I always joke that I would live out of a suitcase if I could. While theoretically impossible given the state of my closet, I’ve come as close as possible. After 24 years of globetrotting and racking up more air miles than a Victorian child could dream of, I’ve honed the art of packing thanks to savvy, thoughtful clothing choices that allow me to live out of a carry-on for a week and change.
Last year was a renaissance of travel for me. In total, I spent over 150 hours on the go, including trips to Japan to visit family, meetups with friends in Spain, and road trips in California and New York. If I hadn’t narrowed packing down to a science, I don’t know how I would have managed.
With airlines rerouting and luggage delays on the rise, there’s added pressure when packing for a weekend getaway, knowing that if your luggage gets lost, no one needs that extra stress. While it hasn’t happened to me yet (fingers crossed!), the number of horror stories I see on social media has prompted me to pack for a few days in my carry-on.
Here are the fail-proof outfits I bring along every time I escape the city for somewhere new:
Black trousers + white T-shirt + colorful cardigan
Call it classic or call it the Matilda Jeff effect, but swapping out the airport-approved tracksuit for comfortable pants and a basic tee has made all the difference. This timeless combo is foolproof for almost every fashion capital you find yourself in. For adventurers, a brightly colored knit cardigan or sweater is always key for journeys to colder climates (or chilly airport lounges).
