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Packing Tips For The Road Warriorette.

 

Women and packing don’t exactly share a very cordial relationship. After all, there are always a hundred more things to pack, and there’s never enough space in the suitcase. The art of suitcase-packing takes a lot of practice to perfect, but it is one of the easiest ways to facilitate smooth travel. By packing efficiently, you will not only avoid checked-baggage fees, but you will also save time at the front and back ends of your trip, and be forced to streamline your packing list.

Read on to find out what leading businesswomen say about their packing mantras, and to know exactly what you should put in your travel purse.

Manisha Amol, Vice President Marketing, Modicare Limited

Essentials: Business attire, a comfortable pair of formal shoes, laptop & planner, wristwatch and a carry bag for my basic essentials (like sunscreen, moisturiser, lipstick, nail cutter kit, basic eye make-up and a deodorant or a perfume). I can do without jewellery, too many pairs of shoes and fashion make-up. My mantra is to keep it light by sticking to just one colour scheme for easy mixing and matching – neutral colours such as black, grey, or tan can easily be coordinated together and present a polished look.

Tip: Try carrying clothes that are wrinkle free and in shades that can be easily coordinated with other colours. Carry a comfortable pair of black formal shoes that can go well with any colour. Accessorise with scarves, rather than chunky jewellery.

Luggage: I prefer a strolley bag with different pockets and sections that can fit items like my laptop.

Ruhi Singh, Writer

Essentials: A classic suit, stylish formal shoes, a nice warm wrap/shawl, a small clutch that goes well for both day and evenings events and a compact toiletry kit. For a business trip, I do away with multiple options for casual wear.

Tip: Pack outfits that are versatile and don’t wrinkle. Bring toiletries in small bottles or trial sizes. Minimise the number of books or electronics. Don’t bother bringing exercise clothes or casuals.

Luggage: I always prefer a small strolley bag that I don’t need to carry on my shoulders.

Lata Goenka, Image Director, Maximum Effect:

Essentials: A pair of black cigarette pants, a pair of deep indigo jeans, with no contrast stitching so it can take me from day to evening, a rainrap, stoles in black and one bright colour, my black patent wedge heels that are comfortable, brightly coloured tops in cotton or silk with a touch of lycra so they don’t crease easily, my red shift dress that I wear often for presentations, a business suit in a deep colour, a travel adaptor and my medicine kit containing band aids, paracetamol, antacids and an antiseptic.

My mantra: I always plan out each outfit right from clothes to accessories and shoes, for each day. That way I know exactly why I’ll need. I plan according to colour schemes, and avoid packing accessories with heavy (like metal) embellishments. Often, business suits can add weight- one way to pack light is to wear your heavier clothes while flying, and check my coat in with the stewardess. I also buy travel sized cosmetics and toiletries or pour my essentials into little bottles to save me from lugging all the extra weight around.

Tip: If you travel frequently to a particular destination, you may want to consider having a set of clothes kept there either at the dry cleaners or with somebody you know. Putting together a single packing list that you can refer to on most trips and refine over time will make packing simple and fast. Roll your clothes. They not only take up less space but will also end up less creased.

Luggage: I prefer a medium to large sized, four wheel, soft suitcase that can be rolled around comfortably. In addition, I carry a handbag that can be completely zipped. I don’t carry expensive handbags while travelling as I’ve had security stamp my bag rather than the hand baggage tag on more than one occasion.

Tarunya Suresh, Associate- Corp Communication:

Essentials: I always carry my own toiletries, as when you travel a lot, hotel toiletries can wreak havoc with your skin and hair. This apart, it would be the usual- business attire, PJs, workout clothes and my trusted gadgets.

Tip: Women tend to load up on shoes. So, when on a business trip, no more than two pairs! A smart, comfortable pair for the day and a dressy one for the night. And make sure you shop for light-weight shoes, even if they are a little more expensive. Don’t take your hair dryer along, as most hotels now have one.

Luggage: A stylish strolley in a bright colour. When it comes to luggage, one must never scrimp on the quality.

What to pack for a four-day trip:

• Two bottoms, one comfortable for travel (ie, slacks and a skirt)
• Coordinating suit jackets if needed
• Four tops that coordinate with both of your bottoms
• At least one light jacket or sweater (unless you need a heavier jacket)
• No more than three pairs of shoes, including a pair of flip flops
• Enough undergarments, including socks/hose
• PJs
• Something to work out in
• Toiletries (see my toiletry list here)
• Chargers (phone, laptop, etc)

Packing tips:

• If you travel a lot, take along your own shampoo/conditioner, because random products at hotel might ruin your hair.
• Always have three small bags for toiletries–one for liquids, one for non-liquids (toothbrush, deodorant, etc), and one for make-up. This will allow you to fit them in your suitcase wherever they will go instead of taking up a lot of room.
• Use spare contact lens cases for small amounts of liquids, such as face soap, moisturiser, eye make-up remover, etc.

Carry-on:

One of the most important items to have for your business trip is the carry-on- not your rollerboard, but your personal item. It holds everything you need for your flight, and acts as a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, and entertainment centre all in one.

The guidelines for American Airlines state that the personal bag is anything that can fit under the seat in front of you. It can be a purse, laptop bag, backpack, tote, or a smaller suitcase. As long as it fits under that seat, it counts, but technically, it should not exceed 36 inches when you add length, width, and height.

Your travel purse:

In addition to acting as a necessary travel too, your purse should make you happy when you look at it. Just because you are a professional woman who travels for business, it does not mean you need a boring purse or briefcase with no style.

What to look for in a great travel purse:

• It should be big enough to fit in your laptop and hold all your carry-on travel items.
• Multiple interior pockets. The best purse interior is divided into two sections- one for a laptop and one for the rest of your stuff. It also needs to have a pocket inside for keys, cell phone, and lipstick.
• Exterior pockets. An exterior pocket on the side of your purse is so helpful for things you don’t want in your hands, but need easy access to, such as your boarding pass.
• Easy to carry. You have to be able to carry your purse on your shoulder or strapped to your suitcase. It would be very difficult to travel with a purse that you had to carry in your hands. Two straps that are at least an inch wide, which will minimise cutting into your shoulder, is ideal.
• Sturdy construction. There shouldn’t be any obvious weak spots, or stitching coming loose. Leather is great for travel bags because it is so durable, but fabric bags can work as long as they are strong enough.

Some find their travel bag too bulky to bring along out to dinner, or they would rather have something small with the necessities that they can grab. Here are a couple of options. Put everything in your laptop bag and pack your purse. This way you have the best of both worlds.

What you should keep in your purse:

• Clean your purse out before every trip so that you’re not carrying around receipts, old boarding passes, or other unnecessary junk.
• Normal purse stuff. Carry your wallet, with your ID, credit cards, and money, as well as lipstick, keys, and sunglasses.
• A phone, a GPS unit, and an MP3 player.
• Boarding pass. Print this out ahead of time so you can just fly through security. So much faster!
• Make-up. Keep it with you so you can touch-up when you arrive.
• A Kindle or book.
• Laptop and charger.
• A Pashmina. You can use it as a blanket or pillow on the plane, and a scarf once you arrive.