At Citizen Femme, we talk a lot about what to pack for your holiday because, ultimately, the clothes we take with us set the tone for the trip.
Overpacking makes getting ready each morning feel chaotic, and leaving the wrong piece at home can change the way we feel that day. We want pieces that make us feel special, that denote that we’re away somewhere beautiful with our favourite people. Mastering packing requires careful consideration of the setting, occasion and how we want to feel when we’re there – a girls’ weekend in Paris will require a different wardrobe to a family beach break in Greece. Wherever we’re going, none of us want to be wasting time on holiday worrying about what to wear.
Our Never Travel Without series calls on some of the world’s most stylish globetrotting women to find out what they always pack – the sartorial classics they depend on year after year. Next up is British actress, artist and model Ruby Sear, best known for her breakout role in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, co-starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario. She plays Gabrielle, who becomes entangled in the gangster world, returning to screens on 3 September with the second instalment of the show.
Acting isn’t the only string to her bow. Sear has been a keen painter since she was a teenager and also runs a fashion line, Le Cherie, where she reinvents vintage and pre-loved clothes to create feminine, 30s-inspired dresses and separates. Her personal style and acting skills have been noticed by the luxury fashion world, and she has worked with Prada, Longchamp and Chloé. Sear’s varied work means she travels a lot, with a summer spent in between London, Lake Maggiore and Provence. Here, she shares her North Star packing items – and explains how to wear them.
The Ballet Pumps
“I wear my ballet flats everywhere, they’re my number one staple. I have two favourites – a black pair with a low block heel, and another flat pink style. I wear them with denim shorts, dresses, my favourite vintage pair of jeans, and even sportswear on the way to the gym. I have been known to forget to bring trainers with me though, and have ended up lifting weights in ballet pumps… They add a simple femininity to an outfit; I love wearing baggy jeans and an oversized T-shirt with my pink ballet flats. It makes a more masculine, casual outfit feel more feminine and put together, and they’re great on holiday because they’re comfy and perfect for the hot weather. You can bring them in your beach bag and slip them on if you’re going straight to dinner.”
The Nightie Dress
“I always pack a simple, fuss-free nightie dress. I have a large collection of mostly vintage designs, which I’ve picked up over the years living in LA, London and travelling with work. The 1930s-inspired style I’m wearing below is from my fashion line, Le Cherie, made in a super soft silk. Whenever I find one that fits me perfectly I can’t resist. I bought one of my favourite 1930s slips from Magpie Vintage in Islington, and another from Avalon Vintage in Highland Park, LA. Rouje and Dôen do some great modern versions that always serve me well. I usually wear them with ballet flats – surprise surprise!”
The Oversized White T-shirt
“A great slouchy white tee pairs with everything from shorts to jeans and comes in handy as a PJ top or for the gym. On holiday, I always take my linen and cotton styles because they’re the most breathable. I love the way they look with a skirt and ballet flats. Le Bon Shoppe is a go-to, the fit is perfect (The Little Boy Tee specifically). I have it in a few colours, it’s comfortable and flattering, but also not too fitted and doesn’t swamp me either. Brandy Melville is also pretty good for a basic T-shirt.”
The Retro Track Shorts
“I’ve had a few vintage adidas pairs for a few years. I bought my first when I lived in LA, and they’re great for hikes and walks, but also can be dressed up with ballet pumps and a cute top. I like how comfortable they are without feeling too much like pyjamas. They’re always a staple in my holiday wardrobe. Vinted is a good place to find cool pre-loved styles.”
The Painter’s Jacket (Plus My Painting Kit)
“My favourites are all vintage, although I recently bought a new addition for €38 in Marseille from Maison Empereur because I forgot to pack mine. I love throwing it over a mini dress and my ballet flats in the evening when it’s chilly. I also always bring one of two painting sets – usually my Windsor & Newton mini watercolour set because it’s more travel friendly – the paints dry almost instantly. I made a mechanism out of bulldog clips that means I can space a few canvas boards out, so I can travel safely without smudging them. I love taking myself off on solo adventures when on a group holiday to paint for an afternoon or morning because I always see things I may not have otherwise. I end up chatting to locals too as they’re often curious about what I’m painting. It’s a good way to spark conversation and connection, even with a language barrier. I love looking back at my sketch books and remembering the places I saw and the people I met.”
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
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