What I‘m Packing For My Trip To New Zealand By Dish Stanley

This is a trip that I made twice last winter, so I’ve got it grooved. Here’s what I’m bringing.

I’m very, very particular about travel clothes. I never ever check luggage (even if I’m traveling for a month and am going from, say hiking in the Dolomites to Milan) so the wardrobe edit is key. I don’t like to look sloppy, but I need to be comfortable. I do not like to attract attention or look wealthy (especially if I’m traveling alone), but I like to look stylish and sharp. To New Zealand I’ll be taking a 17 hour flight, so I’ll be sleeping on the flight, and because I like to always keep my passport, iPhone, iPods and at least one credit card on my body (while I sleep) that means deep pockets. Taking all this into consideration, last year for travel to New Zealand I landed on a “uniform” of a pair of smart looking but pretty cool jeans that have great deep pockets and a little stretch. I also wear a vest that has a zip pocket in it. 

The combination of these particular jeans with this vest has worked for both urban and sporty travel. I just change-up the shoes and what I wear with the vest. For instance, with black suede Chelsea boots (fall/winter) and a black cashmere turtleneck, it’s perfect for a day of walking around London, Paris or New York in any cold to cool weather. (You’re adding a winter coat, of course.)

Citizens of Humanity Emerson Mid-Rise Relaxed 27” Jeans ($218) I swear by these jeans for travel. The relaxed, but slim fit make them both extremely comfortable as well as versatile. I know that a wider leg is trending now, but this straight/slim leg is so much sharper with a pair of heels if you’re trying to dress your look up a bit. The wider legs look great with boots, but for travel the most I ever have room for is one pair of Manolo Blahniks, and this leg shape is great with those. I wear them in a darker shade of blue because, again, I think darker dresses up better.

Marfa Stance Reversible Vest ($1055) Yes, that’s a ridiculous price for a vest (they call it a “liner” because it works as an insert in their coats as well). But I don’t mind splurging every so often for something soooo versatile. Also, I don’t feel like I work in Silicon Valley when I’m wearing it. Will you just look at all the pockets? Great for traveling.

These Retro-looking New Balance Navy 327’s I like wearing a navy sneaker with a dark pair of blue jeans, I think it’s a smart and slimming, unfussy “column” of one color. I don’t think these navy ones are available currently. (Here’s a link to a white/blue combination currently in stock.) (If I’m traveling to some place urban I often wear a pair of navy flats, like my navy Belgian Shoes.)

Bombas’ Performance Compression Travel Socks Good for any long flight, including a 17 hour long one.

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