Travel Wardrobe: 5 Days In Napa Valley

travel wardrobe for spring in California wine country

We’ll be off to Napa Valley in a few days to celebrate my 60th birthday! We’ve been wanting to get back to Northern California’s wine country for some years now, and are really looking forward to this visit. We’re driving rather than flying, which gives us more latitude in packing. But even so, I’m keeping it simple: 10 pieces for 5 days. Plans include wine tasting (bien sûr!), dining, exploring the area, and just relaxing. Currently the weather forecast for our stay is calling for mild days, chilly nights, and a slight chance of rain on at least one of the days.

So let’s dig in…

The 10-Piece Travel Wardrobe – Spring

10-piece travel wardrobe

As usual, I do not count shoes, outerwear, accessories, sleepwear or “underpinnings” as part of my 10 pieces. I’ve gone with the usual ratio of 2 tops for 1 bottom. I’m anticipating a couple of dinners where we’ll want to dress up just a bit, hence the jacket. I’ve stuck with a black/white/grey/navy wardrobe, and will add color and pattern with scarves.

Shoes

I think three pairs will be plenty. If the forecast shifts warmer before we leave, I may throw in a pair of walking sandals.

  • weather-resistant ankle boots (similar). I’ve been getting SO much wear from these. They went to Paris with me in December and worked brilliantly.
  • casual walking loafers (similar style). These are a few years old, a little bit worn but still comfortable. They aren’t weatherproof, but if they get muddy or dusty, no worries.
  • dressier pump (similar look). Dressed up, but laid back enough for Napa.

Pants

Tops

Outerwear And Bags

tweed coat, Chanel bag, utility jacket, Givenchy Pandora bag

I’m bringing two outerwear options because I can. If we were flying instead of driving, I’d leave the bulkier tweed jacket at home.

I’m still sorting out what jewelry I want to bring, will post my “bundles” later in the week. I always travel with a couple of silk jersey tanks or camisoles to wear as a base layer.

Do you have travel plans in the next few weeks?

Travel Wardrobe Starter Kit…

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29 Comments

  1. Always love the way you pair things….and photograph them together for excellent reference. Wine getaway sounds lovely…..I’m on a two week detox right now, but when that is finished I am going to look into a wine country get away and I will be packing light….Thank you!

  2. Susan, happy early birthday felicitations. 🙂 Napa is a great choice for celebrations.

    Your travel packing posts always inspire me to travel with my favorites, not fancies. I need the nudges.

    In late March we’re headed toward Bermuda, the Azores and Portugal on a repositioning cruise via Silversea. So looking forward to being spoiled, seeing pretty places, and spending sweet time together.

  3. What great suggestions! I love the longer black jacket, especially. I own a similar black suede bootie by Eileen Fisher — not sure if the style is still available, but I got it late last year and they are possibly on sale now. EF shoes are incredibly comfortable!

  4. Up here in Northern California we have gotten a lot of rain this year. Make sure you included an umbrella in the car. The next few days are to be nice but back to wet weather after that. Enjoy your trip the hills are velvet green and the yellow mustard will be starting to bloom. Thanks for all your helpful tips.

  5. Enjoy Nappa, it’s always a lovely place to visit. We ended up doing quite a bit of walking you may want those sandals you mentioned.

  6. I have to say it’s been noticeably colder than usual here in the Bay Area. I’ve had a cold, so perhaps am over-sensitive, but I’ve been wanting a cashmere beanie and a layer of down, when it’s not raining. And when it is raining, a layer of UNIQLO down vest under that. I hope it warms up/dries up a bit for your visit. On the upside it’s very green and clean:).

  7. Happy #60!! I live in Sonoma…we have a friendly rivalry with Napa…Our Town Square and connecting streets have some good shopping, interesting historical spots, and of course lots of excellent food and wine. If you have time, would recommend checking it out.

  8. It’s beautiful and green here in N. California, but WET! And oh my gosh, such mud on our farm – more, deeper, wetter, stickier mud than we’ve seen in a very long time. I expect you’re good with mud on your all-weather boots? If not, or if you expect to be going into any vineyards at all as part of your wine-touring, or even if you encounter a muddy unpaved parking lot, I would stash a pair of wellies in the trunk, since you can. I always really enjoy seeing your travel wardrobes. Happy birthday.

  9. I am taking a lot of advice from your blog! I hope you have a great trip and a lovely birthday. Our next trip in April is to your California. Starting at San Francisco, then Amador City, Jamestown, Oakhurst, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Moro Bay, Carmel and back to San Francisco. So some advice please! We are driving but I want to be very organised with my travel wardrobe, Jane x

  10. Happy birthday! My husband & I are going on a long weekend trip to Copenhagen next month for my birthday. I’m definitely looking at your travel wardrobes for inspiration. The weather forecast for this week in Copenhagen has rain every day, so in anticipation of a possibly rainy European March as well, I just ordered a pair of water-resistant black walking boots. I prefer a bit more color, so my travel wardrobe will be black, army green, gray, and a few hot pink accents. I have terrible feet, so I need sneakers instead of loafers. It’s fun to get some fresh ideas!

