In 2018 I published a piece called What to Pack on a 3-Week Trip to Scotland and England in Early Autumn after having taken just such a trip. The flat lay I shot for that image was great:
Well, I’m about to take a 4-week trip to Scotland and England, so it’s time to review my own advice. What’s changed since 2017? I was childless then, but now a father of 3.
What hasn’t changed since 2017? My style, pretty much.
Looking at the pieces—
- two sportcoats, one in navy, one in brown tweed;
- denim, chinos and flannel trousers;
OCBDs, chambrays and two dress shirts; - a light gray cotton sweater (which didn’t make the flatlay);
- suede chukkas and pebble grain wingtips;
- 3 ties;
- Barbour Ashby;
- cashmere scarf
—it’s pretty much exactly what I’d pack now. The purpose of our trip is the same to that of the original: primarily for an 8-day religious observance with a large group (hence the neckties), but with additional time for personal sightseeing and travel. Last time, we spent roughly equal time in England and Scotland; this time it’ll be about 3/4 Scotland, 1/4 England.
Unfortunately, looking at the photo, most of those clothes don’t fit me anymore (or have worn out).
Here’s my new photo:
Fortunately, I have new versions of many of them that do fit, most of which are upgrades:
- Brown tweed Eidos jacket → Brown Harris tweed Saint Gregory bespoke jacket
- Meermin suede chukkas → Myrqvist suede chukkas
- Barbour jacket* → Campbell’s of Beauly Aigas jacket
- Peal & Co pebble grain wingtips (which didn’t quite fit and kind of hurt to wear on longer walks) → Cobbler Union pebble grain split toes (which fit much better)
*I still have the Barbour Ashby, but it fits pretty snug these days. On the upside it looks great on my wife, so she’s taking it. The Aigas is made from a nice peached fabric that lacks the classic Barbour wax feel (which can be a pro or con depending on your mood) but is similar in water resistance (or maybe a little better). It’s also a field jacket style, different from the Barbour style.
This trip, instead of a navy winterweight blazer, I’m bringing a lightweight flannel navy DB suit from Natalino [this but double breasted]. Blazer will be wearable as a jacket on its own or as a suit.
Instead of a gray light sweater, it’s navy featherweight cashmere. The breton is new, too. We’ll see if it gets worn.
In the original photo, I didn’t show off my travel fit—but even that is going to be basically the same. Then, I wore a navy long-sleeve polo (from Polo Ralph Lauren, like this but less expensive), faded denim and boat shoes. This time, everything is the same, except to save on luggage space, I’m just wearing my chukkas on the plane.
[here’s me in 2017 straight off the plane at Buckingham Palace]
I’m a lot more into neckerchiefs now, so I’m wearing one with the polo on the plane. Then I’ll use it as it makes sense throughout the journey.
I don’t wear chinos really anymore, so instead I’m leaning on off-white denim on the days I’d have worn chinos in the past. The off-white denim is similar to these from Proper Cloth (mine are from PC but just not available anymore. MUSINGS10 is your code for 10% off there btw).
I’m going a little extra on this trip, too, by bringing a third sportcoat. Totally unnecessary, but I have a great green Harris tweed jacket from Campbell’s of Beauly that I’m bringing in addition to the Saint Gregory brown one. I figured, “I’m going to Scotland, why the heck do I own such great tweed jackets if I don’t bring them to wear them there?!” One extra jacket isn’t pushing the luggage over the weight limit.
I’ll be sure to review my own advice—once again—after I come home. Did I overpack? (Honestly probably yes but not too much. 5 people and we are taking 1 checked bag total and carry-ons otherwise, excluding carseats I’m lugging and checking). Bon voyage!
