"Carolyn's
just texted. She's taking 12 pairs of shoes." "That message came in
at midnight," my husband said, as we tried to close my suitcase at 5.30am
on Wednesday. "I took the unilateral decision not to wake you".
I am not
normally a neurotic packer. I went to New Zealand, Hong Kong and the States a
few years ago for a month with just hand luggage, but that was to see my
sisters, not Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs.
Thing is, I
usually come back between Milan and Paris for a day or so. This season, there
is no time for that. I need clothes for 16 different day outfits, six cocktail
looks, two climates (28C in Milan, 19C in Paris) one flight and four train
journeys, one of them seven hours, plus the occasional early morning run when I
can cram it in (2am?). That means everything from trainers to lace, and since
it will be properly autumn by the time I hit Paris, a coat.
Two main
strategies emerged: ruthless minimalism, which was never really a goer. Or the
technique known as Throwing Everything In. There had to be a third way.
There was. A
combination of both that involved buying yet another suitcase - all my others
are small enough, at a pinch, to fit in the overhead locker. The new one was a
four-wheel drive, and it was vast.
But not vast
enough. Not after I'd packed everything in tissue paper, the lotions (all
decanted into small Muji bottles) and computer leads. The iPod speaker was
non-negotiable. I took out the coat. I'd get by with my favourite velvet
day-to-night jacket, which would get wrecked in a downpour.
I packed a
raincoat. The lid bulged. I consulted the 10-day forecast for Paris.
Inconclusive. I added a coat.
Fashion
weeks are clearly ludicrous in their sartorial demands (it was much easier when
everyone wore black the whole time), but longish business trips with corporate
entertaining are a common enough dilemma. Here's my survival list:
- Four pairs
of trousers, including red - it's a colourful season - and black jeans for
travelling. Very dark blue velvet Stella McCartneys with black satin stripe -
it's all about day-to-night dressing.
- One
midnight-blue lace dress - no day mileage out of this, but there is a big Gucci
party in Florence that requires serious dressing up.
- Four
blouses, two with matching skirts, which can be worn as dresses.
- Six skirts
- this was when I realised I'd lost it, but they're in everything from chiffon
to wool. Weather do your worst, I'm sussed.
- Three tops
- one silk, one chiffon, one metallic; all good day- to-dinner options.
- Two tailored
jackets - one patterned (very next season - thank you, Cos), one dark navy,
also works with black.
- One thin
jumper.
- Two
cardigans - one black, one camel, grey and orange, for maximum versatility.
- One trench
coat.
- One cocoon
coat - light but warm, and quite fabulous if I say so myself; perfect for those
long waits outside, or when the outfit underneath is a write-off.
- Six pairs
of shoes - two flats, two kitten heels and two high. Good shoes are a baseline
requirement when there are photographers patrolling the front row, taking
pictures of your feet.
- One pair
of biker boots (fashion version, they're Jimmy Choo) - the traffic's terrible
in Paris, I like to walk and take the Metro to shows. £Two pashminas, one belt,
two big necklaces and earrings.
- One tote
bag for lugging around my computer, one Mulberry smaller bag, one Céline pouch
for money, passport etc, which doubles as an evening clutch.
That's it.
Not so crazy, apart from, maybe, the skirts. But I gave up trying to plan every
last outfit - you have to build in some flexibility. Early days, but things are
progressing to plan.
However, the
nice lady at the British Airways check-in desk charged me £40 for two excess
kilos. Do you think it's tax deductible?
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