How to Pack for Fashion Week

As coffee accessories go, this Mr. Porter caddy is as chic as they come. Made of stainless steel and copper, the travel mug has a clean, minimalist aesthetic. And as long as it’s keeping your coffee hot, which it will, it’s doing exactly what you need it to do. By the end of Fashion Week, there might be more coffee than water running through your veins, and bringing a canteen will mean you always have some java on hand.

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Peet Rivko is dominating the gender-neutral face products, and their travel kit showcases their best products. The travel kit includes daily moisturizer, gentle cleanser, and balancing face oil. (The oil has avocado, jojoba, and prickly pear oil.) You want to put your best face forward while in Paris or Milan, and that means taking the time to care for your skin. Between the long days and an endless stream of caffeine, you’ll want to do a full morning and evening cleanse to avoid breakouts and retain your skin’s moisture.

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For Fashion Week, an alluring but still professional fragrance is your best bet. This unisex fragrance is relatively new for Comme des Garcons, only launching in 2017. It’s primary notes are rose and sandalwood, so it has a touch of spice, but the florals cut the fragrance such that it’s not too woody. It’s a scent that will last throughout your day without being overpowering.

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Supposedly a go-to steamer behind the scenes on fashion shoots, ESTEAM’s personal handheld steamer heats up in one minute. The last thing you want is not to do your Fashion Week garb justice because it got wrinkled on the flight. If there were ever a time to steam your clothes right before walking out the door, it would be during Fashion Week.

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Tumi luggage allows you to pack a checked bag amount of clothing into a carry-on. And Tumi’s minimalist luggage design means they never look dated. When you’re traveling with high-end clothes, opting for a suitcase with a hard shell ensures your wardrobe won’t get wet or threatened by the travel elements. This case is made of aluminum, has a TSA-approved lock, and features tie-down straps on the inside for minimal jostling.

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According to Tio y Tia, their Dolores hat is “inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s iconic flat brim hat.” It’s made in America, and the wool is sourced from Texas. Wide-brimmed hats were out in full force at Paris fashion week this past winter, and this hat is worth buying now because you can wear it all through the fall with cardigan sweaters and leather jackets.

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If we’re being honest, one suitcase might not cut it for Fashion Week. As an alternative to a second suitcase, try this spacious duffle. This shade of navy is made exclusively for Paul Stuart, and there are zipped pockets on the inside and outside of the suede canvas duffle. At 1.4-cubic-feet, the elevated weekender bag can hold quite a bit, but it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large.

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Creating a staple accessory that is both classic and bold is no easy task, but this David Yurman quartz watch accomplishes that feat. The strong Roman numerals, stainless steel case, and pavé diamonds each add an eye-catching element to the luxury watch. For accessories, choosing a brand like David Yurman, which has been winning awards since their opening in 1980, is a no-brainer.

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During Fashion Week, you’re bound to encounter days when you need to lug a thousand little things around while maintaining your composure and looking unfazed by the chaos. A leather backpack looks sleek even when every scrap of your life is shoved inside. Madewell’s rucksack is sophisticated but simple, and opting for the English Saddle color over the black will dress up the backpack and make it work for summer and fall.

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GPS Radar, made by Fashion GPS, Inc., allows you to RSVP to Fashion Week events, request invites, network with press and retailers, and navigate around all week. It even keeps your barcode handy for event check-ins. It can sometimes feel like everyone needs eight assistants at Fashion Week, and this app will minimize the amount of moving logistical parts you have to keep straight.

Packing cubes help keep your clothes wrinkle free, in addition to letting you jam more into your suitcase. LeanTravel packing cubes have an extra zipper for added compression, which allows you to condense your clothes further and create more space. You also don’t have time to sort through a disorganized mess when you arrive for Fashion Week, and these cubes encourage you to arrange each of your outfits beforehand and pack everything in strategically.

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You need a leather backpack, a great suitcase, and a coffee canteen for practicality sake. You need this for fashion’s sake. Traveling for Fashion Week means planning unique outfits and accessories, and this mustard-yellow belt bag is chic and edgy. Net a Porter says fashion influencers Vanessa Hong and Sophia Roe have both sported the BOYY bag—and you could be next.

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Your feet are going to feel the effects of Fashion Week—and you don’t want to let it show. If you’re going to be on your feet for 14 hours straight, a great pair of insoles is worth the investment. Alice Bow makes leather sets of insoles in every color imaginable—right now they even have limited-edition pastels. Instead of offering a generic one-style-fits-all insole, they specialize in insoles specifically for high heels, flats, and more.

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