Travel Tips. By Request.

Here's one thing I learned after traveling over 500,000 miles in the last two years. PACK BY OUTFIT. In the beginning, I used to bring a variety of items to mix and match and several pairs of shoes. But when I arrived where I was going, I never really felt like I had good outfits to wear. Or in the back of my mind, when I put something on, I knew that I had cooler things back home that would better complement the outfit. I can't remember why I made the switch, but doing so has made a world of difference in being able to enjoy fashion on the road.

Here's the process I am currently using:
1. When it's pack time, I get out my wheeling clothes racks. These are currently on sale here. I buy the heavy duty ones that don't fall apart when you've got a ton of clothes on them. The the process of outfit creation occurs. My current closet is a pretty confined space, so bringing the things I want to pack out into a larger area and hanging them on the rack, I can fully develop outfits. It sounds like an intense process. But it's worth it.

2. Once I have the outfits created (typically by day, or event, and a couple extras), which means everything is picked out, including jewelry, underwear, and shoes, I put each individual outfit into 14 x 20" Uline 4 Mil Reclosable Bags. You can find them here. This keeps everything separated nicely and protects your clothing from being touched by TSA (evil!). One of the coolest parts about using the bags for me is that if I don't wear the outfit on the intended trip, it's ready to go for the next trip.

3. I leave dresses and delicate items hanging on black velvet-covered hangers (that prevent slipping) with clear plastic garment bags over the top. Those can be lightly folded in half and placed on the top of your suitcase. The hanging clothes are ready to be put into a closet when you arrive and they will be nearly wrinkle free.

I read a Diane Von Furstenberg article where she talked about how packing was some of her best creative time. Putting things together. Discovering items she forgot she had. I love that. And I feel the same way when I take the time to pack the right way.

Comments

[josie]

Hi Jessica,
With all your traveling and being a fashionista, could you recommend a bag for sight seeing? I'm going to NYC and would love something that holds my essentials including camera.
Thanks!

[jessica]

Hi Katrina,
I do not use a garment bag because I can get so much more into a second suitcase (shoes, makeup, hair stuff) versus using a garment bag as my second checked bag. I use the plastic dry cleaning type bags on each individual item and then put about five or so items into a hanging garment bag that comes from the higher end stores. (They'll give them to you if you ask for them.) Final step - fold them ONCE in half and place on the very top of suitcase. When you arrive, they're ready to be hung up right away.

Dressy casual. Ah, yes. Isn't that like non-fat doughnuts? This can go so many ways. Typically when someone says "dressy casual" for an event - my interpretation is that the host wants people to wear something fun that makes them feel good. For men, it might be jeans and a nice shirt. For women, anything from dress to skirt to nice black pants. It's a tough call, so I try to make most decisions for these type of events based on the weather, the season, and the venue. I would even go so far as to say nice, pressed jeans are acceptable for women for a dressy casual event. Typically, it's the clothes that are "hip" that fall under this title.

Convincing your husband to get high quality jeans that look HOT on him will help. Make sure they're pressed and get a great button down shirt in black, pressed. That will do the ticket!

Best of luck!
Jessica

[Katrina]

Hi Jessica-
Thanks for the travel tips. I have a few more travel questions for you. Do you prefer a garment bag to transport your outfits in or do you fold them in half and place in a suitcase?

My other question is maybe more fashion related, but my husband's job requires frequent travel and social committments where the dress code has been stated as "dressy casual". Those 2 words have caused me more stress than is necessary but I'm really at a loss as to what that is. I mean I "get" Formal - there are rules to formal, Casual = minimal rules but Dressy Casual seems to run the gamut of jeans to dresses. How would you interpret "Dressy Casual"?

Thanks so much for the tips though! They are very very helpful.

[Jeanette]

Thanks, Jessica. I never this type of hanger even existed! I will be revamping my closet soon so I'm considering switching to the velvet hangers for my dresses and anything with skinny straps.

Appreciate the tip!

As for my travel plans, I'm heading to Phoenix for Creative Escape. I'm looking forward to connecting with crafting enthusiasts and having a wonderful time with my girlfriends.

[jessica]

Hi Jeanette,

Thanks for visiting.

I get the black velvet hangers from Hangers Direct. Here's the link: http://www.hangersdirect.com/prodtest/HD200933.shtml. There may be cheaper places. Let me know if you find any others!

Where are your travels taking you?

Happy Packing!
Jessica

[Mary]

Really, really good tips. Especially regarding the TSA!

[Jeanette]

Fabulous recommendations. I've begun planning my outfits for an upcoming trip and love the idea of bagging them by outfit into plastic bags.

Where do you find the black velvet covered hangers?