Packing for a Creative Work Trip: What I Actually Wore

I just returned from a three-day creators summit in San Francisco with Mary Ann, Cindy, and five other content creators. Most would consider themselves to be fashion content creators, and a few lifestyle creators like me. Still, with everyone into fashion, it was a lot of pressure. Packing for this kind of trip always feels like a balance: polished, but comfortable, layered for the city in April, pieces that can repeat without feeling repetitive.

What I Packed (The Plan)

I typically wear a lot of black, and that makes packing easy. But, since we were meeting in San Francisco in April, I wanted to lighten it up a little bit with a more neutral palette. (White denim, denim, tan, coral, and brown).

Spring is always tricky for packing. It could be 70 degrees or 45 degrees. Layers for San Francisco weather, or anywhere, just make sense. I chose this large wool square scarf from Sézane as my layering piece that worked with everything in my suitcase.

Start with One Piece

This large square wool scarf was my starting point for building my entire three-day outfit plan around, which helped keep them cohesive. When packing, I sometimes want to reach for all my favorites, but they may not all work together. Choosing one piece, like a scarf, made me really hone in on a minimal palette.

The exact scarf is no longer available, but they do have one that I almost chose because it had the same colors. Blue like denim, cream, coral, khaki, brown, and golden yellow.

Pieces that Mix Easily

• Cardigan sweater
• Blazer (Houndstooth, or oversized blazer)
• Denim (off-white, dark denim trouser style, AYR denim-Color: Good Mood
• Tees (long sleeve stripe tee, solid black, and cream)

The Shoes I Wear for Travel

• Gucci loafers in brown and black
• Soludos Venetian Flats in brown velvet

Knowing we would most likely be doing a lot of walking in a city like San Francisco, I made sure to bring my best walking shoes. Now, typically, that means my favorite pair of Adidas Sambas. For the first time in a very long time, I did not pack a pair of sneakers. It was a short trip, so I packed two pairs of Gucci loafers. For me, Gucci loafers are the one shoe I can walk 10 miles in without any issues. I’m a 10.5, so that limits my options for most brands. I also brought a pair of Soludos Venetian Flats I can wear as slippers in the hotel room or on a coffee run to Starbucks across the street.

Day 1 – Travel and Arrival

What I wore on the Plane

For a long travel day, I wore my favorite pair of jeans from AYR. Mary Ann and I both wore them on our travel days. They are super comfortable, don’t stretch out between wearings, and they come in three lengths, so you can get the perfect fit. I wore this long-sleeve stripe Tee from KULE with a Uniqlo thin puffer vest under a simple trench from Everlane.

For shoes, I wore my black Gucci loafers with red Uniqlo socks. If you’ve never tried Uniqlo socks, you’re in for a treat. They come in 50 colors. I brought my Sézane scarf to the store on 5th Avenue and bought every pair in my scarf’s colors, plus red and black. Oh, and did I mention they are under $4 a pair!?

What I wore for Arrival + Dinner at the Hotel

I swapped my vest for a blazer and wore it with the stripe tee. I added this necklace from Roxanne Assoulin.

Day 2 – Meetings, Lunch & Dinner

On our first full day, I wore off-white jeans and this cardigan sweater from KULE. We walked to lunch, so I added a blazer for warmth. I had ordered this pair of white denim from AYR, but they had not arrived. I do think I prefer the AYR pair, but I am sure I’ll get plenty of use from an extra pair of white jeans from the GAP! I wore brown Gucci loafers without socks, and they were still so comfortable!

Later, when we walked to dinner in the rain, I opted to wear my Soludos (to save my Guccis) with brown socks for warmth and a trench.

Day 3 – Shopping at Sézane, Lunch, Color Analysis & Dinner

Noelani (La Vie on Grand) arranged for a private shopping experience at Sézane on Fillmore Street. They provided coffee, juice, and French pastries while we had the entire shop to ourselves.

I wore a cotton-print shirt from ba&sh (mine is from a few seasons ago; this one is similar. dark denim trouser jeans, and a blazer. I did buy this oversized blazer from Everlane, thinking that my houndstooth jacket would be too wintery. Turns out, it wasn’t, but the Everlane blazer is a great transition jacket, and it’s on sale in this color. (Runs true to size). For shoes, I wore brown Gucci loafers.

Personal Color Analysis with Susan Blakey

I had some trepidation about having my color analysis done because I was afraid I might find out I am wearing all the wrong colors. Susan so graciously offered to do everyone’s color analysis, and it brought me so much clarity and a little relief. I am considered an Autumn. Susan can only do this type of analysis in person, so if you live in Los Angeles, you can contact Susan here. Susan offers other services like travel wardrobe planning via Zoom. You can reach her via email: info@unefemme.net

What I Wore to Dinner at Kokkari

Our final dinner was at this beautiful Greek restaurant, Kokkari. I switched into my new shirt from Sézane. I always travel with these high–neck tanks from J.Crew. I wore navy (only because I didn’t have my black tank with me). I wore it with black Gucci loafers and the Mac Trench Coat.

I love the Chlo shirt in black. It was just the piece I needed for my simple wardrobe. Something I can wear year- round with denim, trousers, a poplin skirt, or even poolside with these beach pants from J.Crew! It’s that versatile.

Wrap up with a few final thoughts–

I wear these silk pajamas from Quince for travel. They are so lightweight and easy to pack. I use this travel mirror that I make sure is charged before I leave.

For my travel bag, I use this suitcase from Briggs & Riley with Eco Compression Packing Cubes (how have I lived without them?). I also use this quilted travel bag from Quince, which fits my cosmetic case, a small cross-body bag, my computer in this case from Eileen Fisher, and a few other essentials. It has a travel sleeve that slides over my suitcase handle, making it easy to keep everything together while moving through the airport.

Let’s check in with Mary Ann & Cindy!

Classic Casual Home

Cindy Hattersley Design