worth the investment

silk camisole for travel
Eileen Fisher

I’ve received a few inquiries from readers who want to know what travel wardrobe items are “worth” spending a little more on. As I’ve mentioned previously, I don’t maintain a separate travel wardrobe, but always have an eye toward those pieces that will travel well when I shop for wardrobe basics. Here are the wardrobe investment pieces that have earned their keep, both at home and on the road.

Silk camisoles and tanks from Eileen Fisher are (in my humble opinion) worth every penny and more. I’ve been wearing one almost daily on this trip, and yes, even in the warmer weather we’ve experienced in Bordeaux and Paris (perfect for coverage underneath a lightweight/sheer top). They can be hand washed in the sink with either a delicates wash or just a few drops of hotel shampoo, and will dry on a rack or hanger overnight. Some of mine are a few years old now and barely showing any wear. Plus size options here and here.

ankle pants
Eileen Fisher

These stretch crepe ankle pants have also been travel stalwarts. They dress up or down, are comfortable in a range of temperatures (I wore mine constantly when we visited Thailand last year). If you can’t bear the thought of wearing black in warm weather, they are also available in white, and olive. Plus sizes here, here and here.

I can’t stress enough how important shoes are, especially if you’ll be on your feet sightseeing for hours at a time. This especially is the one area where you do not want to skimp! I’m delighted with the Mephisto sandals I purchased in Bordeaux* and have not had a moment’s discomfort, even with the miles we’ve logged on our feet daily. (Yes, they were less expensive here than in the states. 🙁 )

* I promise I will keep searching for this particular style online and share as soon as I find it.

What pieces do you consider indispensable in a travel wardrobe?

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31 Comments

  1. Travelling to Europe or to Mexico, I would not be without my grey Eileen Fisher slouchy pants. I wear them on the travel day and wash them in the hand basin. Bernie Mev shoes have travelled with me the last two years. They are light and comfortable. I actually washed my older woven pair in the hand basin too. Tanks for layering and Monoprix linen t’s will dry in no time. I took a linen and silk Gérard Darel loose-fitting pullover to wear for dressier times and will probably include it in future trips. As long as there is a basin and liquid soap, I can be clean wherever I go.

  2. Items that we can wash in the sink and wear again are indispensable! I have a black tulle skirt that goes on every trip, for that reason. xo

  3. I have both the EF silk shell and the EF crepe ankle pants. Both are stalwarts in my wardrobe. Unfortunately, the white crepe pants are a bit see through and I have not added them for that reason.

    I know you are having a great trip! Looking forward to seeing more photos!

    1. Hi Mary, my jacket is from a couple of years ago and I’m no longer able to find it online or on ebay. 🙁 It’s from the French brand Sandro. I’m not sure of the size range it was originally available in.

  4. I couldn’t agree more about the EF crepe pants – I wear them nearly year round and they are the first item in my bag when I travel. I also added the slouchy pants this year and they are fabulous for travel days. They feel like pj’s on long flights but still look good upon arrival. Thank you for all the pictures – I’m enjoying them tremendously.

  5. I wore both those exact pieces in Paris and the south of France. They are definitely great workhorses in the basic wardrobe for everyday and travel. Your trip looks amazing!

  6. Cheers for Mephisto sandals; mine are still in good shape after 10 yrs. (I don;t wear them everyday but they are built to last.) Though more expensive in N.American Mephisto stores do have sales and you can also find them on eBay, especially if you know you size in a specific style.

  7. Ditto – the EF silk tanks are wonders for traveling (and everyday). I’ve not tried the beautiful crepe pants, but I personally love EF slouchy tapered pants – they are Sooooo comfortable, look great and are versatile. Also get a lot of wear out of the EF skinny jeans. All of them travel well, being rolled up, put in packing cubes and come out looking great.

    Because of my fair skin and a sensitivity to many sunscreens, in warm weather I also pack lightweight, flowy-type fabric long tunics or shirts with SPF protection and a packable hat with SPF as well. Some of the SPF tops are actually attractive and functional, some are made of ultra thin (but not see-through) fabric and keep me cool on 90 degree days.

