How to do a MICRO PACK

Three days in Rome with just this backpack (wine bottle for scale)

When I announced I was off to Rome in June, I showed you the luggage I was planning to take – a Primark backpack exactly the right size to go under an EasyJet seat.

There was some incredulity that I could think to go to a major city for three days with such a small receptacle and I promised to show what I packed.

When I subsequently cancelled the trip a reader asked if I would still show my packing, so here we are.

The entire pack, minus what I would have worn on the plane.

Not only did it all fit very easily into the backpack – there was room to spare. I could have shopped.

Plenty of room for my stole and book in the outside pocket. See more about the book at the end.*

And I promise you, I included absolutely everything I would have taken on that trip in this mock up – right down to packing my make up and wash bag as if actually preparing to go.

I also repacked it with my trainers inside the bag, in case I wanted to wear the sandals to come home in. It still went in very easily.

One of the reasons I was able to pack so lightly, was the same reason we ended up cancelling the trip: it was going to be 40 degrees in Rome. (I just couldn’t face it, in a city that would be very crowded with summer visitors).

For such heat I would want to wear mostly linen – and not much of it.

So for the main day I would have worn my staple navy linen summer dress, with a Panama hat to keep the sun off my head. A pair of comfy sandals – but not Birkenstocks in a stylish city – and my crossbody bag.

I put these sandals on in rather a hurry, as you can see. Sorry.