The founder of Sentier—a family-run Italian shoe company that makes the coolest Friulane slippers and hiking boots—spends time on Pantelleria each summer with friends, arriving with minimal baggage: no makeup, no electronics, just a refreshing edit of time-worn pareos, a straw bag from a Formentera grocery store, and Levi’s cutoffs. Her carefree-yet-considered packing ethos is exactly the energy we’re striving for this summer.
What’s your go-to luggage and why?
For the past several years, I’ve spent a week or two in July with friends in Pantelleria. Whether I’m staying in Pantelleria for one or two weeks, the size of my luggage is the same, just a little more packed. I started using the Eastpak soft trolley cabin bag, which is the perfect size for me for the summer, along with my no-brand straw shoulder bag, which I always buy at the grocery store in Formentera—very “payesa” style (but that is another story)!
I try my best to not check luggage most of the time, but if I take sunscreen, shampoo, and after-sun products, I have to check it in.
How do you approach the basics?
I follow a palette of two main colors that change every summer—never too bright, but basic and chic. This year’s colors are blue and chocolate, plus denim and white are always in my luggage, since they go with everything.
For bottoms, I always pack a lightweight printed silk wrap skirt that’s old DKNY, a striped linen one from Soeur, and cotton poplin pants in khaki from Labo.Art. They all match with every top.
I bring two different colors of the pareo from Once Milano, which I use during the day to walk to the pool and in the evening as a shawl—their colors are just wonderful. I love wearing poplin men’s shirts (like this one from Crimson Cashmere) over a bathing suit with denim shorts during the day to go out on the boat, or with light jeans in the evening. My denim shorts are cut from an old pair of Levi’s 501s, and are also great for long inland walks. I pack two or three kaftans, my favorites are the striped ones from P.Lemoult and the printed earthy-tone ones from Tulsi Shop. I always get the same “Tibetan” style from Tulsi, which are comfy, chic and have pockets!
And I never travel without my favorite pajamas from La Veste La Veste or Tulsi Shop. They’re perfect for breakfast in the garden or paired with a men’s shirt to go into town in Pantelleria to shop. Plus several bathing suits, usually a mix of one and two pieces that are all from Lido Lido.
Are you a roller or a folder?
Mostly a roller but I fold too, depending on the item.
What’s your shoe strategy?
It goes without saying that the shoes travelling with me are my Sentier Italia Friulana Principe in velvet. I take two or three colors because they’re easy to pack, go with everything, and work from day to night. I also pack my favorite Picon sandals from K.Jacques.
How do you think about accessories?
Besides my Sentier Italia silver and bone horn, I pack my Navajo silver and turquoise bracelet, coral necklaces, bead and shell necklaces from Four Beadden, and a mix of gold necklaces I always wear. And I’m never without my mini straw bag from Formentera.
Do you have a great travel hat?
Yes, an old faded Gucci straw hat that I can fold and put inside my straw bag always travels with me to any Mediterranean island.
What’s always in your Dopp kit/toiletry bag/pharmacy kit?
Pantelleria is freeing and no make up is required. I don’t wear much makeup anyway, and if we go out to dinner, I just use a natural Chanel gloss lipstick.
On a plane, what essentials does your carry-on bag always contain?
Day and Night cream from Comfort Zone, as well as their after sun too. My hair products are very natural from Cultum.
Any wisdom on traveling with electronics?
I don’t bring any electronics, besides my iPhone.
Do you have a travel uniform?
Denim or white jeans that are loose and comfortable, never tight, from Frame or Roy Rogers. A striped t-shirt from Cos or a denim shirt from Ralph Lauren, with a denim jacket from Ines de la Fressange. A pareo/shawl is always in my bag for AC in the airport/plane. For shoes I usually wear New Balance sneakers, which work on the mountainous part of the island.
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