Carry-On Only with Eileen Fisher

I’m joining a few friends to discuss what we wear when traveling. And today, I am talking about how I pack carry-on only with Eileen Fisher. If you know me, then you know it’s pretty much the same as when I’m not traveling. Whether it’s a long weekend, a week, or even a month, I use carry-on luggage only.

There are so many perks to carry on, including avoiding baggage claim. However, one of the best tips I’ve learned is that even if the airline insists you check your bag at the gate, there’s very little chance it can be lost, and you never have to pay to check it. It’s as though you’re doing them a favor if you agree to gate-check your carry-on bag. Although, you will have to go to baggage claim after all.

You only have to have lost your luggage once to adopt this rule and stick to it, no matter what.  Having a small capsule wardrobe makes everything easier. Making a packing list is easy when almost everything will be the Eileen Fisher pieces you’ve been wearing.

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What I’m Packing for a One-Week Trip in Warm Weather

Puckered Organic Linen Skirt // Black T-Shirt // White T-Shirt // Puckered Linen Shirt // Airy Organic Cotton Twill Jacket // Tumbled Leather Wedge Sandal // White Linen Skirt // Mohair Plush Crew Sweater // Airy Organic Cotton Twill Pant

I limit my wardrobe to neutrals, for the most part. This makes it very easy to pack. My personal travel wardrobe suggestions may not work for everyone,  but if you are willing to repeat outfits, mix and match, and maybe even do a load or two of wash, you can pack very light.

Personally, I never mind doing laundry when I travel if it means I can travel light. I often hang my cashmere sweaters on the balcony for an hour to refresh them in cold weather. In the summer months, laundry is often necessary. Keep reading…in the summer, I freshen clothes with a spray bottle of Vodka.

• Three T-shirts, two black and one white
• Two tank tops for layering
• Two pair of pants
• Two skirts
• Two shirts
• One sweater
• One cotton jacket 
• One denim jacket
• Two pairs of silk pajama pants and a couple of tops

Organic-Linen Handerkerchief Band Collar Shirt // Organic Linen Handkerchief Pocket Skirt // Mohair Plush Crew Sweater // Tumbled Leather Wedge Sandal // GAP Icon Denim Jacket // Black T-Shirt // Gucci Brixton Loafers

Eileen Fisher is my go-to brand for everyday travel. Once you know your size, it’s easy to order full-in pieces. It also allows you to take advantage of their Renew program, where they sell gently used pieces that have been returned. I visited my local Eileen Fisher store in Westport, Connecticut, and found a few tops that I added to my summer wardrobe. 

GAP Icon Denim Jacket // Puckered Organic-Linen Tapered Pant // Gucci Brixton Loafers // Chain Necklace // Adidas Sambas

Eileen Fisher is all about sustainability. They believe if you have the 12 basic shapes, you can keep a small but beautiful wardrobe that can take you anywhere! My travel wardrobe is the perfect example of 12 pieces, as you can see above. I added a few tank tops, pajamas, and a jean jacket, but that’s it! 

The Icon Denim Jacket is currently 50% off at GAP, and the black and cream polkadot bandanas.

My Travel Outfit

I wear the same black pants from Lululemon, a black T-shirt, jacket, loafers, or sneakers. The jacket must be one that I will wear when I’m at my destination. I wear athletic pants with a drawstring, but they don’t necessarily look like workout pants. I like that they don’t show wrinkles, can be washed in the shower, and worn to the gym or a yoga class.

Since it’s summer, the jacket will most likely be a jean jacket. It’s a great basic that can be layered over a sweater or a T-shirt with pants or a skirt. 

Three Pairs of Comfortable Shoes

I limit my shoes to only three pairs, including those I wear for travel. I wear a size 10.5 shoes, so my shoes take up a lot of room. I love Samba sneakers because they are super comfortable and look great with everything. We always do a lot of walking, and Adidas Sambas are the perfect shoe, with no break-in period. You can read this blog post on wearing sneakers here and here.

Fashionable Women Are (still) Wearing Sambas in Paris

How to Style Sneakers with Everything

I like these slides from Eileen Fisher. They feel slightly more dressed up than wearing Birkenstocks, which I love. I almost always travel with my favorite pair of loafers—a pair of Gucci Brixton loafers in black. They are so comfortable! Nothing compares. They are like the little black dress in shoes. They go with everything, and you feel like a million bucks! 

Extra Items I Swear by When Traveling

• A thin bag for laundry doesn’t take up any space, but it can sort dirty and clean clothes and take them to a nearby laundromat.
• A travel towel -thin and compact enough, but it’s still a towel you can use as an impromptu picnic blanket or after a quick dip in the sea—you never know!
• Personal items I keep in a cross-body bag. 
• Compression bags—I always keep a couple of these in my suitcase. They come in handy when returning from a trip when you seem to have more than when you left!
• I’m not a huge fan of packing cubes, but I always use shoe bags! I don’t want shoes to come in contact with anything in my bag,
• Oversized Cashmere wrap that is perfect for travel but also as an extra blanket if the hotel is chilly
• I use a crossbody bag to store small items, my passport, and anything else I need when going to a restroom on board or through customs. It’s easy to have it all in one place, hands-free.

A Spray Bottle of Vodka to Clean your Clothing Between Washes

You need a small 2-ounce spray bottle with Vodka. Every night, hang the clothing you might need/want to wear again and spray it with a fine mist of Vodka to freshen it! It evaporates, but not before killing bacteria. Try it next time you are on the fence about laundering something or getting one more wear.

I keep a full-size spray bottle in my laundry room at home. If you want, you can add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil.

A Few Things I Always Bring in My Tote Bag

• A change of clothes in a small bag like this from Baggu (you never know).
• Compression knee socks
• A self-cleaning water bottle
• Eye drops
• Hand cream
• AirPods
• Chargers for phone, computer
• Cleaning wipes for eyeglasses
• My crossbody bag with all personal items
• Snacks

Here’s another post you might find helpful

• Packing Tips for Carry-on Luggage Only

Let’s see what these fashionable women have to say about what to wear/pack for summer travel!

Cindy Hattersley Design

Classic Casual Home

une femme d’un certain age