A Summer Trip
Traveling light
This time of year is a pretty busy one in my shop as people start to get ready for their summer plans and travel. Clients ask me sometimes how I like to pack for summer travel. I am an extremely light packer and tend to only bring a half size sturdy Rimowa suitcase for a two week trip. I really don’t like checking my bag, especially for international flights. I just don’t like waiting around in the airport also. I know this is a very unpopular amount of stuff to bring, but I find that if you pack really efficiently and make sure to hit a few key items, you really don’t need as much on a vacation as you think. Also, there are some loopholes. I don’t usually come home with only one bag haha! Recently on a Paris trip, I decided to buy an XL travel Longchamp bag to check all the treasures-or really to check my dirty laundry and hand pack all the treasures in my suitcase. This one folds up to the size of a large flat envelope and I think this is a winner to carry on any trip.
I thought this was a good practical one for the summer to post early. I will not tell you what brands to purchase that is up to you of course. I will note things that I design or have at my shop that I like in these categories if helpful to you.
1. Dresses: A great day to evening dress or two- and by great I mean comfortable and airy yet stylish. You want to find something good for going out to dinner in or walking around in the heat, with or without layers. I really like a slipdress or a simple silk t shirt dress (something I’m making right now for my shop.) These are the things you can pack and take up so little room. ( I would note also: always in a dry cleaning plastic so that they won’t wrinkle in transit. ) You can wear these over and over again and most hotels have a steamer and often times you can hand wash silk if you need to. I really like to take a couple of my Nina slipdresses for this purpose. These are quick sellers at my shop I think because they can be so multipurpose. Another thing to bring is a slightly more formal dress that can be dressed down with a belt . Then you have something for an occasion if something arises.
2. A lightweight sweater or cardigan- something hand washable is even better. This piece you can wear anytime over a dress with a T-shirt and pants etc. I also like a short sleeve sweater, which could double for a top on a colder day, or just a nice layer over a dress or tank.
3. A nice long skirt with some walking room in silk or a great cotton- this is a great day to evening piece and also nice way to stay covered from the sun and it’s a breezy layer and easy to pack.
4. A few really great T-shirts and a couple good tank tops. I really think you only need to bring 2 to 3 of each and you should be fine. Make sure one of them can be more on the formal side. I loved also bring a camisole or two to to wear under things.
5.I love a lightweight pant, maybe a fitted one and then a very loose one, both could be good for traveling in the summer. I don’t always travel with jeans because they’re heavy and a little hot. I don’t wear shorts, but I could see how jean shorts could work for people and be cute.
6 One knit dress. A knit is great because it retains it structure. I really like my Brigitte Dress for traveling. I also think bringing something striped on vacation is a must.
7.A great bathing suit that you actually like wearing not the one that you hope you’ll look good in maybe on vacation, because we all know that’s the one that sits in your suitcase.
8.For beauty I’ve seen so many people pack and they bring so many beauty products with them and it takes up a lot of space not to mention the worry of them exploding in your bag, or putting them all in those tiny plastic zip lock bags they give you in the security line. I try really hard to bring my cleanser and skin care routine in mini versions if I can, my toothbrush, whatever make up I need, hair serum and a good hand cream. Then I buy all the rest when I’m traveling including body sunscreen and shampoo. I don’t really see the point of bringing all that stuff on a long trip unless you really cannot live without it. I feel like you can find cool stuff anywhere when you’re traveling if you’re flexible and carry way less with you.
9.Shoes- now this is the controversial one. You need one pair of really great sandals that are comfortable and already broken in. I love this brand Jamie Haller that we carry in the store right now. ( last day of the sandal sale is tomorrow by the way!) The sandals are so soft. You don’t need to break them in and they don’t give you blisters. I don’t wear heels on vacation and they take up so much room in a bag so I like to pack a dressy sandal or flat but I get it if you want a heel. I think you can wear sneakers on the plane.
10. Your bag. One trick I do when I’m traveling is I take my Dragon Diffusion Nantucket, which is basically the quintessential travel bag. Then, I put my purse inside of it and stick my laptop and some spare toiletries inside of it as well so I’m really carrying two bag bags within one bag and I can hang it on the side of my suitcase. This is really a lifesaver and I stuff a scarf ( also a must for cold nights!) in there also and I wear my hat on the plane.
11. A button down or classic white shirt. I have been loving to tie mine in a knot to make it more structured. I also am loving a cropped shirt, like my mini oxford that you can also tie for a shorter look or a short jacket like piece, I stole this photo from one of my shop ladies sorry gorgeous Kelley!
12. I won’t ignore your socks and underwear yes necessary, and some lightweight pajamas.
This is my advice for traveling light for summer. I always tell clients always to really love every piece that you pack and you will be happy on your trip. Why pack three of everything when you can just choose the best of each one and wear it more, and maybe then there’s room to find something new on your travels!
Have a great week thanks for reading!
xx Katherine