I will begin this post by saying: this post is highly unnecessary. Considering everything that’s been going on in the world, and the JOYOUS CELEBRATION that is no longer having to live under a Trump presidency in the nigh future, no one needs to read about clothes. But, as they say, the show must go on. And, for W&S, and for me, the ‘show going on’ is giving you a rambling post about packing.

Usually, when embarking on a trip, I get so excited to share my packing list with you guys that I publish my blog post about it before the actual trip. Which may be strange to some, because how do I know what’s actually useful for a trip? Well, my friends, this time, I didn’t have time to publish my post in advance. I went on the trip. And I can confirm that my packing guide was, indeed, accurate and useful for a 10-day (disaster filled?) California roadtrip.

Why disaster filled, you ask? That’s for another blog post. But in good news, I can attest that Madewell’s black jumpsuit performs very well when sprawled out in the sand, digging your life out of the literal desert with your bare hands! That’s what I call functional fashion.

Wearing the Mille Victoria Dress in Clay (size S)

For the most part, the tumultuous aspects of our trip didn’t affect what I needed for this trip. The thing about California in Autumn is that it is hot — hotter than you’d anticipate or mid-October. Hotter than most other places, both in the US and across most places in the Northern Hemisphere. Sadly, hotter and hotter as the world warms. But also, bloody freezing at night.

I call this: desert packing. Even if your SoCal roadtrip doesn’t involve desert, it will involve similar high-to-low temps. I also emphasize ‘Southern California Roadtrip’ because Northern California, even in the Heat of Autumn (weird), is notoriously colder.

And one final note: because we had space in our car, I did pack a few more items than I listed here. LIES, I KNOW. But I threw in an extra bathing suit, an extra pair of comfy joggers, my trusty leather jacket (because it ended up being colder than I anticipated), and a pair of heeled sandals for my birthday dinner. If you’re doing a similar roadtrip, I recommend bringing something warmer than a denim jacket as it is pretty cold at night!

Wearing the Vincent Saint James Square Neck Jumpsuit (Size Small), Tradlands Cardigan* (Size Small – my color sold out), J anessa Leone Simone Hat* (Size Medium), Jenni Kayne Crossover Sandals* (Size 38)

Wearing the Doen O’Keef Top (Size Small), Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jeans* (Size 28)

Our Southern California Roadtrip: Weather & Itinerary

DAYS // 10 nights, 11 days
WEATHER // Will I ever be able to not write this word? VARIED. Hot during the day, cold at night.
SEASON // Autumn (a.k.a. Summer-like temps)
ITINERARY // Long roadtripping, peppered with 2 days of coast/beach, nearly a week in the desert with pool-time, and 2 days in Sequoia National Forest (i.e. hiking).

What to Pack for a 10 Day Southern California Roadtrip

DENIM JACKET // LEVI’S* (SUSTAINABLE)

COTTON CARDI // TRADLANDS* (SUSTAINABLE)

BLACK JUMPSUIT // MADEWELL*

MAXI SUNDRESS // MILLE (100% COTTON – SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DRESS)

LINEN MINI DRESS // & OTHER STORIES* (100% LINEN)

SILK MIDI DRESS // REALISATION PAR (100% SILK – SURPRISINGLY FLATTERING)

TEE SHIRTS // MOTT & BOW* (GIFTED — BUT MY FAVE TEE)

PRINTED BLOUSE // DOEN O’KEEFE TOP (SUSTAINABLE)

GRAPHIC SWEATSHIRT // ANINE BING*

COTTON SWEATER // REFORMATION* (SUSTAINABLE)

COMFY LOUNGEWEAR // OYUN* (SUSTAINABLE)

LEGGINGS // ALO YOGA*

HIKING BOOTS // DANNER* (SUSTAINABLE)

SUNGLASSES // RAY-BAN*

COMFY SANDALS // TEVA ORIGINALS* (THEY ARE SO EASY TO PACK AND YOU CAN HIKE IN THEM)

STRAW HAT // JANESSA LEONE* (SUSTAINABLE – AND PACKABLE!)

JEAN SHORTS // AGOLDE REESE* (SUSTAINABLE)

JEANS // MADEWELL* (MY COMFIEST JEANS BY A MILE, GREAT FOR ROADTRIPS)

SWIMSUIT // HUNZA G* (SUSTAINABLE)

DRESSY SANDALS // JENNI KAYNE* (SO COMFORTABLE)

WHITE SNEAKERS // VEJA* (SUSTAINABLE)

BOOTS // VAGABOND* (SUSTAINABLE)

HANDKERCHIEF // VINTAGE (SIMILAR*)

CUTE CROSSBODY // ELLEME* (THE PERFECT SUMMERY TRAVEL BAG)

TOTE BAG // MILANER (SUSTAINABLE — AND THE PERFECT TRAVEL TOTE!)

*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 12 hours to put together, it is very, very appreciated. Thank you for supporting sustainable brands, and thank you for supporting this blog!