What I'm Packing for an Island Escape

A little bonus post from me this week. As Sydney has been hit with cooler temps and daily rain, and all of us are recovering from our first cold of the season, I’m counting down to the family holiday we have booked in next month. This trip is very special for us — our first time away altogether as a family (Alba, my youngest, will be 22 months) — and it will also be my husband’s birthday during the trip, so there's plenty to celebrate.

The Staples:

I have to start with the basics, because every holiday wardrobe needs them. This t-shirt is perfect (the white and the navy are must-haves for me), I'm wearing the long sleeve version in black at the moment, and will also be packing these singlets in both black and white. I also like to pack a more relaxed tee in my bag, and this one has become a fast favourite.

It will be cold both when we leave and arrive back home, so I’ll be taking said long sleeve top and these pants (obsessed) as my airport look. I’m also packing a light knit I can throw over, which also double ups for any cool evenings we may encounter.

I recently popped into the DISSH store in Bondi, and a few easy pieces caught my eye. This t-shirt in white and these pants, both in white, spoke to me, and I’ll be taking them with me for the morning breakfast run, or afternoons hanging out with the kids.

Long sleeve button-down shirts are always a travel essential for me. Matteau makes a great one that you can pair back with your favourite trousers for evening, or over your bikini as a daytime cover-up. I’ll also pack my trusty breton striped tee as an extra long sleeved option.

A simple pair of shorts is essential. I’m going with these, but I’ll also be packing the charcoal denim shorts I’ve had and worn for years.

On my wishlist: These Matteau trousers (they have been on my list for a very long time), but having been recently restocked, the temptation is strong. However, I also love the look of this new style, so it’s a tough call.

Something fun:

As I get older, I’m leaning into having fun a little more when it comes to vacation dressing. I used to be all about the monochrome essentials, and while they’ll always make their way into my case, there’s nothing like an island getaway to have a colour moment.

On my wishlist: These sandals. I love the yellow, but also this colourway I could see myself pairing back with everything. This is very special, and even though it’s a little different for me, I actually think I’d wear it a lot.
Shorts are another area that feel easy to experiment in — a little flash of colour under a long shirt or paired back with a bikini. I’m particularly drawn to this blue pair for something different. The other colour moment I’m contemplating is a pop of red. This dress stood out straight away, and would be perfect with simple flip flops and a basket bag.

I have this classic style by Matteau I’ll be packing, along with this Posse shift dress.

On my wishlist: This polka dot number, a very good black dress, and this buttery linen mini.

The rest of the edit — shorts & pants, swimwear, shoes, accessories, and a few things I’m packing for the girls — is below for paid subscribers.