I'm On An Island

Well, almost! Very soon we'll be on a Greek Island in the South Aegean.

Courtesy of Google images

Here!

Photographed in Corfu last year

Despite flying with a cheap 'n' cheerful airline we've each got a generous 22 kg baggage allowance included - and we intend to use it! We're driving to the airport and being picked up on arrival so, for once in our lives, we won't be lugging our belongings on and off public transport -so there's no real need to pack light. Also, after two months of being on the road with space for our own clothes extremely limited, we've both gone a bit mad and allowed ourselves plenty of sartorial choices.

June 2017

Don't worry, though, I haven't gone and bought myself a whole new wardrobe or anything daft like that. If I see something summery (and affordable) I like in a charity shop, regardless of having a holiday booked or the time of year, I buy it, stick it in the washing machine and stash it away in a suitcase on top of the wardrobe. When it comes to packing for a trip I simply grab the case, tip it upside down on the bed and it's like shopping for free as I've usually forgotten what I've put in there.

From left: Dollyrockers cotton maxi, white cheesecloth maxi, Marissa lace-up cotton maxi, 1960s psychedelic hooded gown, Grecian style rainbow dress, original Ossie Clark halterneck.

 With the exception of the white cheesecloth maxi which I found in a charity shop for a couple of quid a few weeks ago, you'll have seen all these dresses before. It'll be the first time I've worn that 1960s psychedelic hooded gown which I snaffled from Aspidistra Vintage at Stockport's Vintage Village at the beginning of the Summer.

My Dollyrockers and Grecian-style maxis made the journey to Corfu last year.

 The only things that haven't been featured on the blog before are the navy cotton shirred top and the embroidered, tassel-trimmed shorts which cost £1 each and came from my favourite charity clearance shop. I made the off-the-shoulder top out of a charity shopped Indian cotton scarf a couple of years ago and I've had the vintage '70s Scandinavian patchwork print skirt for at least eight years. The Broderie Anglaise blouse and gingham skirt came from a certain Spanish label in last year's Summer sale - you might associate them with throwaway fashion but there's nothing disposable in my wardrobe, I buy things I love and keep them for years.

I borrowed the foldable straw sun hat from the Kinky Melon stall back at the Larmer Tree Festival when it was 35° degrees and my scalp was starting to burn and subsequently decided to keep it. The ruffled chartreuse bikini was 50p in a charity shop bargain bin (second hand swimwear? I've no problem with that - if it's dirty I don't buy it, if it isn't then I do). I found the Matthew Williamson tile print bikini on the clearance rail from one of the few shops remaining in Walsall town centre - it was reduced from £48 down to £8. At the last minute I also slipped a yellow triangle bikini in which I wore in Corfu.

The pom-pom trimmed basket came with me to Corfu last year, it'll double up as my carry-on baggage. The Moroccan leather clutch bag was a charity shop find (new with tags) at the beginning of the year and obviously I couldn't not buy the vintage '70s Greek souvenir shoulder bag I spotted for £1 in a charity shop last week.

Footwear! I bought the turquoise leather chappals in Mumbai back in February specifically for wearing in Greece, they cost around £3. My old pink jellies are for swimming in, Greek beaches are often pebbly and murder on the feet. I'll travel in my yellow clogs.

Also packed, but not pictured, is a vintage navy lace fringed poncho which I keep in my bag and chuck on for modesty's sake if we visit any monasteries or religious sites (as seen in photo above) and a couple of pairs of nude coloured knickers - that cheesecloth dress & rainbow stripe maxi are a bit on the see thru' side! There's also a pile of second-hand paperbacks (I've read everything on my E reader), a couple of pairs of sunglasses, hairbands & hair screws, my jewellery and my reading glasses.

Toiletries! Once a day sun cream in factors 20, 40 and a separate one for the face. Lush shampoo and conditioning bars, shave cream (Jon's) and deodorant bar. Pills and painkillers (just in case), Indian mozzie repellent, South African lip balm from my friend Kim. Facial scrub, a foot file, a mini bar of soap, his and hers razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a wet and dry hairbrush, eye makeup remover wipes and after sun. Cosmetic-wise it's the bare minimum, super bright matt lipstick, my black kohl pencil, creme blusher and turquoise nail paint. I've got eyelash extensions so no need for mascara.

Jon's bought nothing new either.

Most of these shirts and shorts travelled to Greece previously. (I've crossed the tsunami print shorts out as he's since decided to leave them behind). The only new addition is the 1980s pink St Michael granddad shirt. Curtise sent him the turquoise floral Paul Smith shirt years ago, it's just in case we go somewhere fancy (likewise the reason I've packed my Ossie Clark maxi). Not pictured are his black linen trousers and favourite vintage silk shirt which he's travelling in.

A couple of pairs of Birkis (he's travelling in desert boots), two pairs of swim shorts, four tee shirts, a vintage Kangol cap, sarong and a leather belt with a concealed zipper money compartment (bought almost 20 years ago in Goa).

Bring on the Greek salad!

This is my travel outfit - my patchwork maxi skirt and pom pom bag, a Moroccan enamelled pendant and a shirred blouse that cost me a £1.

See you soon!