I have never been productive at packing. The ability to streamline my wardrobe for a 3-7 day trip is a talent I don’t possess, and I always end up looking like I am moving countries every time I travel. This stems from the anxiety that if I had just packed that ONE piece, my outfit would be complete. Whether that is the pair of heels at the back of my closet or the skirt that would’ve worked so well with the top I packed. This fear leaves me with a suitcase flirting dangerously close to the weight limit and having to quite literally shoulder the heaviness of my anxieties. I decided that enough is enough, and I would pack for this trip with more intention in order to avoid this fated doom (spoiler: I failed).
The game plan was to ensure that each item was greater than the sum of its parts. I wanted each piece to have an intentionality to it, to maximise the possibilities of outfits I could create. I looked for diversity in the silhouettes, textures, and designs so that I could feel inspired when putting outfits together. This way, I could avoid feeling like I was lacking in items or defective without a piece. Of course I still ended up overpacking, but it was the first time I went into the process with any strategy at all. That is a win in my books! Below are (most) of the items I packed for a 7-day trip to 16-degree Chile.
Quick interlude to say thank you to everyone that voted last week! It was really helpful to get an understanding of what's resonating most so I can continue to make this newsletter better for all of you who take the time to read it. Thanks again for being a part of this community. Okay, back to the guts of my suitcase.
Knitwear
As it was cold and knitwear was non-negotiable, I looked for details that could differentiate them from day to night. The focus for my day knitwear was comfort and varying necklines to add freshness to the outfits I wore. My Tricot Paris polo neck was the perfect contender to add a slight preppy feel during the day, with the cashmere providing functionality in its warmth and cosiness. The second day option was my Uniqlo lambswool crewneck, which is a tried and tested favourite that always keeps me warm on cold days. These two were perfect to keep my outfits feeling new. For my nighttime knitwear, the first was this cardigan from Cos. The cinched waist detail adds a slight elevation and makes it feel more polished, making it a without-fail evening contender. The second option was my vintage Duarte jumper. The jumper has both an asymetric button feature and no collar, and these details smarten up the piece and make it a chic choice for dinner. These 4 options were the perfect rotation to make getting dressed feel less monotone and maintain that excitement.
Bottoms
For bottoms, it was all about silhouette and texture. For denim, I opted for my favourite Citizen’s of Humanity Ayla jeans. They are the perfect oversized, long-length jeans that work with loafers as easily as they go with a pair of heels. Their transitional quality made them an optimal choice for the trip. The next pair I packed were my Cos wool trousers that have seen me through three winters and counting. Their tailored, wide-leg quality provided a different tone of voice for my outfits and allowed me to feel smarter during the day if need be. With both of these options, I was able to make a number of different outfits that still felt very inspired.
Shoes
I kept it quite simple with shoes and stuck to my go-tos. The first was a pair of loafers from Celine, which have served me well on 10k+ step days as well as a muddy, rainy Hozier concert. The loafer was a great choice for their polished and smart finish, and their comfort allowed them to be worn all day with no complaints. The next pair of shoes were suede ankle boots from Prada. I got these a lifetime ago and love the pointed toe to streamline and outfit and the suede for some added texture. They transition seamlessly from day to night, and the two-for-one appeal was too good to pass up. Lastly, I packed my beloved Balenciaga mules. I call these my princess shoes because of the electric pink colour and exaggerated pointed toe. The effect of the shoes speaks for itself with the infusion of colour necessary for my neutral-toned outfits. The pointed toe adds that slimline effect, but the low heels make them comfortable enough to wear at night. Paired with cashmere socks, these were effective at keeping me warm but also ensuring I still felt stylish and creative in my outfit.
Now, was my suitcase filled with other unnecessary options? Yes, was I also burdened with the need to carry my weight in ski clothes for the snowy mountains? Absolutely, but all in all, this was the thinking behind most of my clothing choices. The learnings from this would be to edit further so that I packed in the way detailed above and had no straggling extras, but practice makes perfect after all. My next challenge is a weekend trip where I can only bring under-seat luggage, so wish me luck.
Hope you all have a lovely week and speak soon!
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