|
With advance planning and strategic packing you can
forgo the hassle, lighten your load and concentrate
on having a great holiday.
|
Last month I helped a friend pack for a 10-day vacation to Europe.
She called in a panic the night before she was scheduled to
leave. When I arrived at her house, the bed was covered with
enough clothing for three people. She finally lightened up when
I asked if she was going into the Witness Protection Program.
For the fashion conscious, packing for
a vacation can be hard, but lugging heavy suitcases through
airports and hotels is harder. Seasoned travelers plan ahead
and pack strategically so they aren't at the mercy of their
luggage. Here are a few tips to make packing easier and lighten
your load.
Know your itinerary
When planning what to pack, think of what you will do each
day and night. Check the weather forecast and local customs
of your destination. Tank tops and Daisy Dukes are frowned
upon at the Vatican and will likely bar your entrance into
most European cathedrals.
All clothing items should coordinate,
and black is a great color to build around: it works with
everything, looks elegant and doesn't show dirt as easily.
Pack items that have multiple uses and can be worn several
times. Check your hotel's in-room amenities so you can leave
items like hair dryers at home.
Plan to wear your jacket and coat onto the plane to save room
in your luggage. Don't take any jewelry except what you wear
on board. Expensive jewelry is best left at home.
Carry on, carry on
Your carry-on bag should contain essential items like wallet,
passport, medication, toiletries, eyeglasses, keys and cell
phone. To save space, buy travel sizes of toiletries or purchase
them when you arrive. Leave behind what you don't use. All
makeup should fit into a small makeup bag. Place all liquids
in zip-lock bags to avoid spills.
Usually two carry-on bags are permitted.
You might consider keeping one virtually empty to carry back
items you purchase.
How much is enough?
For a 10-day vacation, three jeans, one dress pant, nine shirts,
tees or sweaters, two pairs of shoes and one jacket should
suffice. Remember that all colors should coordinate and one
of each of these items will be worn onto the plane.
If you're gasping at my short list, remember that you should
wear your jeans, pants, jacket and certain shirts several
times. You can also have items cleaned if necessary. If you
love clothes, you might buy a few things that you can wear
in addition to what you take.
Pack it up
Iron or dry clean everything you plan to pack before it goes
in your suitcase. It will wrinkle less. Ask the cleaners to
fold your dress shirts. Button all buttons and zip all zippers.
If your clothes are folded well, they will wrinkle less. Placing
a piece of tissue paper between garments will also reduce
wrinkles. Packing tightly will lessen wrinkles and save space.
All socks and underwear can be rolled and placed into small
empty spaces. Cotton and nylon or lycra blends in socks and
underwear can be easily washed and will dry quicker than 100
percent cotton.
Label each piece of luggage for identification
and use some method to differentiate your luggage from the
rest. A brightly colored, tightly knotted bandana tied to
the handle is one option.
With some advanced planning and strategic packing you can
forgo the hassle, lighten your load and concentrate on having
a great holiday.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, airlines
have imposed strict regulations on the size and quantity of
luggage that can be checked and taken on board. Check with
your airline's website if in doubt. Governmental restrictions
on items to be carried on board change frequently and are
very rigid. To learn more about items permitted and prohibited
on commercial flights visit the Transportation Security Administration's
website at tsa.dot.gov.
Edward Norman is an Image Consultant, Master Designer and
Colorist, and the owner of Edward Norman Image Consulting.
He can be reached at 704-614-0207 or by email at qstyle1@yahoo.com.
|
