6

Tracee Ellis Ross, the Emmy-nominated style icon, self-care evangelist, and star of Black-ish and Girlfriends, just revealed a travel habit so shockingly minimalist, even her famously fastidious Girlfriends character Joan Clayton would be left clutching her Louis Vuitton luggage tags in horror.

During Travel + Leisure’s prestigious World’s Best Summit on Tuesday, Ross took the stage in conversation with Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford, where the pair explored everything from self-love to global citizenship. But it was Ross’ no-nonsense approach to packing that set the internet ablaze.

“There’s always one bathing suit, a flip-flop and one little dress I can roll up,” Ross said casually. “And there’s always two undies.”

Yes. Two pairs of underwear. That’s it. That’s the list.

The stunned Gifford, and reportedly half the room, blinked in disbelief. “Two?” she asked.

Ross doubled down and even revealed that when she’s on extended trips, she relies on the good old hotel sink.

“If I’m gone for a month on this trip, you can’t pack a month’s worth of underwear,” Ross said, according to People. “How do you do that? They take up a lot of space.”

So instead, Ross uses soap or shower gel to hand wash her undies in the sink, proving that glamour and practicality are not mutually exclusive. In fact, this tidbit might be the most Tracee Ellis Ross thing ever: low-key luxury, deeply personal, and rooted in self-sufficiency.

The Art of Solo Travel and Self-Discovery

Ross isn’t just a frequent flyer. She’s a devotee of travel as a spiritual and emotional reset, especially when done solo.

“Solo travel, in particular, is how I’ve come to know and honor myself,” she told Travel + Leisure in a 2023 profile. “It’s very important to me.”

She went on to describe travel as an act of radical self-care, adding that it gives her clarity, perspective, and a profound sense of peace.

“Growing up this way allowed me to understand that, even though people may not speak the same language, we are all the same,” Ross said. “And that allowed me to feel safe anywhere.”

“The things that make us different are what make life so robust and textured.”

Born into a globe-trotting life as the daughter of music icon Diana Ross, Tracee refers to herself as “a child of the world.” That background has given her a global mindset that’s both philosophical and deeply personal. One that transcends borders and inspires countless fans to seek connection across cultures.

Related