summer packing list

what to bring with you for a summer to remember

Inspired by Joan Didion’s packing list that she conveniently had taped inside her closet door, I thought I’d share my own summer packing list, for essentials and the non.

To Pack and Wear:

• 1 soft pants

• 1 hard pant ie: jeans (wear on flight if less than 4 hrs)

• white tee or tank (also to wear on flight)

• a sense of adventure

• bike shorts or leggings for potential exercise (ha) and hotel lounging

• sports bra and/or bralette

• a cashmere-soft sweater or cardigan, black or grey

• sleepwear

• swimsuit, always for the potential opportunity

• a big appetite

• one nice top + interesting seasonal texture (silk, satin, sheer)

• one comfortable top (oversized shirt, loose thin long-sleeve)

• a penchant for encounters with strangers

• one nice dress or bottom (skirt, fancy pants)

• one coat, as needed (always wear on flight)

• undergarments and such

• courage for the light risk taking (ie: jumping off cliffs, flirting with strangers, etc)

• 2 pairs of shoes: flip flops (for potential pool and as hotel room slippers) and sneakers

  • wear 3rd pair on flight: boots/chunkiest shoe recommended

bag with: the usual toiletry essentials but some additional necessities include the bug bite thing, allergy pills, aloe/sun lotion, stomach pills

To Carry:

• leather journal

• pocket journal

  • write down addresses and phone numbers of hotels, emergency contacts, etc. in case you don’t have wifi or lose your phone!

• room for spontaneity

• headphones (over the ear AND wired- for when the battery dies and for connecting to the in-flight entertainment)

• assorted pens

• hat or baseball cap (to wear in flight)

• jewelry

• snacks you don't normally eat that you indulged in buying at the airport

• sunglasses (to wear around airport and for landing)

• kindle + physical book

• chargers + various tech needs

• a curiosity for people and places and things

• your daily purse

• spare tote (for shopping)

• electrolytes

• glasses

• impt paperwork: passport, tickets, printouts and the like

• zip up hoodie (good for coat layering, hotel lounging, and in flight ac frigidness)

• a downloaded sleep playlist (mine is mostly Phoebe Bridgers)

• patience for the unpredictability

  

  Joan Didion, “The White Album”