Pack your bags. Travel is back in a big way in 2023. Whether you’re jumping on the ecotourism trend or planning to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary, a big big trip doesn’t have to mean a big big, big bag to carry Instagram-worthy clothes .
Personal stylist Paige Epsky of Same Paige Styling says that organizing your wardrobe should be the first step to starting your travel adventures. “Smart luggage planning not only results in lighter luggage and fewer baggage fees, but also saves you time, so your adventure is focused on vacationing rather than what not to wear,” says the resident of Deephaven.
Avoid packing too many heavy items, such as too many jean shorts, heavy wedges, etc. Mix and match between tops, and add accessories to diversify every day.
Capsule wardrobes are ideal for travel, according to fashion designers such as Donna Karan, whose Seven Easy Pieces collection in 1985 captivated shoppers and travelers alike. The easy, on-to-go concept continues to evolve for adventure warriors, as well as classic-style-about-towners, with a road-tested wardrobe of timeless, versatile items. mix and match piece. The concept is Garanimal’s approach to adult dressing that combines elegance with a vacation-ready or everyday fashion sense.
Let’s get organized. “Before you start packing, there are a few important things to think about, including the theme, agenda and goals of your trip,” says Epsky. Is it a bachelorette party in Nashville, Tennessee, or an over-the-pond visit to the grass courts of Wimbledon?
Next, Epsky says it’s important to break down any trip to think of ways to maximize a wardrobe and reduce excess, unnecessary items in luggage. He suggests a quick and easy prepacking plan. “Put the clothes you think you need, and make outfits. Think about what a skirt can do with a casual T-shirt for a day and under a breezy sweater and jacket for at a more formal event later in the evening,” he said.
Don’t be afraid to mix colors (color blocking) and/or prints for added versatility.
“Then, take a photo of each outfit on your cell phone to make getting dressed easier and faster when you’re settled in your glamping tent or luxury hotel room,” says Epsky. Once the outfits are documented, put extra items back in the closet, she advises, to resist the urge to overpack. (Travel light also leaves room in your luggage for must-have mementos or gifts for family and friends.)
Pro Tips
There are tricks of the trade when it comes to culling travel clothes for whatever adventure awaits. For starters, Epsky recommends using a large duffle bag, rather than a bulky suitcase. The duffle makes it easy to add extra items and compress into the airplane’s overhead bin.
- Travel light with a capsule wardrobe, including an oversized white shirt, a pair of shorts (linen or denim), a skirt/dress to pair with a denim jacket. (Wear heavier items, such as a jacket, on the plane or in the car to reduce the extra space required in your travel pack.)
- Remember that neutrals, such as black, white and khaki colors, can be interchanged. Add accessories, which can take a basic black skirt from unnoticed to a true reflection of your unique style. Think: a cute, floppy sun hat or a big pair of gold rings.
- Choose a nice pair of sneakers instead of heels and cheap, sole-crushing, flip-flops.
- For a cold climate, choose a hybrid boot (Sorel). Make sure they are waterproof, comfortable and functional. Pair them with flattering leggings and a turtleneck, layered under a jacket for an ideal outfit on the plane or elsewhere.
- Bring comfortable loungewear to wear between the pool and the next activity or after dinner/before bed.
- Choose a crossbody bag, and stick to it.
- To save packing space, call ahead to see what items your accommodation will provide (hairdryer, robe or slippers).
- Pack an empty pillowcase for the things you wear on your trip and don’t intend to reuse during the trip. (This makes unpacking the laundry room easier when you get home.)
Road to Style
In a busy world, a classic style can take you from brunch to a light lunch to a swanky, late-night jazz club with the simple switch of a scarf or a quick changing shoes. But first, you need a classic style. Cue Epsky, who has shifted his career into high gear since the pandemic began to slow. “It’s a lot of fun,” she says of helping people create their own wardrobe styles.
“Getting ready for an event or recognizing how our bodies change can make getting the look right feel more difficult than it is,” Epsky says of creating a style that fit who you are. Needless to say, most of us have changed since the pandemic began, both physically and mentally.
Epsky says helping someone create a “capsule wardrobe,” a collection of timeless, must-have basics, is her goal. “For me, it’s about taking the guesswork out of a client, more than anything else. It’s about helping people feel their best.
Same Styling as Paige
Instagram: @samepaigestyling
