It's nice to see "old" clothes outfits, rather than encouraging people to buy the latest thing. Also it proves that style isn't something that has to do with new 🤣
C'est magnifique. Now my challenge is to pack a carry on for 9 days in Scotland. I know I can do it. As a producer/writer for National Geographic... I packed a carry on for 20 days in Australia. Ohy! Ohy! Ohy! ;-D
I had to laugh at your ‘discovery’! Years ago, when I traveled for business all the time, I realized that my male colleagues wore the same pants and jacket, usually changing their shirt, and always the same shoes. It was then that I began paring down my travel pieces to just a few coordinates. My clients expected me, as an architect, to look stylish, so I focused on scarves and earrings to make a look.
I’m in New Zealand right now for three weeks with only carry-on (albeit ‘ normal’ airlines dimensions). Repeating a variation of what I took for three weeks in Ireland and the UK on my last big trip. My larger ‘suitcase’ is wearable as a backpack, though it’s simply a rectangle with padded shoulder and hip straps (that can be tucked away if you do decide to check luggage). Medium piece is a backpack. Now I am not concerned with being perceived as stylish when I travel. So more casual outfits: quick-dry pants with many pockets, and quick-drying shirts and undergarments. A good waterproof jacket (though in my case it is a marigold-yellow windbreaker with hood, which is a nice splash of color against my neutral clothing).
I’ve made Stories on Instagram to show friends how to do this, as many are very inexperienced travelers. They pack two GIANT suitcases for a week. I’m gobsmacked and dismayed, as having all of that to lug around is just stressful.
So brava for you, still looking smashing with just a few pieces. Demonstrates that it can be done, even in a city, looking stylish.
I know! The huge suitcases! Once (never again/lesson learned) I said to someone on my block, "Welcome to NYC!!" and asked where they were moving from, lol, whoops. Some people have to travel that way, I know. But for a 2-week vacation? Such an incredible hassle to have to get your stuff to the airport, from the airport, into taxis, onto subways, into hotels, sometimes up flights of stairs...
I love this because I am planning a trip and would love to manage an even smaller suitcase than my Away bigger carryon on the dash through the Philadelphia airport to make connections. Thanks for the inspiration.
My spouse travels extensively for work—sometimes I am able to join him. I have been lucky enough to spend several months abroad (sometimes in the summer, sometimes winter), and in all cases I have brought nothing more than a small carry-on suitcase that used to belong to my mother in law. It's literally made out of cardboard, lol.
I like having a carry-on because it saves me from waiting at the carousel, and I also need not worry that my bag has been sent to another country or crushed by an airport truck. But I also want to be stylish and original while traveling (I am still very much a work in progress when it comes to style in general.)
So to that end, I pack things that roll easily (saves. so. much. room), which means layers and thinner fabrics—not bulk—if I need warmth. I will probably never pack dungarees or a big Irish fisherman's sweater, but I will pack tights and stylish (vs workout) leggings, quality T-shirts, a bodysuit, one or two sweaters. I have found that layers of tops can be as warm as one big sweater. Also, now that I am getting hot flashes (yay), being able to peel off a layer (or two or three, haha) is invaluable. So much more polite than passing out at dinner.
Depending on the weather, I will, like you, wear my bulkiest clothing and shoes on the plane.
I am definitely lazy (too many years of school uniforms) so I don't want to spend a lot of time figuring out what to wear. That's another reason for packing light. Basically, my goal is to bring clothes that function as a capsule and can go from day to night and from casual to reasonably fancy. If I feel like my outfits are too similar from day to day, I will add accessories, which are easy to pack.
I also aim to be generally more dressed up than not. If I am walking around a city, I will wear a sundress and cute sneakers. I think being a little dressed up (though still comfy) not only makes a person stand out in a nice way, but one can then very easily sashay into a nice restaurant or museum and look perfectly appropriate.
Also, unless your job requires a certain type of dressing up, no one will ever realize you are wearing the same things, albeit in different ways. They won't even notice if you wear the same thing twice (or even more) in a row. Some of my friends (God bless them) were shocked when I said I'd been wearing the same outfit for a week, just with different shoes and accessories. They thought I was wearing a different outfit every day. I will obviously stay friends with them for as long as they continue to think of me that way.
