how i packed for my New Orleans trip in June

and what i wore

Thank you for the uplifting and supportive comments from my 1:1 styling session with Allison! If you are looking to book your own styling appointment, for reference I chose the one hour Facetime styling session + links. The day after our session, Allison emailed me her list of recommended shoes with links. I asked specifically for a list of pointy toed boots, so here is the list she sent me:

• TOTEME slim ankle boot in black patent

• ACNE STUDIOS patent trimmed leather ankle boot

• AEYDE Sofie nappa leather black boots

• REIKE NEN slim line ankle boots

• ESSEN glove boot

• JIL SANDER ankle boots

• ST. AGNI hanne boot in black

I had one goal in mind while packing for my New Orleans trip last June:

Pack only what I will wear on the trip, including accessories.

Months before the trip, I was warned of the humidity, the mugginess, and the stifling heat of the Gulf Coast.

But as someone who thrives in new environments and feels particularly inspired by travels, I saw trip this as an opportunity to achieve two objectives: 1) bring only what I need and 2) stay as cool as possible.

The weather in New Orleans read a low of 79 degrees Fahrenheit to a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit between Sunday the 23rd and Wednesday the 26th, which isn’t bad, considering it IS summer. But with the average humidity being between 74 and 77.5% (with the highest I’ve seen at around 88% at night), I was eager to pack outfits that were breathable, and light, but still timeless and appropriate for dinners and gatherings. I love Amy Smilovic’s cooking analogy when discussing how and what she packs for her trips. One other inspiration that came to mind was Joan Didion’s incredibly minimal, but iconic essential packing list:

My gold standard (Source: Pinterest)

What I could see about Joan Didion’s list was how she made everything she packed work for her so that she could seamlessly transition into her routine as a writer. And I have to say, there is something so illuminating about packing a singular bag for travels.

---

I used packing cubes

I use one small, and one medium sized packing cubes separated by sleepwear and day/evening wear. These Calpak packing cubes make a HUGE difference in conserving space in my suitcase.

I can only fit one small and one medium packing cube into my Calpak luggage. As for my Celine belt, I wrap it around the inner edge of the suitcase interior.

I chose a lightweight bag to accompany my carry on bag…

This Janessa Leone straw bag is incredibly easy to carry. The leather straps are comfortable even though I put my laptop and cashmere sweater inside. The straps also hold hats. So practical!

…without forgetting (this time!) a packable hat. And I always bring a smaller bag (crossbody or shoulder) with me on my travels for a more convenient option when shopping. On this trip, I had my small Jil Sander Tangle crossbody inside the straw bag.

I am definitely A) a sleeper when it comes to long hours on the road/in air or B) a reader. I always bring a paper copy, no hardbacks, because again, convenience.

I chose clothes that are breathable, don’t take up much space, and can be worn in multiple ways

This is what I wore on rotation:

• T-shirting shirred crewneck top

• Dusk Knit top

• Cotton jersey top

• Linen trousers

• Jumpsuit

• Oversized, but fitted colored cotton pant (I can’t find it online, but it’s from the brand IRO). Here is a reference photo:

IRO trousers with Old Skool Vans platform sneakers, Anine Bing blazer and basic tee)

What I am especially proud of is how none of these pieces are too bulky or heavy:

(L) I buy my underwear and tights from Wolford for their quality and comfort. Cuffed joggers are from Tommy John. On the right, I folded my favorite short sleeved tops from Tibi and Reformation, because these are easy to layer or wear with just jeans. I was a bit selective with the socks because I wanted to add a colorful twist to my outfit for wearing my lime green Vans.

I probably wore this Drapey Suiting Jumpsuit at least twice in the three and a half days I was in New Orleans. It looks so chic when I wear a tank or basic tee under it. In addition to wide legged linen trousers (I packed one black and one white) I also wore these oversized cotton IRO pants.

Skincare essentials are separated into two small pouches

During my travels, I use two bags; one pouch for makeup, and another double sided travel make up case that houses teas, electrolyte powders, eyedrops, my Retin-A cream, toothpaste/toothbrush, everything for a nightly routine. I always separate nightly routine items from makeup. For me, winding down for the evening is a relaxing ritual, something that is mentally calming as I get ready for bed after a stimulating day.

The first thing I pack in my makeup pouch is sunscreen; since it is the first step to my makeup routine, I keep it with my powder, skin tint, eyeshadow and brushes. The BEIS pouch has two compartments; I put wipes, electrolyte powder, teas and eye drops in one compartment, and skincare/cleansing products in the other.

I pack a third smaller makeup bag to hold the bare minimum of make up products for when I go out

Make up is easiest for me to pack because I keep things to a bare minimum and I use these nearly everyday. I don't like taking more than 5-8 minutes doing makeup. The make up brushes are Sonia Kashuk circa 2005 or 2006 and they're just as good as M.A.C. brushes (though I have some from that brand too)

I actually love staying in hotels, so the first thing I like to do is settle in as if it were my own bedroom, starting with the bathroom after checking in:

The two cleansing products I always make sure to bring for my acne prone skin: 1) Farmacy Green Clean cleansing balm and 2) Youth to the People Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Cleanser. I put my liquid cleanser in a Muji travel size container I bought back in 2019.

My shoe bag with an extra pair of shoes go inside the inner zippered compartment of my luggage, while my laptop is packed inside the carry on.

The charger cord and film camera are packed separately in my straw bag, while my hair straightener and laptop go inside the carry on. I wore the Old Skool Vans sneakers on the plane, and packed the slimmer, green pair.

Three outfit lessons I learned this past week:

• It is fine wearing nylon in hot weather, as I find it more breathable than cotton, which can feel heavy especially when there is humidity

• Not exactly an outfit lesson per se, but it is something that I keep close to my chest, but it is that owning your body and being confident with how you look really determines how you carry yourself. That way, you wear the outfit, and not the other way around.

• Wool can be worn in summer (like I’d wear this piece pretty much all year round)

After my trip, I realized why in the past, it was such a struggle for me to find outfits for spring and summer seasons: I didn’t have my own personal style. For years, I was grasping at straws at what I thought was “pretty,” “weather appropriate,” or “acceptable.” I always let other people (family, media) influence me on what “beauty” was. I didn’t realize the most important thing, which is owning my body and building confidence.

No wonder I was so lost. Granted, fashion and style take trial and error, but the core of of figuring out style is knowing what you love and how to make it work for you based on your environment and principles that are important to you. Amy Smilovic has written about the importance of personal style before.