the travel wardrobe 02 // summer vacation edit

or, What Would Joan Didion Do?

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This is part of my series on travel and packing. You can read Part I (on travel bags) here.

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As a recovering packing procrastinator, I’m forever trying to optimize how I travel. Figuring out ways to streamline the packing process is a big part of it. (Indecisive, last-minute stress packing is the worst.) Summer travel season will soon be upon us, and this year I’m experimenting with making a few seasonal packing lists ahead of time. Of course, printing out default packing lists and taping them to your closet door isn’t exactly an original idea. Remember Joan Didion’s packing list from The White Album?

Bottle of bourbon, check. Typewriter, check.

In Brian Dillon’s essay on “Why Literature Loves Lists”, he reminds us that Didion’s packing list is in fact a kind of balm:

Didion soon admits that the list is evidence of abiding anxieties: “It should be clear that this was a list made by someone who prized control, yearned after momentum, someone determined to play her role as if she had the script, heard her cues, knew the narrative.”

I can totally relate. Traveling may be full of factors beyond your control and periodically stressful, but the packing can and should be easy. More than just a task with an end goal, list making is a mental exercise in creating order, in clarifying things. The funny thing is, making a list can easily turn into its own form of procrastination (!), something I know all too well.

But I digress. Bourbon and typewriter aside, there are wise, actionable packing insights here! Didion’s travel uniform is a great example of a tightly edited, modular travel capsule. A few modifications, and we’re off. For a beachy trip, the leotards can be swapped out for one-piece swimsuits. Skirts are versatile and give you many more options than just a dress when you add color/print into the mix. Jersey fabrications are always the most travel friendly. Here is my version of the summer travel capsule, inspired by JD:

Ok, I really enjoy typing out WWJDD. We need bumper stickers!

The Essentials:

• wide leg linen drawstring pants — yes, there’s that concept of ‘summer denim’, but let’s face it, at some point all you want to wear is drawstring elastic waist loose linen pants until Labor Day. Side pockets are a must. And dessert-friendly pants are the best, especially on vacation!

• handmade in California gladiator sandals — I discovered these years ago at a neighborhood shoe boutique. I’ve had mine for well over a decade and one of the slightly loose button closures will need to be restitched, which is the only sign of wear. I trekked all around Paris and Rome in them when they were new, and they were comfortable from day one. Whenever possible, let’s continue to support family-run craft makers. For those of you who are fans of the Hermès Oran, these elegant K.Jacques slides (another artisan family brand) are currently 60% off.

• packable straw hat (on sale) — I’m in a straw hat pretty much all summer. A stylish packable straw hat is surprisingly hard to find, but this is a reliable favorite every year, and very reasonably priced to boot.

• ribbed cotton tanks — the building block basic.

• a neutral midi skirt and a statement midi skirt — for travel, separates give you the most modular versatility. Jersey (i.e. a viscose blend) has an elegant drape, is relatively wrinkle resistant, and super comfy for fully enjoying all the good food and drinks on vacation. Something in black or navy serves as a blank canvas for styling with jewelry and/or a belt for an event or nice dinner out, while a colorful statement skirt does exactly what it says on the tin.

• a vintagey striped swimsuit + a classic one-piece swimsuit — pair with a skirt or pants, and these double as summer ‘bodysuit’ tops that are beach and pool ready. JD was onto something with that leotard advice!

• canvas espadrilles — for years, I’ve always brought a pair of TOMs with me on warm-weather trips. They’re lightweight, nicely cushioned, and comfy for all day walking. Plus it always feels good to support a great cause.

• tort shell sunglasses — can’t go wrong. So good with your favorite jewelry and a straw hat.

I generally go by the rule of three for travel bags (reviewed/discussed previously in this series). As for the layering extras — a slouchy summer sweater in a cotton blend works well tied around your waist or shoulders, ready to pop on for breezy sunset beach walks and cooler evenings dining al fresco. Depending on where I’m going, I also like to bring a relaxed linen blazer — a bit of summer tailoring to balance out all the flowy, loose silhouettes. The lightest of the layers is a classic staple that can multitask: a good quality oversized Irish linen button-down shirt also works as a light ‘shirt-jacket’ when unbuttoned, or a mini cover-up.

All the perfect linen blazer vibes here.

For sightseeing and day activities, a pair of classic denim shorts goes well with everything. (In NYC, you know that summer has officially arrived when everyone is wearing denim cutoffs on the weekends.) And finally, is there anything more ‘vacation mode’ than an airy block printed caftan? I’ve brought mine to many a beach vacation, and once saw a very stylish woman in Hawaii wearing the same one. I wanted to go over and high-five her, but that would have probably been too weird, so I didn’t. Always so fun to see someone else wearing your favorite piece in the wild!

And one more thing …

Can we do more picnics, please? Some years back I got this picnic backpack set. I’ve used it, but not nearly as often as I should. This season my summer and early fall intention is to spend more weekends at the beach or the park with small bites, a good book, and good friends. If you’re in need of some inspiration, the recipes from Marnie Hanel’s delightfully illustrated picnic cookbook are creative and delicious.

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To my stateside readers, I hope you’re gearing up for a lovely long weekend and getting ready to enjoy some good barbecue.

What are your summer travel plans?