Ellen PhillipsWith list in hand, our summertime travel tips will show you ways to travel light, save space and dress almost wrinkle-free. While packing doesn't particularly fall into the "consumer" category, if we pack accordingly, we can use our consumer smarts to fill the remaining room with our savvy purchases.
I plan to use suggestions from today's column, compliments of Real Simple and Redbook, in preparation for my own summer trip, so maybe all of us travelers can learn some tricks for now and in the future when packing an overnight bag or a larger piece of luggage.
Overnight/Weekend
1 Limit options by thinking of and planning your activities upon arrival. Let's say, a weekend in London promises to be coolish with the proverbial drizzle, even in summer. Pack a few neutral clothing articles to mix-and-match; even a decent pair of jeans (male or female) can be dressed up or down, depending upon the top and shoes. Ladies, a silky blouse and heels as opposed to a casual sweater and low boots, paired with your jeans, take you from daylight to midnight depending upon activities. Guys, couple a sports jacket with your jeans to take in a epicurean restaurant and trip-the-light-fantastic nightlife.
2 Pack shoes first. This advice actually goes against a previous rule I've learned, which is to pack shoes on top so TSA agents don't have to rummage through your suitcase to see what may be packed into the shoes. However, the trend now is to stash the heaviest articles near the wheelbase to prevent luggage from tipping over and placing crushables, such as hats – stuffed with scarfs or underwear - on top.
3 Immediately accessible items go on top. If you plan to pull on a sweater and repair your makeup upon arrival, pack these items last.
4 Wear your jewelry. Not only does this prevent tangling, but you won't take so much on your travels. (Leave the good stuff at home. Too many pickpockets and other villains wait in watch for unsuspecting tourists to come along. And, they won't stop and politely ask if you're wearing a diamond ring or a sparking rhinestone before jerking it off and running. Carry an old wallet with a couple of fives and an expired credit card; this way, if you're threatened, throw the dummy (wallet and thief) and sprint away as fast as possible.
Larger Bags
1 Knowing what to pack is critical. A good rule of thumb - three tops for one pair of (dark, preferably black) pants. Mix-and-match for planned events. Limit footwear to sneakers, one casual pair and one dressy. Note: If my women readers are like me, this is a really hard choice. I normally wear my tennis shoes which usually makes room for a second pair of casual.
2 Wrinkle-repellent clothing saves time and appearance. Gather plastic trash bags and line suitcase bottoms to help keep creases from settling in. Then, stash footwear and other heavy items. Look for clothing that contains nylon, polyester or Lycra that can go straight from the suitcase onto one's body. Prints and textured fabrics help conceal wrinkles. Decide what to roll or to fold. Knits, such as tees and light sweaters wrinkle less when rolled; conversely, fold more structured articles, such as trousers or jackets. (For umpteen years, my husband who traveled extensively utilized packing cubes for shirts and pants to conserve room. I also like them for dirty clothes and delicates.)
3 Pack an emergency kit. Travel packs of laundry detergent, sanitizing and disinfectant wipes, sewing kit and small first aid kits come to mind.
4 Stuff every available space. For example, wind belts around the bag's perimeter, stuff shoes with socks (and cover shoes with socks to keep them and other clothing clean).
5 Place your name and address on top of everything in case of loss. Post your email address (the freebie you've created just for this purpose) on your bag tag since most folks have more access to email and would be more likely to look on rather than in your lost luggage.
And, finally, the most reiterated travel tip of all: Do not pack prescription drugs, cash or true valuables inside any luggage other than what you carry next to your body.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.