We’re saying hello to Classic Blue by celebrating classic style. To welcome Away’s limited-edition collaboration with Pantone—and the 2020 Color of the Year—one stylist shares her best tips for the fashion-forward jet setter, including the six essentials you should always pack and the next fashion city to keep on your radar.
“I think that watching me pack is stressful for others but therapeutic for myself,” says stylist Jessi Frederick. She admits that her process requires her to pack and unpack at least three times before every trip—but watching her fit each item effortlessly into her carry-on on the final try is utterly satisfying (and the organized result puts the average traveler’s suitcase to shame).
Originally from Rochester, New York, Frederick moved to New York City to attend FIT, working in PR, e-commerce, and celebrity styling. Now, when she isn’t on the road, she’s working with clients like Adidas, Ganni, Theory—and perfecting her own elegant, minimalist sense of fashion. “I just find beauty in simplicity. And when I dress, it’s elements of unexpected things and surprises; it’s about interest and impactfulness.”
“As a stylist, I don’t like arriving overdressed or underdressed to anywhere I’m going, so I’m constantly trying to figure out what level of fancy or casual something will be—and in the same way, I do that for my trips,” Frederick says. Here, the stylist with classic taste celebrates the arrival of Away x Pantone’s limited-edition Classic Blue collab by sharing her best tips for the fashionable jet setter—including quick ideas for dressing up a look, the six essentials you should always pack, and the next fashion city to keep on your radar.
An easy mix and match
I like to pack in a way so that anything I pull out could go together. There will be one or two things that are printed, like stripes—it’s the most classic print you could have, but to me, that’s the exciting element—or maybe a vintage Hawaiian shirt. But for the most part, it’s white t-shirts, denim shorts, black t-shirts, white button-downs, black button-downs, black shorts, khaki shorts. It’s all things that could be mixed and matched and worn in different ways, whether I have a button-up shirt completely open with a swim top under it or closed up for dinner. I like things that provide multiple uses.
A method to the madness
I start packing a whole 24 hours at least before I leave. I will throw everything I think applies to the trip into the suitcase, and then I’ll sit on my floor with it, take it out, and divide it up into categories: tops, bottoms, undergarments, swimwear, accessories, camera gear/technology, and toiletries. I have all my containers labeled with face wash, toner, lotions, and exfoliants.
Once I’ve done that, I kind of start imagining: “Okay, how could this item be used more than once?” Because I’m trying to keep it as little as possible—you always want to leave room for purchases, of course!—and usually, I’m packing everything in a carry-on. I put everything into packing cubes. And I pack and unpack at a minimum three times before any trip home because I start with a lot and try and narrow it down as much as possible.
The 6 essentials everyone should pack
Always bring a light knit sweater, a good pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a blazer. If I can only put it down to two shoes, it would be a pair of loafers and a pair of sneakers like Converse: Converse if I’m walking around a lot and for comfort; loafers because they can be dressed up or down.
A hot take on jet lag
I always get sick when I travel, and I think a lot of it has a lot to do with jet lag—the second I get to a city, I immediately come down with something. It’s truly just about resting and drinking a lot of liquids, and I think you have to just listen to your body, and know that trying to just push through it—but the true key to curing jet lag is to stay awake.
That being said, I don’t necessarily think red eyes are the best! I don’t think people get great sleep or rest on a flight, and they expect to sleep during a redeye, which you don’t end up doing. You disrupt your whole sleep schedule the next day because you’re so tired—so I like early flights.
Sharing is caring
I love facial sprays. I carry them on the flight with me and I’ll spray literally anyone sitting around me. I’m like, Do you want some? Do you want some? It’s the best feeling because flights just dry me out so much. I like the Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe cucumber and green tea. I also love these rice masks that I got as a gift from Japan. They’re great because they’re not individually wrapped in plastic. So, you know, they’re just all stacked in there—not as wasteful and better for the earth!
Quick fixes for fashion and beauty
Just throw on a bold statement necklace! I always have this Laura Lombardi necklace that’s big and golden and shiny. Any time I wear it with a sweatshirt or hoodie, it immediately makes me feel like I’m dressed up.
I always use oils. I use an F Miller oil, and then I always do some type of face cream on top of it whether it’s a Noto Botanic one or even Glossier sunscreen. I always try and layer to protect my skin, and the best advice I’ve ever gotten is to overdo it when you board and then immediately wash your face after you land.
The next great fashion city
I truly loved Copenhagen. I’ve never experienced such a beautiful through-and-through place. I mean, you can tell just the level of care they have for their city. I went in May, so the weather was starting to get nice, and everyone was out in the canal and biking. From what I saw, the majority of people were dressed in amazing outfits like plaid dresses, the newest Nikes, bucket hats everywhere, oversized looks. It was nice to see that and be surrounded by colorful clothing when a lot of people here in New York dress in black.
- 1Away Bigger Carry-On in Classic Blue, $245
- 2Away Insider Packing Cubes, $45
- 3Cosme KEANA Rice Mask, $6
- 4Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea, $7
- 5F. Miller Face Oil, $110
- 6Glossier Invisible Shield Sunscreen, $25
- 7Noto Botanics Ono Ono Multi Benne Stain Stick, $18.50
- 8Noto Moisture Riser Cream, $49
- 9J. Hannah Huggie Hoop Earrings in silver, $265
- 10Flint Retractable Lint Roller, $8
- 11Tide-to-Go Stain Remover Liquid Pen (3pk), $7
- 12Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $46
- 13Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, $46