Second to lastly, I don't have much disposable income, so the vast majority of my clothes are second-hand or hand-me-downs. It's sometimes really discouraging when I see something beautiful but will never be able to own it...on the other hand, perhaps it's made me more creative because I have to figure out how to make things more "me"...Anyway, I really appreciate it when I see stylish people like yourself embracing "old" clothes while pairing them with new things.
Lastly: While I think Cos hasn't really found their summer footing yet, I adore all their other seasons. Their clothes are good quality and they promote a classic style while also being a bit unusual.
I have these and they look great and are pretty comfortable. I only find the grosgrain trim around the top edge digs in a bit as there is no give in it but not enough to cause damage to skin. If you can still find them go for it!I bought mine about 6 months ago.
Hi Garance. Loved the post and as a heavy packer, appreciate the tips. About the coat: having a great piece that’s a “go to” makes life easier, right? I have a coat similar to yours in navy; 100 percent wool and beautifully lined. Biggest difference is I bought mine in a consignment store for $22.00! It’s in perfect shape, albeit a little large, so I’ll spend about $100 having it altered. Would still cost about half the price of getting from London to Bath by train!
The coat is gorgeous. Why do you carry an iPad and a computer?
There is a real art to traveling light. I travel to Europe for 3 weeks and only take a carry on suitcase but overhead storage size. I plan my looks by hanging them on a rolling rack and placing them on a spare bed at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Then over the 2 weeks I ruthlessly edit my looks. Shoes are the biggest issue for sure. My dear husband carries the "shoe bag" because he only needs 2 pairs.
That is always tricky. One has to take two pairs for longer than a week. I haven't solved that issue yet. I try to pack the very lightest fabric pyjamas I have, plus I wear a camisole and use the jacket as a robe in the mornings.
Another great read and definitely something to think about for my May trip to Scotland. I sent you a message via Instagram and am still hoping to hear back. ❤️
It's nice to see "old" clothes outfits, rather than encouraging people to buy the latest thing. Also it proves that style isn't something that has to do with new 🤣
C'est magnifique. Now my challenge is to pack a carry on for 9 days in Scotland. I know I can do it. As a producer/writer for National Geographic... I packed a carry on for 20 days in Australia. Ohy! Ohy! Ohy! ;-D
genius. i’m a “roller” of my clothes when i pack to save space but now i’m going to layer up, too.
I had to laugh at your ‘discovery’! Years ago, when I traveled for business all the time, I realized that my male colleagues wore the same pants and jacket, usually changing their shirt, and always the same shoes. It was then that I began paring down my travel pieces to just a few coordinates. My clients expected me, as an architect, to look stylish, so I focused on scarves and earrings to make a look.
I’m in New Zealand right now for three weeks with only carry-on (albeit ‘ normal’ airlines dimensions). Repeating a variation of what I took for three weeks in Ireland and the UK on my last big trip. My larger ‘suitcase’ is wearable as a backpack, though it’s simply a rectangle with padded shoulder and hip straps (that can be tucked away if you do decide to check luggage). Medium piece is a backpack. Now I am not concerned with being perceived as stylish when I travel. So more casual outfits: quick-dry pants with many pockets, and quick-drying shirts and undergarments. A good waterproof jacket (though in my case it is a marigold-yellow windbreaker with hood, which is a nice splash of color against my neutral clothing).
I’ve made Stories on Instagram to show friends how to do this, as many are very inexperienced travelers. They pack two GIANT suitcases for a week. I’m gobsmacked and dismayed, as having all of that to lug around is just stressful.
So brava for you, still looking smashing with just a few pieces. Demonstrates that it can be done, even in a city, looking stylish.
I know! The huge suitcases! Once (never again/lesson learned) I said to someone on my block, "Welcome to NYC!!" and asked where they were moving from, lol, whoops. Some people have to travel that way, I know. But for a 2-week vacation? Such an incredible hassle to have to get your stuff to the airport, from the airport, into taxis, onto subways, into hotels, sometimes up flights of stairs...
I love this because I am planning a trip and would love to manage an even smaller suitcase than my Away bigger carryon on the dash through the Philadelphia airport to make connections. Thanks for the inspiration.
I loved everything about this post.
