Packing for Los Angeles Math: 3:10:4:0

Traci would always kill me when we’d go to Paris to look at fabrics for the new season. We’d be there a week, have a ton to do, and she’d smugly get to the airport with her little carry on as I’d be haggling at the Delta counter with my giant bag. And listen, Traci loves design, she loves clothes. Clearly. It’s just she is very pragmatic, she cuts out all the extra noise when she’s travelling and she packs what works for her. Now, I don’t need to troll her here that when she did buy things in Paris (and she did), she would definitely try and shove them in my luggage for the return home. And I obliged, what was I to do? She’s our head of design, she’s incredible and I’m not going to lose a team member over some luggage real estate.

For me, I didn’t set out to get everything inside one LLBean tote bag (a fabulous one, btw). But, when one item just is so damn transformable, then it really starts to beg the question, “why bring more?” So, I’m not setting this up as “packing goals for life” but rather just encouraging you to play a little when packing to see how far a particular piece can actually go when it’s forced to work a little harder than usual.

This trouser skirt overalls dress item here is a big deal. It’s one of those pieces that you have that you may have initially confused as “super special” and a “little strange” and that you hope you wear it. And then you realize it’s one of the things you wear so very often, especially when traveling and you need to move from take me serious business, to I’m out for cocktails, to I’m just hanging, shopping, coffee-ing, and I’m not overly “too-too.”

I’ll break it down for you, how some well placed accessories created a range of vibes so I always felt “appropriate” - not by the guidelines of a Miss Manners book but rather just feeling in the right pieces for the right moments.

The first look, dinner out when I land. Adding the belt through the loops and wearing it as a dress. It’s giving good bareness, it’s L.A after all, but a determined urban vibe all the same. I’ve been eyeing these earrings from one of my fave small designers Francesca Villa and these are at most fave small specialty luxury store Boboli in Vancouver, CA. The Breitling watch adds strength and sportiness in a low-key luxe way. It’s under the radar, but still seen. By me. And that’s good. And these sandals go with everything, I’m bringing them back to Tibi, I think they’ll be here in a few weeks.

Meetings the next day. My modifier is humor, so obviously I live for these necklaces from Boboli and they’re kind of hidden - so like I know they’re there, but I may not be in the mood to show everyone in the meeting unless they ask. I need a shoe that is a bit pointed, a pure round toe ballet felt a little too feminine and the croc embossed brown leather belt adds interesting texture, depth.

Long day of work and am now headed out for dinner and drinks. The Rick Owens belt here adds a little toughness to be ironically and perfectly softened by my ring with a ghost. And these little slip camis really exude “dressed for going out” but very chill all the same.

Morning coffee. I’m an early riser, and with just a quick trip I’m not adjusting to the time - so 5am has me up and writing and this combination keeps me focused. I have two chapters due to my editor, and I’ve developed little things now (superstitions??) that I need for writing. One is a “real notebook, and second is these Japanese pens that the other Amy (a friend) got me hooked on. Now hear me out, I want to be comfortable but if I’m too sloppy, I can’t write good (haha, get it?) So the bonded viscose Top and the blue suede Seth sneakers let me be comfortable and sharp.

A day of shopping in LA really means I’m just headed over to Mohawk General Store where the coolest couple ever have the mens and women’s shops that fully represent their personal style. Bo the owner leans in to her taste, she’s never visited our studio with an algorithm of what she thinks will sell. And that’s a great thing, you want to know what people want next, not what everyone bought yesterday. Bo’s taste leads the way here. I’ve picked up these glasses and they’re good. Really good. And my Savannah Bee tee - I’m doing a podcast with my friend Ted the owner next week- I’ll convince him to bring back this tee that’s been sold out for ages. Ok? And the navy fine guage cotton sweater will literally become your safety blanket. Kid you not.

So remember, when you’re traveling, visit the good small independent boutiques - LA’s finest is Mohawk General Store. And when you’re thinking of those things to pack that will make everything special, reaching out online to other small independent retailers like BOBOLI in Vancouver is the good route. Every time.

Oh, and this was for the plane. Oh, and we are in the process of stitching more of the L.L. Bean totes. It takes time, all things do. But you can sign up to be notified here for when they come back. Sorry they sold out so fast, small batches tho, it’s good.

So the plane essentials to and from:

Headed out. The clear Lucas Bag is my official tote - I need IPad close by, but I’m also committed to this book by Kate Fagan. I don’t want to say it’s mindless, that conveys a pithiness - but it’s an easy read in that you dive in and you stay there. It’s so witty and grabs you all the way through. I always travel with a blanket and when I’m in all my neutrals I love the sharp ring 4 addition. And the Clift jean is perfect, it’s a bit slimmer but still that super chill long rise. No baby carrot tiny zippers found here. The thing is, the denim is light, soft you might even say. So for 5 hours in air I’m good.

And then going home….

I’m wearing my new socks from Mohawk and the Crispy Nylon Liam blazer which, if you know, you know. It’s the best. If you don’t know, ask around. And if someone says it’s not the best, then they’re wrong. Truly.

Ok, happy travelling. Your entire weekend doesn’t have to fit in to an LLBean tote, but when it does, it feels pretty, pretty, pretty good (do you get the reference? Extra points if you do.).