June 5, 2019
I saw her in O’Hare last week, wearing a deeply amazing and eye-catching jacket…
I’ve chosen NOT to use that jacket as the core of this wardrobe, because of both the price and limited availability. But it wasn’t difficult to find another beautiful jacket in a bright and joyous mix of prints!
Coat – Alice & Olivia
Destination: To Be Determined!
She’s going to Europe, but beyond that, nothing is definite. Maybe cool, maybe warm…
Coat – Alice & Olivia
So she’s dressing for the unexpected…
Earrings – Vintouch Italy; coat – Alice & Olivia; scarf – Sole Society; tee – Eileen Fisher; bracelet – Barse; pants – Eileen Fisher; duffle bag – Béis; crossbody bag – Hiva Atelier; suede flats – Birkenstock
Since she’s not sure where she’s going to go (probably where the train tickets are least expensive!) she’s packing small, and very versatile:
blue cashmere tee – Lands’ End; black earrings – Kenneth Jay Lane; blue earrings – Ann Taylor; bracelet – Alexis Bittar; yellow tee – Gibson; cardigan – Halogen; black tank – Eileen Fisher; necklace – Alexis Bittar; shorts – Eileen Fisher; scarf – Nordstrom; bag – Gigi New York; skirt – Eileen Fisher; sling backs – Via Spiga; sandals – Paul Green
She’s erring a bit on the dressy side, because she plans to sleep quite a bit, and do some very lovely dining… Of course she will go sight-seeing too, but the food’s the thing!
Many people might be nervous traveling with only 9 garments, but her options are many, and her commitment to hotel laundry is firm!
Would you do this? As long as I could avoid sweltering heat, I would take a trip like this tomorrow!
love,
Janice
Like this article? Save it to Pinterest!
I recently travelled to Europe for a 9 day-er with a carryon. It was the best trip ever. Would never go back to lugging heavy luggage again!
I like the way the heroine is not trying to cover every eventuality. She has an agenda and she’s making her wardrobe fit that agenda – knowing that if something unexpected pops up, she can “make do” or do some impromptu shopping (I.e. hiking gear or sneakers.)
Honestly, I hate having to shop for essentials on vacation, especially for things I *know* I have at home. (I feel like I’m a non-standard size and it just gets tricky). However, that attitude does make for too much packing drama….
That Dries Van Noten coat is to die for!!!!
I know! I saw her across the concourse at the airport and had to talk to her. If it were less expensive, or available in more sizes, I would have used it in a heartbeat. I deeply respect a young person (probably in her 20’s) committing to a purchase like this…
hugs,
Janice
I love that you went up to talk to her. I have gotten bolder about doing that, and people are always thrilled to hear that somebody appreciated their choices.
I also like your choice more than the Dries original, but only because I’m not so crazy about plaids. Dries is a master of textiles and texture.
I would take only one pair of dressy shoes with heels and a second pair for walking. I guess, reminiscing to when I was in my 30s and traveling around Europe a lot, I tended to wear heels, but I paid for it in my 40s with bunions. Walking around Toulouse the other day I noticed that even very well-dressed women were wearing flats–athleisure (sparkly tennis shoes, etc.) or brogues.
I’m trying to be better about expressing my admiration for things that I see people wear – we aren’t kind enough to each other! Rarely does someone react badly to being complimented!
And yes, the shoes were just a bit on the fantasy side of the equation. Sometimes I err on the side of the “sitting in a cafe” school of travel…
hugs,
Janice
Because I have size issues – both in clothing and in shoes I’m very careful about what I pack as I know i would be difficult to find what I might need. However, this doesn’t stop me from packing light – I just have to really think about what I plan to do.
While I think the coat is lovely – it’s definitely not me – and I think it would limit my choices rather than expand them.
Since she knows what she intends to do it will probably work but I do wonder at the shoe choices – i don’t think anyone would be doing much walking – or even comfortable train (or plane) travel in those options. I would always include a better walking shoe. This is a tough one.
I’m packing for Europe today so this post was good timing! I love both the coats! My first reaction to the rest of the pieces was that she was going to get too hot in black. I’m planning to do cream as my neutral and i added a midi dress to the mix but otherwise quite similar!
Also, I saw this coat and thought, wow you could definitely build an entire travel wardrobe off this! https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/akris-punto-patchwork-drawstring-rain-coat/product/0400010220907
I love it, but that’s another one of those beautiful garments that’s selling out in SO MANY sizes! I try not to link to stuff like that because I know what it’s like to really love something and then find out that it’s not available in my size…
hugs,
Janice
LOVE that rain coat! I could build wardrobes around it all day long (but I wouldn’t pay that much, sigh) – nancyo
I have recently bought a coat like this with a very bold look. I’m looking for ways to wear it so your timing is perfect. I’m timid about making it my only coat for a trip but maybe.
I love your choice of coat even better than the original! I also like to make my travel about food!
That coat is beautiful and so versatile for daily dressing and travelling! I have a similar print in a kimono of sorts. Actually, this whole post (…any of yours!)is how I plan my purchases: solids or lots of colors =being able to get dressed quickly and look really put together! I have also referred to the looks as “Garanimals for Grownups”. Thank you for more ideas!
Love this. Any favorite restaurants in Paris? My son leaves tonight for three days at the French open.
I love Brasserie Balzar, on the Rue des Ecole. Some people think that there are too many tourists there, but that’s never been my experience! I’ve had dinner there… 50 times?
hugs,
Janice
It is more a coat than a jacket I would say. It might be able to pass as a dress on the right figure. I love the colors and the variety of designs. It isn’t in my budget but what fun. I’ve been able to tweek my wardrobe using many of your suggestions.
When I have to do this (like the time I completely forgot socks, what was I thinking!) I mark the item as practical souvenir in my mind. So the socks I got in London are my London socks… even though they are neutral colored and not at all ‘touristy’ — they still remind me of my trip. The bikini I got in Germany is completely non-special (it was quite affordable), but it makes me think of a lovely time at the swimbad in my mother’s hometown with my kiddo. The limited edition Eccos from Frankfurt in my favorite color were a splurge, but my feet hurt and I love the shoes and feel, oh so, “Continental” whenever I wear them.
I’m in heaven this is me. The colours the choice of clothes accessories etc are everything that I have imagined but not able to do easily translate into reality. With the addition of a few extras this capsule will keep me going for a few years
I spent 10 days in Egypt with only a carry-on, and 2 weeks in Croatia and Slovenia with the same. It can be done. I’m never the best or most fashionably dressed tourist, but it is so much easier to travel with only one bag. I learned it all from Janice; thank you so much.
I love the challenge of packing light! It’s amazing how little I find I actually need, even if I am decidedly not committed to hotel laundry, and washing out things myself only in situations of the direst need. I used to always go by the rule of thumb that “most things need to be able to be worn with most other things.” These days I use your 4×4 template even if I bring a few garments less – or more. – nancyo
nice designs all designs are so beautiful