November 18, 2024
Come rummage through my closet with me!
Yes, I’m going to Paris after all. You may recall that Belovedest and I had to cancel a trip to London and Paris last month after my wee pratfall in the hotel bathroom; there was no way that I could face an international flight that soon after I broke seven ribs!
But I’m finding now that I can sleep on my side (which is a game-changer, for me!), walk on a treadmill for over a half hour, and be outdoors for 3 or 4 hours at a stretch. I’m not leaving until December 11, so I’m working with the assumption that I will feel at least somewhat better than I do now, and be quite a bit stronger.
All that said, Belovedest insists that I check my suitcase, even though it easily fits into an overhead bin, and that I do NOT carry a backpack. Small handbag only, although I will just put my wallet and phone in pockets during my days there… And a handkerchief!
After visiting Paris a ton of times, I’ve come to the cruel realization that NOBODY IS LOOKING AT ME. Unless I’m ordering food, paying for something, or walking straight at them on the sidewalk… So I don’t need to worry about variety in my travel capsule wardrobe, nor about being shocking beautiful (no more than normal…).
Also, I realize that Paris, like most of the world, is pretty doggone casual. If I was planning to hang out in the high-rent districts, I might need to dress up more, but I’m going to be mostly in the Marais, which is very relaxed, and has a wide variety of the human type to observe and enjoy!
With all of these things in mind, I’m starting with the core of wardrobes for so many people, The Common Wardrobe:
Black cashmere turtleneck – Lands’ End; black long-sleeved tee – L.L.Bean; black cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; chambray shirt – J.Crew; white and China blue shirts – Lands’ End; short-sleeved tee shirts – Lands’ End; jeans – L.L.Bean; stone twill pants – L.L.Bean; black knit pants – L.L.Bean
No, you don’t have to own all of these! You don’t have to own ANY of these… But I’ve been looking at what people wear for over a decade, and I see these pieces of clothing a ton. On all kinds of people, worn with accent garments and accessories of amazing variety. These are a base – a core – a starting point upon which to imprint your taste…
My version of this includes stripes, because I have to have them!
Black cashmere turtleneck – Lands’ End; black vest – Theory; black cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; chambray shirt – J.Crew; white shirt – Lands’ End; striped shirt – Lands’ End; striped tee shirt – Lands’ End; black long sleeve tee – Lands’ End; ivory tee – Lands’ End; jeans – L.L.Bean; Heritage stone pants – L.L.Bean; black pants – L.L.Bean
I’m packing outfit by outfit – as soon as my suitcase is “loosely full” (does that make sense?), I’m stopping. I have a suitcase that does NOT have the bars from the handle on the inside of the bag, and it’s shocking how much more space it gives me!
I’m flying like this. My jeans are loose, my turtleneck is like a second skin in cold weather, and my hoodie is cashmere…
My new handbag is just large enough for me to carry my normal wallet, sunglasses, notepad, etc., plus my prescription medicines. I’m taking two weeks worth or medication for a one week vacation – I’m not paranoid!
earrings – Samuel B.; scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; cashmere beanie – Talbots; black cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; down jacket – Uniqlo; cashmere hoodie – J.Crew; jeans – L.L.Bean; cashmere gloves – Nordstrom; bag – Apatchy London; boots – Vivaia
I’m connecting through Dublin – it will be good that I’ve checked my bag through to Paris, because it will keep me from ducking out of the airport in Dublin and just spending the week there!
I start my packing with black pants and a denim shirt. With these pieces, I could manage for a week… I would buy something additional, but if I had to, I COULD travel with just a backpack! Except Belovedest would worry…
And yes, I’m packing a second coat. A down coat – even one that’s NOT advertised as “packable” – will squish down to a tiny bit of nothing. Remember that everything is packable – unless it was manufactured ON YOUR DOORSTEP, it’s been packed before…
And having a coat that covers my derriere will be useful.
Down coat – Lands’ End; scarf – Ingmarson; earrings – Argentovivo; sweater – H&M; chambray shirt – J.Crew; black pants – L.L.Bean; loafers – Minnetonka
When you travel in the winter, you have to accept that you may well pack things you won’t ever wear. I want to take my stone chinos with me, because I love them, but if the weather is wet and sloppy, they may never see the light of the Paris day. Or night.
And if it’s bitterly cold, my vest might not be warm enough. But I love it. So be it…
And down-filled mittens. Amazing. Wicked expensive, but they can be the difference between sore fibromyalgia hands, and warm hands.
Scarf – Echo; earrings – Black Bow Jewelry; white shirt – Lands’ End; heritage stone pants – L.L.Bean; black vest – Theory; down-filled mittens – Hestra
Lastly, I will definitely pack more tee shirts (or cotton turtlenecks). If I’m going to put my shirts into a packing sleeve, I may as well FILL that sleeve, and that means 6 or 7 tops. My skirt rolls/twists/wads up into a ball about the size of my fist. The cardigan will be with me if there’s space…
Scarf – Echo; earrings – Gemondo; black & ivory tee shirts – Lands’ End; pleated skirt – J.Crew; tights – Falke; striped cardigan – Maje
Therefore, this is what I will have with me each morning in Paris, when it’s time to get dressed:
I know that for many of you, this is painfully, depressingly monotone. I love it like this – we all have different preferences, as we should. And it bears mentioning that I have purple highlights in my hair, so it’s not like I’m actually drab!
How will I assemble these classic pieces into equally classic outfits?
I’ve also given some thought to what I’m going to buy in Paris, and what I might tuck into my bag if I have room…
If I can only sneak in one last thing, it might be my black cashmere sweater. It’s 24 years old, and should last me the rest of my life. I can wear it with any pants, or my black skirt. Warm and timeless.
I’m almost certainly going to buy the boots, and probably the sweatshirt. Depending on how my packing sleeve fills up, I will toss in a 2nd black cotton turtleneck. They really are my default first layer all winter!
Black cashmere turtleneck – Lands’ End; ivory quarter-zip sweatshirt – Colorful Standard; black cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; boots – Camper
I have a folded-up Longchamp tote bag somewhere – I will pack that, and put all purchases into that, and carry it onto the plane on my trip back.
Putting all of my purchases in one place like this makes getting duty-free credit just a bit easier – anything they want to see at French Customs will be right there. And on the off chance that the US Customs wakes up and takes a look at me (which has NEVER happened) I will be ready!
So I’ve got packing all sorted. Now I’m thinking of where I want to visit, what I want to do, and what I want to eat.
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, someone bought a GORGEOUS Issey Miyake black jacket, and wanted some ideas about how to wear it with brown. Oh my…
Yes, I’m one of those who is a bit of a magpie when it comes to colors, but I love the way you’ve included contrasting silhouettes and textures. There’s so many ways to mix and match them, you could probably stay for weeks! 😁