From the Editor

The one issue I have with a streamlined wardrobe–a pared-down closet consisting only of staples that fit perfectly–is that sometimes I feel I have nothing to wear. This moment causes particular panic when I’ve worn one of my go-to summer uniforms and I know I’ll be in the same location or with the same people a few days later. While those who know me well know that I’m experimenting with uniform dressing, more casual acquaintances may just be perplexed—or wondering why I don’t do laundry! (A note: I’m glad to love laundry again now that The Laundress is BACK!) Another struggle with a streamlined wardrobe is that wardrobe holes are more glaring—both to me and to those who see me regularly.

This struggle happens a few times a year, usually about a month or so into the season when a new event or activity comes up. Later this summer, we’re planning a trip, and for some reason this has thrown me into a complete tizzy. I haven’t traveled since pre-COVID; I haven’t traveled with a child; I haven’t spent much time in the place where we’re going (but enough to know that my usual uniforms aren’t going to cut it.)

So what do you do? I don’t want to reinvent the wheel here; my staples are my staples for a reason. (You can read the wardrobe staples process here.) Yet there are a few wardrobe gaps I need to address in my daily life that are particularly glaring for this particular trip: specifically, the sundress problem. I don’t have a good one that doesn’t automatically read “Slim Aarons Palm Beach,” as evidenced here.

Because I know my wardrobe, I know what pieces I need to fill these glaringly obvious (to me!) gaps. A sundress, another midi-length skirt, and a couple white tops are all must-haves, particularly for this trip and this summer. I’m drawn to pieces like this, but let’s be honest: I’m never going to comfortable in it, however beautiful it may be.

When I started writing this post, I intended it as an essay extolling the virtues of knowing your wardrobe, but it’s clearly turned into something else: more of a reflection on expectations of attire, uniform dressing, and wardrobe gaps. I apparently still expect myself to dress differently depending on my company and location, instead of embracing what works well for me. I do believe that when you feel good in what you’re wearing, you look good—but I needed a reminder. And it was helpful to remember that when you think you need to buy more stuff–you likely already have what you need, or at least know what you need. You don’t need to go off-script. You just need to know you.

Do you have these moments of “what should I wear?” panic, and if so, how do you solve them?

The Carry-On-Only-For-A-Week Edit

I’m preparing myself VERY far in advance for our travels and reminding myself how I used to pack for multiple weeks away with only a carry-on! I have flown with only a carry-on (seen above)—that I literally carried myself, no suitcase with wheels!—to Ireland for the summer; to Egypt and Jordan for close to a month; to France, Germany, Austria, and the UK for three and a half weeks; to Belize and Guatemala for two weeks; and so on. However, I’m so out of practice, so now I have to go all high-tech and actually make a *~plan~* to do this! Check out my selections for a week-long summer trip and read why I picked what I picked here.

Find the rest of this week’s issue on Substack here!