  11. I’m heading to Paris in a few weeks and will definitely be using your packing list as inspiration! I have three business dinners to attend in the middle of my vacation so I’m on the hunt for just the right thing to pack. I’d love to take dresses – but that’s extra coats and shoes that I would prefer to leave home.

  12. Happy Birthday, and thank you for your wonderful blog! (Both cursing and thanking you for the link to The Real Real in this post – just spotted a divine pair of Prada suede peep toes that are just the color I have been looking for for a special occasion in Dublin . . . They would be worth the suitcase space.)

  13. I think I could be packing a similar suitcase for a a 4-day stay in our capital city Wellington ( home of Weta Workshop) even though it will be autumn. We’ve had a very nondescript summer in New Zealand so not expecting much improvement in the short term. We’ll also be having a 7-day winter break on Australia’s Gold Coast in August so anticipating a similar wardrobe again. Fiji in November for a beach wedding will be a whole different ball game though!

  14. Happy Birthday, and Napa is a wonderful place to celebrate. I’m in the UK right now and it’s so cold and windy, it seems I’m layering on all my clothing at once. I agree with Lisa about a beanie!

  15. Happy Birthday to you! My husband and I are planning two 5-day trips: a wine-tasting trip to Paso Robles and a trip to NYC, both firsts for me and both in May. Your travel tips are going to be very helpful. I’m new to your blog this year and am loving it. Thank you for the inspiration.

  16. Have a wonderful birthday trip! I, too, will be hitting a milestone birthday this month. I’ve been trying to ignore it rather than planning something fun, as you have, but you’ve inspired me to rethink my approach. 😉 Enjoy your birthday!

  17. Wonderful place to spend your birthday!
    Try Artesa between Napa and Sonoma, a beautiful Spanish owned winery!
    Our first wine date in 2000 –the drive is lovely and the mustard fields right now
    beautiful–

  18. I live in Rutherford(in the middle of the Valley). Don’t know what your plans are, but a few favorite things to do are lunch or nibbles at Auberge du Soleil in their bistro/bar (best view of the valley & BEST peach Bellini), lunch or dinner at Bistro Jeanty (in Yountville), Domaine Chandon winery (share a bottle of bubbly & charcuterie plate). Also, a tour and tasting at Shramsberg winery is a real treat but you must make a reservation in advance … it’s history, wine cave tour and, of course, it’s bubbly tasting are the best! Have a wonderful trip!

      1. Thought you might. Oops, I meant to write Schramsberg (not Shramsberg) in my earlier message to you. Happy Birthday & bon voyage!

  19. Happy birthday! Seems we share a birthday month AND a Napa celebration. I get to live here! Your wardrobe selection is right on for this piece of paradise. If you get a chance to do a bit of shopping, visit the Riverfront in downtown Napa and especially Marie Lyall shoes. Great lady with impeccable style. (She also carries my bracelets…I think you own one).

    Eat, drink, shop and relax. Napa is perfect.
    Cheryl Thompson

  20. Susan, you have mentioned loving art galleries and museums and if you are going to be up here, I recommend the diRosa Art Preserve in Napa. It’s an unusual experience I think you’d enjoy. Or..on your next trip. 😉 Happy Birthday!

  21. This could be called my “go to” travel wardrobe also. I really like the versatile pieces you selected (and the way you photographed them!) I will be traveling to LA in May. I know that’s definitely your neck of the woods. Would this be an appropriate travel wardrobe for the area that time of year? Should I prepare for anything in particular……rain, the odd very hot/chilly day, etc? Thanks for your lovely blog! And Happy Birthday :o)

    1. Hi Lesley, springtime in LA can be quite changeable. Expect any or all of these: morning and evening fog (or sometimes the marine layer lasts all day), warm days and chilly nights, daytime temperatures ranging from the low-60’s to high-80’sF, rain (we always seem to get at least one rainstorm passing through in late May), and cool ocean breezes, especially in the afternoons. That said, the closer you are to the coast, the cooler it will tend to be. I’d skip the cashmere and bring a lightweight wool sweater or cardigan instead. Sandals for sure. Enjoy your trip to LA!

  22. Hello there! I’ve just stumbled upon your blog today. I have been reading through several of your posts, and really enjoying them! I hadn’t read your bio yet, but I had thought to myself, “Woman of a certain age… What a great resource for how to dress as a classy lady, she must be, hmm 40 or so.” So when I saw this post I was so surprised that I underestimated by about 2 decades!! Kudos to you. I can only hope to age so gracefully. Thanks for posting great content! I’ll be keeping up with your travels.