Monster Packing Here
Multiple cities, myriad activities, many different vibes in one (large) suitcase. Let’s go.
It’s a beast of a trip I have planned. Business in Milan that ranges from showing our new Resort 25 collection, press interviews, dinners and the like. Followed up with a few days squirreled away, solo, writing atop a rocky cliff and then meeting my family for a much needed two weeks of special time in our favorite seaside locale. Then off on a short plane trip to meet my head of design, Traci, to begin work on the Fall 25 collection. I just touched down, I’ve been working furiously away on the flight, now I’ll share with you.
The itinerary:
Milan. The vibe: a little serious, but it’s summer after-all, so not too. The streets are cobblestone, and walking is important to me. Dinners will be outside, they’ll involve me saying things like “I’ll have a Negroni” but I won’t be quite sure what I’m ordering.
The color palette is a range of neutrals - this is the good base line and I’ll dial things up with interesting earrings or a jeweled shoe. The key when packing neutrals is to not overlap (too much) on texture:
Looks 1,2: Tropical wool and tee shirting
Looks 3,4,5,6: Silk Nylon Here, Poplin Shirting Here, Spandex nylon bodysuit, Chantilly lace
Looks 7: technical satin stella pant Here, washable cashmere Here
Look 8: 4 ply silk (that means it’s sturdy - good in urban environment, not too fussy)
Look 9: twill suiting Here- gutsy but summery
From far left I’ve worked in my favorite trouser dress from Spring 23, back with basic tees. The silk nylon suit has been on constant rotate, look 3 with a bow tie (my tie is from Saint Laurent but if I describe it as literally a black piece of long string I would be spot on - you can replicate easy). The body suit in look 3 was one we did a few years ago, but I’m wearing it backwards turning it in to a halter. If you buy with your colors and textures in mind, the pieces stay relevant. Always.
Writing Hideaway
I’ll literally be tucked into the side of a cliff - the environment is just how you would imagine. I need to be able to focus, be comfortable enough to write but not so much that I fall asleep.
The color palette: greys, whites, and cashmeres for layering. The grey and the navy cashmere are new in fundamentals - for me personally, I can never have too many. My husband and our closet space disagrees. The good cashmere here. Soft colors in denim, white linen Here, easy sweatsuiting Here, and the nylon track pant Here I will positively live in - pictures post trip will prove it as it’s the ultimate summer weight.
Now two weeks with family - this takes some serious planning. The agenda is filled with beach, waterskiing, farmers markets, seaside dinners, and an uber fancy jaunt over to Monaco - you get the picture, red Ferraris, the whole scene. The moments where you want to fit in, but no costume, please.
The colors are all the neutrals, heavy on whites with pops of reds and blues. The secret? Same as the one earlier - it’s about a heavy reliance on texture. Even in the heat of summer, pieces on body that have a slightly different hand feel give depth. And you know what that means? It means your style has depth - not shallow. Interesting. Even when nothing is bigger on the agenda than picking the right strawberry.
The textures: sporty nylon, heavy teeshirting, cotton poplin, linen embroidery, summer sweatsuiting, cotton knit.
Looks 1, 2, 6, and 9 all lean in to nylons. The greatest of all time Skirt here is the gift that keeps giving in my closet. A true 12 moer, epitome of without fail. The shorts Here are key - they’re nylon so yes, I will climb the hills in the morning to pick up a bag of croissants, but they’ll also dress up perfectly to sit poolside at Hotel du Cap. The ultimate non-bifurcated wardrobe.
Looks 2,7 and 8: sweaters in all different yarns. The goal: loose and easy on the body, not too much weight, when the sun comes up they come off and tie around the waist, and back on again when the clouds come or the boat picks up speed. The washable cashmere Here is perfect for early mornings and evenings; the cotton one is generously oversized and refined perfection for day Here.
The skirt is from Vitakin Here- I bought this in navy (of course) years ago and went back for another in the cream. I wear this beach side - it unsnaps all the way making it perfect for quick runs to the bar. It’s exactly why our summer version has the two way zipper so you can have lots of options Here.
Evenings are perfect for fluidity, to me that means lots of flat sandals and easy styles. Range of texture again (am I a broken record yet?) - 4 play silk, stretch compaq knit, tee shirting, silk habotai and lace. Every body is quite simple but has interest in color or subtle details. Recognize the blush dress? That’s the prototype we did for the green and brown(ish) one this last season Here on sale. The white dress was a favorite of mine from Spring 23 - I snagged this from the team at the island store - if you dm darianne.tibi she might be able to score you one. It has the cut out backside which makes it summer perfect - I’ll wear this on July 4th at Hotel du Cap.
The brown jersey dress is from last year - we showed on the runway layered over a sheer yellow top - for me, in real life, I stitched the neckline together - it was a little too open for me. Personally. Even though at the time I told Traci that I wanted lots of openness - I chickened out when it came time to wear. The green skirt and top Here gives so many options - when separates can be worn as one you’ve got multiple outfits.
That lace number? We made that years ago and never produced it - but I always kept the sample. Based on how much I’ve worn it, I’ve added it into the Spring 25 collection so be on the look out.
The last week of the trip - hard working on Fall 25. I’ll switch out my shoes to a range of boat shoes (yes, the Miu Miu ones) and the Seth sneaker New Seths in here. I’ll keep the Barry sandal Here in the mix. The bag will go to my recent purchase I made at Max in Denver - it was the Row bag, super soft, deep brown burgundy. Smushy and easy to pack - the basket bags won’t make it to the streets of Berlin - even if it is Balenciaga. Tons of walking here, sketching in cafes, and most importantly: I CAN’T BE DISTRACTED. This is when I need my head clear to focus on the tasks at hand - if I’m wearing clothing that is too directional, too too, then it will warp how I think about design for next Fall. And that would suck.
And below, all the other little things that made it in to the bag.
The Bobbi Brown SPF 50 I live by. The old celine bags are on Vestaire or Real Real. My fave sport sock is from BluScarpa. The Commando Bike short here is great, not just for a little sucking in (more smooth than suck) but it is the perfect under layer for my sheer pieces. The glasses all have a different vibe The Gregory Peck from Oliver Peoples is really good for the more sport days; the phoebe philo and old celine good for the strong look days. The croakie was a cheap one picked up at a beach shop but it does function like a necklace. The brown cap is from Jcrew - the boat shoes Miu Miu and of course theres Seth. The new cap from Tibi comes out in November but I’m wearing it now - and this watch From Breitling is forever on my wrist in the water and for evening. You know we love shopping small - so Completed Works earrings and the Eilou Bracelet are in the bag. For sure.
Ok. There you go. I threw in other pieces - not going to lie, this packing wasn’t my proudest moment in that I did have a panic attack 20 minutes before the Uber arrived. So at the end of this trip I’ll do a run down of what I threw in that I never wore, what made it out most frequently, and what did I want to burn by then end of the trip (tho I’m confident that will be zilch). What I brought, what I bought, what I bombed with - in the follow up. Mid July. Wait for it…..
thrilled to hear the lace sheer dress will be back … t x x x
Totally here for the white lace dress, so good for beach!
Curious to see styling for the boat shoes, I see they are having a resurgence so thinking of investing now!