jet set

I am going to start by saying that I did not like the chapter all that much. I really did love Rachel Zoe’s style book. Really – I did. However, this chapter became a little too much for me, especially because I sensed that about two-thirds to three-quarters of it was spent by Rachel complaining (even though the tone seemed to be crossed with a bit of bragging as well), about how much travelling needs to be done and the type of lifestyle she leads.

I just kept thinking to myself, “woman, you chose this. A million people would kill to have your job, and you just complain about how much you have to pack and how terrible it is when your trip get extended form three days to ten because a few people wants some styling done and then, whoops, you got invited to Cannes.” Poor, poor you.

Seriously, I love Rachel Zoe, but I just wanted to be like, you have got one fucking good life, shut the fuck up.

Anyway. If you didn’t know, Rachel’s fourth chapter of her book is about the jet setter – how to become the perfect packer for any situation. I don’t really believe that you can perfectly pack every time you go away. There always seems to be something forgotten, too much packed, something gets lost, stolen, or broken, or you get so sick on vacation you can’t wear any of your stuff anyway – in which case you throw up your hands, deal with it, and enjoy sleeping eighteen hours a day in beautiful 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

But, if you were to go away in hopes of everything turning out absolutely perfectly, these are the things you should keep in mind.

First off, what you pack is obviously determined by where you’re going. I always say go warm. I love warm weather – and given that it’s nearly January in Hamilton, I am in dire need of a very warm vacation. The only way I would go somewhere cold would be if it involved a ski lodge where I didn’t actually have to ski, but could get massages, sit in a hot tub while wearing a fur trapper hat, and sit inside by a crackling fire drinking some sort of hit beverage spiked with alcohol in the evening. It’s a nice idea, right?

Anyway – no matter where you are going, your luggage needs to be durable. Luggage is always something that should be well invested in – you are going to have it for yours to come. It would be nice if you could get a set, but if you end up having to mix and match pieces, really, what are you going to do right? And investing doesn’t mean you have to go designer either – you can find some pretty affordable luggage in a variety of colours and patterns that fit each individual’s personality perfectly. And I would suggest staying away form going with all black. While it seems like a good idea – classic, sophisticated, good for both business and pleasure travelling – think about waiting for your luggage arriving through that spinning thing once you get off the plane. Now think about how many people have black luggage. It’s going to that much more difficult to find yours. I have a luggage set of really deep chocolate brown. I have four pieces – the large bag, the medium bag, the small bag (the one you can bring on a plane), and a really great oversized tote. I never usually bring the tote with my on vacation – it’s more like an overnight bag I bring to my parents house, or if I’m spending a couple nights at a friends place.

A key thing Rachel says to keep in mind (which, I completely agree with) is to bring on board with you anything you may be scared about putting in your bag. That includes very expensive jewellery, medications – hell, Rachel even brought a gown on board with her before for a client. If it’s important to you – best bringing it on board.

When packing your bag with all the clothing you think you’re going to need when you go on vacation, I’d like to think that you should think about clothing you would wear on your day off, then apply it to your destination. Day off clothing is casual and comfortable – so if you’re heading out to St. Tropez, why not pack a beautiful floor length day dress in a print, all-over print?

If you’re going away for spring break – you should be bring things that are casual and fun; if you’re heading away with a significant other, pick things that veer from a girls night out, to a little more classy but still sexy. For example, if I was to choose a bathing suit for a vacation with girlfriend, I would likely pick on that is maybe a little bit smaller, in a two-tone print, or a bright colour. Or, pairing a single toned top with a different coloured bottom. Much more fun. If I was going away with my significant other, I would be choosing something with a little bit more physical appeal – likely black, but because I think black is sexy, with maybe added details, like a ring in between the cups of a bikini top, and on the sides of a bathing suit bottom. I’d choose a top with a little more push up, and probably also bring a really sleek one piece with cut outs and an open back. Enough skin to show off, but still covered up enough for surprise.

But hey – that’s just me. I pack according to destination, and audience.

I am a pretty damn good packer, so I didn’t really need any of Rachel’s tips. But, if you suck at it, or are one of those people who stuff everything inside, and sit on top of your luggage to zip it shut, you may need these suggestions form Rachel:

- Start with shoes on the bottom. I put mine in sacks, either those that come with the shoes or other drawstring cloth bags, so they don’t get scratched. Protect their shape by stuffing them with socks, tank tops, or something else you are taking with you
- The next layer is any jeans, folded in half
Then layer anything else, laying it flat with as few folds as possible: trousers, sweaters, dresses. On top, place the more fragile items – anything chiffon, beaded, sequined – turned inside out so they won’t catch. I also wrap these pieces in plastic or tissue paper
- Lastly, no matter how tempting, don’t overstuff your bags. Clothes and even shoes end up badly creased. The extra weight can cost you extra dollars at check-in, not to mention incur brutal treatment form baggage handlers, and the case is more likely to explode on the conveyer belt. It just looks bad

