Labor Day getaway: Los Angeles

travel wardrobe for long weekend
top: cardigan | tee | shirt | dress middle: tee (similar)| bag | belt bottom: skirt (similar) | shoes (similar) | skirt (similar) | shoes (similar)

Today I’m delighted to be cross-posting with Janice of The Vivienne Files! We thought it would be fun to build travel wardrobes for a Labor Day weekend getaway in each of our respective cities. (Chicago for her, Los Angeles for me.) Janice does some amazing things with creating mix-and-match wardrobes so I’m really looking forward to seeing what she puts together.

I also wanted to make good on a long-standing promise to address reader requests for a travel wardrobe with skirts rather than pants. I’ve used midi-length skirts and a maxi-dress for this exercise, but you could easily substitute other lengths to suit your preferences. Also, because LA is such a huge area with dozens of microclimates, I’ve focused on one area: the westside, close to the coast. That means though the days may be warm, it tends to cool down somewhat in the evenings. I’ve tried to select pieces that can dress up if needed, at least to the degree we Angelenos will. 😉

You can click on links in the image caption above to see the individual pieces. I’ve added some accessories in the wardrobe mixes below, will add those links in the captions.

Suggested activities:

visiting Getty museum
hat | necklace (similar)

The Getty Center. This is more than just a museum. See some exhibits, listen to a concert, have some lunch, admire the architecture, wander through the spectacular gardens. If it’s a clear day, the view is amazing in all directions. Plus you get a tram ride. 🙂

travel wardrobe with skirts
wear the shirt open over the dress for more sun protection bracelet (similar) | necklace (similar)

Take a walk along Venice Beach to see some of the more colorful local inhabitants, 😉 then head over to Abbott Kinney Boulevard for some excellent shopping. Eat at Joe’s. Really.

travel wardrobe Los Angeles
bracelet (similar)

Stroll Palisades Park in Santa Monica at sunset. Wander through 3rd Street Promenade and catch some of the great (and not so great) street performers. Stop for drinks and a bite al fresco at one of the many eateries in the area with outdoor seating.

travel wardrobe with skirts
bracelet (similar) | necklace (similar)

If art’s your thing, head over to the thriving Culver City Arts District and explore the galleries, then enjoy a late lunch at Father’s Office. For one of the most unusual museum experiences ever, check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Or if dinner and a movie is more your speed, try some of the delectable cocktails and dishes at The Wallace (one of our faves, reservations recommended) and then walk two blocks to the Arclight (newly remodeled) and catch a flick. If the night is still young, stop in for a nightcap at the bar in the historic Culver Hotel (open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights). This is where the actors playing the Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz stayed during the filming, and reportedly held some wild and racy parties!

Before you leave town, you’ll want to be sure to have breakfast at Huckleberry Cafe. Go early to avoid long lines, but even if you have to wait, it’s worth it.

See Janice’s Chicago wardrobe here.

Do you have any getaway plans for the Labor Day weekend?

PACKING LIST…


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23 Comments

  1. Well…I visit Los Angeles once a year and this is a perfect wardrobe for four days! I’d switch out the dress for a shorter dress, and the tulip skirt for pants, (my style), and I would be set. Thanks for putting it all down on paper!,or my computer screen.

  2. Wonderful selections. I love the Sunday brunch look though I would of course wear a higher heel. And I love the vertical stripes in the skirt that is part of the packing list. Always a flattering look.

  3. Great wardrobe for a perfect itinerary! The northerly end of Palisades Park by the rose garden is my favorite place in LA.

  4. I haven’t worn a skirt for some time, but I can’t stop thinking about that Eileen Fisher skirt. What a wonderful collection of simple clothing and accessories. This is yet another illustration of the value of planning.

    Susan, I’m so glad you’re back and hope you are well-rested.

  5. What a fun presentation of a skirt-focused travel wardrobe! Makes me think I need to make it down to Los Angeles one of these days. . .as for the Labour Day weekend, that’s when we head off to France/Italy for 7 weeks, so I’m currently putting together a carry-on wardrobe that will have to work very hard. Skirt and dresses included.

  6. If you are interested in fashion AND concerned about the environment, there is a great article in NEWSWEEK –
    “TOXIC FASHION – The Environmental Distaster in your Closet”. Just Google “Newsweek Toxic Fashion”. You may be buying from one of the great polluting companies!

    1. Carole, interesting article and well worth the read. One of the reasons I support Eileen Fisher is that the company is very committed to sustainable and environmentally sound production of fabrics and clothing. Yes, the clothing costs a bit more but holds up well, and you can build a wardrobe around a few carefully selected pieces.

  7. We never made it to the Getty. It was difficult to get tickets back when we made our yearly visit. Major yearning.
    We always loved the Huntington Gardens. Mr FS and I had reader’s cards for many years and always loved working in that incredible library. My sister-in-law worked in the gardens for a bit. She met the director and told him about her mother’s extradordinary garden. He featured the garden in a book!

    1. Oh yes, the Huntington Gardens are fabulous! I haven’t been in ages, will have to schedule another visit when the weather cools down.

  8. I have to say (with a bit of smugness) that I recently bought the beige/gold espadrille slingbacks, or the nearly identical version, for $25 at the Dillards summer sale. And they are even comfortable! Score!

  9. Such a fantastic post my dear!! I know how much goes into producing this!! I’m still learning more about LA … so I will definitely keep your suggestions in mind for our next trip up!! xo

  10. Excited about visiting LA , for a long weekend, in a couple of weeks. Love this post, perfect timing! We plan on visiting both, The Getty, and Venice Beach. Can you recommend a hotel, or hotels, convenient to both places? Thank you so much! XO

    1. Nancy, thanks, glad this is helpful! We so rarely stay in hotels here, I’m not sure what to recommend other than general areas of Santa Monica (lots of fun stuff in walking distance but can be very congested with car traffic), Marina del Rey (a bit smaller and more laid-back than SM but not much actual beach). I’d recommend looking at Tripadvisor.com for user hotel reviews.

  11. Thank you, for your help! Will check these out. Meanwhile, Loew’s Hotel, Hollywood, was recommend, and looks good! Love your blog, and your great posts!

  12. I do like Hotel Erwin — right on Venice Beach, excellent tiny restaurant, and a rooftop bar area with fabulous views. Nancy, have a wonderful trip!

  13. I loved this post! I wear skirts and dresses exclusively in summer lately, and loved the versatile wardrobe you have put together here!