Lucky me – I’m going to New York for a few days next week! Belovedest has to go to a series of meetings there, and we had a free plane ticket, and so…
But this is a particularly dicey time of year to travel – there’s no telling what I’m going to find for weather. So the first thing we have to always plan is what the “drop dead” plan is for cancellations, i.e., at what point do we go back home after a number of delays. But once that’s settled, I also have to face that fact that I’m not going to be happy slopping around Manhattan unless I have serious footwear – specifically, my Bogs. And they’re… bulky… really, really bulky…
I could wear them on the plane, but I’m going to assume that I don’t have to, and that I can pack them rather than wear them in transit. So I’ll still be bundling up for my trip – cozy turtleneck, with a cardigan, a scarf, knit trousers and my favorite athletic shoes. These shoes don’t look like marshmallows, and I can walk in them for hours….
Black turtleneck – Majestic Filatures, earrings – Majorica, pants – Donna Karan, shoes – Geox, scarf – Julie Egli, cardigan – Tess Giberson, parka – Lands’ End
My Bogs are going to take about 20% of my bag capacity, and I’m absolutely determined to carry my smallest possible bag, so I’m going to be limited to just a few garments – a six-pack. I’m really trying to avoid taking a bag with wheels, because there’s nothing worse than rolling a bag through slush…
Theoretically I could survive with even fewer garments, if I remind myself that I’m going to be spending almost all of my time wearing my coat! So this is what I’m thinking I will pack – giving myself a few choices for evenings at dinner, if in fact we have conditions that permit leaving the hotel:
Waxed denim jeans – Eileen Fisher, sweater – The Row, denim shirt – Ralph Lauren, zippered cardigan – Maison Martin Margiela, striped sweater – Vince, pleated skirt – Eileen Fisher, ballet flats – Munro, boots – Bogs
Wednesday I’m going to do a lot of retail due diligence, and then eat room service. Thursday, the plan is to meet a friend to go to the Frick, and then out to dinner with Belovedest.
Friday I get to spend all day with B, and then we’ll maybe go out to dinner. Saturday, we will meet friends for breakfast and then head to the airport.
I’m very happy with these choices – I can carry this bag for hours with no problems, and I’ll be well-dressed for anything I expect…
love,
Janice
None of the links work in the 2nd group. I'm doing this same thing today for a college trip for my daughter. Love that I can take a small bag.
Hi Janice, Do you have a link to the bag you plan to carry? This looks like the perfect travel wardrobe to me.
Knowing Janice's previous posts, the bag is probably a Tumi. If you go over to onekingslane.com they have a similar bag for a really good price today (good price for Tumi, not necessarily for everyone's price range).
It's a Tumi Riggs Weekender (yes, that's my last name!!!), and I don't think they still make it. And then didn't name it for me – sheesh…
I just came back from New York (arrived on 3rd just before the first storm, left on 12th just before the next storm…!). There was both compacted snow (which you had to climb over to get to the road to cross it) and a lot of slush (some of it floating decelptively on top of massive puddles). It was very cold outside – there was a biting wind, and I was surprsed how many layers I needed. If you have a sleeveless down vest, I'd recommend throwing that into the mix. But it was often very warm inside, so I think your proposed layering is the way to go.
The audience at the ballet was full of people in sensible clothing, including a lot of Wellingtons. There wass even one silver pair, which had a certain something about them – unlike the sequin-covered Uggs that I saw in another part of the Lincoln Centre one evening..
Inspired by the blog, I packed a blended blue and grey wardrobe for my 10 days – but I haven't quite got the hang of it properly yet, so I had to lay everything out and then weed it to reduce the volume, recognising that I didn't need to pack every single combination that fitted my colour scheme1..
Great choices, and I hope you get there without too many delays. Have a wonderful time. Enjoy the retail due diligence — I am way overdue for one.
This looks like a very sensible and workable wardrobe that you will enjoy. Plus all of it would work for me, so I'm taking notes. I am off to Santa Fe next week and will be looking at some of your posts. Scarves (casual) will deftinitely be part of my wardrobe.
Did you do the hearts that erupt on opening and closing posts today? They are very cute!
Lovely how the swap of pants to skirt really changes the whole vibe of the outfit. Have a lovely trip!
Have a great time!
This is great. Sensible and chic and I love the hearts too!
Great ideas! I'm going to Boston for a few days next week, and I'll use your ideas as a guide. Thankfully, I'm driving so I don't have to worry about checking bags. Therein lies the danger of overpacking. However, other than my favorite DVF wrap dress for out to dinner, I'm packing very similarly to you.
Love the hearts. Love this post – great ideas for lightweight packing. I thought Thursday city and dinner sure wanted a scarf! 🙂 Or some beautiful earrings… So spoiled by your all-encompassing approach.
JoyceP
Hi Janice – Thanks for another great post! Do your bogs classic mid handles have good traction? Have a great weekend!
Yes, they have very good traction, and I know I've mentioned it before, but they are EXCEPTIONALLY warm. I can't recommend them enough.
I’m also intrigued by your bogs…so much more polished than the gum boots I’ve had since college. Would you recommend them for a trip to Marseille in April? Or too hot and bulky?
Thanks Janice!!
To Anonymous: you might need rain boots in Marseille in April, but you don't need anything warm. This is the winter that wasn't. The almond trees are already in flower. It's been in the 50s and 60s in southern France. Lots of rain, but not cold.
That’s really helpful to know. Thanks so much, Ann Onymous!
My Bogs are my new favorite for this Northeast winter. Snow one day, icy rain the next, a slushy meltdown after a couple of days in the 50s, then back to snow. The boots keep my feet warm and dry and are very comfortable. I'd read about Bogs before but something about this "slushy" post prompted me to get a pair of my own. I love them!
Will you be wearing tights with the skirt?
A very sensible and workable wardrobe, methinks! I'd add thermal or wool tights (for under trousers as well as with the skirt) and a wool singlet, and hat, gloves and scarf but I do feel the cold.
Dear Janice,
Post material for you: Look at the number of New York runway shows that featured flat shoes. Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Marc by Marc Jacobs, J.W. Anderson…I can't say I like all the shoes, but at least there were no stilettos to be found.
Also, Chanel and Celine last month. Even Victoria Beckham