brand too! Highly highly recommend!
ENOLAN TAILORED SHIRT
If you do ANYTHING for your life and for your wardrobe, its to buy an ENOLAN white shirt! I tried them all on and they were all incredible but the tailored shirt was a winner. Will be purchasing one for each day of the week when I return to Australia. She’s building a suit/shirt empire in Melbourne and the quality will make you a repeat customer - mark my words.
ENOLAN OVERSIZED SHIRT
ST AGNI ABSTRACT SINGLET
SKIMS COTTON RIBBED TEE - GREEN
SUMMERY COPENHAGEN YAEL TOP
COTTON ON ACTIVE RIB SCOOP
ADIDAS CLASSIC THREE STRIPE SHIRT
TOGS/SWIMMERS/BATHERS
TRIANGL VINCA CEFA
ITS NOW COOL - MEDUSA BIKINI
COOKE & KIN SPLICE BIKINI
ZIAH BARDOT BALCONY BIKINI
BOTTOMS
Adidas Island Club Shorts
NAGNATA RYDELL SHORTS - ORANGE
Adidas French Terry Shorts - Green
PMami Sarong - COMING IN OCTOBER!
Active Basics Hi-Rise Shorts
LULU LEMON GROOVE PANTS (great for plane!!)
SKIMS RIB BRIEF (I bought fresh underwear and THESE are incredible!)
SHOES
SUICOKE Yellow & Gray Gut Sandals
Adidas Treziod 2 - Unisex
AEMERY SPARGI SANDAL (Mine are tan colour but I cannot find the link!)
BOHONOMAD SANDALS
TOWELS + ACCESSORIES
MAYDE - PALM COVE TURKISH TOWEL
OLEND ONA SOFT BAG
(This is good bag but don’t expect it to carry TOO much weight, its not as strong as I had hoped, but its comfy and easy to carry)
RADICAL YES NORTH STAR NYLON
PMAMI MERCH HATS
October release!
CARRIE CASE - FLEXI CLEAR
YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE! Any of their products!
BOOKS
With Love, Chaos & Rigatoni ( cos….duh!)
What else you ask?
Well as mentioned before some things are either vintage or sold out and unable to link, so just so you know the additional pieces in the luggage were:
2 x vintage striped button up shirts
2 x vintage sarong
1 x high waisted jean short (90s vibes)
1 x Arthur Apparel green short sleeve button up (CANNOT find the link but its also two seasons ago)
1 x vintage single/wife beater top
A tote bag I was gifted from Daily Food (I don’t know where its from sorry!)
2 x older season Triangl tog shorts