what i wore in europe
& 5 tips for summer travel
I’m writing from the flight back to jfk after 2 weeks of traveling in europe. copenhagen to dublin. dublin to amsterdam. amsterdam to london. play. work. work. play.
I’m not the best traveler but I’m working on it. I didn’t miss any of my last 3 flights. I even managed to get on an earlier flight out of heathrow. Life is made up of promises we make to ourselves and steady progress to make good on those promises.
Another promise is becoming a better packer. This one is harder because I love optionality — I love having outfits and deciding spontaneously who I want to be on any given day. But I’ve also learned all my packing lessons the hard way. SF is surprisingly cold especially with a suitcase full of summer clothes. Forgetting to pack a purse and having to wear a backpack to a bar. Making one pair of socks last an entire weekend.
So as a retro of this trip and others, here is a list of travel tips and a diary of travel outfits.
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PART ONE: le outfit diaries
#1 blazer/denim work uniform: A tried and true professional combo. My favorite is when outfits are chic and utilitarian — and that’s why this outfit is my default. Mary janes are great for running around a conference floor trying to get to back-to-back meetings and the wide leg jeans add some unexpected shape but still are professional.
#2 the airport uniform: This started off as a “wear your bulkiest items on the plane” ensemble but I’m weirdly obsessed with the fit. I actually bought the top while in amsterdam at a vintage shop — it’s levi’s (i understand the irony to go to the netherlands just to buy an american brand) but I’m a sucker for good basics. I’m seeing a lot of shorts and boots combos for the summer which is good for me because I need to get the cost per wear on these The Row boots down. Even better is getting to wear biker shorts outside of the gym.
#3 pleats and quiet: Well not so much quiet luxury as minimalist. This issey miyake top is hands down my favorite purchase from TRR. It’s so versatile — I’ve worn it on nights out, to work, nice dinners. But this outfit combo — sleeveless top, high-wasited trousers, mary janes is a tried and true uniform. The backpack is optional (but if anyone has recommendations for work bags, I’m all ears)
#4 looking for some hot stuff: I feel like this photo screams sweltering european day. I prefer skirts in the summer for breathability — this one is from isabel marant. Same white tee as the first pic, same mary janes. I’m going back to europe next month and dreaming about trying to get by for 10 days with only a carry-on. The bigger challenge is not spilling stuff on myself :/
#5 bonus outfit! Not something I own but I stumbled upon this stunning celine set at a vintage shop in copenhagen. If was at a point in my life for needing a two piece summer set (I’m imaging coastal grandmother lifestyle in maine while eating strawberries and baking layer cakes) + had a few spare hundred dollars, I would’ve totally bought it. But alas, if you truly love a vintage celine set, you have to let it go.
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PART TWO: travel tips
Pack outfits not clothes: I used to just throw in all my favorite pieces at the given moment that I decide to start packing into an open suitcase which turns out to be a poor strategy when none of your outfits match at your destination. Instead, I like to pick pieces that have the most versatility and then create outfits around them. For example: basic white tee can go with boxer shorts at the beach and then skirts, jeans, trousers at night.
Picking items you actually need as souvenirs: As much as I love stupid little trinkets, I also dream of minimalism. Last time I was in paris I bought a journal from a little bookstore, which I use almost every day. This trip I purchased a quilted toiletries bag at the Louisiana museum that I was desperately in need of as a gym and travel bag. Buying souvenirs with utilitarian purposes ensures you get to use your souvenirs more, and you get to think fondly upon your trip to copenhagen every time you do your makeup.
A few travel organizers go a long way: I used to think packing cubes were lame, but they are so useful to 1/ save space in your suitcase, and 2/keep your suitcase in tact when you’re traveling (I have the tendency to throw everything everywhere all at once). Also having a space for everything helps making packing faster rather than trying to play suitcase tetris in a time crunch.
Don’t be afraid to ask: I missed my flight over to copenhagen, and was given two options: pay $300 to get on the next direct flight or get in 3 hours later than I originally planned on my only day off with a layover. I cheekily asked the agent if I could get on the direct flight and not pay the $300 and to my surprise, she said yes. On my way back from heathrow, I wanted to get onto an earlier flight than my 830 and to my surprise the agent put me on the 550pm and then sent me to delta priority to drop my bags off. Note I do not have status but now I love delta. It doesn’t work every time but it doesn’t hurt to ask!
The fallacy of “later”: I love mailing notes to my family and friends, so I’m always on the hunt for the perfect postcard. The first few days when I arrive in a new city I’ll stumble upon a little souvenir shop but for some reason they’re never quite right — the postcards are too touristy or I’m in a rush to see something so I always tell myself I’ll come back later. They’ll be a better postcard place later on. But inevitably, the days pass quickly and you end up at the airport empty handed. I think there’s a life lesson in there somewhere. So if you find yourself standing in the souvenir shop already, just get the postcard.