The Old Master Says: Summer Vacation, Travel Bag Essentials
If it's not obvious at this point I have a slight obsession with menswear, specifically Classic Menswear, but that wasn't always the case. Before Morris & King turned into a full line of apparel and accessories that it is today I used to obsess over all different facets of menswear. Whether it was Ivy, Traditional, Preppy, Casual, Hell, I even mix in Streetwear (Dun! Dun! Dun!) and Luxury Brands from time to time, the point is, I have a problem, but more than just obsessing over it I miss writing about it. Back when offering apparel was just a dream I would occasionally highlight brands I love (and received quite a lot of free clothing, and I'm no influencer.) Which brings us to the following segment, you see, for Easter this year we're headed up North, and this got me excited for two reasons: The First being the most obvious, getting out of town for a long weekend (it's been a minute), and Two, I get to put my travel bag together (a serious guilty pleasure). As I was pouring over everything I was planning to bring, I thought to myself (Self!) this might actually be the best opportunity to write about the brands and clothing I love again. That said, I do own my own clothing brand (which is why we're all here, right?), so I'm guilty in the fact that I do wear a lot of Morris & King (there's no point in letting samples go to waste), and at the end of the day I create a lot of items I want in my personal wardrobe. There is however a handful of products we don't make that I always bring along with a weekend adventure. So, let's kick things off with one item in particular that we probably won't be making for while... shoes.
Like most of these recommendations it all depends on where you're headed, and it depends even more on whether or not you're traveling for a special occasion. If you have an event to attend or not, one pair of sneakers (or comfortable walking shoes, even if they're loafers) is a given. I'm privy to sneakers, though most of you may not be, and I get it. In my early 20s I had a serious sneaker problem (to the tune of over 250 pairs), but now that I'm pushing 40 I've significantly slimmed down my sneaker selection to just 3 (maybe 4) pairs with the majority of my footwear consisting of slip-on loafers and dress oxfords (pairs that have lasted me nearly 20 years, specifically classics from Gucci and Alden). For the Travel Bag (and me personally), it all boils down to not only what I'm comfortable in, but how quickly I can move in them if the moment strikes (remember, we have little ones).
As far as the "Every Day Carry" goes I tend to keep this light. I won't go too deep into watches (we'll save that for another day), but for trips like this I like to alternate between a few 1960s Hamilton's and my 1980s Mickey Mouse and Kermit watches (the kids love these). For a quick trip up North, I'll probably stick with a fairly inexpensive watch, Timex (of your choice) is usually a safe bet, something again if it gets lost or damaged, I won't be that heart broken about it. Which is the perfect segue to my other Summer Vacation accessories, where quality and inexpensive items are key!
The biggest lesson I've learned when traveling is to pack clothes that all work together in one way or another. The huge bonus to Classic Menswear is that for the most part pieces tend to match up nicely. The last thing you want to do is struggle with "what goes with what" while you're trying to relax and enjoy your vacation. Let's face it, you never know what can happen. If on day one you spill something on a pair of pants you were going to wear with another shirt later in the trip you're screwed. Every item you bring should work with every other item you bring (to a degree of course), unless (as I mentioned before) there's a special occasion.
Button Down and Polos are my Bread and Butter. I tend to leave the t-shirts at home (unless it's a beach trip), because if you're going to wear a t-shirt, you might as well wear a polo. I learned this from my Dad. Anytime we took a trip, and we could be anywhere in the world, it was almost a guarantee he would run into someone he knew. It actually became a running joke in our family. The icing on the cake was we were on a layover in Turkey heading back to the US when all of the sudden we hear someone yelling my old man's name from the across the terminal, I could't believe it. The point is, you never know the situation or person you're going to run into or meet, and it always helps to look your best.
Now, for the most important piece of the puzzle: The Bag. Everyone has their preference when it comes to luggage. I've never been someone who's enjoyed the big, heavy suit case style luggage that rolls and has the extendable handles (my wife loves them). I don't know what it is, but it's not for me. No matter what bag you use, I always pair it with a tote of some kind. Now that we have kids, the tote bag has become a daily essential. It's great for tossing things in, keeping snacks easily accessible, and if we have to stop and pick something up I'm not stuck with an additional bag.
Finally, the most essential, most important item to pack for any vacation, is a good book. Do yourself a favor, and take one along that you've been meaning to read, even if you don't finish it. I've found that more often than not there's always some form of down time, even if it's only an hour or so, on every trip I've taken where I wish I had brought something to read, and it took me far too long to learn that lesson. To sum up: Don't bog yourself down. Travel light and pack smart, and above all else, enjoy yourself!
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