Some of My Air Travel and Packing Tips

Last week, after taking a client shopping for clothes with my designer friend Manny Machado, I helped her select her wardrobe for an upcoming trip to Europe.  I was very conscious of the amount of items that would go into her suitcase and did my best to give her great options.  

This wasn't the first time I have picked and packed clothes for friends.  I'm known to travel light and my philosophy is, if I don't wear everything that I brought, I over packed.  

More on my clothing selection thought process later but for now, here are a few tips that have helped me along the way.

Packing:

1. Put your shoes in plastic bags (you can use produce bags, if  you have any) and place them at the end of the suitcase where the wheels are.
2. Roll your clothes and "stack" them tightly next to your shoes and keep working your way to the top of the suitcase ( this is to prevent your clothes from shifting when you stand your suitcase up)
3. If you're bringing a beach towel, lay it on top of your clothes, tuck in the side and fasten the straps.  This is another way to keep your clothes in place.
4. ALWAYS keep your toiletry bag stocked and ready to go with travel sizes of the products you use.  Pack this in your carry on and keep it in your suitcase when you return.
5. Take a plastic bag for dirty laundry
6. Separate jewelry by type and pack in ziploc bags and place in any evening bags your bring.

Travel:

1. Photocopy the id page in your passport and pack it separately in your suitcase
2. Email your itinerary to a friend (just in case)
3. If you're flying business class, you won't have to worry about snacks but avoid drinking alcohol as this will dehydrate you. Drink plenty of water instead!
4. If you are not flying business class, bring munchies such as dried fruit and unsalted nuts, granola bars etc.
5. Avoid wearing foundation as this too can dehydrate your skin. Apply a good moisturizer and lip balm.  If you can't bare to go au natural, just do your eyes and lips.
6. I always try to avoid jetlag by getting into the time zone of my destination asap.  Calculate what your destination time zone is when you depart and act accordingly.  i.e. if it's in the middle of the night in the U.K. when you're leaving Toronto, you'll want to try and sleep.

Hopefully these tips will make your travels much easier.

If you have any tips you'd like to share, please do!

Happy Travel!