One of the silver linings of being a frequent traveler—beyond the miles accrued—is that packing isn’t so much a chore as it is muscle memory. “I have it down to a science,” says Ilona Hamer, co-founder of Australian resortwear label Matteau of her dialed system. Last year alone, the stylist and consultant spent about 250 days on the go.
Sticking to tried-and-true pieces and embracing the outfit repeat is her way of making the process feel like second nature. “I am a creature of habit and tend to wear the same sort of looks,” she says. “I ultimately know that I could happily survive off very few items of clothing if I have to.”
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Destination matters, and Hamer rotates the contents of her carry-on accordingly, depending on whether the itinerary spells out city or beach—or a mix of both. For seaside getaways, she favors easygoing dresses and lightweight, natural fabrics that can withstand the sweat and sunscreen that come with long, sun-soaked days by the water.
“You have to look and feel like yourself, even on vacation,” she says. “I am a big believer in wearing the same thing over and over; that’s how you develop personal style.” New shoes, for instance, stay at home in favor of old faithfuls, like her Manolo Blahnik Susa sandals, which she owns in multiples and has relied on for 12 years and counting. Jewelry, a vintage tee, or a pop of color through a cashmere sweater are small tricks she’s picked up along the way to keep her go-tos interesting.
Hamer’s just wrapped an extended trip to Italy, where she split time between Pantelleria, to shoot Matteau’s newest campaign, and Rome, to welcome summer with friends of the brand at La Posta Vecchia, just outside of the capital on the Tyrrhenian Sea. We caught up with her shortly after her return, where she shared her fail-safe tips for packing for a beach holiday—including her tried-and-true travel outfit (it involves Charvet!) and her best-kept secret for dealing with wrinkles.
