A GUIDE TO CHIC AND EASY TRAVEL!

We’ve all been there, you’ve planned your trip, your outfits and you’ve sworn to yourself, this time you’ll be more organized, but as usual, as you leave the house you have three carry on bags (always one more than you should for security) and the worry that your case is overweight.
 
You arrive at the airport, stressed and exhausted by the time you board the plane. Flash forward to arriving at your destination and you’ve over packed and have at least 3 extra outfits than you need.
 
Even a seasoned traveller can often make rookie mistakes; fear of not packing enough outfits, packing shoes that realistically you’re not going to wear and not leaving enough room for the inevitable purchases and gifts you’ll be bringing back.
 
Well, fear not, we're heading into a new year and the year you can be that chic traveller. Follow some of these tips to avoid falling into the usual traveller traps and arrive at your destination as stress free as possible. 

PACKING TIPS
​

• PLAN YOUR OUTFITS- When planning your trip take a look at your itinerary and plan out the outfits that you need during your stay. I always write a list of every event / activity I have, including travel outfits needed and write next to the activity what I’ll need to pack for it. As a general rule, I won’t pack anything that I won’t get less than three wears out of (excluding obvious pieces like t-shirts!)
• SHOES- Pack shoes that will cross over several of your outfits. If they only work for one outfit, forfeit them and that outfit, it’s not worth the precious space and weight. The caveat to this if it’s for a wedding or an important event, then it can stand alone.
• DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER - If you’re unsure of the weather, be sure to plan on layering pieces such as vests, blouses and sweaters. That way you will be prepared for every eventuality.
• OUTFITS THAT WORK FROM DAY TO NIGHT - Try and pack outfits that will work from day to night. Often when you're traveling you won't have time to go back to the hotel to change. Therefore if you're traveling somewhere warm, wear (for example) a short black dress and pack a small black jacket to wear in the evening. Wear with a statement necklace so it gives a more dressed up look for the evening. If you're traveling somewhere cooler, wear black trousers, a smarter top / sweater, and a formal coat. Pair with a statement necklace, smart mules or loafers and you'll be set for the evening. 
• HOW TO PACK- When packing, there are two ways to pack to save space. One is to roll your clothes, the other is to pack everything flat and lay each item on top of the other. For silk, or other pieces that crease easily, steam them and then pack them in tissue paper and place them at the top of your luggage. That way you will save yourself some ironing upon arrival.
• PACKING SHOES- Place shoes at the bottom of your case, or if you have a case that has a split zipper section, pack them on one side with toiletries, underwear and accessories and keep the other side just for your outfits.

THE PERFECT CASE FOR TRAVEL 

This amazing suitcase by Raden is ideal for travel. It’s lightweight and has an app that allows you to track its every move. No more lost luggage and wondering where it ended up. The ergonomic carry handle doubles as a scale to determine your Raden's weight. Never be overweight again! 

https://www.raden.com
 

THE PERFECT CARRY ON TRAVEL BAG 

• HAND LUGGAGE- ​For a great hand luggage solution check out Fact + Fiction's handbags and backpack. These bags are compartmentalised to keep everything organised. A compartment for a spare set of clothes, a separate compartment for shoes, a small pocket at the top for your passport, wallet and phone and an upright pocket for your water bottle. The backpack even has a section for your ​laptop. 

​www.shopfactandfiction.com

CARRY ON PACKING TIPS  
​

• MAKEUP- Despite the weight of makeup containers I like to pack my makeup in my carry on. If your luggage goes missing it’s very expensive to replace and you’ll feel lost without your essentials.
• MOISTURIZERS- Pack moisturizers into small travel pots. This will save so much weight, and will allow you to take them as carry on (as long as they are under 100 Ml) You can either purchase specific travel pots or you can even use contact lens cases to put some moisturizer in, these are also the perfect way to separate day and night creams.

