$59 Quince European Linen Dress (Short-Sleeved Version Here!) / Jack Rogers Lauren II Sandals / Dragon Diffusion Tote (J.Crew’s new Market Tote is gorgeous and way more affordable!) / Peter Beaton Hat (Currently sold out, but try this crushable Amazon hat!) / Girls’ Blue Dresses / Girls’ Jelly Sandals

I used to be a serial over-packer. Nervous that I wouldn’t have what I needed once I arrived at my designation, I would stuff my suitcase in an effort to prepare for every possible scenario I could imagine. My nightmare was ending up on a mountain without the proper gear. Oh wait, that actually happened to me. (Thanks for not warning me, MITCH. 😆) During the pandemic, though, I significantly downsized my wardrobe in an effort to make laundry—and life in general—easier. And it’s really worked. A bonus is that because I only have so many versatile travel go-to’s, packing has been made easier, too.

This dress is one of those go-to’s. It’s the $59 Quince (sleeveless) European Linen Dress, and it gets a lot of wear when I travel. (There’s a version with short sleeves, too!)

I wore this dress to breakfast every morning before changing into my swimsuit. Pre-Pandemic Kelly probably would have packed several other dresses because she thought she “had” to, but Post-Pandemic Kelly knew she likely only needed one. And man, that was nice. It brought me back to my Catholic school days; no decisions necessary! Just throw on the plaid jumper and go.