Hi friends!
There's something clarifying about packing up your life and moving across the country. After 5 beautiful years in California, I recently made my way to the electric energy of New York City - the center of gravity of Ghia and everything that feeds it seemed to have returned to the big city, and I wanted to spend less time flying and more time creating. Remove friction, while moving 3 time zones closer to France, where ultimately my heart seems to pull me back more and more as I grow older.
With 220 days on the road last year, and over a month in limbo already this year, my shopping filter has become ruthlessly simple: if it doesn't make it into the next suitcase, I don't need it.
Of course, the suitcase evolves with each destination—in Paris's beautiful spring weather, I held on to my ridiculous Chloe banana t-shirt I already wore 10 times, like a child holding on to a stuffy, and a bedazzled barn jacket. I'm a proud, serial outfit repeater and my core pieces - black jeans, comfortable boat shoes, remain steadfast companions.
"Our products become alive in the hands of our customers" I tell the Ghia team almost every day. My essentials are alive and well.
While living in transition, I needed a place for all my 'someday' finds—that's where Carted became my digital holding space. It's a wishlist app that lets me save items across different sites while I decide if they deserve precious suitcase real estate, or decorating budget.
From my bed - the only place to currently sit on, I have been spending hours visualizing which light and piece of furniture would go where, and made a list for each room. From 1st Dibs to the deepest corners of Etsy, you can save anything. There's also a special list for my "Objects of Desire" - pieces I have been yearning for but am waiting to go on sale - the app will tell you if Net-A-Porter does a flash sale, or if a piece is back in stock. It's awesome!
Here's a peek at how I've been organizing my NYC nesting process:
In my first week in my new NYC apartment—surrounded by unopened boxes and the peculiar emptiness of a space not yet lived in—I still reached for the items in the suitcase. A few pieces make me feel like I'm at home no matter where I go: my Crown Affair hair towel, a few bags of my favorite tea, a travel size of this fragrance I have been loving.
So without further ado, here's what actually made the cut—the ride-or-die pieces that have been my constant travel companions for the past 6 months:
TOPS
_My favorite tshirts are Flore Flore, they hold their shape forever and are always on sale on SSENSE. For a lighter fabric, I love the Margo by Leset - which I layer liberally, white over color, like a Miu Miu girlie. Just one going out top, currently this off the shoulder by Toteme (size up! I can squeeze tight into a DK 34 one). And forever the J.Crew light cashmere crewnecks (I have white, green, and red) which are the perfect layer for day or night. My new favorite piece is this Chan Luu cardigan which is sexy, versatile, and so so comfortable (it's like a sweatshirt on the inside).
PANTS
_I'm obsessed with my new Aflalo pleat pants - they're my business meeting to sexy night pants. Great fitting, flattering black jeans (50% off here) and of course my Black High Sport pants - the travel workhorse that never fails (there are now loads on resale, too). Special mention for my new Still Here Buckle Jeans - I haven't been this excited for jeans in a long time and bought the indigo as soon as I received the white (I sized down from a 26 to a 25).
A SKIRT OR TWO
_I stand by the statement that a novelty skirt is the most packable way to have a full outfit. And while I'm still dreaming of the Alaia leopard print skirt I shall settle for this $98 Reformation zebra number (with the red JCrew sweater aforementioned) or a low rise Courreges classic. And for everyone who freaked about my old Topshop grommet skirt last week - this looks like a great $39!
SHOES
_This is where I get in trouble, so I have been sticking to a simple formula ~ 4 pairs at most, from fitness to business. If I had to only pack one pair, it would be The Bally Pathy's, my favorite shoes of the decade, truly. Aeyde has a similar style for half the price. I wear them day to night - while I am absolutely trying to manifest a tall boyfriend, I remain a die hard flat-shoes-at-night girl. This is maybe a European thing, but I love to freak a simple outfit with contrast color venetian slippers - so comfortable! I just got spoiled by Le Monde Beryl Boots (more sizes, on sale) and enjoying every minute of winter with them - they stay up and have a very fun and chic mini heel. They can travel with me if they travel on me. I never bring shoes that are just to work out - I'll workout with my Salomons or sneakers pretty enough to walk around in. And if I have room, one pair of heels makes the cut - silver is my neutral, but currently I'm wearing these Khaite beaded sandals on repeat.
