Six days, 1,000 miles, and one very strategically packed carry-on.
. Earlier this summer, 10 friends and I set out on a road trip through West Texas—a place I had never explored before, but had been on my bucket list for years.
A friend who had done the trip a few times before quickly because our unofficial tour guide for the museums, restaurants, and national parks; but before we could hit the road, I had some prep work to do. With a schedule of early morning wake-ups, long drives, and countless activities—each with highly specific sartorial requirements—fitting everything into onewas going to be a challenge, and a trip I had initially thought would be easy enough to pack for quickly proved otherwise.
My strategy? I picked one outfit for each specific stop on the itinerary, and filled in the gaps with a fewand headed out in the Ram pick-up truck that would be our home base for the next week. With hot days and thousands of steps ahead of us as we toured the Judd House, Chinati Foundation, and Ballroom Marfa, breezy separates and comfortablewere a must.
My closet already leans minimalist, but for this portion of the trip, I doubled down on neutral colors and easy basics that could be mixed and matched. Two days filled with amazing vintage finds from Raba Marfa, endless inspiration from Judd’s work, and the perfect sandwich from Bordo later, we set off for Big Bend. Trading small-town life for two days hiking and exploring the national park—where Vogue’s recentstory for the summer issue was photographed—required a complete wardrobe shift.
Now, the focus was on comfort, and clothes that could withstand long hikes and full days in the sun before returning back to our beautiful stay atfor late-night bonfires. Colorful shorts, a trusty pair of Salomons, and lightweight athletic wear became my daytime uniform; after dusk, I reached for jeans, cowboy boots, and a cozy sweater.
This was where I learned my first road trip packing lesson: Between the dust, heat, and long hours in the car, small, easily foldable pieces are key—there really is no re-wearing an item after being in the Texas heat. Following a couple days in the sun , Austin was next. Here, I could finally return to my city wardrobe—with a little western flair.
Jean shorts, a crispgot me through a morning spent shopping at Feathers Vintage , and an afternoon on Lake Austin. It really is a city that has it all. The formula for a road trip packing list varies, but my main takeaway is this: You want to be prepared for anything.
Whether that means keeping your favoritealways consist of the essentials: a classic white tee, worn-in jeans, and a cozy sweater in case the car or cabin gets chilly. On my way to Texas, I slipped into a pair ofto lean into the western spirit—and save a little room in my suitcase. The finishing touches? A baseball cap and Rhode’s lip boost mask, two travel-day must haves I never leave home without.
Because we’d be moving in and out of our pick-up truck each day, I limited myself to my trusty Res Ipsaand Rimowa carry-on, packed with the essentials for every stop along the way. I leaned on classic pieces that could take me from the desert to the city, adding playful accessories to give each outfit a little personality. No road trip kit is complete without the bits and bobs that carry you through long stretches of driving.
For me, that meant wired headphones,These Rarely-Seen Photos of Marilyn Monroe Capture Her Remarkable Relationship With the Camerais Vogue Shopping’s shopping market editor. Her love of style began early—flipping through magazines and raiding her mother’s closet to recreate the looks she admired. After studying fashion business at NYU, she joined
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