Elizabeth Suzann silk Florence Pants | gift from ES to review, size medium petite
Zady .02 organic cotton tee | gift for review from Zady last year, use code GRECHEN15 for 15% off this year’s version
Vince sneakers
The Great denim boxy jacket
Bric’s Life 18″ Carryall | purchased with credits earned via my partnership with Forzieri
As you know, I was in Florida for my father’s birthday/Memorial Day for a few days this week. The outfit above is what I wore on the plane, and then also, on the way back, on the plane. I did not wear the sneakers or the pants at all in Florida; it was too hot and muggy. Which always leads me to a dilemma: do I want to wear something on the plane I won’t wear at my destination? To which my answer is, at this time of the year anyway, that I need slip-in sneakers or “shoes” for the plane so my feet won’t be cold, and I prefer to dress in pants for total comfort and warmth. But since it was in the low 90’s in Orlando I didn’t want anything much to touch my body, so I spent my time there in dresses and sandals.
Being the concise packer that I am (now, anyway), I loathe the idea of bringing anything or wearing anything en route that won’t get worn at my destination multiple times & in different ways. For example, I brought my Elizabeth Suzann Marlena Midi dress and worn it a few times, reversed, and with the denim jacket. But these pants never left their spot on the back of the chair until the day I left. Ditto for the sneakers. I suppose it shouldn’t matter so much to me, and truly, it doesn’t, but it’s the idea of it, and still, my idea/desire to have everything I need and nothing I don’t – JUST the right things for every occasion/trip – no more, no less.
Easier said than done, obviously, yet I try. Oh, how I try.
How do you deal with the issue of dressing differently on the plane or for travel, than you do at your destination? just deal with it? or over-analyze to death (like I do)? 😉
James Perse shirred tube skirt
James Perse casual tee
Beek Sandals
Remember the James Perse pencil skirt I had and wore all the time several years ago? I sold it because it got too big for me, and now I’ve found my replacement. I got this at the JP store a couple weeks ago and have worn it a few times, although I took it with me to Florida and never wore it. I sized down to a size 1 and it is just right – I needed the size 1 to suck and smooth, the 2 didn’t do it well enough for me. The size 1 is not too tight by any means, but if you prefer a “looser” look, or not so much compression, then perhaps take your normal size.
Sunja Link linen palm print dress | gift from Seven Sisters to review, size medium
Here’s a look at the Sunja Link dress I’ve been talking about, full size, which I post reluctantly, because I just don’t like the picture very much. I simply don’t have any good ones yet, which is why I’ve only posted bits and pieces. But Kathryn asked for more images, so here is one! Hopefully it will stop raining long enough here in Texas so I can get some good pictures and post them next week. I love the dress, and have worn it nearly a handful of times since I got it last week. It’s oversized, but slightly more narrow after the knees, so it doesn’t loose it’s shape completely. And I love that I can roll up the sleeves to my desired length.
Rag & Bone/JEAN capri jeans (gift from a friend) | size 29
Converse X Play CdG sneakers | many years old
Zady linen sweater | gift from Zady to review + use code GRECHEN15 for 15% off
I was thinking about my post yesterday, and about the things I have in my wardrobe that really make me smile. Honestly, I don’t need my clothes/accessories/shoes to make me smile, or even “spark joy” all the time; I mostly need them to allow me to be myself, and let me go on with the business of life in style and comfort. But of all the things I own, these Converse X Play CdG sneakers are the one thing that ALWAYS make me smile when I look at them. I don’t find converse to be particularly comfortable at all, so I don’t wear them traveling anymore, but I love the white shoe, and the smiley heart on the side.
Also, the Zady linen sweater is growing on me. I don’t have occasion to wear it often, but I put it on yesterday after the rain cooled things down a bit, and to run to Costco, which is always cold, especially in the fruit/veggie room, which is where I spend a lot of time! The sweater is a size small, and has stretched nicely, so it hangs without clinging now as you can see here. The sleeves are crazy long on me, so I just keep them pushed up. It is completely sheer though, which doesn’t bother me, I wore it with just my Emerson Fry core bra underneath and was okay with it….
Finally, on the issue of washing silk, raw silk and linen, I washed everything when I got home, my ES silk, raw silk and linen pieces, in the Laundress delicates wash in cold water, delicate cycle, in my machine and hung to dry. Easy peasy, and everything turned out beautifully FYI for those of you concerned about having to “dry clean” delicate fabrics. (I also use the Laundress wool and cashmere shampoo on sweaters. SO EASY.)
Happy Friday!! I hope you have a beautiful weekend!!
