Destination packing for the singular adjective locale
Embrace the locale not the costume. I’ll show you how. PART 1.
Your style, it’s clean, you wouldn’t describe it as overly minimal, it’s modern in that you continue to explore and push, and it possesses a definitive ease. The ultimate “outfit” is when it appears you’ve just “tossed on” your personal style. The ultimate accomplishment? Is when you actually have.
Ok, we’ve established you know your style, and if you’re lucky (or have done the hard work) you’re able to repeat it, every day. Not the outfits but the “je ne sais quoi.” Possessing this armor, how is it you find yourself in different locales questioning what you’ve worked so hard to earn? Does it mean you don’t really know your style? Or that you lack confidence to “just do you?” If you’ve (somewhat) nailed the former, than the latter suggestions just don’t square. What it means is you have a very natural human desire to be part of the environment you’re in, to fit with the scenery and become part of the picture, to experiment and embrace, if only for a moment, the local customs or ways. Showing up in a black tropical wool suit, albeit incredibly chic and undeniably you, feels just wrong having a drink in Austin, Texas or strolling the winding streets of Bagnols, France.
I find myself navigating many cities, countries, and customs - sometimes many in the span of a couple of weeks. The desire to just melt in to a place never as great as it is when you’re on vacation. That urge to be in the moment has led many to costly mistakes - big investments prior to a trip so you show up fully one with your new locale or because your brought “non-transformable” pieces with you and simply never felt at ease. When your style is fighting hard against its environment that tension you feel is real.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll give you some ideas on how to show up in areas that have clearly defined style tropes that may lean in to one of your adjectives (CMC: chill, modern and classic) but do it in a way that is more one dimensional and exaggerated than your nuanced individual style. Ibiza and Malibu have all the ease of ultra chill, Berlin and Antwerp the modernity, and in the South of France the classics can reign. Packing for one adjective destinations when your a solid combination of three is probably seeming easier as you’re reading this because you’ve already taken the big step of simply defining the place you’re visiting. Step 1: You’ve pinpointed the overarching “vibe” of the area. That’s a solid start.
Step 2: what are your failsafes in your closet - your crutches? The pieces that always make you feel like you. The ones you wear a ton. We can already presume that these items are malleable. Any pieces that work this hard have to be.
When packing, the transformable items will ground you but give you wide bandwidth to lean in to the moment. Items that can be manipulated by tone and vibe are what we go for here. This is not about “hacks” or pieces that can be buttoned in a different way, a strap that transforms from halter to strapless. These are pieces that bear your dna but can mutate with just a few combinations of color, styling twists that lean in to the destination’s style stereotype, or thoughtful additions picked up at your destination.
Here we focus on the pull on sporty nylon skirt. It’s got the CMC baked in - that’s key and what gives the hyper functionality here.
You can see how the one skirt takes on the vibe of each place with the addition of a few pieces hallmarking the locale.
I’ll break them down for you - show you how to lean in to each vibe - all in the same skirt. Can you see that each style has an element to it that would feel oddly out of place in another locale? That gingham shirt that feels so right sitting poolside at Hotel du Cap is oddly out of sync with Michigan Avenue. The combination of your fundamental piece (the skirt) with key tropes of an area is what we’re going for here. Ok?
We’ll start first with a grouping that includes Cap Ferrat and Cape Cod. On the surface, they may seem very different, but the vibe across both is quite similar- maybe the only true difference being in how many buttons you’ll utilize on your shirt (hint: lower for Cap Ferrat, higher for Cape Cod). Both locales are distinguished by physical activity no more strenuous than a bike ride, local foods piled high at farmers markets or fish stands, and an abundance of fresh air. Don’t confuse what you COULD be doing in these places with what people actually do. Yes, you can do yoga in both, but that’s not the type of zen that defines these locales. It’s more the attitude of “yes, I may have that Celine bag back at home, but this straw one is far more practical for the morning market shopping.” The watch? The hint of blue says I’ll be on a boat later today, and the sunglasses straddle that “yes, I care about sun damage but the overall look “c’est tres important.”
Some cities conjure up specific and bold visuals- none more so than America’s west and southwest. Cowboys, embroidered boots, and brimmed hats define this area. There’s a way to live amongst the locales without acquiring a new wardrobe that has you craving a Marlboro Red. The overarching code here is color - sunsets, pastures, tumbleweeds. A nod to the classic western belt, silver earrings and suede shoes will have you feeling one with the streets; paired back with a little cropped black top (yes, you get to wear black - all those natural neutrals keep this from looking to citified) keep this look squarely in your wheelhouse. The Breitling watch here in an uber refined rose gold gives the right balance - luxury that could be pretentious in the hands of any other label sits just right here with the chic croc band, in brown of course.
