Colors
The simplest way to maximize a minimal number of clothes is to
make sure that everything, or almost everything, can be worn
with everything else.
Limit yourself to three or four colors, one of which should be a
light or neutral color, like white or khaki. Another should be a
dark color, like navy, charcoal, or black. And make sure either
all tops or bottoms are in solid colors, so you're not matching
a Hawaiian shirt with plaid pants. If you have a black skirt,
black pants, khaki pants, a white shirt, a black shirt, and a
print shirt in any color, you potentially have nine different
combinations.
In the Air
Since the airlines don't count the clothes on your back as part
of your carry-on allotment, it makes sense to wear your bulkiest
items en route — your coat or jacket, obviously, but also your
chunkiest shoes if you're traveling with more than one pair.
The other consideration onboard, however, is comfort — especially
where pants are concerned. Jeans take up a lot of room in a
suitcase, but you'll hate them on an overnight trip to Europe
when you're contorted into a coach seat and the seams are
digging into your legs. Stretch jeans are a better bet. A pair
of nylon or light-weight cotton black pants with an elastic or
drawstring waist is also comfortable for long flights.
Socks and Underwear
You can easily tuck socks and underwear into suitcase corners or
shoes, so for a weeklong trip, bring enough pairs so that you
never have to wash any out. (You don't need as many bras — two or
three ought to do it.) For a longer trip, look for things that
dry fast — lace rather than cotton bras and underpants, nylon
knee-highs and thin anklets rather than fat, poofy athletic socks.
Shoes
Resist, resist, resist. Most women can get away with two pairs:
one pair that's ultra-comfortable (and if possible,
water-resistant) and another pair that can pass as dress shoes,
which doesn't necessarily means heels. Consider sandals or a
Mary Jane or other comfortable flat that can double as
alternative everyday shoes.
Fabrics
We've all seen overachieving articles that explain how you can
stuff your freshly ironed clothes into your luggage with enough
tissue paper to open your own gift-wrapping station. Or how to
roll, fold, and interlock them into origami in order to preserve
their creases. A much easier solution is to bring clothes that
don't have to be ironed, period. Knits, Lycra, denim, nylon,
flannel, and seer-sucker are all champs. So are many
tropical-weight fabrics.
A trip of more than a few days usually means you'll put in some
time at the sink. Pick items made from synthetics — they usually
dry overnight (so does silk and thin cotton). Get used to
looking for clothes whose main claim to fame is an easy-care
fabric. Sporting companies that cater to hikers and skiers are
often good sources of lightweight, packable, and good-looking
clothes. Two excellent specialty stores for travelers (for
clothes, gadgets, bags, and travel accessories) are TravelSmith
(800-950-1600;
www.travelsmith.com) and Magellan's
(800-962-4943;
www.magellans.com).
Versatility
Whenever possible, choose clothes that do double duty. A shawl can
keep you warm on the plane and dress up any outfit for evening on
land. A windbreaker can be waterproof; a one-piece black bathing
suit can be worn as a tank top on a hot day. And a big T-shirt can
be a nightgown or a beach cover-up.
Another key is layering. Rather than packing a humongous
sweater, use the same space to pack a number of less bulky items
that can be layered together. A silk T-shirt under a
long-sleeved Capilene shirt under a stretch fleece shirt or vest
will keep you warm, and take up less space in your suitcase.
What You Can Carry
The industry standards for the size of a carry-on vary. However,
the majority of airlines say a carry-on's dimensions (height,
length, and width,) should not total more than 45 inches. That
means a 22-by-14-by-9-inch suitcase is allowed, but so is a
19-by-12-by-12-inch suitcase. No matter the rule, you'll probably
be more comfortable with the smallest case possible (think of
climbing stairs), so keep that in mind when shopping for a new
case.
