A Week in Greece With Three Pieces of Clothing

My friend Ana has a rule for the Greek islands: if it doesn't fit in a tote bag, it doesn't come. She's been doing this for years and always looks better than I do with a checked case. This year I finally tried it her way.

The tote held three things from the Everywhere Cotton-Linen Set in white: a short-sleeve top, a long-sleeve top and tie-waist pants. Plus a swimsuit, a tank, sandals and a toothbrush. That's it. That was the bag.

Here is the week, day by day, ferry by ferry.

7days

3pieces

4ferries

0times ironed

Day 105:50 · Athens, the flight

Long sleeves for the plane

Long-sleeve top, pants, sandals in the bag, sneakers on. The cabin is freezing, as they always are, and the long sleeves are exactly enough. I land, take a taxi to the port, and the sleeves go up to the elbow. I'm dressed for the ferry deck without opening my tote.

The fabric is a cotton-linen blend with that soft, slightly rumpled texture straight from the start. There's nothing here to protect from creasing, because creasing is what it looks like.

Day 210:30 · Naxos, the old town

Short sleeves, first swim

Short-sleeve top and pants for the marble lanes of the old town. It's 86°F by eleven. The linen breathes. I don't sweat through anything. By the beach I take the top off over the swimsuit and use it as a cover-up walking back. Two outfits, one piece, no bag.

See the Three-Piece Set

$74 this week · Was $104

Day 221:00 · Naxos, taverna on the harbor

The same pants, a different evening

Pants with the tank top, the long-sleeve top over my shoulders for the harbor breeze. Gold hoops. I look, according to the waiter, "very Greek", which I take as the highest compliment available. The couple at the next table are wearing what they packed in their suitcases. They look hotter than I do. Not in the good way.

Day 407:15 · Ferry to Paros

Sink wash, ferry dry

Rinsed the short-sleeve top in the sink last night with a squirt of shampoo. Hung it on the balcony. Dry by six. On the ferry I'm wearing all three pieces: short-sleeve top, long-sleeve over it, pants. As the sun climbs, the layers come off one at a time. By Paros I'm down to the short sleeve and the tote is a little fuller. Same three pieces, three temperatures.

Day 513:00 · Paros, lunch in Naoussa

Compliment count reaches double digits

Full set, short sleeves, sandals. A woman at the next table asks where the set is from and whether it comes in navy. It does. She writes it down. That's compliment number ten by my count, which is nine more than I usually get on a trip and all from a tote bag.

The tie waist is the reason lunch can be as long as it wants. Nothing digs in. Nothing needs loosening.

Day 706:40 · Ferry to Athens, then the flight

Long sleeves home, bag lighter than my handbag

Long-sleeve top, pants, sneakers for the plane home. The tote weighs less than my handbag. The set has done seven days, four ferries, two sink washes and one very long lunch, and it looks exactly as it did on day one. Maybe softer.

Ana was right, which I've now told her, which was a mistake. I've ordered the navy. She's ordered the beige. The tote bag rule is permanent.

Get the Set for $74

My whole packing list

for 7 days, 3 islands, one tote bag

Everywhere Set, white: short-sleeve top, long-sleeve top, pants (the trip lives on these three)
1 white tank
1 swimsuit
Sandals I can walk in, sneakers for ferries
Gold hoops, one bracelet
Travel-size shampoo (doubles as laundry)
~~A suitcase~~ a tote bag

Postcards from other readers

★★★★★

“Nine days in Portugal with the navy set and a tank. First trip of my life where I wore everything I packed.”

Helen · Vermont · verified buyer

★★★★★

“Long-sleeve top over the short-sleeve on the plane, peel it off at the gate. I'd never have thought of it. Light blue, and I'm buying rust.”

Dana · Illinois · verified buyer

★★★★★

“I'm 63 and I wanted something that looked considered without looking like I'd tried. The beige set is exactly that. Compliments every single time.”

Carol · Texas · verified buyer

Boarding passReader fare · this week

$74 for all three pieces, this week

Was$104.00

Now$74.00

Saving29%

SizesXS–3XL

Colors10

IroningNone

The Everywhere Cotton-Linen Set is normally $104. Readers pay $74 this week, any of the ten colors, sizes XS to 3XL. That's $30 off and under $25 a piece. White and navy go first, every time. If the stub below still works, the fare is still valid.

Claim My Fare · $74

Save $30 · Discount applied on the product page

✓ Free exchanges · Secure checkout · Ships in 24h

Pick your island color

Tap a color to check sizes. I'd start with white or navy, then argue with a friend about the beige.

Army Green Black

Royal Blue Coral

Before you fly

Is it really three separate pieces?

Yes. A short-sleeve top, a long-sleeve top and tie-waist straight-leg pants, all in the same cotton-linen fabric and color, sold together.

Do I have to iron it?

No. The soft linen texture is the design. Hang it in the bathroom while you shower if you want it smoother. I didn't bother all week.

How does it fit?

Relaxed and true to size. Gently boxy tops, straight pants with an elastic tie waist. Sizes XS to 3XL. Size up if you want it looser. Exchanges are free.

Is the white see-through?

No. It's a mid-weight blend. I wore the white pants over a swimsuit and the white top over a tank without a second thought.

How fast does it ship?

Orders ship within 24 hours with tracking. Delivery estimates for your address show at checkout.

Verdict, seven days later

Three pieces did a flight, four ferries, two beaches, one long lunch and one very good dinner, and came home looking like they'd enjoyed it. I've never packed less or looked better.

At $74 for all three, it costs less than the checked-bag fees I used to pay. And the tote bag rule is now the only rule.

Check Availability · Get the Set for $74

Save $30 · Sizes XS–3XL · Free exchanges

P.S. Ana has just asked to borrow my white set for Sicily. The tote bag rule apparently has exceptions.