Madewell

Packing for New York

Essentials to pack in your bag on a long day

An in-person Airbnb experience and my university reunion are bringing me back to New York for the first time since March 2020. I’ve signed up for Shop Bargain Manhattan Thrift Stores to keep me busy until I meet up with other Birkbeck alumni in the evening. Here’s an idealized version of what I’m packing in my tote for the busy day. If I find myself with unoccupied time, I plan to consult the New York Guide.

Works Sighted

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote // Muji pouch // Flint lint brush // Burt’s Bees lip balm // Burt’s Bees lip balm // Stojo bottle // lightening cable // Leatherology cord wrap // phone

Public Goods tissues // Native deoderant // Native toothpaste // Vaseline // Cetaphil lotion // Madewell pouch // Leatherology keychain // power adapter

Travel Essentials

Travel essentials: AWAY carryon, L.L.Bean boat and tote, notebook, BAGGU, Cetaphil, peppermint essential oil, London Undercover umbrella, S'well bottle, Apple iPhone and EarPods, Cadence capsules, Stoney Clover Lane luggage tag and passport cover, J.Crew scarf.

Ah, the joys of trip preparation. Buying miniature tubes of toothpaste at the pharmacy. Affixing my luggage tag to the handle of my suitcase. Deciding which vitamins to pack. Curating a week’s worth of outfits. Designing my own survival kit. Setting an itinerary. I’m not going any farther than my city’s art museum for the time being, but traveling, my favorite pastime, is always on my mind.

Works Sighted

Baggu bag // S’well bottle // Cetaphil cleanser // Cetaphil lotion // Stoney Clover Lane travel pouch // doTERRA peppermint oil // Cadence capsules // J.Crew scarf

Designworks Ink notebook // Stoney Clover Ln luggage tag // Stoney Clover Ln passport cover // Colgate toothpaste // Burt’s Bees lip balm // tissues // toothbrush // J.Crew socks // Trtl travel pillow

Away carry-on // Uni-Ball pen // portable charger // Madewell pouch // RFID blocking card // Babyganics sanitizing wipes // toothbrush case // L.L.Bean Boat and Tote // London Undercover umbrella // book // Apple EarPods // universal travel adapter // phone

3 Essential Leather Goods From Madewell

Madewell chain crossbody bag, Madewell card case, Madewell pouch.

Whenever I am in need of any type of leather good, Madewell is the first stop on my search. The three items we will be discussing in this post were acquired in a similar manner—rather impulsively.

Let’s begin with the chain crossbody bag. I’d been attending a particular holiday party once a year up until Covid. Selecting the dress and the shoes was easy enough, but my quest to find a clutch always proved difficult. My luck changed the year I discovered the chain crossbody bag. The gold-toned chain can be worn around the shoulder or tucked inside the bag. A hint of the chain—a detail too beautiful to hide—is left exposed at the top of the flap when it’s tucked. This bag has attended every holiday party since the year that I purchased it. It’s also been to the opera, the ballet, countless plays, Riverdance, and a wedding. The chain has come in handy when I’ve needed the use of both hands. My mobile, keys, and cards fit inside, and I never have to ask anyone to keep an eye on them while I’m on the dance floor.

The pouch was my second leather purchase from Madewell. It was August 2018, and I’d just gotten my first iPhone. I needed an everyday pouch that would accommodate it along with my keys and cards. I usually place this pouch inside of a larger bag, but it can easily be carried solo on a quick errand. The brass-colored zipper provides a pop of color.

I purchased the card case in December 2020 to accompany me on brisk walks. Oftentimes, I don’t like to carry a pouch or a large bag when I’m on a mission to get my steps. This case holds my identification card, credit card, and the public transport card of whatever city I’m in. It can also hold a key provided it’s not on a ring. I prefer to shop at Madewell in person rather than online. (I like to hear the click of my heels on the wooden floor.) All three of the aforementioned items were purchased at the Walnut Street location, which seems to always have something in stock to meet my urgent, bag-related needs.

Works Sighted

Madewell chain crossbody bag; Madewell card case; Madewell pouch