Aurora James, the creative force behind the fashion label Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge initiative, as well as a published author, leads a dynamic lifestyle that necessitates constant travel. She's mastered the art of carry-on packing and meticulously curates her travel wardrobes around specific sartorial themes. With Memorial Day weekend approaching, James is preparing for her annual trip to Napa's BottleRock music festival, an event she attends with her professional circle. She describes this festival as having a distinct, more mature atmosphere compared to other music events.
For her Napa excursion, James' chosen aesthetic revolves around earthy tones, featuring a diverse range of materials and textures. Her selections include crocheted footwear, raffia handbags, various shades of cognac in suede and leather accessories, and a dependable pair of nutmeg-colored huaraches. Her style leans towards a bohemian sensibility, often incorporating pieces from Chloé and a cherished turquoise ring. There's also a subtle, recurring motif of beach-inspired elements, evident in Chanel mules adorned with starfish charms and a mother-of-pearl shell hair clip, signaling a wardrobe perfectly suited for sun-drenched destinations.
James offers insights into her travel preparation, revealing that her packing method depends on the trip's duration. For weekend getaways, she's more spontaneous, favoring a 'throw-in-and-go' approach. She's a staunch advocate for carry-on luggage, avoiding checked bags whenever possible. Her strategy for organizing clothes isn't based on complete outfits but rather on cohesive color stories, allowing for greater versatility, especially since she frequently wears dresses, making accessories the focal point of her ensembles.
When it comes to vacation attire, James expresses her fondness for resort collections, both contemporary and vintage, appreciating the imaginative designs often seen in these lines. Currently, she's particularly drawn to Chloé's "À La Plage" collection, finding its raffia, floral patterns, and jelly sandals ideal for a holiday. For her travel bag, she maintains loyalty to her Virgil-era Louis Vuitton carry-on, which holds sentimental value as a reminder of its designer. Her preferred in-flight uniform consists of comfortable yet stylish velour and terry sets from Suzie Kondi, paired with Brother Vellies huaraches or Miu Miu sneakers. Her essential carry-on items include headphones, downloaded podcasts from The Daily, The Atlantic, and Pod Save America, and a Louise Carmen journal, which doubles as a compact handbag for her wallet and tickets.
A self-proclaimed germaphobe, James opts for a travel sweater from The Elder Statesman over a scarf for flights, prioritizing practicality and hygiene. Her vacation beauty regimen emphasizes skincare, featuring Eighth Day serum for its lightness and non-pore-clogging properties, Shani Darden cleanser and moisturizer, and 111Skin face masks for post-flight rejuvenation. Other beauty essentials include Control Corrective sunscreen, Augustinus Bader lip balm, and Eadem lip gloss. She also prioritizes hair care, especially when spending time in the ocean and pool, relying on Highbrow Hippie hair mask frequently.
Her accessory philosophy is centered on fun and functionality, with a focus on clutches, classic pieces, and beach bags. She admires Jonathan Anderson's Diorly Bag for its innovative design and ease of wear, and a reliable basket bag from Sézane, perfect for market visits. For jewelry, her current favorite is a Dior turquoise ring for its color and texture, and a custom shell necklace from Renata Q, crafted from a shell she discovered at a Los Angeles flea market. She also uses a shell hair clip for styling beach-tousled hair. James always makes sure to leave space in her luggage for souvenirs, often returning with an extra bag from particularly memorable trips. Her latest packing experiment involves using packing cubes, moving away from her previous method of rolling clothes, as she continues to refine her travel organization strategies.