by AnnieChin
nov 26th
The holiday season has officially begun! As shopping lists grow so do the worries of packing for trips home from college and family vacations. Holiday travel is tricky – you have to pack the right number of potential outfits while saving extra space for gifts. Packing and traveling shouldn’t add to the strain of the season. Here are tips and reminders along with a few products to ease your travels, all while looking chic running from terminal to taxi.
Believe it or not, but it’s possible to pack for a long weekend or even an entire week with carry-on luggage. First, travel as light as possible. Think of all the things you need to carry and handle – if you are overwhelmed, re-think and cut back. The last thing any girl wants to look like while traveling is a bag lady.
Now let’s pick your luggage. Save the roll-ons for lengthy trips. For a long weekend, the Orla Kiely leather bag is spacious with an inside zipper pocket with three compartments for organizing. There are also two side snap pockets to store accessories. For $595, it’s the type of bag that you’ll have for years to come.
For a cheaper option with the same space, the PUMA Phantom bag is $65. Although there are no compartments, there’s a padded base for easy packing with an inside zip pocket. The two-way zip opening opens the main compartment widely enough to allow for effortless access.
A weekender duffle can actually fit a week’s worth of clothes. LeSportsac is durable and fun with a “Dutchess” or paisley print. The best part of LeSportsac products is the custom made options. Pick everything from the shape, size, color, print, as well as embroidery for initials. If the print or color you want is not available online, call any store and they will special order it.
Next, take a look at the week and plan potential outfits. Don’t over pack – remember most people don’t use many of the items they bring. If you’re going away for five days, don’t pack five outfits with totally separate pieces. Mix, match and reuse items day-to-day to lessen the load. Stash heavy clothes like jeans and sweaters at the bottom of your bag. Try to get by with no more than four pairs of shoes, including the ones you wear during travel, and pack them along the sides of the bag. Finally, dressier pieces that take forever to iron should be folded in dry cleaning bags and placed on top for easy access. Hang them up right away once you’ve reached your destination!
A great space saver is wearing a basic winter coat that won’t compromise planned outfits. A look can’t go wrong with a black dress coat. Gap’s Product RED black trench coat can be dressed up or down. It has a drawstring to pinch the fabric in the back to make the bottom flow out. For a more insulated coat, try The North Face’s Gotham jacket. The ribbed ruffs and hems give a fitted look and keep the wind from sneaking in.
Here’s something for your wish list: a luxury travel set from White + Warren. It contains 100 percent cashmere items including a blanket that doubles as a wrap, an eye mask and suede-soled slippers, which “neatly fits into silk pouch for effortless packing”. This is a splurge for $495 and great for avid world travelers. An economical pick is dipping into the checking account for a cashmere wrap to keep you warm during travel, and with a steam press, can be worn along with a dressy holiday outfit.
If you are checking bag(s), put a bright ribbon or tag on it so that you can easily spot it on the luggage carousel. Plastic tags from Flight 001 double as labels and quick vibrant identification. For something more secure, leather tags attach onto bags with a buckle. They come in white, blue, candy, silver, aqua, lemon and orange.
Along with a duffle bag, another carry-on that fits a computer, a few hair and make-up products and your wallet would be ideal. Longchamp’s large tote has durability, which you’ll need for shoving under your seat, and the simple preppy vibe will go great with any outfit you’ve packed.
It’s important to put your laptop in a case so loose items can’t bang it up. Apple’s sleeves are slim and will fit easily into any carry on.
If you don’t need an entire extra carry-on, a case like this nylon one from Apple is enough to fit your laptop, phone, iPod, notepad and pens. This case is thicker than a typical sleeve, but can act as one by removing the shoulder strap.
Always keep your wallet and other valuables in your carry-on, preferably below your seat. If packed just right, there will be room for a wristlet and clutch to go with other outfits. The wristlet can even replace a chunky wallet for the week. For beauty products, Coach’s Bleecker Tattersall case can be used as a clutch, too.
Finally, there are carry-on products to simplify travel, like this bottle set from Flight 001. Cheaper and more flexible options are available at the Container Store ranging from .79 cents to $4.49 per bottle.
P.S. – Remember to fully charge your cell phone and iPod the evening before your trip.
Happy and safe holiday travels!
