How Model and Founder Taylor Hill Packs for Vacation

When it comes to mastering the art of the travel wardrobe, it’s no surprise that our favorite fashion insiders also moonlight as packing experts. In My Packing Style, we asked some of the most well-traveled people we know to take a look at their travel bags and vacation wardrobes to see how they channel their style on the road. You’ve bookmarked this trip, you’ve taken screenshots of the outfits; now, see how it all comes together.

From fittings to shoots to the catwalk, a model’s daily life is one of constant transformation—so it’s no surprise that Taylor Hill has her travel habits down to a science. The context of this story proves our point: After her wedding in Malaysia and a few days off in Thailand, we intercepted the model and founder of jewelry brand Stone Fruit on her whirlwind trip ahead of a multi-city tour for Fashion Month in London, Milan, and Paris. Even the most Class A packer is enough to throw it into disarray; so how on earth did she plan a carry-on wardrobe that needed to cover such a large area?

The answer is a combination of tried-and-true essentials (athleisure on the plane, always), practical tools (her dual-voltage steam engine is never out of reach) and smart planning. Not only does she plan each outfit in detail in advance, but she also creates a dedicated photo album for reference after landing, making getting ready for your destination a breeze—even with jet lag.

Ahead, we asked Hill to share her vacation wardrobe staples, the designer behind her favorite travel sweater, and the one item she always overpacks.

Do you have it pre-packaged or ready to use?

I usually start packing about two days before my trip. I like to pre-plan what to wear for each day of the trip based on the type of trip – I find this helps avoid overpacking.

Do you pack clothes?

I usually pack a head-to-toe outfit, but I try to use the same few pairs of shoes and bags to create a variety of looks. I even like to take photos of each piece of clothing I make and add them to a photo album for reference when they arrive. If I can’t see something, my brain immediately forgets it’s there.

I also like to use packing cubes. I either pack them by item (like pants in one and tops in another) or by garment. This way I know where everything is and what I plan to wear together.