Dear Name Goes Here,

Are you thinking about summer holidays? I sure am! Escaping our 24/7 routine for a few weeks in mid or late summer is a great tradition. If you’re like most people, you’ll return smarter, happier, more relaxed and primed to resume your regular duties.

Because you’re among the select few reading this newsletter, I already know a thing or two about your travel habits. First you’re the kind of person who reaps maximum ROI from your trip. You’ve chased down the best flight deals and have all your documents ready. (A short aside as an example of how things have changed in that department; when I was growing up in Montreal, there were a number of completely unsupervised border crossings between Canada and our good neighbours to the south. Not any more. Those quaint international conduits are history. And at border crossings, American customs agents are extremely cautious and insist on seeing at least two pieces of I.D. C’est la vie!)

You research your destination so you can pinpoint the best eateries; the least tedious museums and most memorable out-of-the-way boutiques. You also plan around those things you don’t want to do. Sometimes we all want to forego the tourist traps and just "kick back". That said, I bet there’s one travel detail that has escaped your radar screen. I’m talking about packing. All too often, it’s left to the last minute, and things are tossed together with a sort of "laissez-faire". And there’s nothing worse than arriving just a bit tired, hungry and ready to relax only to find out you forgot your sandals or tweezers.

As a woman who travels as much for business as for pleasure; and particularly because image planning includes wardrobes and elan, I learned long ago how to pack smart. And I’m sharing that with you here, in this special travel edition of the newsletter. One more thing, feel free to use these tips for business, as well as pleasure. Happy trails!

Diane Craig

BON BAGGAGE!
Your print-and-save guide to wrinkle-free packing and worry free trips.

Which suitcase is most suitable?
Stand five minutes at an airport luggage carousel and you’ll witness a parade of satchels of all shapes, sizes and colours. There are bags in leather, fabric, plastic or a combination of all three. Some bags are strapped tight while others look like you could blow them open with a mild breath. Finally, some are so teeny you have to wonder, why did the owners even bother? Faced with that smorgasbord, you have to ask yourself, “Which bag is best?” Deliberate no more. It’s simple. Go big. Go practical. And go mobile.

The bigger the bag, the fewer the headaches.
The most practical all-purpose check-through bag is a 28 x 30 inch suitcase. And while hard-cased, sturdy luggage is definitely the most durable it’s also the heaviest. The lightest bags are definitely a liability. Check a cloth bag into a luggage compartment and it’s bound to get squashed. Imagine what would happen to any delicate items in there! (If you must check a soft bag, pack it into a sturdy cardboard box.)

Your best bet is medium-weight luggage constructed of plastic and tightly woven fabric. Expandable bags with numerous outside pockets are extremely versatile. At the moment, the biggest sellers are the popular and brightly coloured four-in-one luggage sets, the kind where the bags can be stored one inside the other like those Russian Babuska dolls. (You will also need a structured hanging nylon bag that you can carry on with you.)

I’d say I can remember a time when luggage didn’t have wheels, but that would be revealing my age. It wasn’t that long ago that wheeled suitcases were a rarity. These days they’re a must. But not all wheels are equal. So test drive before you buy. Pull them around on hard surfaces and on carpets (hotels are always richly broadloomed) and turn sharp corners to see how well balanced it is.

Padded towing handles are best. Locking handles are less prone to accidents when you check the luggage, and many people prefer recessed wheels. Rubber wheels are generally superior to plastic. Handles and straps should be attached with multiple rivets for more durability. Finally, the brand names come with the best reputations as well as warranties. So why should you look for anything but familiar names?

What you’ll need is what you’ll forget!
Who’s to say you shouldn’t start packing a month before you travel? Sometimes, the packing starts in your head. Long before you open your luggage, start a running list of what you’re going to need. Otherwise, you’re bound to forget some key items and you won’t know it until you’re at your destination. The list will also be a great record of inventory in the event your bags are lost or worse, stolen.

Do’s and don’ts
1) Don’t pack valuables or medications in your stored luggage. They go in your carry-on.

2) Do mentally review each day’s activities and visualize the clothing and accessories you will need.

3) Do mix and match clothing and accessories to see how many outfits are interchangeable.

4) Do a quick check to see if your clothes need any minor repairs and have them taken care of.

Just stow it!
Packing strategies you’ll be glad you followed.

Co-ordinate your wardrobe so that a few basic pieces are interchangeable and multi-purpose.
Use neutral colours for your main pieces so that everything goes with everything else. Darker neutrals or prints are best because they won’t soil or wrinkle as quickly. But don’t underestimate the cheer-up effect of a few brights.

Exclusive! Diane’s secret ultra-effective 10-step anti-wrinkle packing system.
The old Kenny Rogers song says, “you’ve got to know when to fold them, know when to hold them.” Even though he was talking about poker cards, the silver-haired singer might have been referring to clothes. I’ll bet he knows there’s nothing worse than getting to your destination, opening your bags and setting your eyes on a pile of clothes that look like yesterday’s laundry. Here is my guaranteed solution.

Step 1: Place heavier items near the hinges-opposite the handle.

Step 2: Tuck small items in the corners or in shoes.

Step 3: Roll socks or pantyhose in the necks of shirts and blouses to help collars keep their shape.

Step 4: Pack each garment on its own hangar covered with plastic dry cleaning bag.

Step 5: Layer clothing by putting the waistbands of pants and shirts at the edge of the suitcase, letting the skirt or legs hang over the edge. Plastic bags are best because air is trapped by the plastic, forming an air pocket that acts as a cushion. You’ll be amazed how well this works!

Step 6: If you wish to roll some items, place them in the leg of an old pantyhose.

Step 7: Garment bags that fold in half are easier to carry but will usually crease the clothing inside.

Step 8: Coil soft or fabric belts, and place leather belts around the inner edge of the suitcase.

Step 9: Close and lock the suitcase.

Step 10: Enjoy the trip. It’ll unfold without a wrinkle!