I often have this problem with packing & airplanes – as a light packer (getting better every trip!) I don’t want to wear something on the plane that cannot be cycled into my options the rest of the trip, but for warm weather leisure trips, that can be difficult! I’m actually looking for an ankle length lightweight slim pant (I don’t do leggings in public) that I can wear on a trip to SE Asia in the fall. We’ll be on a cruise for half the trip so I imagine I can wear the pants for dinners which would be in air conditioning. I was looking at a pair of skinny stretch linen pants at JJill but I think they’ll wrinkle too much for me (I love linen – but for 20+ hours traveling? I don’t think so) I know my Eileen Fisher ponte pants will be too warm. Sue (Une Femme) swears by her Eileen Fisher washable crepe for warm weather but I’ve tried them on (and have 2 prs of similar pants from other manufacturers) and know they’d be too warm for me. I want a natural fiber too (in the cooler weather, I will wear the ponte – no problems – but prefer the natural – or a technical fabric to wick – when it’s hot) The search continues! (I will probably end up wearing dresses most of that trip too – and I have my collection of wicking Jockey shorts and my new favorite – men’s wicking boxer briefs 😉 to wear under maxi dresses to prevent chafing.
ok, first, i need details on your wicking jockey shorts. i have a pair i got last year, either from target or from the jockey outlet, based on rave reviews, and even though i haven’t worn them much, the waistband has come completely unraveled. and they don’t stay put on my legs, always riding up (i have large upper thighs)
what about raw silk for pants? i only have the skirt and dress in raw silk, but i find it very comfortable and not too hot. i wouldn’t necessarily want to wear linen for 20 hours either, but i think it will be the coolest option…and i agree with a previous comment about elizabeth suzann’s linen – it is FAR superior to anything else i’ve tried. i think there is a significant difference in linen quality with price…it does not wrinkle as much as my everlane linen, etc. i say that, and ES linen pants are backordered by 6-8 weeks so that won’t help you anyway. ugh.
I’m pretty casual with my travel clothes…probably too casual, I’m usually in sweats or leggings! I don’t really care if my traveling clothes can’t be worn during the trip, because my #1 goal in those is comfort, and I will also lounge in them at the hotel or wherever at the end of the day, as they are basically one step above pajamas. However, for work travel (which is usually flying), I usually don’t have time to change before I’m headed to meetings or something, so I will wear ponte pants with a longer top or tunic and a cardigan, and change my shoes into something a little more business-y once I get to the hotel. I think my biggest priority is having stretchy pants…if I’m sitting for a long time, I don’t like wearing jeans or anything with a tight waistband.
I love and use those two Laundress products and recommend them to anyone who thinks they can’t wash silk and cashmere. Good to know that your ES silks washed so nicely! I’m still waiting for my Florence pants. I want them now!!!!! 😉
Ah – my hotel lounge wear/jammies is exercise clothing! Well, the tank & capris at least – I bring 2 pr and alternate wearing/lounging/washing between the 2. Always trying to multipurpose!
The Asia trip isn’t until November so I’m actually happily searching summer sales for items that would be good to take (though I don’t really need anything – other than travel pants – I think I’m set for shoes, dresses & tops). I do love raw silk (and after someone commented about looking on etsy for linen caftans, I wondered the same about raw silk – and have convinced my husband to try sewing one for me so I just have to find some fabric – he is a far better seamstress than I’ll ever be – an engineer 😉 I love the Marlena dress on you, and the pants, but I would want a slimmer fit – esp for travel. But that wider leg would be cute for summer work!
Anyway – Jockey. I have two different styles that I like. I have the Skimmies slipshort 2100 – the wicking – in navy and beige and it works great. I don’t experience any of the rolling (up or down) and I think it’s because it’s not trying to compress me. The 2100 is a 7″ inseam which is nice on my chubby thighs, even though I’m short – some days I do find myself tugging up a little if my skirt is short. The 2115 wicking is a 6″ inseam, same fabric.
The other I have is sort of odd – it’s the cooling skimmies. Much thinner fabric (so really no compression at all if that’s what you’re looking for) but the fabric really skims over everything – skin, clothing. It’s the 2113 (all these numbers are from the Kohls website) and it also has the 7″ inseam. I worry that the thinner fabric won’t last as long which is why I wear these with thinner dresses – thicker dresses/skirts I wear with the men’s wicking boxer briefs 😉
I have thoughts on packing and travel clothes!
I’ve been using Stylebook to plan for an upcoming trip, and that’s been really helpful in thinking about ways to mix-and-match things, especially since this trip is requiring slightly different outfits than my usual travel (I’m usually a city traveler; this is for a more remote destination with outdoorsy stuff.) So far, I think I’ll be able to get way with taking less thanks to the possible combinations I’m seeing with Stylebook.
Re travel clothes: I don’t mind if I can’t rewear the plane wear at my destination. For one thing, I always feel grody after a plane trip (even if traveling in a premium cabin), so the idea of rewearing certain things isn’t appealing anyway. I usually travel for 3-7 nights, in places without laundry (or only exorbitantly priced laundry), and for that length I don’t want the hassle of handwashing or the like. I still manage to fit everything into a small carry-on anyway.
Apparently the airlines I fly are always crank up the cabin temperature, because I am rarely cold on airplanes but frequently find it to be much too warm! I try to figure out layers or clothes that I’ll be comfortable in, temperature-wise, both at my departure and arrival points, particularly if I’m taking public transit to get to/from the airport. And I still want to look put together when traveling. And sometimes I end up with an extra set of shoes, since for travel days that means some sort of closed-toe slip-on shoe (usually Vans these days), which may or may not get worn at a hot-weather destination.
