Just Back From...Northern Portugal, an insider's addresses in the DR, favorites from the founder of Pretty Hotels, and ask Margherita Missoni your packing Qs!
Major questions for MM. What about packing sneakers and/or exercise clothing? Do you use hotel laundry services as part of this strategy on trips longer than a few days? Do you bring your own hair dryer and if yes, what type? Is there anything you use on a regular basis that you "let go of" when you are traveling?
The most challenging issue and heaviest part of my carry-on suitcase is my toiletries kit. I’ve whittled it down to the essentials in small containers. Yet it is still bulky. Help! Does the perfect hanging toiletries kit exist? Is the ere something better than hanging that you recommend?
Yes, same here! The only tip I have learned that I will share is to get samples. I buy through Sephora a lot so I can get their samples that I take with me when I travel. This helps so much!
Packing Question: Shoes! How many pairs? How do you allot for form versus function (or comfort versus style)? Do you pack your shoes outside your suitcase so they dangle?
I am absolutely elated at the prospect of receiving some guidance on packing, especially in concerns to shoes! I have size 10 feet and most of my shoe options are boots (heeled, chunky, etc). I feel like I always do so well with packing clothes and then forget about the shoes! By that time, I can only just close the zipper on my carry on bag and am left with hauling my shoes in my personal tote bag. Please help!
How to do this if the weather is cold? Or if you are doing multiple activities like dining out at nice places in a city but then also doing some weekend hikes? I always feel that I need different types of clothes and it just doesn’t all fit. Also, thoughts on packing cubes? Do your toiletries only go in your carryon? “uniforms”?
Here here on toiletries and makeup!! I would also love to learn if she has a "formula" for week long-ish trip (e.g., 2 pairs of jeans, 4 tops, etc.) and some concrete examples (e.g., blue jeans, black jeans, white T-shirt, striped sweater, etc.). Also, what to wear on a plane, especially when changing climates. (I know that is not really a packing question, but I can't figure out how to be comfortable, fashionable and making my outfit work with what I am packing.) And are packing cubes REALLY helpful? I hear people rave about them, but I can't figure out how to make them work. Maybe it's just me?
Personally I LOVE packing cubes but also share your question about a great mix and match formula (as if you were creating your own capsule) and how your travel day outfit makes a difference!
It’s not the clothing that’s the problem - it’s the toiletries, medications etc . Husband 86, me 78- avid travellers before covid, now out of habit of packing. Help!
How do you manage packing what you need in clothes and then having enough space for workout/running gear--particularly in winter, but also autumn and spring so you don't have to wash/send to laundry every day or can deal with moving hotels every couple of days on a multi-city work trip.
I love the questions here! I share the questions about active/exercise clothing and about formulas. Would also love to know how you manage toiletries as well!!
Usually travel with just pants - wishing to find a great travel dress, or is it better to go skirt and blouse(s)? I also only travel with a carry on, but had to wear my nightgown for New Year’s Eve (with a cardigan-it was dark) and my husband isn’t letting it go.
That idea of traveling in just a carry-on for anything more than a weekend is a lie. I wish it were true - I'd love to travel in a tiny suitcase in winter or on long trips - but it is not possible! Do you see a single toiletry or grooming tool in that proposed suitcase? Which winter coat is she taking to Paris fashion week - her stuff sack puffer coat? Not if she's actually attending a Fashion Week event. At the very best, a carry-on can sustain a low-maintenance size 2 woman for a week if she doesn't practice skin care and the weather is warm. A normal size woman can go a weekend. And, if you practice any skin care whatsoever, you need to check luggage based on (1) the TSA rules if you're traveling for more than a few days and I2) the desire not to waste precious product transferring bottles. Packing for a long trip in a carry-on isn't liberating. It's a cost containment technique for those who can't afford to check luggage. And it's a fetish for those who can.
I'll let Margherita discuss her packing techniques, but from my personal experience, I'm on week 5 of a trip with the same skin care products and haven't run out--and they all fit within the TSA guidelines.
You managed to get five weeks worth of shampoo and conditioner in a TSA bottle? What magic concentrated potion are you using? I must know! Or are you relying on hotel shampoo/conditioner? Or, are you resupplying as you go along?
What are you doing about hair tools? Do you carry a dryer, iron, or brush? Or do you rely on hotel dryers and forego the brush?
I bet you have a low-maintenance skin care regimen, too. Lucky girl! Us high-maintenance people will always have to check luggage. Precise shampoos, conditioners, styling products, hair tools, expensive skin care routines with droppers and pumps, and 30 day pill boxes with supplements galore are always going to have to check luggage. I can travel with two pairs of shoes and I'm proud of that. But only the lowest of low maintenance people can live out of a carry-on for more than a few days. I'm pretty amazed by myself that I am able to travel for a month in one large suitcase. I'm happy to do so because I have all the options I want or need and my suitcase is the perfect closest. No unpacking necessary.
