When it comes to mastering the art of the travel wardrobe, it’s no surprise that our favorite fashion insiders also moonlight as packing pros. In My Packing Style, we tap some of the most well-traveled people we know for a peek inside their travel bags and vacation wardrobes to see how they take their style on the road. You’ve bookmarked the trip, you’ve screenshotted the outfits; now, a look at how it all comes together.
Sandeep Salter never goes anywhere without a nightgown. “I usually bring one or two with me on any trip. I love the feeling of waking up in an unfamiliar place and creeping outside in my nightgown, smelling an unfamiliar morning air,” she says. The Salter House co-founder launched her Brooklyn-based company in 2018 with cotton nightdresses first; nearly a decade later, the floaty, surprisingly versatile pieces are still a key part of her uniform. Of course, they translate to her on-the-road capsule wardrobe too; but what comprises the rest of her suitcase (a modest Patagonia duffel she’s relied on for years) is ever-changing.
Shop Sandeep Salter’s Suitcase
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“I tend to pack in color schemes, with a pretty clear idea of how I’ll pair things,” she explains. “And shoes that match it all.” For a trip to Tulum, the planned palette in question is simple: Ivories and blacks for the base, with shades of pinks popping in to break up the neutrals. The fabrics are apropos for a beach holiday—think crisp cotton shorts, gauzy silk-cotton blend dresses, and lightweight pointelle layers for wrapping up on chillier evenings. On the whole, her travel edit is laid-back (Salter is heading down to Mexico for a family trip, with her sister coming in from Copenhagen and her parents joining as well) but with a few star pieces to dress up and down. Relaxed, but polished; not unlike the very nightgowns that started it all.
Ahead, Salter shares her foolproof formula for planning vacation outfits, the one lightweight layer you’ll always find in her carry-on, and why a silk scrunchie is the ultimate sidekick.
If I’ll be away for longer than just a couple of days, I like to pack at least a day ahead. I pack with everything in a cohesive color palette.
I do pack in outfits, yes. I count the days, then I add an outfit for each day plus one (or two) evening changes.
Salter House everything, always, and especially when I travel! My Varda shoes are best for walking, and definitely a vacation essential for me—I will wear these the whole trip. I also love to bring a lot of hair accessories, so C.O. Bigelow is my go-to for clips.
A Salter House Tote for my carry-on, and a Patagonia rolling case for my checked bag. I’ve had this suitcase for a couple years, and also have it in the smaller carry-on size. I had the same design before for at least a decade! It’s a super durable bag. It’s waterproof and it has a good amount of inner compartments. I really like the design too; it feels kind of sporty.
I’m wearing a cozy pointelle set on the airplane with ballet flats and my hair in a scrunchie. This super soft cotton outfit is as comfortable as PJs but still looks chic and put-together in all black. (And this is kind of a side note, but pointelle is particularly breathable and easy to wash post-flight.) I wear an oversized sweater over the top, and my perfect Aeyde ballet flats.
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I’ll pack my tote bag with a book, my notebook, and pencils and pens, along with my usual carry-all (an old dustbag) for lip glosses and a comb. I also always travel with multiple scrunchies; I am someone who puts their hair up and takes it down several times a day (putting my hair in a bun is a self-soothing thing I do with my hands while I’m talking) so I’m usually wearing a scrunchie on my wrist to futz with.
I love my Flora cream and Lesse serum along with the Lesse sunscreen for the daytime. I will also use the Sonsie serum lip balm. My Chanel lip color is in my bag too, and I always bring Santa Maria Novella perfume.
For jewelry, I wear what I’m going to bring, so if I don’t feel comfortable wearing it on the plane, it doesn’t come. For this trip, I have an antique bracelet from Eerie Basin, a herringbone necklace from Assembly NY, and a gold chain that was a gift from my grandma. My glasses case comes everywhere with me, whether I’m traveling or not, and my sunglasses clip onto my Garrett Leight prescription frames.
With hair accessories, I think the more the merrier; multiple scrunchies, bun covers, clips, elastics. I fill a dustbag. The bun cover is a great accessory when traveling because it elevates your whole look; I use it on days when I haven’t washed my hair and am feeling like I need to just scrape it back and cover it up neatly.
I travel with a small steamer—though I’ve broken two good steamers trying to use them with plug adaptors in Europe! My advice is to buy one at your destination if you really need it. I love to have freshly crisp clothing when I’m away from home. I’m far less fastidiosus about it when I’m back in New York.
My Bunny skort. For this trip, I know I’ll wear it multiple times; it’s versatile, sexy, sporty, and goes with everything. It's perfect for Tulum. My Ghost dress has traveled so many places with me, and has been the most reliable evening dress I’ve ever owned… it’s a beautiful translucent silk, and I like to pair with sexy black lace underwear or a bright set that can be seen underneath. It’s good for really any occasion; versatile and lightweight. And my favorite bikini is from Sago Swimwear; I bought mine in St Tropez. It looks hot and makes me feel like beach Barbie.
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My cardigans. I always pack at least two; for this trip, three. I think a good cardigan is the most useful for traveling because they fold up small, are great for layering. In the evening, I love to wear a cardigan with a bikini and shorts, hair slicked back in a bun, just showered. A fresh, dewy, and comfortable look.
I always pack a stack of gifts (usually Salter House nightgowns and toys to distribute to the family), so I know there will be space to bring things home too. I don’t plan on doing much shopping this trip—but I will bring back some seashells and maybe a new sun hat!
A travel wardrobe has the benefit of being an edit—a more disciplined version—of your everyday wardrobe. I like the aspirational and idealistic aspect of packing. I pack thinking of an intentional collectsion, a wardrobe for this trip. I think it’s important to consider how you feel in a place; I know the wardrobe I’m packing now for Tulum is very different from what I would pack for London.
