The Voyage Collection: Inspired by Travel
I first traveled internationally 11 years ago, and since then I’ve learned so much about how to blend vintage style into travel. The first time Miles and I visited Paris was for our honeymoon, and looking back, we brought so many outfits. It makes me laugh thinking about how many outfit changes we had each day, not to mention all the shoes! Carrying everything up four flights of stairs and wheeling luggage down cobblestone streets taught us an unforgettable lesson.
This time around, I feel like I finally captured the right formula for a travel capsule, and I’m excited to share it with you. Perhaps you have an upcoming trip planned or you’re simply looking for inspiration to mix a few vintage pieces into your adventures abroad? Allons-y!
Traveling with a vintage aesthetic takes a bit of coordination. Normally, I’d give myself more prep time, but this trip came together in about a month. Since the trip was just eight days long, it felt manageable, the perfect amount of time to plan without overpacking.
I always begin with a color palette. I pull inspiration from a print or pattern that reflects the season and destination. For this September trip, I started with a lovely printed skirt from Arcana Threads and a coral silk top, a combination that felt like the perfect transition from late summer to early fall. From there, I built around those colors: a pistachio shirt dress (one of my forever favorite silhouettes), a vintage cardigan from Hot Couture, and my trusty Uniqlo green barrel-fit pants for the long flight. A blush-toned light jacket tied everything together with its subtle 1940s-inspired cut. One more vintage striped collared top, and my capsule was complete.
The great dilemma: vintage style versus comfort. I love walking in cities, and I’ve learned to save true vintage shoes for special occasions back home. This time, I brought a pair of slightly elevated Keds that could handle rain and long walks. My second pair was beautifully made oxford flats by LINEA | Paulo, and versatile enough for both dresses and trousers. And of course, one pair of trusty heels for a jazz photo shoot in Paris.
I leave the diamonds in my jewelry case and travel with small pieces that are fun, interchangeable, and low-stress: pearls, cubic zirconia studs, a favorite costume ring, and my bird necklace. A flower brooch that also acts as a hair clip is a perfect addition. Scarves are an easy way to add personality, so I packed two, a vintage Vera scarf that matched my dress and a beautiful Rifle Paper Co. scarf Miles found for me. Mix in a Kate Spade green shoulder bag and my trusty umbrella and I’m ready to go on a hunt for all the tapas and croissants.
And then the fun part, piecing it all together. Despite a few rainy days in Paris, planning outfits there felt effortless. Years of layering through Chicago winters definitely came in handy. Barcelona, on the other hand, surprised me with its humidity, so I leaned on three lightweight finds: a skirt and button down top that I found in the Marais arrondissement of Paris and a soft, breathable floral cotton dress I discovered in Barcelona that saved the day (The skirt and dress will be available for a future collection).
In the end, I felt perfectly content with my travel capsule. As always, less is more. If I could go back, I’d bring even less because I always end up finding special pieces I can’t resist wearing along the way.
I find myself daydreaming about the next time we’ll wander those European streets again. Until then, you can explore the pieces that carry the spirit of that journey in The Voyage Collection.
Lovingly,
– Michelle
Photos: "Les couleurs de Paris" by Benjamin Miles | Camera: FujiFilm X100V