The main thing to note is that I learnt to pack lightly, in one cabin sized roller, whatever the trip. We often traveled standby so had to wait till the last minute for a seat which meant you couldn’t check in, in case you didn’t get a seat. In which case you needed your luggage with you, not in the hold of the plane. Other thing to note though, there were the days before budget airlines, so you could take a roller plus a handbag.

Fast forward to the introduction of ONE PIECE OF HAND LUGGAGE ONLY and YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR CHECKED IN BAGS – the rule of Easyjet and Ryanair et al – and the game changed. Last-minute stuffing of your tiniest handbag with all your travel vitals into your already pretty full roller. The fast forward to having a baby, and the carefree existence of one small roller only goes completely out of the window. I don’t even try any more, it’s a huge suitcase full of everything we need and we check it in.

When I travel alone these day, nostalgic for my hand luggage only youth, I will always pack light. Even if it transpires that I’m travelling a traditional airline (in this case Agean Airlines to Athens – they fly 3 times daily London to Athens all year round – with Discover Greece) who let you check a bag up to 23kg for free and take one hand luggage on board. Despite the temptations of multiple clothes options, I stick to my small roller guns.  So I plan and I roll. I figure out my outfits and combination options and pack to the brim and waver slightly when my travel companion checks in a larger case but remain ultimately unswayed.

This case by American Tourister (the Bon Air*) is super light and rolls like a dream. Always a four-wheeler over a two, which means you can roll it by your side, easier on the back and neck and also keeps a neater personal space. Although I ended up having a last minute packing panic the night before Athens as I saw the forecast had dramatically improved and I was worried I’d be too hot in what I had…

Cue an emergency DIY of jeans into shorts in addition to the three pairs of straight blue denim jeans I deemed necessary for the trip (Topshop, MiH and vintage Levi’s from Urban Outfitters) to be worn with plain and stripe tees as per – these two companies both focus on doing great quality t-shirt; Lavender Hill Clothing and YUnion T. For night, the perfect silk cami set by Asceno London.

Footwear comprised of new Seven Boot Lane loafers for travelling, and Manebi espadrilles (mine are falling apart but can’t find the exact same ones anywhere) and white trainers, these ones by Aigle. One pair of loose black trousers from Beach Cafe and a few floaty tops (like this boho Urban Outfitters one) and shirts (by Zara). Two light jumpers (Hush & Eileen Fisher) and leather jacket for evenings were perfect. Plus an old cashmere scarf. See some of my outfits below…

 

Above photos taken in the super central boutique design New Hotel where we stayed in Athens.

What I wore…

---