If you’re unsure of exactly what you should be packing in your bag, consider who your travel companions are and Rachel’s suggestions:

Single girlfriends: sexy dresses, high heels, and lots of jewellery for a riot of a time
Family: more comfortable outfits, and not as many options, because you can repeat looks with your family
Significant others: their favourite things and yours, including those little nothings that could make your trip sexier
Business associates: business attire that doesn’t easily wrinkle, including a dressy option in case dinner follows the big meeting

Aside from choosing what you’ll be packing for your vacation, there is always that which you’re actually going to wear and take with you on the plane. When travelling, it’s always best to go comfortable over uberglam. Try to keep makeup to a minimal. If you can go with just tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara, and lip balm, do it. You’ll look better when you come off the plane and aren’t worried about reapplying anything.

Keep your hair pretty natural as well – you never know what humidity or wind could do to it once you step off the plane at your destination.

Stick to comfortable, easy to move in clothing and footwear. I suggest jersey pants or leggings, a cotton T or tank top, and a wrap sweater. While a jacket may be a good idea, you can always pack it in your luggage, and grab it to put on once you pick up your bags and before you head outside.

If you’re heading somewhere cold, try out your UGGS for comfort on the plane and warmth once you get off. Otherwise, opt for a slip on slipper, like Birkinstocks, or a pair of flaps if you’re going somewhere sunny. Neither may be the most glamorous options – but both are the most practical.

Always make sure you have your sunglasses on hand and an oversized pashmina or cashmere scarf – it makes a great wrap or blanket on the plane as well.

Rachel suggests the following things for your bag once on the plane. And, if you lucky enough to be a woman like me, you never seem to be challenged when you board the plane with a mini suitcase as well as your purse. So pack away your necessities and your valuable things in your suitcase and store that immediately overhead. For your purse, try to choose and oversized tote – it will also come in handy if you’re going to the beach, take a road trip on a moped in town, or need to pack a bag to keep on hand in your locker at a ski chalet. Once you have your chosen tote, pack it with the following:

- An oversized pocketbook for passport and tickets, as well as receipts, business cards, and so on
- A hard calendar, instead of a techie device. With schedule changing so much, writing it down as it happens can be helpful. Some things are better left to pen and paper
- A digital camera
- Moisturizer and eye cream
- A toothbrush and toothpaste
- Mints/gum
- Magazines and other reading material
- A favourite scent in travel size to apply right after the flight
- Antibacterial wipes and tissues
- A small mirror and any cosmetic you may need (just in case you are the time that reapplies before landing)

(Travelling in fashion: Lindsay Lohan, fresh off the plane, Hilary Duff carrying a more appropriate number of bags, how celebrities really look after travelling - note the necessity of sunglasses, and a set of Louis Vuitton luggage).

Really, it’s all up to where you’re going and what you’re expecting to happen when you’re deciding what to pack. Keep your travel companion in mind, but keep yourself in mind first. If you pack things that you love – you’ll have a much easier time packing, perhaps even enjoy it, and you’ll have an even better time when you reach your destination.

The following are just miniature lists of things I would bring in my luggage if I was travelling away for a vacation, complete with a little Polyvore set of the perfect outfit I’d wear while away.

Warm Destination
- Flaps for the poolside
- Strappy sandals for evenings to dinner
- 2 pairs of strappy heels for dancing and shows
- 5 evening dress (one for every night)
- 5 bathing suits
- 3 day dresses (who needs clothes when you’re in swimsuits all day!?)
- A giant floppy hat to keep my fair skin from burning
- 3 bottles of sunscreen. I do not tan. I only burn. 3 bottles of a 50 SPF are necessary for me
- A whole load of earrings, but likely no bangles – they have the best exotic looking stuff on islands in the local markets – so worth the money

jet set: st. maarten by sarahbeukema

Cold Destination (so much more difficult – even though I would have to pack absolutely no winter sports gear)
- UGGS
- A whole load of cashmere socks, and a couple pairs of knit legwarmers
- A pair of leggings for each day I’m away
- Long sleeve cotton T’s
- Chunky knit sweaters
- Oversized warp sweaters
- A fur trapper hat to wear in the hot tub
- Two luxe outfits composed of leggings, oversized cowl neck sweaters with drippy sleeves and a fur vest
- A couple swimsuits for the sake of the hot tub

jet set: ski chalet, northern France by sarahbeukema

If I was to go away somewhere warm – everything would be about casual sexiness to me, while going away somewhere cold would be a casual luxe, expensive look. That may be backward to some people – but, I do prefer cold weather clothing to warm, remember.

Enjoy the New Year.

Much love,
s.

Images c/o Google Images