Ready, Set, Pack: Holiday Suitcase Prep Made Easy

Summer is here and with it, holiday planning is ramping up. Among the pre-trip excitement, there is one activity that is bound to take up time and cause conundrums: packing. Due to many airlines now charging extra for even a small carry-on trolley, packing light has become a priority for many – and choosing wisely becomes even more important. Our packing guide is here to help you have a chic holiday of eco-conscious style, minus the extra charges at the airport.

By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert. 

First things first: put the heaviest items at the bottom, which often tend to be shoes. For the best in vegan sandals and sliders for the summer, check out V.GAN, NAE Vegan Shoes and Bohema, who all offer sandals that hit that perfect note of "comfort meets luxury" – perfect for daytime beach walks as well as slow evenings at a seaside eatery.

If you're looking to glam things up on holiday, pick a pair of heeled sandals from Minuit Sur Terre, where subtle shimmer is paired with a demure heel that lends day-to-night versatility – one pair of shoes will take you from poolside brunch to sunset cocktails.

For bags, think strategically: you want to choose something that will be roomy, but not take up a lot of room in your luggage. A clever idea is to use your biggest bag as your "small personal item" when flying, to avoid it filling up half your suitcase. For a bag with a beach vibe, check out Stelar's bamboo creations, The Morphbag's straw bags and Souleway's organic canvas beach bags; while Jeane + Jax will provide laid-back glamour (and ease of travel) with vegan leather totes in neutral hues, as well as wallets and comfortable cross-body styles.

If you've got a tiny bit of space in your carry-on for an evening option, take a look at Miomojo's colourful designs that will bring a hint of brightness. Going on a short break? A roomy holdall is your friend here. 

What kind of holiday packing guide would this be without mentioning swimwear? Choose sleek, simple designs from AQVA Swimwear or a more vibrant style from Sūndar Swim - both these brands create swimwear crafted from ECONYL, a regenerated nylon made with discarded fishing gear from landfills and oceans. 1 People's athleisure-inspired designs are also made from ECONYL, with some of the brand's fabrics offering UV protection.

Going on holiday is a time for vivid colour - if you're a fan of bright hues, pack a maxi dress from Baukjen or Albaray for a dopamine injection, or choose a patterned blouse or shorts in an organic fabric from KOMODO.

More of a neutrals fan for summer? AmourLinen's breezy neutrals in eco-conscious linen or 1 People's easy-to-wear minimalist pieces have got you covered. And for a lightweight extra that can be used as a sarong, towel, or scarf, look to Lüks Linen for a peshtemal - it folds really small and offers true versatility and maximum comfort (wrap up on the plane, anyone?). 

Now that your bag is packed and ready, there's only one dilemma left to solve: what to wear on the plane. You'll want to go for something soft and comfortable, especially if we're talking long-haul. Loungewear brand hewn is the go-to spot for relaxed streetwear in organic cotton. Their hoodies and sweatshirts come in a range of hues - pick a favourite and settle down in that airplane seat, staying cosy until your destination.

Perfecting your packing skills will help your holiday go more smoothly - while assuring maximum style. Choosing these eco-friendly essentials will assure that you look chic, and will also mean that you might have some space left in your suitcase for local delights.

By Sascha Camilli

About Sascha

Sascha Camilli is a vegan writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her or sign up to her newsletter Kind of Wild.

Cover image by Stelar

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