HOLIDAY PACKING
With Harling Ross
A journey often begins long before departure. It starts with the ritual of packing. With summer travel top of mind, we asked our dear friend and long-time Posse muse, Harling Ross, to curate a personalised travel edit featuring styles from our latest collection.
How do you approach packing thoughtfully without overpacking?
Now that I have kids I do often have to check a bag, but before I became a mom I was very anti-checked luggage and very pro-carry-on-only. I packed for my three week-long honeymoon in just a carry-on! Granted I was going to warm weather destinations so I didn’t have to bring anything bulky, but it still felt like a feat, especially as someone who loves clothes. I always pack things that I can rewear multiple times across multiple different outfits, and I am willing to compromise on styling the perfect outfit for the sake of packing less. I also never pack more than two pairs of shoes.
What role do accessories play in your travel wardrobe?
I don’t like to bring a lot of jewelry when I travel because I am worried about losing things, but I usually will pack a couple of cheap beaded necklaces that I can have fun with and not feel too precious about. I always pack a silk scarf since they don’t take up any room in a suitcase and they’re so useful for styling and keeping my hair out of my face on hot days. And a colorful baseball cap!
Do you pack with specific outfits in mind, or prefer to mix and match as you go?
I don’t pre-plan outfits so much as focus on packing wearable items, and often stick to a loose palette of favorite colors alongside black and white staple pieces that tend to go with everything.
Are there any styling tricks you rely on when you're travelling light?
- Wearing my bulkiest items on the plane so they don't take up suitcase real estate - like a sweater and a pair of sneakers.
- Getting creative about how to re-wear certain pieces, like packing a one-piece swimsuit that can double as a tank top.
- Defaulting to a neutral or solid-colored base and using accessories to do the heavy lifting rather than packing a bunch of statement pieces that are harder to rework into multiple outfits.
What always finds a place in your suitcase, no matter the destination?
100% cotton underwear, a tortoiseshell claw clip, at least one nightgown, and my retainer!