my essential suitcase

Way back in college I stumbled across a radio program called Desert Island Discs. On it, each week a guest guides the listeners through their essential music, the albums they would take with them if they were going to be stranded on a desert island. As it turns out, that program has been on the air for many years and still exists!

Well here is the clothing version, taken straight from my sketchbook: My Essential Suitcase. The 10 essential patterns I would make for myself if I was stranded someplace with only a suitcase (or, in my case, my beloved backpack). I’ve also listed some of my fabric preferences in the notes below.

The details:

• Classic Shirt: for me, crisp white cotton. Could also be a fluid silk, but I’ll go with the cotton for now.
• Yanaka Jacket: navy wool, maybe this navy/black doubleface wool? (also available is this camel wool/black neoprene that’s very intriguing…)
• Cannes Trousers: navy wool suiting
• Metro Tee: cream cotton jersey, or maybe linen jersey
• Melville Cardigan: navy wool jersey, maybe merino if I can find it
• Garibaldi A-Line Skirt: two possible versions 1. short version in navy wool suiting or unbleached linen and 2. long in navy bias-cut silk
• Sintra Halter: cream silk
• Prado Trench Coat: beige cotton gabardine
• Hollywood Trousers: dark denim
• Amarena Dress: beige or cream silk or linen

What would your Essential Suitcase include?