Packing your Travel Wardrobe

Travel Wardrobe

By this time of year many of our Lorne regulars are packing up for holidays further afield.  A change of scene opens your senses and for the curious brings knowledge and rich experiences. One gains perspective and with that appreciation for life wherever it takes place .

For some planning a trip is a great joy. With an agenda scripted by the hour, accommodation transfers, meals and activities mapped out in exciting new places. Perhaps it is returning to a favourite place and taking a good book, a surfboard and dining simply that brings relaxation to you. 

Whatever your destination or agenda having the appropriate wardrobe is going to help enormously in your comfort and ease while on tour. As a good friend said to me while walking through Edinburgh in the rain. ‘There is no such thing as bad weather .. just inappropriate clothes’

Being in a new place can be daunting, so doing research before you go can be really helpful in understanding an area and getting a preview of the neighbourhood including fashion to put you at ease.

Check the weather of your destinations and consider your specific itinerary.  If a packing list is provided by your tour organisers consider it wisely.  They want you to be comfortable.

Packing for travel is about creating different outfits with minimal items of clothing.  Selecting pieces that go together and can be dressed up or down is a good criteria. Introducing a colour theme helps enormously at this stage. Do you remember the milky beige, soft tan and browns Kristin Scott Thomas wore in “ the English Patient “ as she travelled through Africa ?

Allow yourself  more than a week before departure and lay out all your pieces, try them on checking for fit and comfort. Light layering your outfits in your colour story is creative and economical for those going between seasons.  Create your outfit combinations considering shoes, bags, scarves, hats and jewellery.  If there is a special item you have purchased for the trip, have fun and make it the inspiration for your travel packing.

I recall  on a trip to Paris some 8 years ago it was a soft blue, navy, grey, black and white combination that worked well for an early Spring capsule wardrobe. We loved seeing the colours together in Picasso’s palette and there we had our retrospective theme.

On shoes, looks, comfort and versatility are all important. A stylish sneaker is a must have for most destinations and seasons. Worn for the morning exercise with activewear, to sightseeing in a day dress, to dining out paired with a wide leg trouser and jacket they are comfortable and fresh. If you aren’t a sneaker person a loafer or brogue suffice in many ensembles. Select shoes that will match with your entire packed wardrobe.  To reduce luggage weight I try to wear the bulkier shoes for transit and pack the lighter shoes where possible.

Scarves provide warmth, shade, cover and change up an outfit especially if you are going through a few climates on your trip. Hats that fold and pack make great companions, but if its a classic straw don’t despair, pack your small clothes around it and keep it in your carry on. Jewellery finishes of an outfit and when on holidays we want to look our best.  Keep jewellery of value  in your carry on luggage and consider a travel pouch to keep it organised. Make sure any valuable pieces are insured. A very stylish friend who was spending time on board a boat in Greece decided to leave her heirlooms at home and brought together a stunning substitute less precious collection of bling which still looked great.

The Characters of “The White Lotus “ were so well portrayed with their clothes and accessories. The warmth of Thailand and the seclusion of the resort saw armfuls of bangles and glimmering dresses. Have a good chat with your travel buddies, synchronise your wardrobes and complement your looks. You will be experiencing new sights, dining out and spending time together. Being on the same page with your wardrobe makes for smooth sailing.

There are many ways of approaching the Packing of a suitcase, do you fold or roll your items?

I suggest starting with folding freshly washed and ironed pieces so they remain looking fresh and filling gaps with rolled smaller items. Use protective bags over shoes and use every bit of space.

A hand held clothes  steamer is a good consideration when travelling. The steaming process freshens the fabric and takes out the wrinkles, so much so that frequent laundering is not necessary. Make sure you have your electrical adapter on hand. There are universal ones available.

Whether its a weekend away in Victoria, a trip within beautiful Australia or a journey offshore,

with research done, colour theme picked, pack your bags and enjoy your travels.