When it comes to mastering the art of the travel wardrobe, it’s no surprise that our favorite fashion insiders also moonlight as packing pros. In My Packing Style, we tap some of the most well-traveled people we know for a peek inside their travel bags and vacation wardrobes to see how they take their style on the road. You’ve bookmarked the trip, you’ve screenshotted the outfits; now, a look at how it all comes together.
From fittings to shoots to shows, the day-to-day of a model is one of constant transit—no surprise, then, that Taylor Hill has her travel routine down to a science. The backdrop of this story proves our point: We intercepted the model and founder of jewelry brand Stone Fruit in the middle of a whirlwind itinerary, following a wedding in Malaysia and a few days’ downtime in Thailand, and right before a multi-city tour of London, Milan, and Paris for fashion month. It’s enough to send even the most Type-A packer into a tailspin; so how, exactly, does she plan for an on-the-go wardrobe that has to cover this much ground?
The answer is a combination of tried-and-true essentials (athleisure on the plane, always), practical tools (her dual-voltage steamer is never far from reach), and smart planning. Not only does she map out each outfit in detail ahead of time but she creates dedicated photo albums to reference once she lands, making getting ready at the destination is a breeze—even with jet lag.
Shop Taylor Hill’s Suitcase
Ahead, we asked Hill to share her go-to vacation wardrobe pieces, the designers behind her favorite travel sweaters, and the one item she always over-packs.
I typically start packing about two days before the trip. I like to pre-plan outfits for each day I’m gone and according to what type of trip it is—I feel it helps with over-packing to do it this way.
I usually pack full head-to-toe outfits but I try to apply the same few pairs of shoes and bags with multiple looks. I even like to take photos of each outfit I created and add them to a photo album for reference when I arrive. If I can’t see something, my brain immediately forgets it exists.
I also love using packing cubes. I’ll either pack them by item (like pants in one, tops in another) or by outfit. That way I know where everything is and what I was planning to wear together.
Isabel Marant is one of my all-time favorite brands; I feel like all their dresses and flowy pieces really nail that effortless boho cool girl vibe, with a French twist.
I have to be comfortable, but what I wear varies depending on how long the flight is. For long-haul flights I love sweat suits: The Alo Yoga ones with the loose sweats are perfect, because I don’t like sweat pants with elastic ruched ankles. For shorter flights I wear looser fitting pants, which can be suit pants or loose denim with a t-shirt and lots of layers. The temperature on planes can be unpredictable.
I’m obsessed with my Rimowa carry on. They really are worth the price in my opinion. I’ve had mine for five years and it just rolls like a dream, which is important when you travel as much as I do!
A nice cozy sweater. Either a cuter, more elevated cashmere one or a sportier crewneck activewear one. As well as a nice cozy sock; if I’m feeling bougie, I love a cashmere sock, as my feet are always cold.
I love both honestly, but I lean more towards a sweater because I like the look of draping it over my shoulders if I take it off. My favorite sweater brands are Lisa Yang and The Elder Statesman.
I love a stain. A lip stain, cheek stain… you name it. They’re great for warmer, more humid climates as they last longer and are smudge-proof and semi-waterproof. I also love the One/Size setting spray: It helps your makeup last longer and wear better.
My favorite thing to pack in abundance is jewelry, as it’s small and takes up the least space but can have a huge impact on a look. I pair my accessories ahead of time so I know what to bring. I love bold, unique jewelry as well, so my brand Stone Fruit is perfect for travel.
I travel with a portable steamer; it’s a game-changer and I love mine. It works in the U.S. and the EU.
The gold Disc cuffs from Stone Fruit. They add that perfect pop to any outfit and can take a simple look from day to night. I like to stack them and wear two together on one wrist.
I have a silk mustard pair of trousers from La Ligne; they’re an interesting color, almost like a chartreuse. I love packing them for vacation and pairing them with all kinds of tops. They don’t look super versatile because of the color, but the last trip I took with them I got about four different outfits with them. They’re good for day and night depending on how they’re styled. When I pair some more bold metal-forward jewelry with them they really feel more dressed up.
It depends on where I’m going and for how long. If I’m in a place long enough to have time to shop and explore, I’ll make sure I have enough room to do that. If I’m going for work, I prioritize making sure I have everything I’ll need for that trip.
Never just throw a bunch of clothes into a suitcase without trying them on and making outfits. You will get to your destination and hate all your clothes and feel like you have nothing to wear. Making intentional outfits is important for strategic packing, and to make sure you don’t overpack and bring a bunch of things you don’t need or like.
