Some Unwanted Advice for Your Thursday
or a few travel tips
I've been pretty underqualified for most of these advice posts, but this one I feel pretty confident about. I'm a good traveller. I pack light, go hard, and, despite my intrinsic tardiness, always make my flight (knock on wood, puh puh puh).
That said, it's hard to say anything new about travelling. What are your surefire travel tips?
1) Schedule your freak out.
You're going to have one, and you might as well get it over with. Better to freak out while you're packing or waiting for the cab than on the plane or in a strange place.
2) Pack only things that go with everything.
Angelina Jolie says she only wears black because it's easy and it goes with everything. While that's true, colors can be easy, too, so long as they all go together. Pick a color scheme that shows up in your wardrobe a lot, like red, white and black or cobalt blue, grey and tan.
3) Invest in a few key travel pieces.
Specifically, a dress that doesn't wrinkle, a purse that holds everything, a tiny clutch for evenings, and flowy layered pieces that fold up to next to nothing.
4) Leave room in your suitcase.
I was in Germany for 5 days, and was shooting for 4 of them and I still came home with a few suitcase-space-sucking goodies. I'm all for packing light, but it's better to pack smart. Make sure you're not stuffing your suitcase to the brim on the way there.
5) Be realistic.
So, I know that, supposedly if you drink anything other than water and eat anything with salt or fat you'll explode on an airplane or something, but I also know that no matter how many healthy snacks I eat I'm still going to eat the salt bomb peanuts on the plane. So, I find a few healthy tricks that work for me. Like, I bring a bottle of water, drink it before security and then fill it up at the water fountains. And I eat things like grapes or watermelon that are high in water and fiber.
6) Accessorize.
Scarves, sunglasses and bracelets are my favorites, but that's because I lose earrings and tangle necklaces. Do whatever works for you.
7) Don't do any of these things if you don't want to.
Travelling is stressful. Better to be happy and comfortable than anything else.
Update:the consensus seems to be that what goes into the carry-on is very important and I agree. I actually tend to pack everything in my carryon and try to avoid checking luggage whenever possible BUT when I do, here are my essentials:
1) Schedule your freak out.
You're going to have one, and you might as well get it over with. Better to freak out while you're packing or waiting for the cab than on the plane or in a strange place.
2) Pack only things that go with everything.
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| Clockwise from top: Apt. 34, Sartorialist, Mode D'Amour, Sartorialist |
3) Invest in a few key travel pieces.
 | ||
| Clockwise from top: Mat & Nat Manchester Bag, Ann Taylor Jersey Dress, | Cole Haan Clutch, Topshop Poncho |
4) Leave room in your suitcase.
5) Be realistic.
So, I know that, supposedly if you drink anything other than water and eat anything with salt or fat you'll explode on an airplane or something, but I also know that no matter how many healthy snacks I eat I'm still going to eat the salt bomb peanuts on the plane. So, I find a few healthy tricks that work for me. Like, I bring a bottle of water, drink it before security and then fill it up at the water fountains. And I eat things like grapes or watermelon that are high in water and fiber.
6) Accessorize.
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| Image courtesy of Advanced Style |
7) Don't do any of these things if you don't want to.
Travelling is stressful. Better to be happy and comfortable than anything else.
Update:the consensus seems to be that what goes into the carry-on is very important and I agree. I actually tend to pack everything in my carryon and try to avoid checking luggage whenever possible BUT when I do, here are my essentials:
- All my underwear & socks
- Change of clothes
- Kindle and/or book
- Elle Magazine
- Bottle of water
- Eye mask and earplugs
- Travel Blanket
- All my cords and chargers
- All the hotel/destination/guide information
- All my cosmetics and makeup (specifically from this company. Love.)
