I’ve been meaning to do an exposé on travel and packing for a while, and what better time to do so than right now, as I am in the midst of packing for yet another trip (this time for business).
I frequently get questions on how I pack, particularly as I like to get about different places quite often! Not really one to be renowned for being low-maintenance, I find that many of my friends and colleagues often express surprise (perhaps even genuine shock) when they see me turn up with a carry-on.
Truth be told, I’ve always been a carry-on kind of girl. I remember how impressed hubby was, when we first started dating some time ago… that I would turn up to NYC from DC with just a Sephora shopping bag in hand (secretly I think that’s what sealed the deal!). They say that the key to a man’s heart is via his stomach (which may well be true). But to quote the lovely Ms. Erykah Badu, there’s also nothing more attractive than a lady who prefers to “pack light.”
Ultimately, I like to think of myself as George Clooney in “Up in the Air,” though I swear I've been like this much earlier than the film's release.
So... pack light. How to do so? Well here are six tricks of the trade I’ve acquired over the years:
1) Roll up your clothes. Roll it like you would a dainty, pretty scarf! (The way a freshly cleaned towel is presented, for instance). This may not work so well for men’s shirts or bulky sweaters, but I find that it works great for most things (i.e., blouses, dresses, trousers, etc)... namely for three reaons: A) Your clothes are less likely to crease; B) It saves tons of room in your carry-on; and C) It’s also an excellent way to color code (for the super obsessive types A's like myself). I often create two neatly aligned columns, with rolls stacked up againt each other, interspersed by the occasional shoe or two.
2) Pack flats. For women, it is often more desirable to wear heels than flats, especially when we travel for work. However, anybody who’s tried to fit a pair of stilettos in a suitcase will tell you that the geometry simply doesn’t work in your favor. What to do? Pack more flats! (Ballerinas, sandals, etc etc). They are easy to wear (especially if you need to do a lot of walking), and they fold nicely in between rolled-up clothing. I generally prefer to wear the one pair of high heeled shoes (often times boots since they’re quite versatile for both day-time and evening) on the plane, so that I don’t have to worry about fitting them elsewhere. Of course, you can also opt to pack a small pair of flats in your personal tote/handbag, just in case you need to do that mile-long sprint in a state of panic! For this purpose, my personal go-to flats are Tieks by Gavrieli, as they fold-up and travel so nicely, and take up less space than a mini-purse in your handbag! Score.
3) Pack your shoes individually, and not in pairs! Likely, this goes without saying – but I’ve learned over the years that it is far more beneficial for me to separate my shoes so as to minimize the amount of space utilized. I generally prefer to wrap them in the thinnest, smallest plastic bags possible (convenience and liquor stores are good sources for these). Of course, it also means that once I unpack in hotels, I’m left with half a dozen or so plastic bags like the bag lady I was trying to avoid… but trust me, they come in handy! I typically store them away in drawers, just so the cleaning staff doesn’t mistake them for garbage.
4) Pack a bag within a bag. Many of my girlfriends do this, and I think it's genius! Very often we ladies like to travel with more than one bag -- one for daytime and one for evening. So, if you’re going to pack an evening clutch or cross-body, why not capitalize on the prime real estate within? Undergarments, accessories, toiletries, valuables -- stuff them all in there!
5) Carry (never pack!) a second jacket. This likely only applies to the hyper fashion-conscious, or perhaps utilitarian types. Suppose that you'll be away for a considerable period of time, who’s to say that it won't rain? Or, better yet, you may get bored, and perhaps even depressed over the prospects of wearing the same black coat everyday? My solution to all of this is to bring a good second jacket (different color? Weatherproof? Your pick!), and carry it in your arms like an extra layer or blanket. The pay-off is huge! Plus, you could always use it as a back-up blanket on the plane, and no airline security can ever accuse you of exceeding your "two-bag" maximum! There’s nothing more luxurious then having wardrobe options while you're traveling. It makes me feel as though I’ve brought a piece of home with me abroad.
6) Accessories save the day. I am a huge proponent for accessories. In fact, in High School my girlfriends would point out how I spent all of my money on jewelry (I had much more limited funds back then). That said, accessories are the ideal travel companion as they’re compact, and can instantly brighten up your look! What’s not to love? Scarves are included in this category. They are the ultimate luxurious best friend.
Ultimately, packing is such an individualist process, and I’m sure everybody has their own preferences for doing so. (I’ve once chatted with a good friend, who broke down the exact number of credit cards he liked to carry on planes!). Given that so many things out of your control can go awry when you fly, my advice would be to try and minimize your stress-level by adopting the “carry-on” method!
