The summer suitcase | MR Journal

The Art of Packing Light

Right, we're nearly there. Even if the TO DO list seems endless at the moment, the day will come when I write one of my favourite messages: the Out of Office!

Usually, I'm so happy that I'd love to add some fun little bits like:

Dear all,

I'll be on holiday from… to… I really hope you can all enjoy some relaxation too, but tell me what you're taking on holiday this summer, because I absolutely can't wait to wear that open-knit skirt that you can dress down during the day with flat sandals, but really makes a statement in the evening if you pair it with those mirrored silver sandals…

As I'm a bit of a coward, in the end, I always stick to the usual formal messages, even though I'm still curious to know what your Summer Break essentials are (early summer weekends count too, in fact, those are even more tempting because you have to make everything count in just two days).

As I travel a lot for work, I've become quite an authority on "compact luggage". I hate bringing back unworn clothes that I still have to freshen up (not to mention the waits at the airport baggage carousel or the risk of knocking out my fellow passengers with a monstrously heavy bag).

My summer suitcase

MARINA-RINALDI-CAROUSEL_340x453-3 (3) - Marina Rinaldi

MARINA-RINALDI-CAROUSEL_340x453-4 (2) (1) - Marina Rinaldi

MARINA-RINALDI-CAROUSEL_340x453-2 (2) - Marina Rinaldi

MARINA-RINALDI-CAROUSEL_340x453-1 (2) - Marina Rinaldi

You'll find a thousand tutorials online on how to fold, bag, and arrange clothes without creasing them and while taking up minimal space. Here, I invite you to consider the almost philosophical aspect of pack & go. Rule number one, the absolute essential, the mother of all rules is: take your time, and it doesn't matter if it's eleven at night and you're leaving at dawn the next morning. Open your wardrobe and ask yourself a few questions. Where are you going? What kind of stay have you chosen? Do you have any social evenings planned?

For example, I like wild & easy holidays: a wide, cool seersucker shirt for the beach, perhaps a striped cotton poplin kaftan with lovely red embroidery on the yoke for a barefoot aperitif.

But I never leave without an evening outfit, because you never know when you might get invited to a nice party. With a long-sleeved, pale green georgette dress, open all the way down the arm to reveal sun-kissed skin, a stunning look is guaranteed, and if it's a truly grand evening, I'll go all out with some maxi earrings. Another move I'm proud of is opting for very stylish one-piece swimsuits, like a chic black one-shoulder number with contrasting white piping. That way, all I need to do is slip on a pair of twill trousers with crochet embroidery at the hem, don some low-heeled straw mules, and my trip to the flower market is perfectly sorted.

Therefore, don't rush me when I'm packing. A holiday also means not having to worry about "what to wear" because I've thought it through properly and I'm travelling with my personal summer best-of. If you're one of those who just chucks everything in "just in case", try following my method this time. I bet you'll thank me later, shall we?

MEDIA TEXT_DESKTOP_CRISTINA_MANFREDI - Marina Rinaldi

Cristina Manfredi: Who is the pen behind the Marina Rinaldi New Fashion Journal?

Originally from Biella and Milanese by choice, she is a fashion, lifestyle and society journalist with a vibrant, upbeat attitude. She worked as a journalist for Milano Finanza Fashion before moving to Vanity Fair, later resigning to focus on personal projects, including writing, tango, running, and spending time with her beloved cats. Today she is a contributor to Vanity Fair, L’Officiel, Marie Claire and the Style Magazine - Corriere della Sera.