The Ultimate Suitcase: Africa Edition

The Latest by Kate, Fashion Director

Three looks from my trip to Africa.

Packing for a ten-day African safari and fitting everything into a carry-on duffel bag truly puts the Ultimate Closet concept to the test. The climate in Tanzania fluctuates pretty dramatically throughout the day, and our agenda included lots of outdoor game rides.

Here’s my packing list:
* Bop Basics cargo pants and cargo shorts
* Juicy Couture harem sweatpants
* Genetic boyfriend jeans
* See by Chloé army shirt
* Alexander Wang sweatshorts
* 2 pairs of aviator sunglasses
* 2 tanks and 3 tees
* Neon sports bras
* 1 pair of hiking boots & 1 pair of tall Frye boots
* Bike shorts
* 2 fleece sweatshirts
* 1 lightweight Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket
* Plenty of hats and bandanas

Halfway through the safari, I realized the pieces I brought were proving to be a success! Light layers quickly became my best friends; it was chillingly cold in the early morning and at night, but by midday, it was extremely hot. Every day, I shed multiple pieces by 1 p.m. Comfy, loose-fitting bottoms were essential for this layering strategy, and also great for the extremely bumpy roads on the game rides (our guide David called them "African massage roads"). And hats and bandanas tamed windblown hair and provided sun protection.

We camped in the Serengeti—yes, camped! I could hear animals outside my tent all night. (Our camp director informed us our tent was equipped with a whistle to be blown in case of an “emergency.”) I soon learned the only way to get a full night’s sleep was to pipe soothing Van Morrison through my earphones.

Some fun facts I picked up on my trip:
1. Lions are extremely shy. If you look them in the eye, they’ll hang their head and turn their eyes to the ground.
2. There are only two monogamous animals in the jungle: the dik-dik and the secretary bird.

--Kate

To see more pictures from Kate’s trip, check out The Edit.

Comments

[Sam]

Very few people could manage being that fashionable in the middle of Africa! If I venture over to that continent, this is what I'll aspire to.
I especially love the outfit in the picture on the right.