Welcome to Antler Asks, a series where we delve into the travel styles, inspirations, and tips from those who travel often. We want to hear from those who, like us, embrace travel as a means of connection – to ourselves, to each other, and to the places we encounter.
In this installment of Antler Asks, we catch up with Lauren Caruso, a writer and content creator known for her thoughtful minimalism and sharp editorial eye. Whether she’s navigating the hustle and bustle of international fashion weeks or vintage shopping in small-town America, Lauren brings intention, curiosity, and style to every trip.
Antler: What’s your packing strategy?
Lauren: The way I pack for a trip is usually dependent on what I’m going away for. An international fashion week is always going to require more planning than a quick vacation, but the process is usually the same. The moment I book a trip, I usually have a few outfits in mind for it, so I start a list of items I want to bring in my notes app, organised by category or outfit. As the trip gets closer, I add to the list and start putting those items aside in my guest room to be sure I don’t forget them. Because content creation is so core to my job—especially for fashion weeks and brand trips—I always try on and photograph as many outfits as there are days so I know I have at least one look that I love.
How does being a ‘proud minimalist’ influence your packing approach?
There’s nothing I love more than feeling great in an outfit, and that usually means something neutral and layered. Still, I generally like to plan for one look that feels a little extra, but sometimes it works better in theory than in practice. That’s happened enough that I also pack a handful of timeless, minimalist capsule pieces that I can turn to if something’s not working. There’s been more than one occasion where I’ve had to break out my favorite pair of charcoal grey trousers to feel like myself.
The warm-toned blue of the Icon Stripe in Mist evokes such a feeling of serenity in me—and I absolutely love that it’s easy to find on the carousel.
Lauren Caruso
How do you think about colour when it comes to travel style and choosing luggage?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate the way certain colors make me feel, even when I’m not wearing them. For instance, the warm-toned blue of the Icon Stripe in Mist evokes such a feeling of serenity in me—and I absolutely love that it’s easy to find on the carousel. I’ve traveled with it on half a dozen flights now and at least one person comes up to me to ask me about it!
As a frequent traveller between LA and NYC, what are your carry-on essentials?
In addition to my little beauty stash (hypochlorous acid spray, lip balm, a face mask or two), I love to keep all of my cords and cameras in a single packing cube—it keeps them organized and easy to find when I need to plug in. It also makes going through security that much easier! I also love this infinity wrap as a neck pillow.
Is there one item you always try to bring back from a trip/destination?
I’m incredibly close with my 9-year-old nephew who very much inherited my sweet tooth, so I always bring him home some type of candy or traditional sweets from the places I visit. He was the most excited for the Japanese Gummies.
For me, I always try to shop vintage wherever I go as a token of the location. It’s always pretty easy to find in Europe, but it’s even more fun when I go to smaller cities in the US like West Palm or Park City.
Do you find that travel fuels your creativity?
Oh, absolutely! I’m a bit of an introvert so one of my favorite pastimes is people-watching from a restaurant window or at something like a farmer’s market or outdoor fair. I love to see how a city’s culture informs their fashion, as well as how locals bring their own style to more universal trends. I also love to find a museum in every city if I have the time—and if not, my partner and I geek out over traditional architecture.
I love to see how a city’s culture informs their fashion, as well as how locals bring their own style to more universal trends.
Lauren Caruso
What’s your best piece of advice for packing like a minimalist… but travelling like a maximalist?
Pack in outfits—including shoes! I used to throw random pieces into my suitcase and hope they played as well together as they did in my head, but it doesn’t always happen. Try everything on before you go and plan at least one outfit for each day, plus a wildcard or two—and then switch things in or out as inspiration strikes!
