I always try to pack light, especially for the Summer, but invariably the shoes and my mental discipline undermine my ambition. Wherever I go, I always make sure to pack the following:
1. Sunglasses
Classic black Ray Bans, which I start wearing in the airport as soon as I get off the plane.
2. Shirts
It goes without saying, but I pack plenty of Budd linen shirts, our casual linen shirts have a casual collar with shorter points, and an unstructured softness for an easy, relaxed look. I have also just bought two new jersey cotton button through shirts that I love from Connolly.
3. T-Shirts
An assortment of long sleeve tee shirts from Orlebar Brown and Slowear. I keep things simple and they are all in white or navy, but I have just added a dark green one too. Perhaps it is the Irish man in me!
4. Socks
A few sports socks for a sock-free look under sneakers, and some linen ones from Budd for when I’m a little more dressed.
5. Shorts
Really only swimming trunks and tennis shorts, plus one linen shorts for when my legs finally get tanned after all the outdoor activities and swimming!
6. Trousers
I’ll usually pack and then probably not wear, two incredibly light pairs of cotton trousers. One for golf and one for day-time shopping or city visits. It’s always good to pack one smart pair for the too and from journey. I love Italian brand, Incotex, and unwittingly became a repeat customer of their, buying them again and again.
7. Boxers
I created the Chairman boxers with the team at Budd, which I really love. I am somewhat fanatical on that front. I also include some jersey cotton shorts from Sunspel.
8. Washbag
A bar of soap from Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. They have a branch next to Budd’s shop on Piccadilly, and the day we bought Budd was the day I also became a loyal customer of theirs! It is always hard to leave their store empty handed. In fact, we now also stock Santa Maria Novella products at our US outpost, Budd & Co. I’ll also throw in Czech & Speake Niroli Aftershave, Factor 50 sun protection, and some shaving cream from our Piccadilly neighbours, D.R. Harris.
9. Shoes
All casual, nothing black. I usually 3 pairs, including my running shoes that are ugly but comfortable, and work for golf.
10. Jacket
I have worn the Budd Safari jacket in heavy linen for years. I tend to wear it layered over a t-shirt, but it works with almost everything, making things very easy and helping to smarten up if, and when required.
And now a bonus item, because you've got to pack the essentials into some form of luggage!
11. Bag
I use a roomy Tusting Weekender for the hold, and use an Ally Capellino Freddie holdall in blue for my hand luggage. Pre-pandemic I would travel a lot and use a wheeled carry-on a lot. It’s a purely psychological thing, but the Weekender to me signifies travelling for leisure as opposed to business!