On the Go: Carry-On Chic

I just got back from Dubrovnik, Croatia, and let me tell you—it’s one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a postcard. Between the terracotta rooftops, Adriatic blues, and limestone streets that seem to glow at sunset, I wanted my outfits to feel just as photogenic as the city itself.

For this trip, I challenged myself to pack everything into a carry-on—a major feat for me. If you know me, you know I’m a chronic over-packer, the kind of person who has had to unpack and repack her suitcase on the airport floor just to make the weight limit (more than once). But I’m so glad I stuck to the carry-on because Dubrovnik is full of stairs. Like, full of stairs. Lugging a giant checked bag up and down those stone steps would’ve been a nightmare.

So, I focused on versatile pieces that could go from cobblestone strolls to seaside dinners without taking up much space. Here’s exactly what I packed, how I styled it, and why I think Dubrovnik might be my new favorite destination for both travel and fashion.

Neutral Tops & Tanks

Tanks are the foundation of almost every travel outfit I put together, so I packed a few in simple white and black—each with a slightly different cut or neckline to keep things interesting. My perfect white tank (the one I reviewed here) was a no-brainer: soft, form-fitting, and never sheer, even in Dubrovnik’s bright sunlight. I paired it with linen trousers for daytime exploring and with a fun skirt and extra accessories at night. I also brought a black high-neck tank and a thin-strapped black cami, which instantly made even my most casual looks feel a little more polished.

To balance out the tank tops, I packed two white linen blouses—one sleeveless (the Mykonos blouse from Rouri) and one with sleeves. Both blouses were lightweight and breathable while still looking polished. I paired them with with my linen pants, skirts, and shorts for easy but put-together looks. Sticking to black and white meant everything mixed and matched effortlessly, but playing with different necklines kept my outfits from feeling repetitive. Shop some of my favorite tops and tanks below!

Some Basic & Some Bold Bottoms

For this trip, I focused on breathable fabrics and versatile silhouettes. My linen pants were an easy yes—they were perfect for long days of sightseeing and looked instantly polished with a tank and sandals. I also packed linen shorts for those really hot afternoons when comfort was non-negotiable but I still wanted to look put-together.

For skirts, I went with two white options: a casual mini for daytime wandering and a midi for evenings when I wanted something a little more refined. Both played beautifully with all my neutral tops, and because they were white, they kept my looks feeling cohesive and airy.

And then there were my bold bottoms—polka dot skirts and gingham shorts. I brought them as my statement pieces, and they ended up being some of my favorites to wear. The playful prints were a fun break from my otherwise neutral palette and gave my outfits a little personality without taking up much space in my suitcase. Shop my outfits below plus some of my other picks on my ShopMy!

Versatile (& Comfortable) Sandals

Next on my list was a pair of versatile, comfortable, and stylish sandals—because Dubrovnik is definitely a walking city. For this trip, I packed my A.Emery Shel Sandals in Eggshell, and honestly, I wore them pretty much every day. The neutral shade worked with everything I brought, from linen trousers to slip dresses, and they somehow managed to look elevated while still being comfortable enough for all those endless stairs and limestone streets.

Though I did get blisters from these sandals, I attribute it more to the fact I hadn't broken them in and hadn't worn a lot of thong-style sandals before. Overall, I found them to be especially comfortable and durable—the footbed almost reminds me of my Birkenstocks. I know the Shel style isn't available anymore, but I've linked some of my other favorite styles from the brand below!

Accessories that Pop

With a mostly neutral wardrobe, I relied on accessories to bring the fun. I packed a few pieces of playful jewelry—gold hoops, a couple of chunky necklaces, and a pair of statement earrings I picked up on a past trip—that instantly elevated even my simplest tank-and-linen-pants outfits.

I loved layering necklaces to make even the simplest tank and skirt combo feel intentional. I opted for a chunky blue beaded necklace as my base and paired it with a ceramic fish necklace I found on Etsy—a quirky little piece that felt perfect for a seaside vacation. Together, they gave my outfits a fun, coastal vibe without feeling overdone, and they were the kind of accessories that instantly made my looks feel “finished” even when I was basically just wearing a swimsuit and sandals.

Scarves were another MVP. I packed two that I picked up from Anthropologie—and wore them mostly as headscarves for windy days and lazy hair mornings. But the beauty of scarves is how versatile they are: tie one around your neck, knot it onto a bag handle, or even wear it as a belt, and suddenly your outfit feels more styled and intentional. They’re tiny, lightweight, and add so much personality without taking up precious suitcase space. See some of my style inspo below!

The best part about accessories in general? They don’t take up much room but make it so easy to change up your look. Swapping out jewelry or tying on a scarf made it feel like I had double the outfits without actually packing more clothes.

And while my mostly worn shoes were definitely my A.Emery sandals, I couldn’t resist packing my red Valentino Mary Jane flats. They were surprisingly comfortable for walking the city walls, but more importantly, they added that perfect pop of color to my otherwise neutral palette. Paired with my white midi skirt and a white tank, they gave my outfit an instant “styled on purpose” feel without trying too hard.

Even with a small suitcase, these little extras made a big impact. From versatile scarves to playful jewelry and my pop-of-red Mary Janes, accessories gave my neutral capsule personality and kept my outfits feeling fresh. They took up almost no space but made it easy to switch up my look every day—proof that the right details really do pull everything together. Shop some of looks and accessory picks below!

Packing everything into a carry-on felt like a challenge at first (chronic over-packers, I see you), but it ended up being the best decision I could’ve made for Dubrovnik’s endless stairs and limestone streets. By sticking to a mostly neutral capsule and adding a few playful accessories, I had outfits that worked for every occasion—without lugging around a giant suitcase.

This trip reminded me that traveling in style doesn’t have to mean overpacking; it’s about choosing versatile pieces you love, adding a few accessories that pop, and letting the experience—not your luggage—take up space. And honestly? I didn’t miss that extra suitcase one bit.

Happy traveling!

xx Patsy