a travelers closet…

What to pack as a traveler:

I have traveled my entire life. I am pretty sure I was on a plane to Iraq when I was a month-old. You would think I have packing down to a science after doing it for 25 years. However, it wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I really learned how to pack after traveling almost weekly. My wardrobe had to adjust & is continuing to adjust to a traveler’s lifestyle. 

I used to pack:

• 2 full suitcases with everything I would need to move to another country for a year, 
• Tops that needed a cami underneath & only went with a specific pair of pants, 
• A few pair of heels that I would NEVER wear, &
• Multiple pairs of pajamas & work-out clothes, when I only needed one pair each

Now, I won’t say I am an expert at packing, but I will say that I have adjusted my wardrobe pretty well. To be clear, I am not one of those amazingly fashionable travelers like Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam or Paola from Blank Itinerary (#GOALS), but I look decent (I hope!) & I am comfortable when I travel. I try to pack basics that can be worn with anything else I may have packed. I also try & throw in one or two exciting outfits in the mix as well to liven things up. 

Below are the staples in my closet that I pair with accessories for both home & travels. I will post my go-to travel accessories later, but I wanted to give you the basics for now. 

 

Tops:

• Basic V-neck (I have both H&M or Madewell because you can never have too many)

• Basic Jersey Top

• I have this tank in both colors + this plain white one (photographed in the long vest cardigan) but have this semi-fancier one on my wishlist (Similar white tank: Here). For a fancier-vibe, I love my black scallop tank. 

• Off the shoulder top here & here. The two I have are no longer sold, but I have the other 2 in my shopping cart. 

Sweaters/Jackets:

• Boatneck sweater (Similar: Here & Here) 

• V-neck sweater (Similar: Here )

• I bought my long cardigan awhile back, so it is not longer available, but it is my ABSOLUTE favorite. (Similar: Here & Here & Here) If heading to warmer temps, I will take my vest cardigan. 

• My faux leather jacket comes with me on every trip. It is so comfortable & makes every outfit look just a bit more edgy. 

Pants:

• I think you can’t go wrong with a pair of blue jeans, white jeans, & black jeans, when traveling. The black jean I linked is kinda (barely) shiny, so it is a bit dressier. Also, S.O. to Aryan for taking a million photos of me, but these aren’t the best angles so check out the models for more appropriate gauge of fit. 

Shorts/Skirts:

• I pack my shorts in a similar fashion to my pants. I go with white jean shorts, blue jean shorts, & black shorts (I have black scallop shorts that are my go-to, but they no longer make it. However, I saw the same shorts today at Madewell, which is what I linked).  

• I have a white skirt, which pairs well with most of the above (even the sweaters). I bought mine years ago, but I found this white skirt that I love & is on sale. This are great to pair with swimsuits as well. 

Dress:

• This black shift dress is SO versatile & flattering. I found this off-the shoulder dress which is also versatile & fun. 

• I have a cotton midi dress in two colors from Zara that they no longer make, but it is a staple for sight-seeing. However, I found this white midi dress that is so pretty & will get the job done. 

• I bought this maxi dress for a wedding only to realize that it would be great for the beach or even a fun dinner. It also pairs great with the leather jacket. I found it in pink here. 

Shoes:

• Sneakers are a must while traveling.. These are my fave: Adidas, Asos, Converse & Gap.

• Booties (Sam Edelman shoes are the most comfortable shoes I own hands-down & come in so many different colors)

• Sandals (I saw a cheaper version at Gap as well)

• I have a love/hate relationship with heels. So cute but feels like death. These wedges are so comfortable & versatile, so you can leave the heels at home. 

• My white-tennis shoes are great for a light workout, but also works great for sight-seeing in any of combo of outfits I travel with. 

Bags:

• I have a bag very similar to this one, but I decided to link this one.. It has a removable mini-bag, which would be great for going out at night AND it is reversible, which is AMAZING. 

 

Pack any of these staples to your suitcase & throw in some swimsuits (if heading to the beach) or a scarf & parka (if heading to Iceland), and you are golden. I would pack more shorts & only 1 pair of jeans if heading to warm-weather climates, & vice versa if heading to cold-weather climates. I hope this helps you think about what you may need for your future trips!

xoxo, 

shushu