Major questions for MM. What about packing sneakers and/or exercise clothing? Do you use hotel laundry services as part of this strategy on trips longer than a few days? Do you bring your own hair dryer and if yes, what type? Is there anything you use on a regular basis that you "let go of" when you are traveling?
Second this: Is there anything you use on a regular basis that you "let go of" when you are traveling?
The most challenging issue and heaviest part of my carry-on suitcase is my toiletries kit. I’ve whittled it down to the essentials in small containers. Yet it is still bulky. Help! Does the perfect hanging toiletries kit exist? Is the ere something better than hanging that you recommend?
Yes, same here! The only tip I have learned that I will share is to get samples. I buy through Sephora a lot so I can get their samples that I take with me when I travel. This helps so much!
Packing Question: Shoes! How many pairs? How do you allot for form versus function (or comfort versus style)? Do you pack your shoes outside your suitcase so they dangle?
Yes - SHOES! Help!
I am absolutely elated at the prospect of receiving some guidance on packing, especially in concerns to shoes! I have size 10 feet and most of my shoe options are boots (heeled, chunky, etc). I feel like I always do so well with packing clothes and then forget about the shoes! By that time, I can only just close the zipper on my carry on bag and am left with hauling my shoes in my personal tote bag. Please help!
How to do this if the weather is cold? Or if you are doing multiple activities like dining out at nice places in a city but then also doing some weekend hikes? I always feel that I need different types of clothes and it just doesn’t all fit. Also, thoughts on packing cubes? Do your toiletries only go in your carryon? “uniforms”?
Here here on toiletries and makeup!! I would also love to learn if she has a "formula" for week long-ish trip (e.g., 2 pairs of jeans, 4 tops, etc.) and some concrete examples (e.g., blue jeans, black jeans, white T-shirt, striped sweater, etc.). Also, what to wear on a plane, especially when changing climates. (I know that is not really a packing question, but I can't figure out how to be comfortable, fashionable and making my outfit work with what I am packing.) And are packing cubes REALLY helpful? I hear people rave about them, but I can't figure out how to make them work. Maybe it's just me?
Personally I LOVE packing cubes but also share your question about a great mix and match formula (as if you were creating your own capsule) and how your travel day outfit makes a difference!
It’s not the clothing that’s the problem - it’s the toiletries, medications etc . Husband 86, me 78- avid travellers before covid, now out of habit of packing. Help!
How do you manage packing what you need in clothes and then having enough space for workout/running gear--particularly in winter, but also autumn and spring so you don't have to wash/send to laundry every day or can deal with moving hotels every couple of days on a multi-city work trip.
I love the questions here! I share the questions about active/exercise clothing and about formulas. Would also love to know how you manage toiletries as well!!
Usually travel with just pants - wishing to find a great travel dress, or is it better to go skirt and blouse(s)? I also only travel with a carry on, but had to wear my nightgown for New Year’s Eve (with a cardigan-it was dark) and my husband isn’t letting it go.
That idea of traveling in just a carry-on for anything more than a weekend is a lie. I wish it were true - I'd love to travel in a tiny suitcase in winter or on long trips - but it is not possible! Do you see a single toiletry or grooming tool in that proposed suitcase? Which winter coat is she taking to Paris fashion week - her stuff sack puffer coat? Not if she's actually attending a Fashion Week event. At the very best, a carry-on can sustain a low-maintenance size 2 woman for a week if she doesn't practice skin care and the weather is warm. A normal size woman can go a weekend. And, if you practice any skin care whatsoever, you need to check luggage based on (1) the TSA rules if you're traveling for more than a few days and I2) the desire not to waste precious product transferring bottles. Packing for a long trip in a carry-on isn't liberating. It's a cost containment technique for those who can't afford to check luggage. And it's a fetish for those who can.
I'll let Margherita discuss her packing techniques, but from my personal experience, I'm on week 5 of a trip with the same skin care products and haven't run out--and they all fit within the TSA guidelines.
You managed to get five weeks worth of shampoo and conditioner in a TSA bottle? What magic concentrated potion are you using? I must know! Or are you relying on hotel shampoo/conditioner? Or, are you resupplying as you go along?
What are you doing about hair tools? Do you carry a dryer, iron, or brush? Or do you rely on hotel dryers and forego the brush?
Short hair don’t have any hair tools, use hotel shampoo and don’t condition, and the rest all last a long time. 🤷♀️
I bet you have a low-maintenance skin care regimen, too. Lucky girl! Us high-maintenance people will always have to check luggage. Precise shampoos, conditioners, styling products, hair tools, expensive skin care routines with droppers and pumps, and 30 day pill boxes with supplements galore are always going to have to check luggage. I can travel with two pairs of shoes and I'm proud of that. But only the lowest of low maintenance people can live out of a carry-on for more than a few days. I'm pretty amazed by myself that I am able to travel for a month in one large suitcase. I'm happy to do so because I have all the options I want or need and my suitcase is the perfect closest. No unpacking necessary.