I’ve gotten very good at packing for a summer weekend, mostly because I’ve gotten very bad at packing too much.

Somewhere in the last few years I stopped bringing the “just in case” pieces and started bringing the things I actually reach for.

And what I’ve learned is the clothes matter far less than I thought.

It’s the accessories that do the real work.

The right bag, the right sandal, one necklace that goes with everything.

This is what takes a plain white top and a pair of linen pants from Saturday morning to Saturday night.

So here’s what actually goes in my bag, every single time.

The Bags

You need three and only three. I’ve tried to get away with two and it never works.

The Canvas Tote This is the beach bag, the market bag, and the “I am walking into town for the afternoon” bag. It should be big, it should be washable, and it should not be precious. Whatever you pick, make sure it can hold a wet towel without you thinking twice about it.

Saint Laurent Shoulder Bag  The everyday bag, and the one piece I’d tell you to spend on. Light enough to carry all day, interesting enough that it doesn’t feel like an afterthought. I love that it’s black, which sounds counterintuitive for summer, but in raffia the woven texture keeps it light and breezy and the bronze hardware warms it up. A black bag with a white dress is one of the chicest combinations out there, and in raffia feels like peak summer. If you invest in one bag, make it this one.

The clutch For dinners out. It comes out at exactly the moments you want to feel put together, and it holds a phone, a lipgloss, and a credit card, which is really all you need on a summer night.

The Shoes

Three pairs. Not five. I’ve packed five and worn two, every time.

Nomasei Venus Sandals The dressy one. Gold goes with everything and the block heel means you can actually walk in them, which really matters when the walk to dinner is over cobblestones or grass. This is the pair that takes a summer dress from day to night. If you buy one nice pair of summer shoes, make it a metallic sandal. Code ZHUSH10

Hoka Cliftons The shoe that literally does the most work and gets the least credit. Walking into town, the morning walk, the travel day there and back. A clean, neutral sneaker is not glamorous, but you’ll wear it more than anything else in your bag.

Archies Flip Flops The flip flop. Every packing list needs the shoe you throw on to walk down to the water, and this one is as practical as it is cute.

The Jewelry

Here’s my rule: one you never take off all summer, one you save for dinner, and a couple in between you can layer or swap depending on the day.

Natalie Martin Shell Necklace This is the one that lives on me all summer. Shells feel right at the beach in a way that nothing else does, and it looks just as good with a swimsuit as it does with a white shirt.

BaubleBar Jamie Semi-Precious Beaded Necklace in Tiger’s Eye and Citrine The warm stones do something lovely against a tan. This is my dinner necklace, the one that makes a simple outfit look considered.

Natalie Martin Turquoise Charm Carrier Turquoise and summer belong together, full stop. Layer it with the shells or wear it alone.

Madewell Semiprecious Wood Beaded Choker The casual one, and the least expensive of the bunch. Perfect for daytime.

The Hat and the Sunglasses

The hat Do not skip this. At 59, I’ve made peace with the fact that a hat is not optional, it is skincare. Find one that packs flat like this one or that you don’t mind carrying, and wear it every day.

The sunglasses Same logic. Bring one pair you love, not three pairs you tolerate.

That’s the whole list. One tote, one everyday bag, one clutch, three pairs of shoes, a few necklaces, a hat, and sunglasses.

Everything else is just clothes:)

SHOP THE PACKING LIST:

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