Seatmates: Erika Veurink
On in-flight gifts, how traveling has shaped her taste, and what a dream vacation looks like for someone who famously hates traveling
This interview is part of Seatmates, a Window Seat series where tastemakers, travelers, and creatives share how they move through the world—what they pack, where they stay, and the travel rituals that shape their lives.
Read on to learn what one of Substack’s favorite writers wears to the airport, which suitcase she swears by (even after taking a Rimowa for a spin!), and which idyllic hotel she celebrated her first wedding anniversary at. You’re in for a treat.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a writer, brand strategist, and host of EV Salon. Plus, Tori’s my neighbor and one of my close friends. I write a fashion Substack called Long Live and love taking walks with friends, reading, and seeing movies at BAM. And maybe most relevantly, I kind of hate traveling.
You’re well-known for your love of “the hunt” for secondhand fashion. Where in the world have you had the most success hunting? Bonus points if you can share your favorite stores.
My best track record has to be on eBay. But when I’m traveling, I love to research secondhand options in the area and just risk it. Sometimes it’s great. Other times it’s a bust. Recently, I was in Palm Beach for work and had the best time at Goodwill. In Paris, I love Vintage Desir. Here in New York, I like the Housing Works on the Upper East Side the best. My best finds come from a Salvation Army in Des Moines, Iowa.
You’re a big proponent of personal style and “wearing your clothes.” Has traveling had any impact on developing your taste?
Yes! It makes me think of what Tariro’s mom said once about how the clothes you wear when it’s raining are your true style. The practicality of stuffing shit into a suitcase forces me to be for real with what I actually want to wear day in and day out—suiting, black, big button-downs.
What does your outfit planning & packing process for a trip look like? Do you plan outfits for your trips or prefer to be more spontaneous?
I always pack at least the day before and generally with some sort of sketch of a list in a notebook. It’s boring now because I tend to travel with the same black linen suit, a few t-shirts, some shorts, and a sweater. But I try to throw in at least one vintage dress or colorful handbag, just in case.
Set the scene for your dream vacation: where are you, who are you with, and what are you doing?
I’d love to rent a huge house somewhere on a lake in Sweden at the end of the summer. I’d invite my siblings and husband and best friend. We’d mostly be buying the best groceries, reading, and then goofing off at night before watching a movie on a laptop. Bliss.
As a resident of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, what are your favorite local spots to recommend to out-of-towners?
Margot is basically my dining room at this point. I love taking meetings there as much as I love long dinners with pals. Tor and I are big on Fort Pilates, our local reformer Pilates studio. It’s really the best. And trust us, we’ve survived some nightmare classes together (ed. note: can confirm lol). Greenlight is my favorite bookstore. Plus they’re open late on the weekends, which makes for a fun outing after a movie at BAM. I like Bittersweet iced lattes a lot. Their bigger location near Pratt’s campus is delightful.
What’s been your most memorable hotel stay?
This fall, my husband and I went to the Mayflower Inn in Connecticut to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. I swear I’ll be comparing every hotel to that perfect stay for the rest of my life. Plus, access to The Well makes the whole setup idyllic.
What are your must-haves when it comes to luggage and items you travel with?
I swear by the Away carry-on (Aluminum edition). I used the Rimowa one for a story and really liked it, but the Away version fits more and makes me feel less terrified to send it barreling onto the plane. I use the Away Quilted Everywhere Bag on top, which expands an ungodly amount, perfect for someone who always comes back with more, like me. I always have my Kindle, Tower28 SOS spray, and multiple corded headphones.
What is your go-to airport outfit?
I keep a vintage ribbed black sweater over my shoulders in case of cold flights almost every time. Then it’s usually some big 501s and Salomons and a J.Crew button-down I can knock around in. The idea is something that I don’t feel too attached to/can be tossed in the washing machine afterward. And my Cartier watch, always, because I freak if I can’t find it. Keeping it on my wrist is just simpler.
Do you have any rules or rituals when it comes to air travel?
Well, as mentioned, I don’t like to travel, so I usually reward myself with a beef jerky and magazine haul while killing time in the airport. I’m always way too early, and I like it that way. My gift to myself is generally staying off Wi-Fi on flights to use the time to journal or read instead. I started touching the outside of the plane when I board because I’m pretty sure Tor does (ed. note: confirmed! My favorite flying ritual). Can you tell I just look to her for all things travel?
Last question: aisle or window seat?
Aisle, but only because I’m 6’2”.
To get more fashion intel from Erika, make sure to subscribe to Long Live. It’s one of my favorite reads—and the newsletter that got me hooked on Substack! Interested in being featured in Seatmates or know someone who should be? Drop me a line here.
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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.
I have been touching the outside of the plane as I board for as long as I can remember - glad I'm not alone in this! 😉
Thinking I need the Tower28 SOS spray in my life. Adding to list for next trip