With summer at its peak, I made a journey back to Kent to spend time with my family and celebrate my birthday. Its the place where I grew up and the one that holds a special place in my heart. I make it a point to visit several times a year, especially during the summer when its beauty truly shines.
Our itinerary was simple yet delightful: soaking up the summer sunshine while lounging in the garden, dining al fresco, and exploring the charming coastal towns nearby. On this particular trip, I visited Canterbury, Broadstairs, and Margate.
This trip report provides all the details of my holiday, including what I packed, the outfits I wore, and the activities I enjoyed during my stay. Inspired by one-bag travel, these reports aim to highlight the advantages and challenges of travel capsule wardrobes—what works, what doesn't, and strategies for improving packing lists for future trips.
Travel Bag(s)
MUJI 36L Hard Trolley Suitcase
Travelling with my dog, I find a MUJI 36L Hard Trolley Suitcase more convenient than juggling two separate bags. One side contains all his dog travel essentials and the other contains mine. While not technically one bag travel, the space I'm using is the equivalent to a 25L backpack.
Lafudge Messenger Bag
I purchased a Lafudge Messenger Bag on Vinted and it arrived right before my coastal trip, giving me a good opportunity to test it out for travel—and it's great! The utilitarian style with clip-on pouch is incredibly useful, especially when you have a dog.
Packing List
I've already shared a full break down of my coastal trip capsule wardrobe so I won't go into detail here about the clothes I packed. But below is everything else I packed including my travel make-up, toiletries, and tech.
Capsule Wardrobe
- Midaxi Dress
- Maxi Skirt
- Sleeveless Dress
- Cardigan
- Fitted Blouse
- Cropped Shirt
- Messenger Bag
- Swimsuit
- Sandals
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Necklace
Travel Outfit
(not included in travel capsule)
Toiletries
- Mascara
- Makeup Palette
- Liquid Blush
- Setting Powder
- Lipstick
- Lip Balm
- Cleanser
- Moisturiser
- Brushes
- Perfume
- Deodorant
- Hair Oil
- Wide Tooth Comb
- Makeup Bag
- Mini medi-kit
Tech
- eReader
- Laptop
Travel Outfits
Day One: Travel Outfit
- Oversized Gingham Dress
- Bike Shorts
- Sandals
Day Two: Relaxing
- Sleeveless Dress
- Sandals
Day Three: Broadstairs & Family BBQ
- Cropped Shirt
- Maxi Skirt
- Sandals
Day Four: Canterbury & Margate
- Midaxi Dress
- Cardigan
- Sandals
Day Five: Travel Outfit
- Oversized Gingham Dress
- Bike Shorts
- Sandals
What Worked
- I took a chance on the weather forecast and decided not to pack a jacket at all, not even as part of my travel outfit just in case. Since I was staying with family, I figured I could easily borrow one if needed, though I probably wouldn't have risked it for any other trip!
- Despite my uncertainty, I did pack a cardigan, which turned out to be a wise choice. The cardigan saved the day when the temperatures dropped unexpectedly during a late evening walk back from Margate.
- Attention to detail makes a big impact when creating a travel capsule wardrobe. I like to choose jewellery that complements the destination, and the ammonite necklace I wore all holiday perfectly matched the coastal surroundings.
- Recently, I got my first pair of prescription sunglasses, and they've been a game-changer. Normally, I would pack contact lenses, but I find glasses more comfortable to wear.
- Packing bike shorts to wear under dresses and skirts has become essential for me regardless of the season. They provide excellent comfort by preventing chafing in humid conditions and adding extra warmth during colder weather.
What Didn't
- I planned my outfits with the unpredictable coastal weather in mind. Anticipating the need for layers, I packed a couple of shirts—a fitted one and a loose one—but ended up wearing only the latter. Looking back, packing just one top would have been sufficient for this trip.
- Kent offers plenty of opportunities for wild swimming, so I packed my swimsuit expecting to take a dip. However, the weather during this trip wasn't quite warm enough. A swimsuit doesn't take up much space so I'll continue to pack it for every trip even though I didn't need it this time.
- I've learned that I should leave my laptop behind on summer trips. I didn't use it at all and it took up valuable space in my suitcase. While having the option to work while traveling is useful, for summer trips I rarely find the need for it.
- While opting for a single suitcase instead of two separate bags—one for myself and one for the dog—makes practical sense, it can sometimes result in overpacking. Although it's tempting to utilise the extra space, I have to be mindful of packing unnecessary items.
- I packed enough socks for each day of the trip yet I didn't wear a single pair! Next time, I'll trust the weather forecast and bring just one emergency pair, as socks are easy to handwash.
- Despite my meticulous packing, I still managed to forget my sunhat! I intended to wear it during the journey but somehow left it behind. It would have been incredibly useful, especially since the weather was fantastic, and I spent most of my time outdoors.
- In hindsight, I realize that I could have managed the entire trip with just one pair of shoes. While having the extra option was nice, it wasn't essential and just one pair would have been enough for all the activities I enjoyed.