When I first decided to go on a three-month backpacking trip across Europe, I had also resolved to go carry-on only.
I mean, I didn’t want to be those people carrying giant backpacks around that they can barely lift. I didn’t want to feel like toppling over from exhaustion every day. And I certainly didn’t want to pay extra for checked luggage on budget flights within Europe.
I was determined to pack light but going carry-on only was easier said than done.
By far the most time-consuming part of preparing for my three-month backpacking trip across Europe was deciding which clothing items to pack. More experienced travelers have said, gather everything you want to pack, then throw half back. But I needed to pack for the warm sunny weather in Dubrovnik, grey rainy weather in London, perhaps cold snowy weather as winter approaches. This multi-weather trip was posing a real problem for my goal to go carry-on only.
How was I going to fit everything I needed and *attempt* to look stylish in the streets of Europe?
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not the most stylish person in the world — that’s why I’m not a fashion blogger! However, I like to think that I’ve done a pretty good job of staying stylish in Europe with my limited wardrobe.
After much indecision, much debate, and much research into versatile travel garments, I was finally able to narrow down what I was packing to fit in my Osprey Farpoint 40 L
The Encircled Chrysalis Cardi
The Encircled Chrysalis Cardi has been the perfect versatile travel garment for my adventures in the streets of Europe!
The Chrysalis Cardi can be styled in over eight looks, transforming anywhere from a dress to a scarf to a top to a cape to its signature cardi style. And all at the snap of a button!
But how you ultimately choose to wear it is up to you — the possibilities are virtually limitless!
This one garment can fold down very small and is perfect for light packing. Since I was going carry-on only on a three-month backpacking trip, this is exactly what I needed.
The Chrysalis Cardi is made with a super soft blend of bamboo and spandex fabric which is sustainable and eco-friendly. It is 100% handmade in Canada (yay Canadians represent!).
How to Wear the Chrysalis Cardi
When I first got the Chrysalis Cardi, I’ll admit, I was flipping through the lookbook and I found it quite confusing. I tried playing around with the travel garment for maybe ten minutes and I couldn’t figure out any of the looks.
Then I decided to watch the how-to videos on the Encircled site and, in no time, everything made sense.
Phew.
To see for yourself how the magic happens, you can check out the videos here on their how to wear page.
Even though the lookbook that the Chrysalis Cardi came with has diagrams, I couldn’t really figure out how to get from one step to the next, but with the videos, I could watch the entire process of how to put the looks together. Everything was straightforward and easy to learn.
Now, after wearing the Chrysalis Cardi dozens of times, trying each style on at least a couple of outings, it’s becoming second nature and super easy to get the desired look.
So how exactly does the Chrysalis Cardi work? This garment is a tube-shaped fabric that can transform into the different looks using the hidden stainless-steel snaps along the hemline.
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