Bric-a-Brac 22
The Italians Do It Better Edition: packing tips from Margherita Missoni, Navigator Marie-Louise Scio, and a Roman spring appetizer
PACK LIKE A PRO
Italian fashion designer Margherita Missoni is packing goals for me. I know I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’ll say it again: I need a lot of packing help. I overpack. I tend to imagine the various sides of me I might want to express—maybe I’ll wear those heels with that skirt, or that smoking jacket to that one event, even if it’s super bulky and takes up half the suitcase. When I hear Margherita talk about how she approaches packing, it’s like I’m taking advice from a doctor (one I really like!). No matter where she’s going, somehow she only ever brings one carry-on suitcase. I recently asked Margherita to take questions from you, dear readers, and reveal her strategies here. There were so many questions, she chose one (a 10-day trip to Lisbon), packed for it, and created a video, which you can see here on @yolojournal. Here are a few highlights, plus some additional packing tips from her. I still don’t know how she gets it all in there!
“Generally, I start with a colorway for dresses or any other pieces, so I’ll know if I’m doing a base of brown or black leather. Then I can add 3 to 4 colors. The dresses should have similar proportions—they need to look great with the same shoes or boots that you’re carrying, so they need to be the same lengths, or different lengths that go with the same footwear.
Bringing sweaters that aren’t bulky is key. I recommend Cos knits, which they make every season and are great for layering. I also often bring a blazer—not all the time, but tbh I fit it in my hand luggage and when I arrive, I hang it in the bathroom and run a hot shower to steam it out. Tumi also has a nice bag for blazers that fits in your carry-on.
I usually use the larger Away carry-on. I begin by filling in the wheel side (in the small indentations in the structure) with my socks and underwear—always a skin-tone top and bottom and black top and bottom. If I think I’ll be short on space, I’ll fill my shoes with them.
To prevent wrinkles, I roll most of my clothes and then others I try to make them really flat, starting with more space-consuming items, like dresses. If I have a silk blouse, I fold it with a sheet of paper inside. For this trip, I’m taking…
4 dresses that easily double up for 8 evenings or more
5 pairs of pants and one pair of leggings. If the denim gets dirty, I will wash it at the hotel (I wash my underwear and socks all the time in the sink!).
4 sweaters and shirts
1 wool overshirt
A little scarf
You’re going to have one overcoat, so choose it well: not too sporty, not too elegant. Sometimes I’ll take a little thin layering puff, like the Uniqlo ones.
4 pairs of shoes, for a trip that feels a little more adventurous—sneakers, booties, a heel and friulane (Venetian slippers), which are elegant and you can wear them with almost anything.
I always advise that if you plan to wear something multiple times and not wash it, wear it in the evening first and then in the daytime.
For toiletries, I tend to keep good small products from hotels on my travels. Otherwise, I use Muji bottles and fill them with my own products. I like the Tangle Teezer brush, which is not very space consuming. I bring a small bag for makeup and medicine, but not much—just concealer, blush, eyeshadow and eyebrow gel. I have a small, soft jewelry organizer for necklaces, rings and earrings.
I take one small crossbody bag—it’s the perfect shape and size to travel with, and then I’ll pack one evening bag. And I usually travel with the Away duffel bag on top of the suitcase and bring it empty so I can fill it with souvenirs on my return. Ta-da!”
COPY THAT!
It’s springtime in Rome, which means it’s fava bean season! From restaurants to friends’ homes, everyone is serving raw fava beans and pecorino, just like this. So delicious, so fresh, and couldn’t be easier.
THE NAVIGATOR
Marie-Louise Scio, Creative Director of The Pellicano Group, Founder of Issimo
Years ago I was lucky enough to find myself checking out the Hotel Il Pellicano for Condé Nast Traveler. A lunch meeting was set up for me to meet Marie-Louise, and within the first five minutes I knew we would be forever friends. Besides being one of the most creative and fun people I know, she’s also the most thoughtful–in fact, she is the one who pushed me to start Yolo Journal, and gave me a deadline to get it done (for the opening of the Mezzatorre!). During the pandemic, she launched Issimo, which is the most clever site, where you’ll find all her favorite Italian products plus special collaborations and excellent travel advice, recipes, etc.
How did Issimo come about?
I wanted to create a digital extension of the hotels, as opening a new hotel is such a long process. I curate everything that’s sensorial from the interiors, the designs we sell in the shops, the music, etc., so I wanted to create an online space where you could find it all.
What is the sweet spot of your expertise?
My eye and connecting the dots, I would say.
If your three hotels were children, describe each one’s personality…
The Pellicano is the grand dame; I see it as very female. Posta Vecchia is very masculine and naughty, and Mezzatorre is the younger sister.
Favorite excursion or thing to do near each one of them?
Discovering Ischia [where Mezzatore is], for sure. It’s an extraordinary island that hasn’t been changed or gentrified like many other islands in Italy. Pellicano is on the wild part of Tuscany, near unexplored islands and the wine region. It’s not your typical area of Tuscany with the perfectly spaced cypress trees and rolling hills. It’s wild and wonderful.
In Rome: favorite caffe, restaurant, museum, park?
Sant’Eustachio and Tazza D’Oro, Da Enzo al 29, the Vatican Museum, Galleria Doria Pamphiij.
In Italy: underrated location, overrated location?
Underrated: Abruzzo. Overrated: Capri. I know it’s not a popular response, but I think parts of it now look like Fifth Avenue, with all the big brands.
Favorite hotels in the world (that are not yours)?
La Perla di Corvara in Badia; Deetjens Inn in Big Sur, California; Grand Hotel et de Milan
The best Italian food you’ve had outside of Italy?
Ummmm…hard question. Probably Casa Lever in NYC.
A destination (outside of Italy) you love and go back to again and again and why?
Lapland. I’m officially an Aurora Borealis hunter!
The one thing you always pack
Scarf and headphones and now my remarkable tablet to draw and write notes on.
The one thing you always forget to pack
Socks.
PSA!!!
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Hey I love having the app and the bric-a-brac stories are my favorite. I’m headed to Portugal in a few weeks. Got any tips to share? -Drew in Marin
Trying to get the app but they’re asking for Touch ID but it’s not accepting it. Need restaurants in Naples. Really having a problem searching. Any tips?