City dressing on vacation is a challenge for even the most adept traveler. You want to be modern, feel put together enough to visit the best restaurant in town, but not so fussy that you feel out of place simply sightseeing at museums. Your skirt that functions like your best pant plays hard here. In a fresh white mixed with key layering pieces like a black tank and a grey cardigan, elements that tie around the waist easily when it’s sweltering outside but slip on in a wind blown restaurant, work perfect. Easy shoes for getting about in a brighter color say it’s summer and I’m in a good mood, so there. Coupled with a great vintage interesting earring and a watch that says you take yourself seriously….but really? It’s the perfect combination.
Ahh, the cities that trip up even the best of us packers - those that thrive on a vibe oh printed caftans, beaded sandals, and swirls of chiffon and bohemian necklines abound. So appealing in concept, but slip on a printed number, a pair of big earrings and beaded sandals and you’re likely to just not feel yourself. Show up in something overly tailored and sporty and you’ll feel distant, never fully part of the moment. The key is in the balance - leaning in to the beading, the bareness and the ease but doing it with refinement and a sporty edge. The vintage Prada bag gives “la bella vita”, the watch sends clear message that I’m not only about soaking up sun with a drink in hand, and I’m absolutely committed to investing in a pair of these jeweled sandals made by that local cobbler that’s been here for over 40 years.
So you see - one skirt goes a long way. I’ll tackle other key pieces soon - be on the lookout. But this calmed you right? Made it all seem a bit easier to put together? Here’s a list of all the details in case you want to know. And if you have a specific place you’re travelling to, let me know. I’m curious what hics you up. Ok?
The pull on skirt we live in here
The Basket - bought in Nice, France. Pick one up at the local Super Marche; The Gingham shirt - this one is vintage Ralph Lauren mens; The Sunglasses - Phoebe Philo - I bought mine and love them.
The Barry sandal - so bare and great here. In a deep chocolate brown that reads nearly black, but not.
The Good Breitling for farmers market to sailing I have this one with a green face - I bought it for my birthday - I’d wanted it for 20 years - I finally pulled the trigger. Something is so satisfying about true luxury craftsmanship (founded in 1884 in Switzerland) that’s not found on everyone’s wrist.
The Jennifer Fisher silver hoops that evoke western, but not literally.
The cropped baby tee is here. The western belt is from a local vintage shop in Austin, Tx. Don’t buy these pieces in advance - they’re great things to buy when you’re on location!
The suede slide is the epitome of chill, but in a brogue shape that reads classic. One of our favorites. We have more on order if you sign up, we will let you know when these come back in stock.
The Breitling watch of my dreams. I don’t own this one (yet) but every time I visit it I just sigh. I love the heritage mood behind this classic, I’m a Paul Newman type and this watch puts me right there with him.
Vintage gold earrings from Amarcord Vintage Fashion. This one has extra polish and gives the extra refinement required in a city locale.
A washable grey cashmere cardi here.
The red Mikhail ballet sort of flat here.
The Breitling watch in stainless steel. Here I love the larger face, it adds the “big” to my style - something about being in a big city has me craving a big watch. Every time.
The Vintage Prada bag, right from the pages of EBay. The hat is current, from Marni. I love the idea of buying a hat locally, but honestly it’s never easy. This one manages to stay modern and give sun coverage and ease all at the same time - so I’m buying this in advance of my travels.
The Malia Mills swim top I always bring this top because it’s refined enough that it works as a bra top at dinner under a sheer top or the layering piece under an open back sundress. On its own, it’s the perfect swimsuit. I own many.
The jeweled sandals - most definitely save your money and buy these on vacation - you may even pick up a few. Nothing will make you feel more in touch with your new locale than representing local artisanship on your feet.
This one will be my summer purchase. I’ve been craving an all white watch - something super sporty here balances out all the beading and crystals. Imagine a delicate watch on the wrist with the beads and jewels - one dimensional. Right? But the chunky white sport watch gives good ick. The watch is here.
So timely. Using all i’ve learned from your multiple style classes, while not a skirt, I bought tibi’s crispy nylon cargo pants for my trip tomorrow to Europe - wearing on the plane from Dallas to Paris and they will work in Verdun (french countryside) w sandals, Paris with sneaks during day, oxfords at night and a bunch of cities in Northern Italy. I want to give a shout out to the Melee Crepe long sleeve cropped top, i wear backwards a lot over slip dresses and w jeans. Your advice has helped me pack a carryon for 3 weeks! My husband thanks you. 💜
Another goodie to be saved and savoured! How about London in early summer, how would you tweak the vibe for that location?