Packing with Margherita Missoni

Italian fashion designer Margherita Missoni is packing goals for me. I know I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’ll say it again: I need a lot of packing help. I overpack. I tend to imagine the various sides of me I might want to express—maybe I’ll wear those heels with that skirt, or that smoking jacket to that one event, even if it’s super bulky and takes up half the suitcase. When I hear Margherita talk about how she approaches packing, it’s like I’m taking advice from a doctor (one I really like!). No matter where she’s going, somehow she only ever brings one carry-on suitcase. I recently asked Margherita to take questions from you and reveal her strategies here. Since there were so many questions, she chose one (a 10-day trip to Lisbon), packed for it, and created a video, which you can see here on @yolojournal. Here are a few highlights, plus some additional packing tips from her. I still don’t know how she gets it all in there! —Y.E.

“Generally, I start with a colorway for dresses or any other pieces, so I’ll know if I’m doing a base of brown or black leather. Then I can add 3 to 4 colors. The dresses should have similar proportions—they need to look great with the same shoes or boots that you’re carrying, so they need to be the same lengths, or different lengths that go with the same footwear.

Bringing sweaters that aren’t bulky is key. I recommend Cos knits, which they make every season and are great for layering. I also often bring a blazer—not all the time, but to be honest I fit it in my hand luggage and when I arrive, I hang it in the bathroom and run a hot shower to steam it out. Tumi also has a nice bag for blazers that fits in your carry-on. 

I usually use the larger Away carry-on. I begin by filling in the wheel side (in the small indentations in the structure) with my socks and underwear—always a skin-tone top and bottom and black top and bottom. If I think I’ll be short on space, I’ll fill my shoes with them.

To prevent wrinkles, I roll most of my clothes and then others I try to make them really flat, starting with more space-consuming items, like dresses. If I have a silk blouse, I fold it with a sheet of paper inside. For this trip, I’m taking…

4 dresses that easily double up for 8 evenings or more

5 pairs of pants and one pair of leggings. If the denim gets dirty, I will wash it at the hotel (I wash my underwear and socks all the time in the sink!).

4 sweaters and shirts

1 wool overshirt

A little scarf

You’re going to have one overcoat, so choose it well: not too sporty, not too elegant. Sometimes I’ll take a little thin layering puff, like the Uniqlo ones.

4 pairs of shoes, for a trip that feels a little more adventurous—sneakers, booties, a heel and friulane (Venetian slippers), which are elegant and you can wear them with almost anything.

I always advise that if you plan to wear something multiple times and not wash it, wear it in the evening first and then in the daytime.

For toiletries, I tend to keep good small products from hotels on my travels. Otherwise, I use Muji bottles and fill them with my own products. I like the Tangle Teezer brush, which is not very space consuming. I bring a small bag for makeup and medicine, but not much—just concealer, blush, eyeshadow and eyebrow gel. I have a small, soft jewelry organizer for necklaces, rings and earrings.

I take one small crossbody bag—it’s the perfect shape and size to travel with, and then I’ll pack one evening bag. And I usually travel with the Away duffel bag on top of the suitcase and bring it empty so I can fill it with souvenirs on my return. Ta-da!”