Unpacked with Tori Simokov
an intimate glimpse into how a serial over-packer travels in style
There’s something about a glimpse into the nitty gritty of how others live that really makes my heart happy. From reading what Erika Veurink spends on second hand fashion every month to digging through literally anything Lindsey Stanberry is doing over on the purse…I’m like a dog with a bone when it comes to this kind of stuff. After reading this riveting article by Jenny Walton about packing for 4 days in France in a TOTE BAG, I was inspired to create my own voyeuristic series here on Wandering.
Enter…Unpacked, a new interview series where I’ll share an intimate glimpse into how travel savvy humans with excellent taste pack for their getaways. For the inaugural issue I am chatting with Tori Simokov from Window Seat — a newsletter for people with good taste who want to travel well. From the moment I discovered Tori’s Substack, I immediately vibed with her approach to travel (and aspired to her pro level of packing). I’m so excited for her to share her packing tips with you! - Alex
What’s your go to luggage and why?
For my checked bag, I currently use the Delsey Large Expandable Spinner. It's nine years old and has held up incredibly well for how much I've traveled with it. I bought it right out of college because it was cheap (under $200!), it's a silver hardshell (I had RIMOWA FOMO even back then!), and it was the biggest possible option I could find for the price (I'm a serial over-packer).
For my carry-on, I'm obsessed with my silver Calpak Ambeur. I'll probably replace my Delsey soon and when I do, I’ll get the large-size Ambeur to match. I'm really impressed with the quality of Calpak's products and am really looking forward to upgrading!
My favorite travel companion of all is my Away Everywhere Tote—it comes with me on every trip. I looked for years for the perfect travel tote; I refused to compromise on any details. I wanted something sleek but durable, spacious but not bulky when you're wearing it, with thoughtfully designed compartments and—crucially—a trolley pass-through sleeve. This tote checks all the boxes and then some. To me, it's perfection.
What’s always in your toiletries bag?
I always travel with Cadence Capsules and RIES bottles filled with Sofie Pavitt Face Clean Clean Cleanser and Mandelic Clearing Serum, LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer, and Oribe Hair Alchemy shampoo and conditioner. I'll also have a travel-size Soft Services Speed Soak, La Roche Posay sunscreen, and my Suri electric toothbrush.
For makeup, my current can't-live-without products are NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and Orgasm blush paired with Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer for skin, MAKE UP FOREVER Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao and Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick in Kim K W for lips, NYX Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen for brows, and L'ORÉAL Telescopic Waterproof Mascara for lashes.
Describe your basic packing strategy…
The first thing to know about me is that I'm an over-packer, and I won't apologize for it. I like to have options! That said, I don't want to be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I bring, so I make sure to keep everything really neatly organized.
I approach packing like Michelin-starred chefs approach cooking. I have my own mise en place and treat the process like an art form. Everything I pack has a dedicated container of some kind; I'll never just aimlessly throw things into a suitcase.
My clothes are folded within packing cubes, my hair tools are packed in a travel organizer, my toiletries go into a waterproof travel case, most of my makeup goes into a medium-sized pouch that gets checked while my everyday products stay in a pouch inside my travel tote, and everything else—from my sunglasses to my undergarments to my jewelry—has some kind of dedicated pouch or carrying case.
It's really satisfying to see the end result, but it serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. This system keeps me organized and it makes unpacking very simple once I get back home.
Do you have a travel uniform?
I spend a lot of time planning the outfits I want to wear on a trip, but the one I wear on the plane is never one of them. I always wear the same thing: a sleek tank that hugs the body, wide-leg pants in a sateen fabric (these are similar), a comfy sweater (loving this Johnny collar one right now), and sneakers—either my Nike Vomeros or my P-6000s.
What five things does your carry-on always include?
My carry-on always holds my most valuable and sentimental items, my most essential toiletries, a couple of casual outfits, and another pair of sneakers.
How do you navigate the shoe situation?
Sneakers tend to be bulkier shoes, and I always wear those on the plane, so that saves me a bit of room. If I'm packing heels, I try to limit myself to one dark and one light pair to mix and match with the outfits I'm bringing. In the case of boots, I'll try to stuff things inside the shafts to maximize space (even though it goes against my packing philosophy). I like to view packing shoes as a game of Tetris and challenge myself to make all the pieces fit best.
A HUGE thank you to Tori for giving us a glimpse into how she travels. Be sure to subscribe to Window Seat for more of her guides, travel hacks and personal essays.
I plan to make this a regular series on Wandering so if you are Interested in being featured in Unpacked or know someone who should be, let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading! xo Alex
PS - If you enjoyed reading Wandering, tap the ❤️ below—it helps my little corner of the internet get discovered
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Honored to be featured as the inaugural guest for Unpacked! Thanks so much for all of the fun questions, can't wait to see who comes next 💗