Color Math for Packing: Part 2

Color math, you’ve learned how to work the colorwheel by now, I think. Combinations of certain rings create different vibes. The further away the rings, the stronger and sharper the emotion. Closer together the colors soften, add nuance. The way to create range in your closet is not amassing hundreds of outfits but rather knowing how to create looks from a curated group of pieces that affect your mood by reinforcing it, matching it, or conjuring it. You know, if you can dress it you can be it type thing. The same goes for your suitcase. Packing moods not outfits, moods that match the vibe of your destination and importantly give you options once you arrive. Show up in paris in army green slouchy cargo pants, a soft cinnamon tee, a rustic cream sweater tied at the waist and tan suede moccasins and you may be chic by any standard. Your labels may even read Dries, Row, and Margiela. But you won’t feel right in your surroundings. So this is not about the best brands to put in your bag, and it’s not about rating outfits good or bad. It’s about understanding how to pack for a destinations vibe which is a combination of the temperature, terrain, the places you’ll visit, and the way locals dress and act. Our goal is to land anywhere and feel part of our new environment but still fully like ourselves.

And that begs the question, what and how much to pack? Color math, covered here in part 1 of this stack, helps solve the equation. I promise, it’s not oversimplifying when I say, the math works. Everytime. Everything gets better with practice, if you don’t nail this right away. But you will, and if you don’t, that’s ok. That means it’s not your thing, we’re not all alike. And that’s ok to.

Examples here are for two of my favorite destinations, and both have distinct color rings that aptly describe their vibe. You may think distinct and obvious color vibes will make packing easier. But possibly counterintuitively here, for the Creative Pragmatist, this can present issues. The tone can feel a bit more one dimensional and filled with tropes, and we’ll do anything to escape feeling that way. The key is to do it all with balance.

Destination: Los Cabo, Mexico

The terrain, the people, the temperature calls for lighter clothing with options for colder evenings, and brighter colors that beg to be tempered and aligned with your personal style. I dress in a lot of ring 1 and 2 neutrals and when I travel to a destination that is known for brighter colors, heavier on the sexy or feminine side, I live for the challenge of figuring out how to feel part of my new environment but ultimately just like me. No new wardrobe required, no costuming happening - simple goals.

The math: color rings in brackets means that those rings should have the full depth of categories in the carryon: top, bottom, sweater, dress. That means rings 4 and 1 have all the bases covered. I’ll throw in some ring 2’s to soften the transition from 4 to 1. The track pant goes to sundown cocktails with the strapless leopard Malia mills suit and a flat black sandal. With the lavender sweater the red track pant combo is perfect for early morning breakfast poolside. The Navy cotton hoodie makes the lace trimmed skirt extra chill for a night out drinking, but paired with the light weight stella denim it’s perfect for a boat ride at sunset. A slide that gives texture, elegance and ease will likely get worn a ton. Look hard here, from the dress that reads dressy enough for a wedding party but chill enough for cocktails with the switch of a shoe, there are about 20 different solid outfit options here and myriad moods ranging from elegant, to chill, to sexy. All here, in one carry on bag.

The airplane is where I wear the heavier items - leaving a cold environment means I need some warmth but I don’t want to be fully sweating bullets when I’m breezing out the door bypassing others waiting for the luggage to arrive. See?

Each piece, from your favorite denim shirt to the skimpy tank will get lots of wear throughout your long weekend. Arriving just like yourself, but the Cabo version.

Bonus, I’ve room in the suitcases to thrown in some pieces I’ve picked up like a sterling silver beaded necklace found at the airport of all places, some great pottery and a funny little handmade coin purse that I’ll use as my new evening bag paired with the black circle skirt and the Cut out white top. Here’s a side note - when I invest in something kitschy like the coin purse, it always feels most right when there’s a backstory. If I bought this from Balenciaga, and paid $1,500 versus $3, I’d feel a little soulless about it.

Destination: Scottsdale, AZ

The orange sunsets, deserts and cacti, coupled the permanent sweet scent of mesquite set the stage for Scottsdale. Show up in all black, sure, it’s a thing. Like this guy, a tough cowboy moment:

But most of the black I own is not in the form of a cowboy duster and a conch belt. Too much city black doesn’t let me feel right in my new locale, I find myself craving to lean in to my surroundings. The ring 3 colors, mixed with more classic 2s in browns and raw denims, in textures and shapes are what comprises my bag. Both rings have a full range of styles packed, pieces like the wilt jogger and the asymmetrical balloon skirt are likely to be most heavily repeated. Even the sunglasses take on a more subtle vibe - these from Oliver Peoples strike the right balance chic enough for evening, sporty enough for day. What’s the key to ring 3 dressing for a Creative Pragmatist? That you achieve all the chill without leaning too sloppy and out of character. Something simple like the Gold sandal gives modern edge to all the desert softness packed.

The airplane is all about the layering. The padded coat that works on the side of the tarmac is also the perfect companion for an early morning hike up camel’s back.