I Spent 3 Days in Palma—Here's Everything I Packed and Wore

September may be knocking down our door, but summer is not over for me. One of the ways I like to prolong those good vibes and long, hot evenings is a weekend getaway. I’m not ready to hang up those linen co-ord sets yet! I have a very minimalist shopping approach to fashion, and that translates to my suitcase. I don’t like to overpack. It’s all about making those clothes work hard for you. I want my mornings filled with bougainvillea and getting lost on the way to lunch, not fussing over which of my 15 sundresses to wear. And guess what: When you’re not bringing polyester kaftans with you, you might find that your garments actually feel fresher than they usually do so you don’t need to bring several complete looks.

FOR CHIC DINNERS IN PALMA

Palma city has an old charm, and it’s all about pared-back luxury. Glam is for Magaluf, which is a 30-minute drive away. Every evening, I realised that most of us diners, tanned and hungry, had received the all-white dress code memo. It’s a big thing there. My tip is to go for mix-and-match separates. I love my beautiful pleated cotton top from Reformation (see below) that is made up of multiple panels. The pattern works to shape your bust and waist beautifully, without feeling restrictive, which you might get from a corset.

I paired my white tops with jeans from my favourite upcycling brand E.L.V. denim and a pair of 100% linen, lined trousers.

For another night out, I brought a stunning white silk number from The Fold, which can be worn with or without a bra. If you do wear a bra, it has nifty straps that you can clip your lingerie into to stop it slipping down your shoulders. 

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FOR BEACH TOWN DAYS

One of the most popular beach towns in Mallorca is Deià, a quaint area that’s known for the Belmond La Residencia hotel. An absolute must-visit, if even just for lunch. The terrace has the most postcard-perfect views of the Tramuntana mountains. I wore a breezy, scallop-detail dress from Paper London. It’s the details that make the beachy throw-on look so expensive—the contrast embroidery, the continued scallop feature on the shoulder straps and, best of all, opaque cotton, which really should be the standard but is remarkably difficult to find.

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FOR EXPLORING

I really am a "set girl.” I saw plenty of stylish women in black co-ords over neutral bikinis on my trip, but there’s nothing like the dopamine hit of wearing bold colours. My most repeated outfit this summer is a brilliant green L.F.Markey outfit. The dyes are OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which means they’ve been tested for harmful chemicals and are safe to wear. This is 100% linen and opaque, which actually feels like an accomplishment to find.

I swapped the shirt for an oversized Casablanca graphic tee that’s 100% organic cotton. I’ve been a watchful fan since I reviewed its summer collection this year—so many of its pieces are fantastic quality in material and construction. My tip is if you were planning to buy one of its basics, go for the menswear. The fabric is much thicker and the same price as women’s.

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FOR SUNBATHING IN SPF 50

I cannot hide my love for Isa Boulder’s designs. When it comes to well-made swimwear, it’s a category I’ve found that price hardly ever equates to quality. But this brand—so far—has been an exception. Boulder’s pieces are unique, and the techniques used, whether it’s braiding or weaving recycled polyamide, create pieces that can be worn beyond poolside. When I’m shopping for items that are inherently tricky to call "sustainable” (recycled synthetics can’t be infinitely recycled, and those that can be aren’t easily available), I try to find different ways to style them outside of a holiday.

For a cover-up, I used a large shawl. It’s a great travel hack, as it can be used in chilly aeroplane cabins, but in a pinch, it could also be styled as a minidress.

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Up next, what to never wear on a plane.