Color Math for Packing. It works, promise.

Packing simplified. Not because we’ve dumbed down what we’re bringing, we’re not Luddite’s here advocating for a backpack, pull on pants, and a small bottle of detergent. What we’ve done is taken a hard look at what causes the angst when traveling, and we used this to problem solve, create a solution for how to think about packing the suitcase.

For nearly everyone, packing creates a bit of anxiety. What do I bring? Will I have too little or too much? Will I feel completely wrong when I arrive, will I be warm, will I be hot, will I be appropriate….. I used to feel this way, all the time. At first I thought it was due to my age and that I didn’t have the right salary to buy the clothes that would let me feel right in Paris or Florence. Then I thought it was that I didn’t have style, they just looked so much chicer on the streets of Rome or lounging so effortlessly at the seaside restaurants in St. Barts. Then I thought I just hadn’t been to enough places to really know the style vibe in Prague vs. Nappa Valley. Google image searches had me trying to ape outfits that ended up blowing out my weight count at check in and still leaving me feeling as if I’ve nothing to wear once I’ve arrived.

Style Class, Season 5 Episode 40, You can watch here, we discussed a unique approach to building out the suitcase. It starts with applying color math to the destination you’re visiting. We took four distinct locales and color ring coded them based on considerations of temperature, terrain, the activities, and the people. Here’s how to work the math: whatever is in brackets gets the full depth of categories - the pant, the top, the skirt, the jacket etc. Anything not in brackets gets touched on. And if it is a tiny number, then it’s just an accessory pop. What you will find is that if you try packing solely based on this method, the outfits will follow. It’s incredibly logical, you just have to give yourself over to the idea of it. Each city has it’s own equation - and yes, this begs a much further discussion on where can we find opinions on what cities get what math. Keturah has done a survey, we’ll share that - all in due time. First, I want to see how this sits with you all and what kind of questions it begs.

Our first city we broke down was Antwerp. For our packing session, we’re headed there in the late fall/winter, the streets are cobblestone, we’ll do lots of walking, museums and shopping. And the people wear a ton of black, it’s ultra chic and home of the Antwerp Six. The woman I photographed here, she was strolling by me in July - this is how Antwerp does a summer vibe.

Taking into account terrain, temp and people, Antwerp is a city that’s predominately Ring 1 Black and a bit of Ring 2. And I love these combinations, but I always like to find a way to add in one bit of friction, I get a little tired sometimes in too much black and other neturals. Even the woman above craved a touch of orange with her hat. Based on this, our color math equation reads: the 1 is in brackets. That means I’ve got pants, a skirt, denim, a blazer, a coat, a sweater and a top - all in black. 2 is not in brackets, but it is important to the luggage - so I’m going to add in a few items that serve important functions - a skirt In white nylon to brighten up a dark suitcase, a Sweatshirt to add coziness, a Blue button down for a quirky preppy take on all this black, and a white Tank top that works at a very modern design level but ultimately is just an easy tank. For a place that can get really cold, the Featherweight rib wool items are key, light but so resilient against the weather and a must for light and functional layering. My bright Ring 4 Socks will give levity, a white Belt will change up the vibe, and lace tights will give me a range of evening options.

For the plane, I’m going to wear the bulkier items like the big Coat and Blazer. I’m never quite comfortable fully head to toe black, so I’m throwing in a red bag of Myriam’s (this one is available at Vestaire Collective) and blue Cashmere socks. The cashmere wool Scarf is my must for sleeping on the plane - big enough for complete coverage, soft enough as a pillow, and perfect for morning coffee runs. And the Tan Seth sneaker gives refinement, a release of color against all the black, and super functional ease.

When you build your luggage by rings first and then by category, make sure to also pack in a range of textures, especially if your locale is dominated by one color as in the case of Antwerp. By my calculation, there are about 30 other permutations to be had here - and given it’s a three day weekend trip, I’m truly covered for any opportunity. Below are just a few of the looks I’m wearing.

I’ve packed so smart that I’ve also room to pick up a few things I can find only in Antwerp, like my puppy tee here (I bought this summer) from local skate brand Lockwood, a MoMu museum tote and the bizarre sneakers from a collab between MoMu and Japanese label Grounds Hanky Sneakers, a bright colored bag from Belgium designer Julie Kegels picked up at Resnaissance Antwerp.

Destination: London. The terrain will go in and out of dampness, the people wear a lot of dark colors but lots of prints and color too. Dinners out can be very chic or it can be as simple and chill as a great pub with someone who’ll explain all the different (do they call it beer?) on tap. You’ll want to lean in to the arts and quirk of it all, but it’s very much a modern chic city with lots of heritage. The balance is what you’ll seek, but you’re there for 3 days and in a place this diverse you want to get it right or you’ll go way over your travel weight limit. In brackets, you have rings 2 and 4. That means within those rings, you want to pack deep hitting all the categories. We chose ring 2 here instead of ring 1 black because with all this color, it’s important we don’t create an aggressive vibe out of step with the city. The neutrals or ring 2 are still but with subtlety, it keeps it modern and the brights keep are in tone with the spirit of those around you.

Winslow track pant coupled with the insignia Jacket gives prep but not overly so. Multiple sweaters to be dressed up like the one with the Holes in the back are chic enough for dinner out but also work for morning coffee (or tea). The ring three tee is from Union in La, it takes everything down a notch. The piece I know I’ll wear the most is the Clear baby rain boot - chic but functional. The Blue trainer will get tons of play, And the red feather pump gives ridiculous chic to any outfit when you want to be more but not OTT. Always pack a series of tank tops that are fitted and add warmth. And a red sweater, any sweater, you’ll wear it a ton.

The plane is a careful consideration here as the bigger items are on me and I want to make sure when I land I have lots of options for weather - if the rooms not ready it sucks to be committed to an outfit that doesn’t have range.

Each of the pieces can be dialed up or down, the Trench is reversible - so the options are limitless - and it’s waterproof on both sides. The five items on the plane are all completely different textures: sport nylon, wool, cotton shirting, a rich Mens check blazer and a fluffy scarf. When you wear dimension you somehow feel a little more thoughtful, nuanced. Like someone whose brain contains a range of thoughts at the same time. You may laugh reading this, but pay attention, it’s likely to be true. Or not, for you - and that’s ok too. Obviously.

The gold Loafer gives punch, the socks Airport socks are a must, and a cross shoulder bag, this is mine from Myriam Schaefer but it’s also Here is crazy functional for passport, phone, wallet - it’s dark denim and leather and goes with everything.

Well, I just got the alert from Substack that this was getting way too long - so I’ll do Los Cabos, MX and Scottsdale, AZ on a separate post.

Happy travels, try this packing tip. It may seem so damn obvious, but honestly the best things are. It’s often just a matter of codifying what you see and experience to be true and saying it out loud. Ok?