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Fashion Editor Sebastian Jean’s Ultimate Packing Tips

At the O.N.S Manual, we noticed a dearth of stories offering packing and travel tips we could relate to. All the ones we came across seemed outdated, intended for a kind of person we’ve never met in real life. We knew we had to rectify that, so we reached out to one of our favorite fashion editors, Sebastian Jean of Office Magazine. And he delivered, giving us a chance to interview him about work and travel, as well as sending us a list of his most crucial packing tips. Read on and learn how to travel from someone we know you can relate to. 

So, we know you’re an established fashion editor now, doing amazing shoots for Office Magazine, but I also know you started as an intern while still in college Upstate. You must have had to travel back and forth frequently. So before we go on, how would you pack for those trips, especially having to transform from college student to well-dressed fashion intern? 

Prior to working at Office Magazine, I was a fashion intern in the Calvin Klein fashion office. I would travel to the city from Upstate, NY three times a week on a Monday & Thursday-Friday schedule. Mondays were easy, because I could leave campus in my work outfit and head back to school after the workday. However, for the Thursday-Friday. I’d bring my Nike duffle bag along for the ride with an extra outfit (or two if I decided to stay for the weekend). My on-campus style and my work style were pretty similar. I had a go-to pair of Chelsea boots and some raw denim that I’d pair with various button-downs, sweaters, and polos, which worked well in both spaces. For the most part, Calvin was a relaxed corporate environment that welcomed individual style, so the transition from school to work was seamless. 

Then, now in your current role at Office, you must have to travel for shoots. So, what would you pack for a quick trip to shoot an editorial over say, a long three day weekend? What are a few of your best packing tips for a quick trip?

For quick work trips, I like to pack outfits that embody my “Three Cs,” casual, comfortable, and chic. Comfort is necessary for the on set dynamic, which often includes a lot of standing, bending, and lifting. Casual is a happy medium that’s cozy, but slightly more elevated. Chic is for the client sponsored dinners where everyone balls out on foie gras, $20 cocktails, and the steak frites. For those nights, I make sure to have some dress shoes with me, a nice pair of loafers always does the job. 

You must also have to travel abroad for shows and stuff too. So what are your best packing tips for a long trip like that?

As a stylist, an important aspect of dressing is options. There’s nothing worse than being away from home base and feeling ill-equipped. For long trips like Paris Fashion Week, I like to make sure I have all the essentials. Rain gear, a hat for the beaming Parisian sun, and some cool and comfortable kicks for running from show to show. 

Again, working in high fashion, you always have to look your best. So how do you pack your grooming products? Any must haves? Any favorite products you have to leave behind sometimes? What are a couple of your best tips for packing grooming products? 

For grooming products, I suggest buying a duplicate of whatever you use at home. It’s better to have designated toiletries that can stay in an overnight bag and be ready whenever you need to travel, that way you don’t risk forgetting anything. Also, if you have a favorite fragrance, face lotion, or any cosmetic, reach out to the brand for some travel samples. Make sure to mention how much you love their product and how long you’ve been using it, they love that stuff and often reward that loyalty. 

Do you have other travel tips or suggestions? 

Yes, these are my travel necessities and tips: 

> Luggage on 4 wheels

> When you get to the gate, ask if there are any exit seats available

> Don’t forget to log your skymiles

> Switch to compression socks 30 mins before boarding (helps blood flow in the legs)

> Get a neck pillows

> Keep a pen in your bag for customs declaration slips when traveling internationally

> Wear pants with zippers on the pockets to avoid losing any valuables between those seats

> Don’t fly Norweigan unless you really, really, really, have to

> Keep a portable charger on you

> Don’t forget to charge the portable charger

You can see more from Sebastian on his Instagram and in Office Magazine.

And, if you liked this story, check out more in our Urban Transplants issue.


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