BAGS
_The Alaïa Click bag was my gift to myself to celebrate turning in my book manuscript – it's actually my first time buying myself a designer bag (though I did get a little discount still). I had loved the Teckel but felt like I missed the boat somewhat, and when I saw the Click, I couldn't resist. For something more discreet, The Co Clutch in Espresso is my other lover.
JACKETS
_My most-worn outerwear is the Nour Hammour Drey jacket - the dark chocolate color makes it easy to wear with cool or warm tones and instantly adds polish to basics. I'm also loving this very on sale Field Jacket from Co (very good sale right now!). For unpredictable weather, Kassl coats are light and packable but the shiny texture makes them impossibly chic and they never wrinkle, no matter how they're stuffed into your suitcase.
JEWELRY
_My jewelry formula for travel is simple: commit to 1 color hardware (belt / bag etc) and take 1 pair of everyday earrings that matches - I currently wear the Hendry Bar Studs from Dorsey, the largest ones, they're gorgeous and I'm wanting to build a whole earscape of them. One pair of evening earrings (these!!), and my Eliou Eloise Wrap Necklace which can dress up any outfit.
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
_I fail time and time again to share my beauty routine because I have none - I cleanse with this for travel - it’s elite, treat (Differin 5 nights per week per my derm's rec), hydrate, that's all. I love products that multitask and take up minimal space. The Sweed Lash Serum which really works if you commit to it for 3 months, Victoria Beckham's mascara (tubular, doesn't smudge, but still buildable). Anything from Ciele, their SPF makes your pores disappear or Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days, which is just enough coverage and glow without feeling like makeup. Big crush right now for everything Sofie Pavitt makes.
_Last year I committed to healthy hair - no more highlights, no more sulfates or silicones, no more super hot tools. I use the Roz minis and Crown Affair even if I travel and take their game-changing hair towel everywhere I go. I use an Airwrap to blow dry once a week (I have not figured out the air dry in the NY weather yet) - with a daily dose of dry shampoo and oil at the bottom, it lasts 5-6 days.
_I could write a whole other newsletter about fragrance (how I fell out of love with them in Covid and am struggling to find a clean new scent), so for these days of indecisiveness I take Vyrao "The 6 pack" with me - you can choose the scent and its "functional" benefits based on your mood and they fit in my wallet.
_Special mention for Fatty 15, forever and always! The most efficient fatty acid since the omega 3s, no gross fish oil involved. I've been a devout customer for 3+ years, it makes a noticeable difference in how I feel all the time, in a way that’s so hard to describe but I just can’t live without. The code MELANIE, if not expired, should give you 15% off. Nike Zenvy leggings, the Pyro app (truly unbelievable, sorry to your downstairs neighbors), and $0.99 pilates socks are my travel staples.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
_The small things that make travel infinitely better: Natazia Stolberg's "Rest + Digest" Tea is arguably expensive but a true game changer on flights - it helps me arrive feeling human. For organization, these packing cubes from Amazon keep all my small objects in order, and those for clothing. They’re more about staying organized while on the trip than in the suitcase, at least for me. This Anker portable charger gives my computer a full charge during long travel days and delayed flights, and my Kindle, which is not only my treasured companion (I’ve had mine since 2016) but also my go to gift to every girlfriend I travel with.
If you’re still here, tell me what’s in your uniform! Hearts and comments help justify the time I spend on this ;).
Thank you for packing my suitcase with me!
Melanie
I'm the middle of a big home purge, including my closet. My LA wardrobe does not have the same needs as my fashion days working at WMag. All my favorites were the pieces in my suitcase (carry-on only!): Fleur du Mal bodysuits, Frame jeans, Jcrew cashmere, Buck Mason T-shirt, Theory black cropped slip on pants (Toteme-like!), Freda Salvador Brooke rain resistant boots (saved me from the brutal snow/rain in NY and rain/rain in LA last month!) and my Loewe Flamenco in Oxblood (a nice change from black and goes so well cream, denim etc). Goal is less but high quality things, medium spend on basics, splurge on accessories and wear everything to death. Thanks for your inspo!
I loved this :)