This may be the most controversial post I’ve ever posted. And I once dedicated an entire blogpost to roasting Hallmark Christmas movies. After much considered, intense deliberation, Nick and I came to the decision that we’re going to go on a trip. I realize this may not sit well with some of you, but to be honest, it doesn’t 100% sit well with us, either. But, as you’ll see from my description below, our trip is somewhere between ‘having a vacation’ and ‘sitting in a car for hours on end.’ It’s our way of starting to “return to normal” while adhering to as many safety standards we we can.

Okay, that caveat of please, internet, do not hate me out of the way, let’s get to the point of the post. Long before the Days of COVID, we had booked a trip to Hawaii, the tropical antidote o ur New Zealand honeymoon. As you know the end to the story, the honeymoon did not happen — and neither will our Hawaii adventure. Instead, we scrapped together a whole-new plan that straddles the line of ‘vacation’ and ‘safety first’. A (very quick) bit of flying, followed by long stretches of isolated road-tripping — in what are some of America’s least densely populated states. From rural Idaho to the edges of Montana to Yellowstone in Wyoming, we’ll be living out my Wild West fantasy (less weird sexual cosplaying, more ‘big fan of history’), in a trip I’ve wanted to do since I could remember.

When I pack for a vacation, I like to pack outfits with a subtle nod to the destination at hand

Now comes the fun bits of ‘what on Earth do I pack,’ which is why you’re here I’m sure. Generally, when I pack for any form of vacation, I like to pack outfits that not only fit my itinerary (see mine below) but that bring a subtle nod to the destination. For example, when we visited Alaska last summer, I chose minimal style and moodier colours; or when last in Scotland, subtle nods to heritage and wool pieces.

Well, color me cowboy, because we’re now heading out West, and my dream of dressing a little prairie is about to be realized. Western-style boots, whimsical dresses, plaid and denim all are coming with me as we traverse Idaho and Wyoming. These are all pieces that are classic enough to keep in a capsule wardrobe but that feel relevant to this trip.

And, even better, almost everything I have suggested is sustainable, too — so you know you are supporting good causes when packing your bags.

Our Wyoming Road Trip: Weather & Itinerary

DAYS // 6 nights, 5 full days
WEATHER // You know, I feel like a broken record when I say this — because I do on every packing post — but the weather will be varied. And I mean it: hot, blazing sun, nearly freezing temps, and average-daily temps, too. Luckily, no rain is forecasted, so I’ll be forgoing anything waterproof. But, I’d say, check your forecast regularly and bring additional material accordingly.
SEASON // Summer (if you’re going in Winter, this list guide will look very different)
ITINERARY // Roadtrip mainly (Idaho to Montana to Wyoming to Utah, but mostly in Wyoming). We’ll also be doing some Yellowstone hiking and walking around the towns we visit.

What to Pack for a 5-Day Idaho & Wyoming Road Trip in the Summer

LIGHT DENIM // PAIGE NOELLA STRAIGHT* — You guys, I’ve found the most comfortable straight-leg, vintage-style pair of jeans ever, that you can sit in for hours, and they’re by Paige. Bonus that they are the ultimate light-wash for Summer.

BLACK DENIM // FRAME LE HIGH STRAIGHT* — You could also replace these with something a little comfier, such as Lululemon’s On the Fly pant (my fave travel pants). But this pair by frame is so comfortable that they’re absolutely perfect for a short plane ride if you want to sneak in an extra pair of denim.

LEATHER JACKET // MASSIMO DUTTI (OLD – SIMILAR*) — You’ll have seen this jacket on every packing guide I come up with, because yes, it is that good. It’s great for summer but warm enough for Autumn, and manages to be both casual and dressy at the same time.

DENIM JACKET // LEVI’S EX BOYFRIEND* — (Sustainable) I’ve had this jacket for years — literally, since I started W&S. It’s still the only denim jacket I own, and I have no need to get another.

DESERT HUE DRESS // EPHEMERA TRAPEZE DRESS* — (Sustainable) Technically this is resort-wear, but oh gosh. The color (cinnamon), the draping (trapeze), the ruffled shoulders. It’s Western perfection, but also beach vacay / winery perfection, too. If you want something cheaper, Everlane just released a very similar dress* that’s a beautiful honey shade.

BLACK DRESS // CUYANA* — (Sustainable) You cannot go wrong with a sleeveless, comfortable, black maxi dress, particularly on a road trip. Pair this with sandals and a straw hat for the day and hiking boots and the leather jacket in the evening.

BROWN RUFFLE BLOUSE // DOEN RIVER TOP — (Sustainable) The perfect boho-meets-romantic blouse to throw on and head out the door. I wear this all the time in San Francisco and cannot wait to live out my Western dreams with its dreamy caramel-desert hue.

