Shallow Escapist Material
How to Pack for a Road Trip
I don’t know why, as the world collapses around me, I get obsessed with something like … packing.
Maybe it’s just relief, an answer to my craving now more than ever of … mastery. Of something.
Maybe it’s that there’s so much more than ever riding on a trip. Because who knows when we’ll take another. And because I need an escape, my brain needs an escape, my body needs an escape. Now more than ever. (I realize this is supreme luxury.)
Maybe it’s because packing less, being able to schlep myself easily and feel prepared for every exigency makes me feel empowered.
And maybe it’s because — I just long for beauty! The beauty of little things (food artfully arranged on a plate, crisp cotton sheets, soft-spun sweaters) feels somehow weightier now as we’ve seen the ugliest side of human nature.
Wait, let me really go there, because my whole thing is to be authentic. Maybe it’s because I. just. love. clothes. I really do. I get comfort from wearing what feels and looks right to my eye at the right time. I love clothes the way you might love fishing or music.
When I recently headed to Portland Maine for an AirBnB anniversary vacay. I packed very, very particularly and still overdid it. (The risk is far worse when you have the space of a whole car and no airport to traverse.)
So I can tell you exactly what to pack if you plan to hit the road this month. This is the ideal packing for your 7-day car-based casual location trip. Boom:
Accessories
-Shoes-
A sneaker you can dress up: You want a comfortable sneaker you could take an early morning walk in that also can do double duty out at a low-key dinner where your feet may get cold. (Note: I don’t work out on vacation, so I don’t need a hard core sneaker.)
Some cute flats for going out to dinner. I took a Chanel Mary Jane I got on The Real Real.
Something you can slip on easily for coffee runs. If you have those fur lined slides, now is the time. Cozy comfort. I wore them in the car. If it’s warmer, you might want a woven slide in a darker transitional color. I took these too.
Socks: I can’t say enough how cold you’re going to be. It will be freezing at night when you’re eating outside b/c of COVID. You want lovely, silky socks that can go with the shoes. If I could have endless pairs of Comme Ci silk socks I would. Instead I will feed my child. It’s a balance.
-Bags (I took two.)-
A Vuitton toiletry pouch: I use this as a clutch out to dinner and during the day too. It’s super durable; you can throw it around without damaging it. Goes with everything (check out my Princess Diana inspiration). I got it on eBay and there are tons of these around.
A small Dior Book Bag: I’ve wanted this style for a while, but the big one was too big for me. When the small one came out, I took the plunge — using a lot of stashed Saks points so it was less than half price! What’s perfect about this is that it’s open and you can just toss stuff in. You can stash a sweater, a book, etc. It fits my computer too. Also the black on black is unassuming. On road trips around New England, upstate New York, etc. you don’t want to stick out. (Fun fact: I will buy something with a brand name on it, and then put that side close to my body to hide it. My mom does this too. What’s wrong with us?)
Clothes
A long cardigan: I got this Jil Sander one in the Netaporter sale and wore it on the car ride and almost every single day. With shorts on our deck, as a layer out to dinner, over PJs having coffee. It’s like a cozy cloud. Where did they all go? I should have bought 2 and I never say that about anything.
Good leggings: These are finally, actually, the high rise legging of my dreams. Wore them in the car and out to dinner. Leggings are a trip workhorse because you can work out, wear them out, sleep in them. They also dry pretty fast if you wash them.
Pull-on shorts: I took shorts for around the house and the few waning days of warmth. These are the shorts equivalent of leggings, and I am very obsessed with them. I love them with the long sweater and a T-shirt. I took one size smaller in these.
Loose dress: I got this dress for $60 new in the Best Kept Secret sale (sign up to get on that list) and love it. I cut the flower off. I wore this around the house, out to get a lobster roll, etc. Easy breezy one and done. You could sleep in this too.
Long, warm vest: I got this one on The Real Real, and I highly rec keeping your eyes open for one! You can layer this over the sweater at night.
Denim: Take your favorite jeans (mine are currently these). I thought white ones made sense because they were easier to dress up, but they also showed the kimchee I dropped on them. Live and learn.
Ts: I took a bunch of white Ts and a couple black ones. This one I got a while ago, but it’s my current favorite. It’s not really cropped on me (I think I’m short waisted) but just tucks in at the front, and I like the thickness and boxiness.
Men’s style shirt: I am sooooo into this. I now have 2. Great with leggings. Under the long sweater. With shorts and a tee. To sleep in. To lounge on your deck in. With denim. The sleeves hang long, and it’s like a borrowed shirt that’s so much better. I love sleeves that hang over my hands. It comforts me.
Masks: Masks are so tiny and you wear them a lot. I packed a few different options. Be on the lookout for cute ones on your trip, too (found great ones here). I’m trying not to overshop them, but I think masks will be in our lives for a while. (And of course your AirBnB will be wiped down, but bring sanitizing wipes and a mini spray of hand sanitizer too. This one is my favorite. It has enough alcohol but dries to smell good.)
Beanie and fingerless gloves: I know it sounds crazy, but these pack small and make a big difference (did I mention you will be outside and you will be cold?)
Pajamas: I like some PJs you can wear out if you want to or stay in all day. (Is that bad?) Like these.
Other Stuff I Suggest
A clean, repellant candle: In case you can get some last licks of porch time.
A space heater: I have this at home, and I wish I packed it. I’d have put this on the porch too.
Great reads: Don’t just rely on what’s on your phone. Sometimes you want to hold a book on a vacation. I read this cover to cover on one rainy day in Portland.
Coloring book + colored pencils: I have not been into this whole adult coloring book thing … but Iris Apfel is another story. I brought this coloring book and I actually loved how it made me get out of my head.
A blanket: As long as you have a whole car, take a favorite throw blanket from home for chilly mornings. Even on your lap at dinner.
Stain removers: I love these little babies so much. Do the math: You don’t have all your stuff with you … + you will be eating ice cream.
