The Art of Packing Light: My One Month Carry-On for Italy

Everything I packed for a month long trip

Hello you

Packing light isn’t just practical, it’s a mindset. A way of life. I’ve been committed to carry-on only travel for so many years now I can’t remember how else to wander the globe. Well, I can - but I remember it being very stressful. Lugging my suitcase up three flights of ancient Roman stairs to my airbnb last week was difficult enough, let alone trying to do so with full size luggage.

I enjoy the simplicity and freedom of travelling light. There’s less to think about, maintain and be responsible for. I feel less weighed down.

My dream last year was to spend a Talented Mr Ripley inspired month in Italy. It took a while, but eventually I made it. The plan was to come to Italy in the same way I went to Paris originally; for an extended stay where I could live like a local, immerse myself into Italian culture and also write. I took a train to Rome where I spent a week and then I sauntered down to the Amalfi Coast for a further three.

I’ve been much more organised this trip than I was for my original Paris adventure. I still travelled carry on only there but it was very chaotic. I forgot a lot and didn’t anticipate how stressful the shift would be on my nervous system. This time I was more prepared. I even created a mood board, which I highly recommend doing when you’re manifesting a big dream.

It was clear I’d need to prioritise elegance, ease and versatility in my packing to bring my vision to life. Owning a carefully curated year round capsule wardrobe surely helps, but still the selection process had to be intentional because space was limited.

The Essentials: What I Brought & Why

Introducing the Italian spring capsule wardrobe…

The colour palette here is the same as what runs through my existing wardrobe: black, blush and white. I needed to ensure I could handle unpredictable spring weather and this echos in each choice. It’s shoulder season in Italy during this time so temperatures can range from 15 to 23 degrees. Also, I had to pack for both city and coastal stays.

1. Clothing (Timeless, Elegant, Versatile)

Colour Palette: Neutrals, blush, & effortless black

• 2x Light Dresses (sleeved midi dress and beach style tunic - easy to layer)

• 2x Slip Dresses (for evenings and daytime styled up or down)

• 1x Wide Leg Trousers (chic but comfortable for city days)

• 1x Light Knit Cardigan (crop style for cool evenings and chilly mornings)

• 1x Lightweight Trench (Parisian style layering)

• 2x Tops (elevated basics, long sleeved striped tee and black bodysuit)

• 1x Silk Blouse (long sleeves for cooler days and layering)

• 1x Silk Camisole (for layering or evenings)

• 1x Midi Skirt (for Amalfi’s relaxed feel)

• 1x Comfortable Heels (Slingbacks)

• 1x Flat Sandals (for Amalfi coast days)

• 1x Minimal Trainers (for walking heavy days)

• 1x Swimsuit (classic black one-piece)

• 1x Sleepwear & Loungewear (cosy, soft & feminine for relaxed writing days)

Accessories (Light but Intentional)

• Flap Bag: Small in size and structured for day-to-night

• Sunglasses: Timeless & protective

• Delicate Jewellery: Signature gold pieces (ring, heart necklace, hoop earrings and snake chain bracelet)

2. Beauty & Skincare: Minimal Meets Luxury, Streamlined for Travel

• Minimal Makeup: Skin tint, cream blush, mascara, lip balm

• Skincare Staples: Retinol, SPF, cleanser, vitamin C serum

• Perfume: Small travel size of my signature scent

• Supplements & Herbal Tea Bags: For comfort, health & rituals

• Toothbrush & Travel Size Toothpaste

• Mini Hairbrush & Comb

• Travel Size Deodorant

• Hair & Body Oil (Nuxe is an all round must have)

• Dyson Airwrap (because…hair!)

• Travel Size Shampoo & Conditioner (moisturising so I don’t need extra products)

• Silk Pillowcase & Eye Mask (for luxury sleep & haircare)

3. Tech & Creative Tools

This is perhaps the most difficult category for me to pack for because ideally I’d bring an entire library and film set. Still, finding balance between staying creative and keeping things light results in bringing just enough to both nurture and challenge my creativity. Content wise I’ll adapt things slightly while I’m away by reducing how much I post in the moment to stay present and having less on hand helps here.

Tech & Work Essentials (Compact but High Quality Setup)

• Camera: Fujifilm X100VI (for that dreamy, film-like aesthetic)

• Mini Tripod: Manfrotto Pixi (small, sturdy and fits in my bag)

• Mic: DJI mic (for better audio when needed)

• MacBook Air: Essential for writing, editing and managing my Substack

• iPhone 15 pro: For quick snaps, Instagram and voice notes

• SD Card Adapter: For easy transfers

• Headphones: Marshall pods (for listening to edits, music or podcasts)

4. Books & Journaling Essentials

• My Journal: Will stand in as multiple notebooks while I’m away. I tried to travel without a journal once and it was awful. I have so many thoughts, ideas and realisations while I’m travelling it feels like such a shame not to write them down so I can express them in real time and revisit them in the future.

• Elena Ferante’s My Brilliant Friend (because I love reading about a place when I’m in the place)

5. The Practical Bits

• Passports for me and Hope

• Card holder (smaller and more practical than a large wallet)

• Packing cubes (for organising and compacting everything into my case)

• Basket Bag (for market visits and general spring vibes wanderings)

• Canvas Tote (mostly for Rome when I want to carry more and a basket bag doesn’t feel right yet weather wise)

• Underwear (enough for one week)

My Travel Outfit

• Yoga Pants (soft and comfy for train travel but also double as loungewear)

• Trainers (for comfort)

• Trench Coat (weather appropriate and too bulky to pack)

• Lightweight Top (relaxed and cosy)

I’ve learned to let go of overpacking by choosing trust over control. With practice it’s become clear that while a plan will go a long way, travel (much like life) is unpredictable, but this is also part of the adventure. In a worst case scenario I’ve always been able to buy what I’ve either forgotten or not foreseen I needed. This though, also used to happen when I’d bring a full size case and more. Truly, the more I brought the easier it was to lose track and find myself in a muddle. It’s reassuring to lean into the belief that we don’t need much to feel at home wherever we are.

Traveling light is a way to feel more in flow with the journey. It’s also less emotionally exhausting and for me, it only helps to embrace the beauty of simple, slow intentional travel.

Being here in Italy is just as exciting as I imagined and travelling light only reduces distractions so I can be fully present throughout the trip. So far I feel I’ve packed well for this trip and will have everything I need. In terms of washing, of course I’ll need to visit a laundrette a few times but that’s ok. It’s all part of the living the local life I came for.

What’s your packing philosophy? Do you prefer to travel light or bring options?

I’ll be sharing behind the scenes notes, outfit shots, vlogs and reflections throughout the trip and my first vlog went live on Sunday - a slow week in Rome | Solo travel diaries.

Lots of love

Jessica xxx

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