Packing For Paris (And Rome, London, NY...)

Packing is horrific. How many of us have felt the terror of trying to predict the weather in XXX city on XXX date a week/month/year from now, and THEN trying to compress 2 weeks of clothes into a carry-on bag? No wonder our bedrooms look like the end of a Myer sale on Boxing Day. It's never pretty.

The other problem nowadays is luggage allowance. With more airlines coming down hard on luggage (some make you pay for checked-in luggage; others don't like too much carry-on and make you pay for that too), it's a wonder we ever make it through the Security Gate!

After 15 years of travelling, I've discovered that best thing is to try to pack light. Consider trying to fit everything into a small carry-on case. (Check your airline for limits though: Air France allows 12 kilos; Virgin Atlantic only 6 kilos). I've never been asked to weigh my carry-on. As long as it looks reasonable and you're not overloaded with other bags, they'll let you through. I've even squeezed a tripod into my carry-on. It's possible to travel light. I promise you.

Oh – and here's another two arguments for packing light. Most London Tube stations don't have lifts for luggage – and some have lots of stairs. You don't want to lug a 20-kilo bag up 20 steps! Similarly in New York and Paris, you don't want to drag a case over cobblestoned rues to get to your hotel, nor pay hotel porters hefty tips to carry it up New York flights. It's easier to go with less. Don't forget, you can always buy stuff at your destination.

Here are a few tips.
{Above photo of Hermes' riding boots and scarf: perfect for travelling}

THE MAIN PIECE

Start with one good all-rounder, go-anywhere, look-good-in-any-situation piece.

I usually start with a favourite blazer but you might go with a favourite LBD. I always think a blazer makes you look smart at the check-in desk (airline staff do look at your outfit when they're considering upgrades). It also takes you out to dinner; covers you on cold days; dresses you up for any trade shows you might decide to go to, and will even carry you through any unexpected job interviews or business meetings. I never go anywhere without a decent blazer. (TIP: Wear this at the airport, so you don't have to pack it.) {J Crew 'Tuxedo' blazer in black}

A good blazer will even make a pair of jeans look respectable. Not that I pack jeans, but lots of people do. {J Crew 'Schoolboy' blazer in navy}

In fact, a good blazer will take you anywhere.

This one, above, could even take you to the opera at Covent Garden. Toss on a pair of black pants or a skirt, and some jewels, and you're ready for anything. {Anthropologie Faustanelle jacket}

THE UNDER PIECE

Then you need to layer. The idea of layering is so you're covered in every possible temperature. 

These 'underpieces' or layers could consist of a white shirt (I like tailored ones with French cuffs), a t-shirt, a long tee, a light poloneck or a simple v-neck top, like this Carla Zampatti one. (These tops will depend on the weather. Polonecks if the destination is going to be cold; lighter tops for warmer climates.) 

I usually just take a white shirt and a v-neck top like this one. Both will see me through business meetings, weekends and everything in between. Just remember though: white shirts usually have to be ironed. Crepe fabric tops, like this cutie from Carla Zampatti, will roll up into a tiny ball and come out perfect the other end.

THE PANTS

Here's something I've learned after 25 years of travelling. Jeans are not made for travel. (I know; I can't believe I'm saying it either.) They're heavy, they're hard to wash, they're not good for long-haul, 13-hour plane trips, and they're not versatile either. 

Instead, take a pair of elegant black or navy pants. Stretch ones if necessary for the plane trip. I use cigarette or Capri pants. You can dress them up or down, wear them with heels or flats, and – best of all – they scrunch up into a tiny ball! They're also easy to wash, dry quickly, and are comfortable on the plane.  Witchery always has great pants, but most stores – J Crew, Zara, etc – will stock them as a basic staple. {J Crew 'Tuxedo' pants}

THE CARDI

A good cardi is a must. A cardi will ward off the fierce chill on planes, keep you warm in the evenings, give you an additional layer during cold days (ie over your white shirt /v-neck tee or top) and even act as a defacto dressing gown if your el-cheapo hotel doesn't have one. {Zara 'Tuxedo' cardigan with chiffon collar}

THE COAT

A coat is a difficult thing to pack. The wisest thing is to only take one if the weather is going to be cold. A blazer and your other layers will usually suffice for spring and autumn days. 

If you do feel the cold and want to pack one, consider one that will do double-duty as a dress, like this Zara one above, or an opera coat for fancy dinners and other elegant affairs.

THE WRAP DRESS

Every trip needs one hot frock. Like a blazer, a great LBD (or a great LWD) will see you through all kinds of sartorial situations. 

I love DVF's wrap dresses (top), but I've also discovered Ralph Rucci's gorgeous DIY pattern for Vogue (directly above).

