When it comes to mastering the art of the travel wardrobe, it’s no surprise that our favorite fashion insiders also moonlight as packing pros. In My Packing Style, we tap some of the most well-traveled people we know for a peek inside their travel bags and vacation wardrobes to see how they take their style on the road. You’ve bookmarked the trip, you’ve screenshotted the outfits; now, a look at how it all comes together.

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“I don’t pack full outfits, but I do pack in families,” says Madelynn Hudson. The founder and creative director of M.H. Interiors, a New York-based design firm, is exactly the kind of capsule wardrobe traveler most of us aspire to be: Everything is high-quality, expertly edited, and able to moonlight as a different character depending on what the day’s itinerary looks like. (Take, for instance, her favorite black silk blouse: It works with bootcut jeans for a day of sightseeing, but is easily dressed up with kitten heels for low-lit dinners.) So when we learned that she was heading to Paris—“One of my favorite cities!”—to attend Design Week, we caught up with the designer to see exactly how she packs for a long weekend of exploring and decor-scouting.

Shop Madelynn Hudson’s Carry-On

The Walkable Boots

Emme Parsons Minori booties

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The Travel-Ready Denim

Aflalo Leary jeans

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The Spacious Luggage

Away The Large

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Her plan was to attend the Déco Off design fair, which overlaps with the Maison & Objet presentations to make up a packed Paris Design Week schedule. “I knew there would be lots of walking, good food, and friend catch-ups, so I planned for my clothes to feel effortless and lived-in,” she explains. “That’s always the goal.” Her essentials include cashmere knits and silk blouses, all in neutral hues so that they can be elevated easily with the addition of a python-print bag or swipe of Westman Atelier lipstick. She packed it all up in her roomy Away suitcase (making an exception to her carry-on-only rule to be able to bring back decor for clients) and headed out for a few days in the French capital.

Ahead, Hudson shares a behind-the-scenes look at her airport uniform, her packing philosophy, and why she finds black ankle boots the best for navigating cobblestone streets and days spent perusing decor stalls.

Are you a pre-packer or a throw-in-and-go type?

I’m somewhere in between. I start mentally packing about a week out—thinking about mood, weather, walking, dinners, etc.—but the actual packing happens two days before. I like having enough time to edit, not enough time to spiral.

Courtesy of Madelynn Hudson

Do you pack in outfits?

Everything has to speak the same language, and I tend to stick to neutrals in general, with a great pair of denim thrown in. If every top works with every bottom, the wardrobe takes care of itself.

Reverie

Ever Recovery Oil

Nour Hammour

Raf bomber

Saint Laurent

croc-effect cardholder

Bottega Veneta

BV1122S 003 sunglasses

What’s your go-to brand for vacation dressing?

I gravitate toward brands that feel timeless but relaxed; things that don’t announce themselves. And I try my best not to invest in pieces that are for vacations only, so I tend to wear things on vacations that I wear in my everyday life. I love brands like Khaite, Kallmeyer, Rùadh, and Aflalo. With that said, I’m not sure there is anything better than a warm-weather vacation and an easy Dôen dress!

What’s your go-to travel bag right now?

A structured leather tote that can take abuse but still feels elegant. It has to fit a laptop, sunglasses, beauty essentials—and still slide under a seat. If it looks better with wear, that’s a bonus. I’m currently using my bag by The Row. I’m a pretty organized packer, so a lot of the time I travel with only my Rimowa carry-on; however, I’ll be doing some sourcing for clients in Paris, so I plan to bring my large Away suitcase.

Away

The Large

The Row

Marlo 12 bag

Do you have a travel outfit formula?

A sculptural black top, perfect-fitting denim, flat boots or an easy mule, and a great bag. Layers are key, something soft you can throw on and off without thinking.

What are your in-flight non-negotiables?

A sweater or long-sleeve knit I actually want to be seen in: It doubles as warmth, a pillow, and an outfit finisher. I’m planning to fly in this gorgeous Khaite sweater.

Khaite

Lennox sweater

iS Clinical

Sheald Recovery Balm

Courtesy of Madelynn Hudson

What are your vacation beauty product MVPs?

A bold lip. It instantly makes you feel pulled together, even after a long flight, and it takes up almost no space. I love my Westman Atelier lipstick.

Westman Atelier

Lip Suede Matte Lipstick

Another Feather

Pace cuff

D.S. & Durga

Bowmakers Eu de Parfum

Nécessaire

The Lip Balm

Team travel scarf or travel sweater?

Travel sweater. Always. Scarves feel fussy to me when I’m moving through airports.

Do you have a strategy for approaching accessories?

I keep it tight: one or two statement bags, one neutral bag, one great belt, one pair of sunglasses. Accessories do the heavy lifting when you’re re-wearing clothes.

Verafied

python hobo bag

Phoebe Philo

Gig bag

Travel steamer: Yes or No?

Low-maintenance, always. I love pieces that wrinkle beautifully or not at all, like silks, knits, washed cottons, a structured jacket... I never travel with a steamer. I hang things in the bathroom while showering and let gravity do the work.

Emme Parsons

Minori booties

Aflalo

Leary jeans

Khaite

Benny belt

Khaite

Lina clutch

What has been your most-worn vacation item?

Currently, my Emme Parsons boots. They have the perfect toe and heel height for racking up those step counts.

What staple piece is always in your suitcase?

A simple black silk blouse. With denim and boots during the day, with a heel and bold lip at night. I even use mine as a swimsuit cover-up on a beach trip. It’s the anchor.

Nili Lotan

Gaia shirt

Manolo Blahnik

Maysale 50 mules

Overpacking or leaving room for souvenirs?

I always leave room. I’d rather come home with something collected along the way than something I over-planned. And I love having an excuse to shop, especially for vintage clothing and home goodies.

What’s the best packing lesson you ever learned?

If you don’t wear it at home, you won’t suddenly wear it on vacation. Comfort and confidence matter more than novelty.

Phoebe Philo

Score sunglasses

Apple

AirPods Max