Pack like a pro
As the creative director at Oroton, Sophie Holt knows how to pack for summer vacations.
Jackets
I always throw in a blazer. My favourite is a silk-blend, double-breasted classic style from the French label Lemaire. It’s versatile for both day and evening.
Dresses
The Oroton long-line cotton shirt dress is really easy to travel with. It’s in a lightweight voile with a vintage stripe and works well belted and worn with sandals or unbuttoned over bathers.
Tops
I generally stick to dresses when on holiday but always pack a few Isabel Marant caftan shirts.
Pants
I live in Acne Studios denim, currently the straight-fit jeans.
Swimwear
I discovered the Eres Les Essentiels Cassiopée bandeau swimsuit in Hawaii six years ago and have been collecting colours ever since. It’s a flattering shape.
Shoes
I’m a flat shoes person
– I love Isabel Marant or Ancient Greek leather sandals. If I’m going to the beach, I also pack a pair of slip-on espadrilles I found in a Marseille market.
Accessories
My mother had a great collection of vintage shell necklaces I’ve held onto. I also layer Old Céline and Jil Sander gold jewellery. And I take along a few silk scarves.
Bags
I’ve always been obsessed with baskets. I love pairing a natural straw basket with the colours and prints of my summer wardrobe.
Luggage
Mandarina Duck is my suitcase brand of choice because it’s stylish and not too heavy.
Do you roll or fold? I always fold carefully with tissue paper to avoid creasing. It’s a process.
Do you unpack at the hotel or live out of your suitcase? A bit of both. On holidays, I enjoy the unpacking process – there’s something special about having the time to do it and making the room feel like my own. On a work trip, I’m often moving from hotel to hotel so living out of my suitcase is more realistic. I usually workshop my outfits before I leave and pack by category then everything is ready to grab and go. What do you wear for long flights? I’ve learnt to become a low-maintenance flyer. I’ll often just be in my Isabel Marant slides, a good pair of jeans and a cotton T-shirt. For long-haul flights, I always hop into the signature Qantas pyjamas on the plane and I bring a Uniqlo cashmere crew-neck sweater to keep me warm. What are your non-negotiables? Augustinus Bader moisturiser, Klorane dry shampoo, Acne Studios basic T-shirts and my iPad. Are you loyal to a particular colour scheme? One of the favourite parts of my job is working with colour so I’m always exploring different palettes. When I pack, I pick a theme in order to mix and match more easily. This summer, I’ve loved camels, lemons and creams. Are you influenced by your destination when packing? I definitely keep the destination in mind when I’m workshopping outfits before I leave. If I’m travelling to London or New York, I’ll stick to clean, minimalist dressing. But if I’m off to Greece or Turkey, I’ll go for stripes and embroidered caftans.