My California Packing List
Let Layering Season Begin!
I was en route to San Francisco as I wrote this (but didn’t finish) and as promised, my packing list. I love reading packing lists to see how others pull pieces together. I made it for 10 days in Italy with a carry on over the summer, but fall means jackets and cashmere and boots, so I gave in and packed a checked bag. Plus, I’m going from seaside casual and vineyard hopping to meetings and evening events in San Francisco so I needed the balance of city and country.
At first, I felt uninspired when I started to pull things together, then I started thinking about layering and that is when everything quickly pulled together.
I created an autumn color palette for day—grays, navy, burnt orange, army green, denim, and a black and navy color palette for night. Then I thought of extreme layering…taking a tee and a button down and a sweater and blazer, and how they would all work together if you piled them on.
In theory, you could wear every single item I packed for day at once and it would all work together. (It would be a good photo shoot.) Suddenly I had more outfit options than I probably have opportunities to wear them. But I like that, especially if I’m going to spend a morning on a hike and an afternoon at a vineyard. At night, even though I’m sure most people will be in tees and jeans, I want to elevate a bit, so a silk tee and a fluid chiffon trench with my 501s, or a long sleeve tee and silk pants (with my nice Birks). In SF it will be boots or my Prada mules I found on Resee, jeans or leather pants and a camisole and blazer. I promise pics. (What’s not on the list? Two sets of pjs, two sets of exercise clothes, running shoes, undies.)
One new addition (beyond the Khaite grey sweater that I’ve already talked about) is a pair of brown suede boots from R. Soles, which have been on my radar since 2007 (yep), when Vogue Paris guest issue editor Charlotte Gainsbourg mentioned them as part of her wardrobe essentials (see below). R. Soles is based in London so you have to order (I am a true size 38 , US size 8, although they say their 38 is a 7 1/2, it fits like an 8). I’m excited to wear them.
The one thing I wish I had was an easy long sleeve dress like Joan, below. I can’t seem to find one that’s just right; Suzie Kondi has a Didion dress but it doesn’t do it for me, and LA Collection has a fancier version, which isn’t laid back enough. I did pack a long black sleeveless cotton one I have from Frances de Lourdes, but it’s not quite the same vibe. If anyone finds one please share!
Stay tuned for trip details! x J
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I'm in awe of people who make packing lists. I've never made one in my life! LOL. Which is probably why I always forget something. But my travel motto is, if I've got my passport and a credit card, it's all fine.
Not exactly Joan Didion, because: prints, BUT La Double J’s Long Sleeve Swing Dress is the right vibe of laid back and lux. Plus pockets. On a whim I tried one on two years ago and immediately felt like JD in front of her Corvette Stingray. It was a fantastic print (for me) and I couldn’t buy it fast enough. Wore it all the time on a spring coastal CA road trip.