    Love your Mephisto sandals! For those with very narrow feet like mine, we don’t always have as many fashionable choices. My Munro sandals and booties are comfy and always go traveling. For some longer outdoor walking recently I tried some Teva Verra sandals with thin straps that adjust front and back. Walked in them for nearly 8 hours and they felt great the whole time, no aches and pains, no break-in period, so these will also be travelers from now on in the summer.

    Question for you – how did your long EF black top (with the asymmetrical sheer hem) travel? Did you roll it, did it wrinkle?

    1. Hi Pam, the top traveled quite well. I’ve folded and rolled it both (experimenting with best option for maximizing space) and although there were some slight creases they fell out after a couple of hours on a hanger.

  8. I seem to travel mostly in the autumn months. I depend on my charcoal grey v-neck cashmere pullover sweater. It layers, it dresses up if need be, it can be hand washed and dries overnight, it goes with everything.

  9. Pam, where do you find your SPF tops? I’m struggling with sunscreen sensitivity, too.

    I would add that I do always travel with a wool scarf!

  10. Silk camisoles are definitely the way to go. I also like a knee length dark wash denim skirt for traveling. It works for cold weather, with tights and boots, and warm, with sandals, and is a great transitional piece.

  11. In addition to silk underthings, I like the Adea line, very washable. On a related note, I’ld love to hear your assessment of your new luggage…maybe a comparison with the Lipault?

  12. Silk camisoles are a wardrobe staple! I’d add in a packable and stylish rain trench coat. A good coat rolls up very small and stores in the purse for the day. I have it when I need it. There’s nothing worse than letting a little rain spoil a (several) thousand dollar trip because you wouldn’t spend a hundred dollars on a good coat.

  13. SYMPLI clothing is my go to travel line. It is made in Canada, but is available online in the US. Although initially expensive, it is very easy to build a versatile travel wardrobe using their pieces. These can be hand washed and dry overnight. I love to layer the pieces. Look this line up online, you won’t be sorry!

  14. I posted about finding an unembellished version of the Mephisto shoes at Zappos. The comment didn’t appear beneath the first post of your new shoes but lower so I guess I commented in the wrong spot. In case you didn’t see them, here they are again http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-agave-light-taupe-perl-calfskin. They do look comfortable and really the footbed is now the first thing (well, second 😉 ) I look for in shoes!

  15. So I ordered the Eileen Fisher pants in Small and they arrived really quickly from Nordstrom. I think though that they are rather baggy (and not very flattering). Are they supposed to be (baggy, of course not supposed to be unflattering), or maybe they run large like a lot of EF pieces? (I have the EF flared skirt and it is XS even though maybe I am a size 6.) If anyone has experience with sizing on these, please advise!

  16. also, as a longtime skirt girl who is just now trying pants again … what kind of shoes does one wear with the EF pants? besides sandals?

    1. Judy, when I was in a local shop trying on the EF pants the sales woman who was helping me made it a point to tell me that the pants work with casual (flats, etc.) outfits and formal (heels). Having tried them on I’d say I agree with that. She also confided that she owns five pairs.

  17. thanks very much, Nicole. I am always wondering though about the length of pants vs. the shoes. Those EF pants seem to be sort of long on me (and I am not all that short, maybe 5’4″ and a quarter, used to think and a half!). So probably not any good with any sort of boots?? I will be in Paris in early to mid September and not sure how to wear any kind of pants there. (Probably should stick to skirts.)

  18. Susan, when you are sufficiently recovered from your wonderful trip, could you maybe comment on the sizing of these pants? Merci par avance!

    1. Judy, I find they tend to run true to size. My experience is that EF bottoms tend to run smaller than tops, but in this case the Petite Small fits well, closely but not tight. If you prefer a looser fit, my suggestion would be to size up.

  19. thank you for responding (and you must have jet lag). No, my problem is that the Small seems to be too loose, but maybe that is because I prefer the legging look…

      1. The Small looked frumpy on me, but the XS is very good! I seem to be an XS in Eileen Fisher, which is hilarious, because I am not that small! On another note, I got the silk camisole in Small and love it! (The tank was too short for my liking, but then I scored a second camisole at the sale price!)