As a frequent flyer and committed member of Team Carryon, I know the benefit of a capsule wardrobe. A few quality pieces in basic colors, dressed up with easy-to-pack accessories, have – quite literally – taken me around the world.
Here are my tips for packing light but looking put-together every time you head to the airport.
Frequent Flyer Wardrobe Tips
First, a few important tips for the flight:
- Always wear your heaviest, bulkiest items on the plane. That includes the heavy hiking shoes or warm boots you’ll need once you arrive. I always buy those in black so they pair better with my travel outfits.
- Dress in layers. Airplanes are always too cold. Except when they’re too hot. I have yet to fly on a plane that is just right. So I always have several layers that can be put on and taken off as needed.
- Bring a cashmere pashmina. It does triple duty – as a blanket or pillow on the plane and as an elegant wrap once you arrive at your destination. I have them in several colors to dress up my basic black capsule wardrobe.
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What Frequent Flyers Buy
The keys to a fashionable, functional and easy-to-pack wardrobe are:
- Sticking with one basic color
- Using accessories effectively
- Buying products that are comfortable, forgiving and wrinkle-resistant.
Start with these basics:
Two-Piece Pantsuits and Comfortable Separates
I would buy this in black because it works just as well as a basic layer for the plane as it does for an elegant outfit for going out to dinner at your destination. Pair it with this comfy half-zip sweater to stay warm on the plane and for evenings out at your destination.
If you can’t manage traveling without at least one pair of jeans (that’s not true for me, but it is for my best friend and travel buddy), then opt for a pair with wide legs and plenty of room for movement, like these Kate Flare Denim Pants from Crescent. No one wants pants that bind on a four-plus-hour flight!
The Things I Never Unpack
Because I am lucky enough to travel at least twice a month, I never really unpack my suitcase. That way, I can be re-packed in minutes.
The things I never unpack include:
A lightweight rain jacket. The weather is so unpredictable these days that I always like to be prepared. Plus, I’m often chilly, so having a windbreaker is important even on days when it isn’t raining. I like this one from Everlygrace. It packs small, is wind- and water-resistant and has a zippered pocket to keep important things like my phone dry. And it can be monogrammed if you want to buy one for yourself and one for your BTB (Best Travel Buddy).
Portable charger. I like this Mophie 3-in-1 Portable Travel Charger. I charge it up my last night in the hotel and then pack it into my carryon. That way, it’s charged and ready for my next trip.
Travel jewelry case . I have plenty of costume jewelry, so I keep a few pairs of earrings, a couple of bracelets and a necklace or two in my suitcase. I like this cute Lily Pulitzer Travel Jewelry Organizer Case. It unfolds to make it easy to see what you’ve got.
Toiletry bag. When I get home, I take the bottles out of my Lilly Pulitzer Travel Bottle Pouch Set, refill them and put them back in the pouch so they’re ready for my next adventure. For the rest of my toiletries, I like a hanging toiletry bag like this TRVL Vegan Leather Case because it hangs up in the hotel bathroom and the see-through sections make it easy for me to find what I need, which is especially important when jet lag leaves me tired and cranky.
Self-care must-haves. Even in the best of times, travel can be stressful. Long days, dirty planes, middle seats, loud hotel rooms – it can be a challenge to keep your cool. That’s when things like the Kanna Honey Tincture from Mama Kanna can do wonders. The elixir is made from honey, vanilla, and other ethnobotanicals to relieve stress. Even better, a portion of the proceeds supports the rights of the indigenous people of South Africa and their “intellectual property rights to the kanna plant.” Another important self-care item: HaruHaru WONDER’s Black Bamboo Nourishing Calming Hand and Nail Cream from EYURS. All that dry air in hotels, airports and airplanes dries my skin out almost instantly. I can never get enough hand and nail cream!
What to Use to Pack It All
Big confession here: I have always been a backpack girl. I like the hands-free operation, the fact that it shares the weight across both of my shoulders and knowing that my laptop is well-protected.
But lately, my backpack has stayed home.
That’s because I have found a better option for my one personal item: a flexible bag like this Expedition Plus Weekender from Urban Expressions. I like it because I can stuff more into it and it can zip down to become a purse when I arrive at my destination. I cram everything I need access to on the plane into the bag and shove it under the seat in front of me. When it’s time to walk miles in the airport, it slips over the handle of my four-wheel roller bag. No weight on either shoulder!
Should I Take Nice Jewelry?
Unlike Kim Kardashian, who famously was robbed of $10 million in jewelry during a Paris hotel robbery, I leave my good jewelry at home when I travel. But there are some reasons to bring a little bling.
Sophisticated pieces like this understated Tiny Trillion Birthstone Necklace from Taylor Custom Rings can add a classy touch to any outfit.
More importantly for women who travel solo, signaling that you are not, in fact, traveling solo is one way to feel more comfortable when you’re exploring the world on your own. That’s where a ring from Madera Bands comes in handy!
I travel solo often, but I actually am married, so I have a real wedding ring. But I wouldn’t judge anyone who isn’t married sporting a ring!
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