I normally discover packing for work journeys fairly easy. I do know what I’ll be doing, in what sorts of locations, and due to this fact what clothes shall be acceptable. The problem is smaller issues like a summer time jacket that with go together with each tailoring and denims – as with my Japan capsule.
However the current ‘tweed rally’ I used to be invited to was a little bit of an unknown. There can be a short go to to a store (Campbell’s, to be lined individually) however in any other case it was all driving around the countryside, presumably with a good bit of grass, heather and (because it turned out) sand.
Would tailor-made flannels and loafers be too good? The emphasis on tweed was apparent, however would smarter shirts or equipment actually work?
In the long run I settled on a capsule wardrobe that mainly consisted of tweed and denim, and it labored out effectively. Different individuals had been smarter typically, however the two supplies felt sartorial sufficient whereas additionally being becoming to the panorama and actions.
As at all times with these capsules, I additionally discovered it fascinating merely as a sartorial train – whether or not (and the way) a capsule of simply tweed and denim might work.
I took two tweed jackets, which ended up being alternated on the 4 days. They had been:
I then took three pairs of denims. I’d have been advantageous with two, and had been this a good packing scenario I’d have performed that. However having three enabled extra experimentation with extra and fewer showy appears to be like. The denims had been:
Now, the primary query for any environment friendly capsule is: do all of the tops go together with all of the bottoms? The reply right here was sure: each jackets go together with all of the trousers. So doubtlessly six totally different mixtures.
Essentially the most helpful had been in all probability the sunshine blue and black – they had been the best to mix, and also you need two which can be fairly totally different to one another, so if I had needed to drop one it could have been the indigo.
I then packed a cream sweater as a 3rd high, as it could go together with all three pairs of denims and may very well be worn around the shoulders as an additional layer that stopped in need of an overcoat.
Now, for the shirts I might have packed just a few oxfords (blue, blue/white stripe, possibly pink) and they might have been simple and easy, nice with all the pieces.
However I appreciated the concept of taking heavy denim shirts – as a result of it was a extra fascinating look (and let’s face it, you need to be a bit fascinating when persons are taking plenty of pictures of you) and since I felt these heavy jeans would go well with the rugged panorama.
So I packed three heavy denim shirts:
This meant on any given day I might do ‘matchy’ double denim (gentle blue shirt with gentle blue denims, black with black, indigo with indigo) or one thing extra refined by not matching (gentle blue shirt with the black or indigo denims).
For footwear, I packed each boots and loafers, making an attempt to strike a stability between good and tough (no calf leather-based, however no waxed suede both).
I additionally took a pair of velvet slippers. These had been initially meant for night put on (which I’ll get to in a second) however proved very helpful for simply being across the resort, with among the jeans above. It’s one thing I’d try to do once more sooner or later – they’re simple, light-weight and immediately make you are feeling relaxed, with out being clearly simply home footwear.
The footwear had been:
Then three belts to go together with these – brown suede and black alligator from Rubato, and an outdated burgundy lizard from Ralph Lauren. Not superb carrying three, however hey, as of late it’s certainly one of my few equipment.
Within the pictures above and beneath you possibly can see the mixtures I went with on three of the times. I ended up doing ‘matchy’ double denim on these days (blue on blue, black on black), with a barely extra refined one (gentle blue shirt with black denims) for the journey on the final day.
Just a few equipment gave me issues to play with every day. They had been:
The one coat I took was my Liverano ulster in PS Tweed. It didn’t go completely with all the pieces, however it’s good with denims and more often than not it was buttoned up with a shawl anyway.
Baggage was my large check-in Rimowa (at all times required for journeys like these and Pitti) and my outdated Filson briefcase. I by no means take a go well with bag as I can fold all my tailoring into the suitcase with out creating creases (video right here).
Then the night. Tuesday evening was black tie, so for that I took my Bryceland’s Tuxedo Lounge Jacket, a pleated shirt from D’Avino, and my La Bowtique.
Had been this a correct capsule, I might simply have worn one of many tweed jackets with a sensible shirt and tailor-made trousers on the opposite two evenings. However given it was a menswear occasion I took my DB chalkstripe go well with as a substitute, and wore it with a black knit one evening, the sawtooth shirt the opposite.
Under you possibly can see the capsule laid out. There have been just a few last-minute modifications:
- I made a decision to not take the waxed-suede boots (center pair) and didn’t miss them. Thankfully it wasn’t that rugged
- I panicked and put in a pair of charcoal flannels, however by no means wore them
- I changed the cream scarf cardigan (high, center) with a V-neck, because it was lighter and will go on the shoulders extra simply
The Hermes silk scarf within the backside left was additionally a pleasant choice to have (so gentle, takes up no area), however I didn’t find yourself sporting it.
So the denim-and-tweed capsule labored out fairly effectively, and it’s one thing I believe I’ll repeat sooner or later – possibly not with so many shirts and denims, however actually two of every.
The amount of garments ended up being fairly massive given the dinner occasions, however I believe there are nonetheless some fairly helpful travel-capsule suggestions right here. And if I hadn’t been so environment friendly with some packing, the amount would in all probability have been bigger nonetheless.
The second picture beneath, by the best way, is myself and Robb Report editor Paul Croughton. I embrace it as Paul additionally has a jacket within the PSxFox houndstooth, which readers may discover helpful to see.
Thanks very a lot to Jamie, Matt and John for organising the journey, and to the great Torridon resort for having us. I’ve been to a couple locations in Scotland for menswear (Borders, Harris, Edinburgh, Glasgow) however by no means this a part of the Highlands, and it was completely beautiful.
All pictures: Jamie Ferguson and Lorenzo Sodi
