Jean-Adjacent: November Edition

Travels tips and packing lists.

Nov 30, 2024

Greetings from Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where I am vacationing with family and friends and having a very, very hard time writing. It’s so colorful and salty and distracting here. Ceviche and tequila. Waves “bigger than Godzilla,” my son says. Who can look away? The fantasy – me, typing furiously under a thatch roof taking sips of coffee and periodically staring out at the sea, ideas just coming and going, coming and going like the breeze? – not happening. My kids are in the pool. I’m going to make this quick.

I had no plans to do a gift guide this season, but earlier this month I went to London for a few days and bought such fun things for others. Most were distinctly British – from shops or companies we don’t have state side – which also makes them souvenirs, which, in my opinion, are the finest presents at any price. Here’s a list of who’s getting what…

For Nicola, who shares my love for martinis and these olives – but never the two together – an Anya Handmarch branded Perello pocket (£295).

For Zach, who got hooked on everything Daylesford after living in London last year, this tea caddy full of Daylesford Organic Earl Grey tea (£16).

A Pajara Pinta ‘Love You’ necklace ($322) from Mira Mikati’s Happy House for Matt, who celebrated a birthday this week.

Brora cashmere wrist warmers (£89) for Mazie, whose presence is as cozy as these cashmere roses.

Perfumer H Frankincence candle ($285). For Nicole, who has a nose for nice candles.

For my husband Marc, Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Aftershave (£35.95). Note: If you are in London and you can get to the store, the bone ivory combs by the till make lovely stocking stuffers.

Liberty of London Gemini silk scarf (£95). For me, because I only have so much self control.

Shelfies from Perfumer H (left) and Taylor of Old Bond Street (right) in London.

THE JEAN SALE: SHOP 30% OFF

Cut to the current situation: Thanksgiving week at the beach in Mexico. Packing for this trip was easy because I bring the same clothes on nearly every beach vacation I take. I actually keep the foundation of my beach vacation wardrobe in a designated storage box in my closet so I can transfer it to my luggage in one fell swoop. The wardrobe includes:

✔️ 1 basic, black Matteau Square Swimsuit and 1 playful La DoubleJ swimsuit in this style.

✔️ A sun tee from Watskin (which also makes exceptionally cute and high-quality UPF +50 swimwear for girls).

✔️ 2 pairs of drawstring pants, from Leset (these are similar) and James Perse.

✔️ Melissa Odebash Sienna crochet pants (sold out, but these get the gist).

✔️ 2 Matta dresses – one for sleeping and one for everything else.

✔️ A chambray shirt. I have two, one is a men’s style from J.Crew that’s nearly 15 years old. This one is also good, but really, any mid or lightweight work shirt is fine. My other shirt is a one-off with psychedelic embroidery on the back. (Just no Western pearl snaps or business-y button-down collars at the beach, please).

✔️ Matteau pareo. The one I own is a few years old and long gone, but this one is practically identical.

✔️ Flore Flore May camisoles in black and white.

✔️ Straw sandals from San Pantaleo in Sardinia. (More thoughts on this below.)

For me, it takes just 3 or 4 pretty blouses or Bode shirts (I’ve been collecting mine for years, this is the vibe), one new swimsuit (honestly, optional), a pair of sunglasses, and a cute bag to make this foundational wardrobe feel fresh. Take a Trip Jacket for the plane, and away we go.

For Mexico, I added a Cesta Collective Lunchpail and Oliver Peoples sunglasses (similar here) to my go-to beach trip packing list. The bag is currently 25% off with code MERCI.

I’ll end with this: In the summer of 2023 I bought a pair of nameless raffia sandals from a small souvenir shop in San Pantaleo, Sardinia. Can I tell you what nameless, crafty souvenir sandals are good for? Only every warm-weather vacation I’ve been on since. Forget wearing sandals like this at home. They never feel right there or anywhere urban. But I’ve packed them for Hawaii and now Mexico, both, and they’ve fit so beautifully in both places. Which is to say, the next time you’re wondering if you should buy a pair of cheap-and-cheerful souvenir sandals from the odd shop on holiday, don’t let a need to wear them “in real life” impact your decision. You don’t need to wear them in real life or anywhere but out there, wherever it’s warm, whenever you go. I wish you happy travels.

With Marc this Thanksgiving day, wearing the foundational Leset pants and my beloved Sardinia sandals, with a new-ish Bode shirt.

OK, back to the pool. The Only Jane is having a SALE like the rest of the internet, but not for long. As always, thank you for reading. I haven’t put a pair of jeans on in days, but I’ll say it, still: Denim forever.

Jane