GET PACKING!
PACKING FOR A WEEKEND CITY BREAK CAN BE FUN.
A worldly-wise friend laughed when he heard that I was writing this piece “Phone, passport, credit cards. That’s it. Go. There are shops everywhere, you know!”
Well, most of us can’t be so laid-back, but preparing for a weekend city break can be fun, and dependent on the precise activities planned, we can choose exactly how we wish to present ourselves. Efficient advance planning will eliminate last-minute stress and forgotten items.
Travelers tend to fall into two categories: I have one friend who travels the world for business, so has packing nailed. Another friend calls me in despair the night before her trip, describing piles of clothes scattered about and asks, “How many pairs of shoes did you say I should take?”
Unless you wish to shop till you drop at your destination, taking only carry-on luggage is vital to eliminate cost, time wasted at baggage carousel, or the horror of a lost suitcase. One time, to avoid that boring sorting of toiletries into that see-through bag, I decided to be clever and stash everything into a large suitcase for my relaxing short break. However, said suitcase didn’t arrive at Marseilles Airport, so my friends had to wait, small, neat suitcases in hand, while I queued to report the problem. Saturday morning was spent on the phone. Poor mobile reception and my schoolgirl
French added to the stress. The suitcase did eventually arrive at our remote Provençal hamlet, just before dinner time. Lesson learned!
So with only hand luggage in mind, let’s aim to pack the minimum of clothes but with options for all events: sightseeing, casual dinners, formal dinners, and maybe, if lucky, the ballet or opera.
I favor a case with 4 wheels which roll smoothly with minimum effort on those endless walks through airports. You might prefer a soft bag slung jauntily over the shoulder or a backpack, both molding easily to shape in the overhead locker. Having checked the dimensions required by your favorite airline invest in good design and a color you love (for me a metallic red) rather than the predictable black, and you will leave home already feeling like a jetsetter! Decide what sort of handbag is practical for you and works within the airline’s regulations. I favor a crossbody style which leaves me hands-free.
Buy miniatures or decant toiletries into 100 ml bottles, and always have a zipped see-through bag (easy to buy) or a stash of plastic bags ready in your case. An ultra-organized friend checks ahead to find out exactly which products the hotel offers, but alternatively you can decide whether it really matters if you can’t use your favorite shampoo or shower gel for 3 nights. Minimize makeup, perhaps an
eye shadow palette rather than individual shadows and a dual mineral foundation rather than a liquid foundation plus a powder. If you travel frequently consider having a hanging toiletries bag of the appropriate size for your needs permanently packed. You know your own personal necessities such as chargers, universal adapter, toiletries, medication, etc. so I will leave those choices to you.
Compartmentalize, maybe using the excellent lightweight packing cubes with see-through mesh. Put all your shoes together, they’re heavy so best to take only the minimum, perhaps stuffed with underwear, gloves, or socks. Alternatively, these items can be organized into a lingerie or laundry bag. If you can’t avoid pure cotton, then fold the garments perfectly along the seams or roll them into “sausages” with items that will crease forming the outer layer. Consider linen which still looks okay when creased! Trouser legs are best folded around other clothes rather than by themselves, so creases are avoided. Acid-free tissue paper can protect delicate garments.
Both women and men do best if a limited color palette is chosen. When you’re a House of Colour client you know your colors so it’s easy, but if you haven’t been color analyzed simply pick either a warm neutral palette of creams through beiges, camels, coffees, and chocolate browns or a cool palette of white through greys to black. If you choose 2 or 3 neutrals from one of these palettes they will mix and match with everything. My color palette as an Autumn is warm so I might choose chocolate brown, camel, and dark denim with kingfisher and warm red to add color. If you favor a cool palette consider black, grey, dark
denim with perhaps cobalt blue and royal purple. I find it simplest to keep all my bottom halves as neutral colors. Lay everything out to check that all the colors and accessories work together in any combination for maximum variety.
Writing this article inspired me to treat myself to the luxury of an on-trend camel cashmere zipped hooded top and jogging bottoms which will provide the ultimate travel comfort, as cashmere withstands temperature changes; however, I’ll keep this for long haul as it does not easily fit into my weekend capsule wardrobe!
A dress in a lightweight fabric that doesn’t crease is a girl’s best traveling companion and a wonderful place to introduce pattern. Men can bring in color with casual shirts or a wonderful striped scarf.
Accessories are key for women as they transform the look from day to evening or smart casual to formal and take up little space in that suitcase. A scarf in silk, velvet, or even sequined, can add color around the face and like jewelry will take a simple but stylish dress from afternoon teaappropriate to opera glamour, adding just a change of shoes and a fab red lip.
I’m now always prepared for restaurant dressing as in colder climes they tend to be cozy in the evening, so layering is essential to avoid overheating after coming in out of the cold. In contrast I’ve shivered in warmer destinations if there is no heating as the evening cools
or the air-conditioning blows one away, so a pashmina is my essential. One secret weapon is a long-sleeved red thermal which passes as a smart top if well accessorized or is comfortable worn under a sweater. The other is a body shaper slip which makes the flimsiest dress cozy.
If possible pack a couple of days in advance so last-minute panic is averted. It’s good to make a list of exactly what you’ve taken. Dependent on how minimalist you can be or what exactly your weekend will entail, you will of course want to amend my suggested lists below. Finally, resist that overwhelming urge to throw in a few more items for luck, check the weight is within the airline’s guidelines and if not, maybe add the cardigan, sweater, or rain jacket to your traveling outfit instead of in the suitcase, and you’re ready to fly!
On arrival at the hotel, if anything is crumpled fill the bathroom with steam from a hot shower and hang up the garments to relax the creases.
When you return home refreshed and invigorated, decide whether you need to amend your Weekend Packing List, so you do even better next time in your quest to become a perfect packer and the envy of your friends!