WHITE PEASANT BLOUSE // ABLE ANITA BLOUSE* — (Sustainable) A white peasant-style blouse tucked into light jeans with boots is the ultimate walking-around-Jackon outfit. I hate belts, but if you like them, pair a good one with a buckle.

TEE SHIRTS // EVERLANE CROPPED* & EVERLANE TIE-DYE — (Sustainable) Can you even go on a trip without bringing a white tee? My favorites are always from Everlane* — affordable and made with sustainable materials in ethical factories. And yes, speaking of the 90’s, I’m really loving that tie-dye is back. While not necessarily the most Western, the caramel hue will fit perfectly with everything else here.

LIGHT SWEATER // EVERLANE COTTON-LINEN CREW* — (Sustainable) I have featured this sweater in most of my recent guides and capsule wardrobes, namely because it’s the perfect Spring/Summer sweater. While I find most sweaters too bulky or too weirdly crop, this one fits over dresses perfectly, making it a versatile packing piece.

PLAID SHIRT // PATAGONIA — (Sustainable) Majorly on sale right now is this Patagonia plaid shirt. I love the way it looks thrown over a tee and leggings for hiking, plus it brings a subtle nod to the Western theme without being over-the-top. A sustainable, versatile piece you’ll keep for years to come.

BIKER SHORTS // LA RELAXED — (Sustainable) Hello, my name is Erin, and I am a 90’s baby who’s buying right back into the biker short trend. I can’t help it; blame my childhood. These ones from sustainable brand LA Relaxed are cotton and so comfy for road trips. If you want something a little better for exercise, these one from Ninety Percent* are sustainable and a great price.

HIKING GEAR // DANNER BOOTS* & DAGNE DOVER FANNY PACK — I’m not sure how sustainable either Danner or Dagne Dover are, but if you count “keeping high-quality items for a long time” sustainable, then these are two purchases as sustainable as they come. The Danner hiking boots will last you a lifetime (and look good enough to wear on their own), and the bag (fanny pack?) is such a good, lightweight hiking bag, I don’t know how I lived without it before.

HIKING TEE // NJTHREE FROM ETSY — There are so many beautiful graphic tee options from Etsy; others on my wishlist are this one* and this one*. I love the nod to hiking destinations when going on a hike, making this super-soft Yosemite one ideal.

LEGGINGS // ALOYOGA* — Leggings are the ultimate road trip / travel item, because they pack down small, are comfortable, and are ideal for a wide variety of activities. Aloyoga’s pair bridge somewhere between exercise pants and cozy leggings. If you’re looking for sustainability, you can’t go wrong with Everbrand or Girlfriend Collective*.

SUITCASE // MONOS — We needed to upgrade our luggage recently, and I spent forever looking for sustainable luggage that I loved. I couldn’t really find much made with recycled materials. So instead, I went down the “so beautiful and quality that I’ll keep forever” route. After reading many reviews, we decided on Monos, and I’m so excited to try this guy out.

CROSSBODY // CHLOE MARCIE MINI* — The ultimate saddle-bag. Not exactly consciously-made, but if you’re looking to invest in forever quality, this is it. Others are a lower price point and sustainable are the Sezane Oli bag*, the ABLE Maria*, and the Amerii Jane.

SUNGLASSES // RAY-BAN — These appear on virtually every one of my packing guides, for good reason: I pack them everywhere. They’re the perfect minimal-meets-stylish accessory, and the gold makes them just a little more elevated than other options.

WESTERN BOOTS // MATISSE CADY IN FAWN* — (Sustainable) What better boots to pack for a Western road trip than these by Matisse? While I may or may not be tempted to buy a pair of real cowboy boots on this trip, these have that Western style without being over the top. Note: they run a little tight on the leg.

SANDALS // NISOLO* — (Sustainable) You could also swap the heeled sandal out for a pair of flat ones. However, my high foot arches much prefer a little bit of a heel. Nisolo Shoes are a firm favorite in our household for style, comfort, sustainability, and price.

BANDANA // APPRVL* — (Sustainable) Handmade on 100% cotton with natural dyes, this bandana is a work of art. Use it as a headband, tie it around your bag or wrist, and it’s the most versatile accessory.

STRAW HAT // JANESSA LEONE* — (Sustainable) These hats are the ones that cost you a small fortune but that you keep for life. I recommend picking out a classic style that will last you through trends and years. The Simone style is just that — made even better by being packable.

SWIMSUIT // HUNZA G* — (Sustainable) For any random stops to hot springs (apparently, there are a few) or pools along our road trip. Hunza G make the most comfortable stretchy-style suits that are also insanely flattering, I do not comprehend its literally wizardry. It’s cute enough to wear under jeans as a body-suit, too.

*Links indicate affiliate links. This means, if you choose to purchase the product linked here, at no additional cost to you I will make a small commission. Considering this post took me close to 14 hours to put together, it is very, very appreciated. Thank you for supporting sustainable brands, and thank you for supporting this blog!