The Wardrobe MVPs I Packed for My Most Recent Work Trip

I can't board the plane without these must-haves.

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Nikki Ogunnaike
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Ciao, bellas! I’m writing this newsletter from my hotel room in Milan, Italy, with just a few days left in this leg of fashion month. While packing is generally a strong suit of mine, I must admit I always worry a little when filling my suitcase for international fashion weeks. Getting dressed for a day of fashion shows and business meetings (and I do mean a day—as in 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. with very little chance of returning to my hotel room to change) can be a delicate balance. Am I dressed up enough? Will I be comfortable? When the forecast says 60 degrees—is that a cold 60 degrees or a hot 60 degrees? Are these shoes going to give me blisters? Do I have enough jackets? These were all questions I found myself fretting over during the packing process. But here are the key pieces I’ve actually reached for over and over again throughout these past few days on the road.

Nikki Ogunnaike

Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

My Plane Look

Consider this your monthly reminder that the Nili Lotan Shon pant, though admittedly an expensive proposition, really is one of the best on the market. The roomy cut is super soft (even though it’s denim!) and comfortable enough for an eight-hour plane ride, plus extra hours spent running through airports on both sides. I paired them with a J. Crew cashmere crewneck sweater that is great for layering (not too bulky!), and my ultimate trip MVP, an Agolde cropped leather jacket (more on this ahead).

Layering Pieces

When I landed in Milan, I instantly regretted not bringing enough pieces that would work for 50- to 70-degree weather. The days were hot, then cold, then hot, then cold again, making for a complicated dressing situation. Though I packed this barn jacket, I ended up wearing the aforementioned Agolde leather jacket the most because it is so incredibly soft (butter soft, even!) and traveled easily: not too heavy, not too light. You shouldn’t be surprised that a button-down also makes the list (I am a creature of habit!), but a black version was a recent acquisition for me. Paired with brogues, the shirt added a grounded vibe to my summery knit skirt.

Comfortable Flats

Though it may sound redundant, any seasoned traveler (or maybe just someone who walks a lot) knows that not all flats are created equal. Some will tear your feet up in less than 30 minutes while others are perfect straight out of the box. These 3 pairs land in the latter category; go-tos for me throughout my trip.

Good Just-to-Haves

You know when you’re in the final moments of packing and you say to yourself, “Oh I’m going to toss this in there just-to-have; just in case…” Sometimes, those items become your most utilized pieces! I found that to be true with these trousers (worn just about every night for dinner) and this denim skirt that worked with both flats and heels. But it wasn’t just fashion stuff. I removed suitcase wrinkles from my shirts every day with this travel press iron.

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Nikki Ogunnaike
Nikki Ogunnaike
Editor-in-Chief

Nikki Ogunnaike is the Editor in Chief of Marie Claire US. She has previously held roles at Harper's Bazaar, GQ, ELLE, Glamour, InStyle, and Vanity Fair. She authors the popular Marie Claire newsletter Self Checkout. You may also recognize Nikki from her time as the host of Snapchat’s Online, IRL and IGTV's The Run Through.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, in her free time Nikki enjoys running half marathons, learning about wine, and watching reality TV without an ounce of shame. You can follow her at @nikkiogun.