How does one go from a research trip in Haiti, to a leisurely vacation in Cuba, to an immersive experience at the new W Punta de Mita for the CFDA Incubator program with just ONE suitcase? A lot of practice, and a pared-back, consolidated list of musts, that's how. At least, that's how Brother Vellies designer Aurora James (a bona fide pro at world travel) nailed it.
James, who frequently visits places like South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco to source materials and work with local artisans for her brand's shoes, is no stranger to having to pack practically, and light — without sacrificing her style. That's why she's gotten that carry-on-only method down to a science (though she admits to checking a bag from time-to-time, and who can blame her?). She's learned the ins and outs of what fits (and folds) best in a suitcase, how to choose the pieces that travel best, and why you should be taking advantage of everything your hotel has to offer.
Ahead, the designer shares her seven fool-proof hacks for bringing everything you love on vacation — and bringing it all back home clean, too.
Stick To Wovens
"I don’t pack things that get wrinkly. I try to stick to wovens, like pieces from Ace & Jig. There’s really two ways that I pack: 1. Those things, those woven things, because they are ethnically ambiguous, but totally flow with wherever you are. And they're colorful and fun. Nobody wants to wear black when they're traveling. That’s so boring. And you'll know that they won't get wrinkled."
Photo via @aurorajames.
Dresses Are Your BFF
"The other half of it is dresses, just fun, always-ready dresses, like Ulla Johnson. She has great travel dresses that you can wear anytime. I always start with a goal, as [we all] do, of 'I’m just going to bring a carry-on and not even check a bag,' because you think you are that chic. You are like, ‘I can get away with just doing a carry-on.' And dresses and silks can get as flat as possible."
Photo via @aurorajames.
Bring Things You'd Never Wear At Home
"I kind-of have an arsenal of travel-ready things that I would never wear in New York. Like certain dresses; where are you going to wear a silk maxi-dress with a slit up your thigh in the city? In Williamsburg? That’s awkward! On the G train? No! You may as well just keep it in your suitcase. I have some stuff like that, for sure. It’s just about identifying: These are my five favorite pieces. They are going to travel decently. And if they don’t travel decently, as soon as I get to the hotel I’m going to ask for a steamer. It's that easy.”
Photo via @aurorajames.
Utilize Your Hotel's Services
"As soon as I get to a hotel, I pick three things and just have them clean it. Don’t be afraid of that. A lot of people don’t utilize hotel cleaning services, because why not? Sometimes, like last night, for example, I got into the swimming pool in my dress. That probably wasn't the best idea, but when you wake up [in the] morning, you can just call the hotel and ask them if they can clean it.
"Also, as soon as I get somewhere, I unpack everything immediately. If I am there for two nights or more, I unpack and hang everything. If you have something that you love and want to wear, I’ve asked the hotel to bring steamers to my room. They always have a steamer. And then you just steam your stuff, and it looks fresh."
Photo via @aurorajames.
Do Your Laundry
"When I shower at night, I will also hand-wash some pieces. I usually wash my underwear when I am on vacation, and then hang it to dry. Sometimes, the biggest win is when you actually arrive back from vacation with 90% clean clothes. Because who wants to be one of those people who spends two weeks recovering from their trip with your suitcase just sitting in the middle of your bedroom floor?"
Photo via @aurorajames.
Hack Your Hats
"I love to wear hats but they don’t travel well. What I do is: Barney's has a hat box that is slightly oval made of cardboard (but not hard cardboard), that gives a little bit. So, I open my suitcase and I put the hat box in the left side and put the hats in it. Instead of closing it with the lid, I just pack my things all around it."
Photo via @aurorajames.
Consider Practicality
"Where I get screwed (pardon my language) is with the shoes, obviously. I’m like, 'Well, I need to bring these seven shoes, and they're not going to fit in a carry on.' So I always ended up checking one bag. Well, not always, but I would say 70% of the time. Because it's like, what if it rains?
"But I think the important thing when you are on vacation is just to pick things that you are comfortable in and not going to have to fuss about. Nobody wants to be that girl in Punta de Mita in 5-inch stilettos in the sand. You know that girl, you see that girl every time you’re on vacation, and it’s so awkward. It’s about really packing the things you love."
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