“Let’s go to the horse show today,” she said. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO YOU!? I kid. But really, it’s a great example of the “what do you wear” moments that can accompany a very short trip taken with a very small bag. Packing for these little two days jaunts can prove to be more challenging than a two week vacation. There are unknowns to try to prepare for along with a wide range of activities within the knowns: Dinners out. Dinners in. Trip to a local fair. The beach. The pool. The barbecue! Packing a stack of extremely collapsible clothing, that can be used and reused without losing your personality in the shuffle, can be the ultimate challenge.
So today, a painfully real look into how I packed for a two day trip to see friends, a two hour drive away. There was (you guessed it) a horse show!! on the schedule. And two trips to two different pools and coffee runs and grilling and some very quality lounging.
Are these my most exciting and dynamically styled outfits? No. But they’re also not flavorless. And figuring out a comfortable sweet spot, where you can feel like you, but with less to deal with, is what an easy breezy weekend away is all about.
The Commute
A good commute outfit will consist of all reusable pieces. Should you be in your own vehicle, you could go with a pair of linen or drawstring shorts. On public transport, long pants, naturally. I wore these Alo Yoga flared leggings two weeks ago when driving home from a long weekend visiting friends outside of Philadelphia. They were an essential item to pack in the slight chance I found a yoga or pilates class in the neighborhood (maybe next time!) But they also looked very cute with a baggy t-shirt and “jean jacket” for the drive. You know my thoughts on jean jackets, but but I’m leaning into all the silky iterations in denim shirting and jackets of late - less crunchy, easier to move in. A softer drape on the shoulders. Cozier in A/C. More fun than a cardigan.
Straight to the pool
On the way there, I wore a Nili Lotan poplin shirt (the same one I was waxing over last weekend) and linen shorts for the drive. When we arrived I simply threw on a swimsuit underneath, swapped my sneakers for flip flops and was ready to get to the pool. Time is off the essence when you have 48 hours!
For Dinner Out
One item in my bag is reserved for evenings. At the moment, that thing for me is an ivory linen maxi. It’s Look 1 from Prada SS20 if you care to know, a revolutionary show opener, that I just scavenged. Reasons why it made the cut in my weekender are multiple. First, it’s length: I get chilly at night, and also am mosquito bite prone. And then there’s its weight and material: It fold into nothing. It looks good wrinkled! It feels a bit dressy. Yet it pairs back to everything. It’s great with the silky denim jacket or shirt from my commuting look, or a pop-colored sweatshirt, which I would be bringing to lounge in anyway.
The skirt doesn’t have to be white. I just like the idea of this longer (but not floor length) skirt that folds up small and makes everything else look like you’re floating.
And important to note, you get one little going out bag for this weekend. It will be just as cute at dinner as it will be with your sweats on a coffee run (below.) It will also hold your jewelry in your tote.
And Dinner In…
Plus a coffee run the next morning. Or just an excuse to leave the children with the husbands for a 10 minute break.
But really, the most essential item to pack for a weekend away is a cute and comfortable lounge outfit! What to wear after you put the kids to bed and you finally get to catch up with your friends over the white Burgundy you brought. (Yes, bring a white Burgundy! Your hosts are worth it. I know nothing about wine, but I do know that this will be well received by all, yourself included. P.P.S. Who has watched Drops of God? Slightly cheesy, but couldn’t turn it off!) Or when your kid wakes up two hours earlier than their kid and you have hours of exploring the driveway and Frozen 2 ahead of you!
Saturday’s Big Activities
And then there are the local adventures wherever you are. My dream weekend outfit is what I’d imagine an 1980s yuppy mom would wear. A little sporty but with zero sport fabrics. I think I nailed it!? For a weekend of to be determined… activities, you need a short that looks just as great with sneakers as it does with dainty sandals. A t-shirt that feels polished but will not ruin your mood if and when you spill lunch on it. Or a summer “top” that weighs nothing yet telegraphs a little more style than a tee. (This is something that has come up again and again so will be dissecting further in a coming week.)
And before I sign off, the most important element of packing well: limiting your shoes! It’s all about wearing the sneaker and packing a slim sandal (or two). Shoes are a suitcase killer. A successful trip is the one where you leave the cute yet non-functional sandals at home! They’re for dinner another weekend, when you’re staying put.
And with that, have a wonderful week!
Yours TRULY,
Becky
I would buy a T-shirt that read “A little sporty but with zero sport fabrics”
Just wanted to give a shoutout to Becky for creating this community! A fellow follower posted her desire to sell her sold-out everywhere NWT Matteau striped dress and I was able to snag it. We West Coast girls sometimes lag behind in scoring sizes by the time we roll out of bed on Sunday and read the latest Five Things! Big thank you to Becky and the seller (Lauren :))