• PERFUME- Purchase a travel perfume bottle. These are great for pumping any of your favorite perfume into and will last you up to two weeks of travel. No more lugging around that heavy perfume bottle.
• OUTFIT CHANGE- If you have the room, pack one extra outfit change in your carry on. If your luggage goes missing you’ll at least have one spare set of clothes to change into whilst you wait for your luggage to be returned to you. 
• LIQUIDS- Be sure to pack your liquids in a small see-through bag for security. Have them available at the top of your bag so when you go through security you won’t be fumbling around looking for them.​

​

THE FLIGHT AND WHAT TO WEAR 

• FLIGHT OUTFIT: Warm Weather - When you’re on the flight wear some wide legged or cropped track pants (if your final destination is somewhere warm) that you can wear with a pair of slip on mules or trainers with. They look chic and feel comfortable. 

​

• FLIGHT OUTFIT : Cold Weather If you’re going somewhere cold, wear some jersey trousers, that look smart but are really comfortable and allow you to wear a pair of boots with them.
• JEWELRY - Keep jewelry you want to wear upon arrival in a travel pouch and put it on after security to save time getting through those metal detectors at security. Wear shoes (with socks) that slip on and off if possible for ease of removal for both security and the duration of the flight. 
• STAY WARM ONBOARD - Layer up, even if you’re going to a hot location, flights get cold, so be sure to wear a nice warm hoodie or coat to keep you warm during the flight.​​

​

THE PERFECT TRAVEL OUTFIT: 

​For the chicest of most comfortable travel outfit Lunya has you covered. With their 5 piece travel kit that includes Siro Pocket Leggings, Pima Muscle Tee, Pima Long Sleeve, Siro Bralette, and Siro Sleep Brief. These best-selling pieces can be worn alone or layered to create twenty-one different voyage-friendly looks. 

THE ROMPER 
​

If a onsie is more your speed then check out Lunya’s best selling Pima Romper. Pair it with a black long sleeved shirt and leather jacket ahead of the flight for a more dressed up look, then when on the flight slip a sweater over the top for a super comfortable flight. If you’re flying somewhere warm, simply pack a short sleeved t-shirt to change into when you land and slip on a pair of slides the other end.
 
https://www.lunya.co/

​THE PERFECT TRACKSUIT

Another option for travel is this gorgeous and comfy set by TwentyTees.com with their cropped hoodie and wide leg sweat pants epitomize casual and chic travel. Pair with mules for extra ease.
 
https://twentytees.com

Alternatively wear a long knit tracksuit. This one by Giada Benincasa is idea for chic travel. The Giada Benincasa collection is a range of gorgeous luxury ready-to-wear and knitwear pieces. Stemming from the designers vision of creating a collection that is rich in color, glamour and encompasses the quality and sophistication of pieces made in Italy. 
 
The designers background, starting out in the family textile business later led Benincasa to create a limited edition collection of precious cashmere shawls, before branching out to create the Giada Benincasa brand in 2013. 
 
With the perfect blend of beautifully soft textiles, the collection is made up of elegant, classic and timeless pieces that always contain a contemporary twist to keep them fresh. Designed for women who have a love of fashion, a desire for elegance and practicality to fit in to a busy life. 

http://www.giadabenincasa.com/

​TRAVEL ACCESSORIES 

If you want to give yourself added luxury for your flight, invest in the travel kit by Parachute. This limited edition set makes travel comfortable and convenient with a luxurious eye mask and blanket.

Final travel tips:

-If you are packing an iPad or iPhone, and you have a long flight, download some of your favorite netflix episodes / movies to your device and pack a book incase the entertainment onboard is broken. (not too common for this to happen, but can make for a very boring flight if you get unlucky) 
-Add a distinctive bow or travel tag to your luggage to make it easy to spot as it comes through baggage claim.
-Write 'FRAGILE' on your luggage to help ensure baggage handlers treat it more delicately. 
 

​Wishing you safe and stress free travels!