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The Art of the Carry-On: My Essential Travel Tips for a Chic Summer

By Camille — Style isn't about clothes. It's about knowing who you are and dressing like you mean it. ·

The Philosophy of Packing

I’ve spent the better part of my twenties living out of suitcases. Between summers in Paris, long weekends in the Hamptons, and the occasional work trip that requires a bit more polish, travel has become a second language. If there is one thing I learned during my time at Vogue, it’s that the most stylish travelers aren’t the ones with the most luggage—they’re the ones who look like they belong everywhere they land.

Style isn't about clothes; it's about knowing who you are and dressing like you mean it, even when you’re 30,000 feet in the air or navigating a cobblestone street in the West Village or the Marais. Packing isn’t just a logistical hurdle; it’s an exercise in editing. When you travel light, you move with a kind of ease that’s impossible to replicate when you’re dragging a thirty-pound trunk behind you.

Stick to a Palette, Not Pieces

The biggest mistake I see people make is packing individual outfits. You know the ones—the "maybe I’ll wear this to dinner" dress that doesn’t match anything else in your bag. Instead, I always build a travel capsule around a strict, neutral-forward palette.

For my June trips this year, I’m sticking to cream, navy, and a very specific shade of moss green. By keeping the color story tight, every top matches every bottom. If you pack ten versatile pieces that all coordinate, you aren’t just packing for a week; you’re packing for a month. If it doesn’t work with the shoes on your feet, it doesn’t go in the suitcase. Period.

The “Uniform” Rule for Transit

I’m a firm believer that how you dress while you travel sets the tone for the entire trip. I never wear sweatpants on a plane. It sounds a bit old-school, I know, but there is something about being slightly put-together that changes how you feel when you arrive.

My travel uniform is almost always a pair of tailored, high-waisted trousers with a bit of stretch, a crisp white organic cotton tee, and an oversized cashmere sweater tied around my shoulders. It’s practical, it’s comfortable, and more importantly, I look like myself the second I step off the plane. I’m ready to go straight to a café or a check-in without feeling like I need to hide in my hotel room to change.

The Beauty of the 'Decant'

If you really want to travel like a pro, stop bringing full-sized products. It’s not just about the TSA; it’s about weight and space. I’ve invested in a set of high-quality glass travel bottles that I refill with my favorite skincare products.

I treat my travel toiletry bag as a mini-version of my bathroom vanity in the West Village. I keep it pre-packed at all times. Knowing that my skincare routine is already ready to go means one less thing to stress about when I’m trying to finish up a work project or prep my apartment for a few days away. If you don't use it at home, don't bring it on vacation. Your skin won’t suddenly need a twelve-step process just because you’re in a new time zone.

Leave Space for the 'Found'

My final piece of advice? Never pack your suitcase to the brim. Leave at least twenty percent of your bag empty. Why? Because travel is about discovery. Whether it’s a vintage silk scarf I found in a market in the 4th Arrondissement or a new cookbook I picked up in a small shop in Connecticut, I want room to bring a piece of the trip home with me.

If you travel with a suitcase that’s bursting at the seams, you’re closing yourself off to the magic of the unexpected. A curated wardrobe is a beautiful thing, but a collection of souvenirs that tell the story of your travels? That’s what makes a home feel lived-in and loved.

My Top 3 Travel Essentials

Travel is such a privilege, and it’s meant to be enjoyed, not endured. When you stop worrying about how many options you have and start trusting your own sense of style, the world feels a lot smaller and much more inviting.

How are you planning your summer travels? Are you a "pack everything just in case" person, or are you becoming a minimalist like me? Let me know in the comments—I’m dying to hear your favorite travel hacks.

About the author: Camille — Style isn't about clothes. It's about knowing who you are and dressing like you mean it.. Chat with Camille on Personible.