WIT-ty summer holiday packing

I'm off for a week's holiday at the beach in Italy. I hate packing but I've become very strategic about it so thought I would share some of my packing tips as well as showing what's in my suitcase. 

This is how I do it:

LOCATION: Maremma, Italy

HOLIDAY: Beach 

DAYS: 7 

EVENTS: none 

STYLE: totally relaxed 

Packing tips:

KEEP IT TONAL- I've chosen a palette of navy, corals, neutrals and denim- this way everything goes with anything, I can improvise and mix and match.

THINK FOR THE WORSE- I always pack a "in case it's cold" trousers, a hoodie (great against air-con on planes), one pair of socks and at least one pair of closed toe shoes.

SHOE REALISTIC- With the exception of a chic tan wedge, I rarely wear heels on a beach holiday and tend to prefer flats. My rule is ONE dressy, ONE casual, ONE close-toed.

DRESS-ME-UP/DPWN DRESS- I have to have it, possibly in a coral or emerald green to go with my tan. It has t be simple so to be worn with casual shoes or dressed up for the evening.

STYLISH LUGGAGE- I've said this before.. no point in doing all this work and then wheeling an Argos trolley. Luggage is a life tile investment and has to be as stylish as my outfits.

What's in my 7 days&night suitcase:

1- SWIMWEAR one swimsuit, two bikinis (same style different colours cause over seven days I don't want to worry about tan marks)

2- T-SHIRTS (two stripy, two block colours)

3- SUN HAT (I love this gold trilby from M&S)

4- COVER-UP (I opted for a cool&casual denim jacket)

5- SKIRT (the go-with-anything denim)

6- SUMMER CARDIGAN (for chilly nights- mine is balck and goes with anything)

7- SARONG (a thick cotton style is so chic)

8- BEACH COVER UP (I opted for an oversize crisp white shirt to leave opened over a bikini or belt up)

9- SIGHTSEEING BAG ( I love this hands free from Anya Hindmarch)

10- MAXI DRESS (a MUST- I'm packing two jersey numbers from ASOS, great for day or night)

11- CHINO'S (my "in case it's cold" trouser)

12- SHOES (one pair of tan wedges and three flats: one dressy, one casual one closed toe)

13- THE DRESS ME UP/DOWN DRESS (kind of says it all)

14- EVENING BAG (my summer Chanel 2.55)

15- DAY DRESS (a loose fit stripy number)

16- BEACH BAG (this is actually the cotton dust bag from one of my Anya bags but it's lovely and takes no space)

17- BELTS (one tan leather and one black fabric)

18- STATEMENT DRESS (this is my Chanel navy silk maxi shirt dress and I actually have feelings for it)

19- DRESSY PANTS (I love these coral cropped style- perfect dressed up with my wedges)

20- SUMMER SCARF (great on the beach or on the plane if air-con gets chilly)

21- JEANS (boyfriend style for a relaxed fit)

22- HOODIE (great for traveling)

PS. I'll be "mobile-blogging" for the first time from tomorrow...