THE PURSE

Here's a great trick. Take one medium-sized purse (not a wallet) that's big enough to carry all your valuables – credit cards/passport/money, etc – and then PUT IT INSIDE a larger handbag that accommodates everything else. Then, when you go out at night, you can leave the big carry-all bag at the hotel and just take the sexy clutch. (Another great tip is to leave your big bag with your laptop, etc, plus your passport and a spare credit card in the hotel safe.)  A decent, medium-sized clutch will take a passport, some credit cards, a few notes and even a lipstick and phone. And if you buy a boldly coloured one, such as this animal print, you'll always be able to keep an eye on it when it's inside your larger handbag, so you know it's there and hasn't gone walkabout down Oxford Street. {Zara zebra clutch}

THE GO-ANYWHERE DRESS

Like the wrap dress, the Go-Anywhere Frock is a godsend. 

The difference is, where wrap dresses are good for summer, Go-Anywhere Frocks are better for winter. You can wear tights and boots with them, go bare-legged in warmer weather, toss a blazer or coat over the top for warmth, dress them up with jewels for evenings, or just feel comfortable in them on long-haul flights. {J Crew 'Teddie' dress in Byzantine blue}

THE SHOES 

Shoes are heavy things. They will push you over the luggage limit before you can say "But I need my Manolos!" Once I took six pairs. SIX. Who wears that many? Now I take two, three at most. In the winter, I'll pack a pair of knee-high leather boots for wearing over pants or under dresses. In the summer, a pair of loafers. (TIP: Loafers like this pair of Tod's driving shoes, above, are better than ballets. Ballets don't have adequate heels or padded support and will eventually hurt your feet.) Then I'll sneak in a fancy pair of heels for evening. But I'll try and find light ones. Stilettos, not chunky ones. Don't forget you can often buy shoes much cheaper overseas than at home. (London is fantastic for cheap shoes!)

THE BAG

The best handbag is actually a weekender. I take a workhorse handbag that holds everything – including a prettier little purse for the valuables, and evenings out (see above). I have a Chloe weekender, but this YSL is the ticket too.  Your workhorse handbag should have a zip. Preferably LOTS of zips. You need to keep it zipped shut for security. Inside compartments should have zips too. I'm a zip freak. It's the only way to stop people slipping their hand in and grabbing something you might need on the trip. Such as a passport!

Into this workhorse handbag goes: My smaller clutch or purse with credit cards and passport, a small cosmetic case, a laptop or iPad, a SLR camera, a book or magazine,  sunglasses, a spare pair of underwear and a change of top, a comb and some basic toiletries (places such as Singapore's Changi Airport have showers to get changed on long-haul flights), and a cardi or wrap / scarf to keep warm if the cabin freezes. Believe it or not, it all fits. Sometimes I'll squeeze a tripod in too. Airlines rarely weigh handbags, particularly if they're slung over your shoulder. So you can fill it with heavy stuff to keep the carry-on luggage light. The carry-on is what they'll weigh, if they weigh anything.) If you're worried about the weight of it, and lugging around cities, either leave the laptop/iPad in the hotel safe. Also find one with good strong, thick handles so you can carry it over the crook of your elbow. Much easier than over your shoulder. And safer too. Some smart travellers find ones that go across their bodies: that's a good trick too.

SUMMARY OF WARDROBE

One blazer

Two or three underpieces (ie white shirt, t-shirt, etc)

One pair of pants (cigarette, Capri, jeans: it doesn't matter as long as they're comfy)

A cardi

One or two wrap dresses or go-anywhere frocks

A pair of flats, or boots for winter, plus a good pair of heels for evening

A coat that does double-duty as a dress (in winter only)

A couple of bright scarves (cashmere are good for keeping warm on planes and in airports, otherwise cheap-n-chic versions are just as good for brightening up outfits)

Minimal underwear (tights, 2 bras, 3 pair of knickers, a slip for the dress, a cami if it's cold – underwear is easily washed, so you don't need much)

Minimal jewellery (leave the valuable stuff at home)

TO WEAR ON THE PLANE

Pants, blazer, underpiece (shirt or tee), and flats or boots. Toss the cardi into your handbag. If it's winter, wear your trench coat or coat as well. (Just in the airport, so it doesn't add to the luggage weight).

LEFT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY-ON...

This means all you have left to pack in your carry-on is your wrap dress(es), another underpiece or two (poloneck, singlet, tee, white shirt, whatever – it depends on the weather), the high heels, the scarves and your underwear. 

One last tip: If you take fabrics that are easily washable, you can wash clothes out every night. The scarves will brighten up the neutrals, and also make outfits look different each day. And the layering will keep you warm – or cool – and ensure you have a flexible wardrobe for any occasion. See? It's easier than you think.