I love summer! After a record breaking heat wave, this cold snap has hit me like a snowball to the face - and it’s only April!  It's got me planning my next holiday and thinking about what to pack. To be honest, I’d be happy with a swimsuit, sarong and snorkelling kit but reality says “that ain’t gonna happen sis”. Boo reality!  But you can’t get into a cool club wearing your snorkelling gear, so I’ll run with it!

So what should you pack to maximise your style, and minimise your stress? Believe me humping big, heavy bags around the globe seriously gives you the droop, especially when you get home and realise you only wore a third of it. Therefore, my essentials to cover most situations are:

• A large wrap or pashmina. This is perfect for inflight as well as your destination. Having been a flight attendant for 25 years I know some flights are freezing while others are hot - a wrap looks stylish but is easily donned and removed as the temperature dictates
• Jeans - just because
• Blazer - when the wrap just won’t cut it
• A good tee (or two!) - is that two for tee? lol
• Stretch pants (no activewear please!) - like the id by ILTON Luxe Capri Pants ($179) or Moochi rap pants ($249.99)
• A smart casual dress
• A fine merino sweater - great under the blazer for cooler days, or tied around the neck with the dress
• A good linen or cotton shirt - stylish with the jeans & blazer
• A dressy blouse/cami - looks hot with the jeans, heels & blazer for cocktails
• Smart sneakers like Diesels which can be paired with the stretch pants, jeans, and casual dress - great if you’re doing lots of walking
• Ankle boots with a mid heel to wear with everything
• A pair of heels for dressing up the jeans, and to upscale the dress

In terms of accessories, I generally travel with costume jewellery (Dyrberg/Kern of course!) and leave the diamonds safely at home, but I am careful to select my travel collection based on mixing it with my outfits, rather than taking a tonne “just in case”.

These few pieces will provide up to 40 different combinations taking you from your flight to cocktails. If you’re not sure how to combine everything, or whether you have the right pieces, I am happy to arrange a personal session to curate your capsule travel wardrobe.

By the time you pack your cosmetics, and the above pieces, your bag should have just enough room to fit all the fabulous shopping you purchase on your travels!

Right, I’m off to have a margarita and plan my trip to LA!