My spouse travels extensively for work—sometimes I am able to join him. I have been lucky enough to spend several months abroad (sometimes in the summer, sometimes winter), and in all cases I have brought nothing more than a small carry-on suitcase that used to belong to my mother in law. It's literally made out of cardboard, lol.
I like having a carry-on because it saves me from waiting at the carousel, and I also need not worry that my bag has been sent to another country or crushed by an airport truck. But I also want to be stylish and original while traveling (I am still very much a work in progress when it comes to style in general.)
So to that end, I pack things that roll easily (saves. so. much. room), which means layers and thinner fabrics—not bulk—if I need warmth. I will probably never pack dungarees or a big Irish fisherman's sweater, but I will pack tights and stylish (vs workout) leggings, quality T-shirts, a bodysuit, one or two sweaters. I have found that layers of tops can be as warm as one big sweater. Also, now that I am getting hot flashes (yay), being able to peel off a layer (or two or three, haha) is invaluable. So much more polite than passing out at dinner.
Depending on the weather, I will, like you, wear my bulkiest clothing and shoes on the plane.
I am definitely lazy (too many years of school uniforms) so I don't want to spend a lot of time figuring out what to wear. That's another reason for packing light. Basically, my goal is to bring clothes that function as a capsule and can go from day to night and from casual to reasonably fancy. If I feel like my outfits are too similar from day to day, I will add accessories, which are easy to pack.
I also aim to be generally more dressed up than not. If I am walking around a city, I will wear a sundress and cute sneakers. I think being a little dressed up (though still comfy) not only makes a person stand out in a nice way, but one can then very easily sashay into a nice restaurant or museum and look perfectly appropriate.
Also, unless your job requires a certain type of dressing up, no one will ever realize you are wearing the same things, albeit in different ways. They won't even notice if you wear the same thing twice (or even more) in a row. Some of my friends (God bless them) were shocked when I said I'd been wearing the same outfit for a week, just with different shoes and accessories. They thought I was wearing a different outfit every day. I will obviously stay friends with them for as long as they continue to think of me that way.
Second to lastly, I don't have much disposable income, so the vast majority of my clothes are second-hand or hand-me-downs. It's sometimes really discouraging when I see something beautiful but will never be able to own it...on the other hand, perhaps it's made me more creative because I have to figure out how to make things more "me"...Anyway, I really appreciate it when I see stylish people like yourself embracing "old" clothes while pairing them with new things.
Lastly: While I think Cos hasn't really found their summer footing yet, I adore all their other seasons. Their clothes are good quality and they promote a classic style while also being a bit unusual.
how do you like the Zara mary janes?
excellent question. I second this.
I have these and they look great and are pretty comfortable. I only find the grosgrain trim around the top edge digs in a bit as there is no give in it but not enough to cause damage to skin. If you can still find them go for it!I bought mine about 6 months ago.
Not boring, classic and cool
Day 3 is my favourite !
I love the tiny bag packing... thank you for sharing your travel outfits!
Hi Garance. Loved the post and as a heavy packer, appreciate the tips. About the coat: having a great piece that’s a “go to” makes life easier, right? I have a coat similar to yours in navy; 100 percent wool and beautifully lined. Biggest difference is I bought mine in a consignment store for $22.00! It’s in perfect shape, albeit a little large, so I’ll spend about $100 having it altered. Would still cost about half the price of getting from London to Bath by train!
The coat is gorgeous. Why do you carry an iPad and a computer?
There is a real art to traveling light. I travel to Europe for 3 weeks and only take a carry on suitcase but overhead storage size. I plan my looks by hanging them on a rolling rack and placing them on a spare bed at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Then over the 2 weeks I ruthlessly edit my looks. Shoes are the biggest issue for sure. My dear husband carries the "shoe bag" because he only needs 2 pairs.
Ok and what about the Pyjama's ? :) Love this coat !
That is always tricky. One has to take two pairs for longer than a week. I haven't solved that issue yet. I try to pack the very lightest fabric pyjamas I have, plus I wear a camisole and use the jacket as a robe in the mornings.
I love it! It’s always so complicated to pack clothes
Another great read and definitely something to think about for my May trip to Scotland. I sent you a message via Instagram and am still hoping to hear back. ❤️
Boring?? The glasses are rad!!