And a general thanks for this post and others lately– they’ve been really good!
PS, do you think that James Perse has changed its sizing? I have the impression that things are running a bit larger, i.e. size 2s fit instead of the expected size 3 in my case, at least in the case of bottoms. I’m very tempted by the shirred tube skirt, but I’ll definitely need to try it on first since I have no idea what size will fit these days.
Yes! It’s always a struggle as I live in Hawaii so my clothing needs anywhere else will likely be different than my needs at home. Last year I went from Maui to Seattle & then to Honolulu. That was a challenge as while I find semi-cold weather easy to dress for, the cold +wet had me confused. I had no idea what I was doing & took way too much. I’ll do better this year when we go back. I kept a spreadsheet of everything I took & what I used/didn’t use, which is geeky but I’m not embarrassed ? Other than that I’m a pretty good packer & travel quite a bit so here are a few of my packing tricks: (1) large scarf on plane that will double as a sarong (2) Stowaway cosmetics are wonderful & tiny (3) contact lens cases are great for small toiletry quantities like eye cream (4) wear a soft light BF jean on plane like the original Current Elliott, it’s comfy and can be worn in warm climates with a fitted tank or in colder climates with a fitted turtleneck or sweater, already looks good baggy put take off your belt at TSA (5) layer a jersey tank dress & a sweater over a legging on plane, dress can then be worn on own later (6) take off street shoes when seated on plane & put on bedroom slippers &/or socks, I used to fly JAL to Asia a lot & picked this up from the Japanese passengers. I have a little knitted house sock shoe thing, like a tabi shoe, that I bought from Hong Kong but have done a slip on house slipper too. (6) Use pouches that can double as a purse to pack tech, cords, underwear, misc or pack a smaller purse in a bigger purse, like a mini crossbody in a tote. Also if I can wear the same outfit going as coming back, I’m fairly happy. At least I got two uses out of it.
I travel often for work and this is a huge challenge for me during the summer months; because as you mentioned the airplane is always FREEZING. My solution is usually to wear jeans on the plane, paired with a tee or tank that I will wear during the trip, sandals and a travel wrap that I can stuff in my purse and use like a blanket while en route.
To be honest, the jeans are usually never worn outside of the airport unless I’m traveling to the west coast or somewhere else that happens to get cool overnight. I do get some use from the travel wrap, because I carry it along with me “just in case” for restaurants or other venues that tend to go overboard with the A/C. I recently noticed that White + Warren has a lightweight travel wrap available (maybe they’ve had it forever?), and I’m considering buying one to supplement my two existing travel wraps, which both get a ton of use at home in Fall and Winter… but I’m honestly not sure if the lighter weight will be sufficient to keep me comfortable on an airplane. I really need to track one down in person to check it out. If I order online, I’ll just end up keeping it whether it’s a great option or not. (I have drawers full of blankets and throws at my house that never see the light of day. I cannot resist a pretty lump of wool or cashmere).
Re: James Perse sizing. I recently ordered the skinny dress in a size 2. It fit, if anything tightly, except for a little gaping around the armpits. I decided to go with a different colour. When I took it out of the box, I knew at once it was waaaay skinnier. I looked at the tag. Size 1. I have no idea how I ended up with a size 1. Did my finger slip on the computer? Did JP screw up? I decided to try it on and could hardly squeeze into it. Surprize! Once on, it fit better than the size 2, especially around the back and armpits. And it does not feel or look tighter around the waist and hips. The kicker? I have gained weight. I don ‘t find that either size “compresses” me….the material is really too thin for that. But I think it may look a little more tailored/smoother/slimming in smaller size as there is less ruching./material.
Can I suggest shortening the linen palm print midi dress either to just-below-the-knee or tunic length (to be worn with white linen pants, for example)? It looks like there is too much continuous print fabric, but shortening it would fix the problem.
Love your casual but stylish clothing choices!
Just ordered this dress (yea Canada!) Many thanks for the full length photo, Grechen. I ordered the smallest size (s) and kind of wish there was an extra small. I don’t know what size you were wearing, Grechen. I doubt I will make any adjustments in any case. If you love it, I know I will too. (Kind of the opposite of the JP skinnies, isn’t it? Yea fashion diversity! Let no one pigeon hole us!)
yes !! 🙂
more pictures today kathryn – i’m wearing a medium because i tried the small, and while it fit, and looked nice, it was too restrictive at the neck and arms. and more snug at the bottom which made it harder to walk in. the medium is much better. i think with this cut of dress (oversized + narrow) it’s really important to get the size right…
Oh dear, I think I made an error then. Especially since I can be a bit of a strider and arm waver. Yes, I am that person that occupies way too much space with my appendages, and in consequence am constantly knocking things over, covering myself with bruises, and ripping out the seams of my clothes. Hopefully the dress will arrive quickly so I can reorder if necessary before the Ms sell out.