What to Pack for a Road Trip, According to a Vogue Editor

Six days, over 1,000 miles, one carry-on. Earlier this summer, 10 friends and I set out on a road trip through West Texas—a place I had never explored before, but had been on my bucket list for years. A friend who had done the trip a few times before quickly because our unofficial tour guide for the museums, restaurants, and national parks; but before we could hit the road, I had some prep work to do.

With a schedule of early morning wake-ups, long drives, and countless activities—each with highly specific sartorial requirements—fitting everything into one suitcase was going to be a challenge, and a trip I had initially thought would be easy enough to pack for quickly proved otherwise. My strategy? I picked one outfit for each specific stop on the itinerary, and filled in the gaps with a few wardrobe essentials.

After landing in El Paso, we quickly set our sights on Marfa, Texas and headed out in the Ram pick-up truck that would be our home base for the next week. With hot days and thousands of steps ahead of us as we toured the Judd House, Chinati Foundation, and Ballroom Marfa, breezy separates and comfortable flat shoes were a must. My closet already leans minimalist, but for this portion of the trip, I doubled down on neutral colors and easy basics that could be mixed and matched.

Two days filled with amazing vintage finds from Raba Marfa, endless inspiration from Judd’s work, and the perfect sandwich from Bordo later, we set off for Big Bend. Trading small-town life for two days hiking and exploring the national park—where Vogue’s recent Lone Star State of Mind story for the summer issue was photographed—required a complete wardrobe shift. Now, the focus was on comfort, and clothes that could withstand long hikes and full days in the sun before returning back to our beautiful stay at Willow House for late-night bonfires. Colorful shorts, a trusty pair of Salomons, and lightweight athletic wear became my daytime uniform; after dusk, I reached for jeans, cowboy boots, and a cozy sweater. This was where I learned my first road trip packing lesson: Between the dust, heat, and long hours in the car, small, easily foldable pieces are key—there really is no re-wearing an item after being in the Texas heat.

Following a couple days in the sun (and thankfully a little bit of a tan), Austin was next. Here, I could finally return to my city wardrobe—with a little western flair. Jean shorts, a crisp white tee, a rodeo belt, a polka-dot bikini, and ballet flats got me through a morning spent shopping at Feathers Vintage (where I found my dream romantic slip dress), and an afternoon on Lake Austin. It really is a city that has it all.

The formula for a road trip packing list varies, but my main takeaway is this: You want to be prepared for anything. Whether that means keeping your favorite lip gloss on-hand for a touch-up in the car or stashing your favorite jeans into your carry-on for back-up, choose a travel capsule wardrobe that covers every possible activity. (And, equally important: Always leave a little room for shopping along the way.)