As I stood at the airport this week, waiting to get through security, watching everyone sigh as they removed belts, watches, telephones and loose change, I longed to keep things light.
I travel a lot at the moment; popping up to the UK regularly; zooming around France for the photoshoots for the book, and occasionally getting further afield for pleasure.
It is always a wonderful moment to put a small pile of carefully folded clothes into a suitcase, and for me it is inevitably tempting to add a few more bits ‘just in case’…. but these days I find heavy baggage less appealing.
So while I was queueing at the airport, I fantasised about travelling somewhere warm and sunny, on holiday, without any baggage at all. I imagined myself in comfortable clothes, strolling onto a plane with just a handbag, a phone, a pair of sunglasses and a good book. On arrival at my destination I’d shop as required, picking out outfits to suit the next day’s programme and when the time came to leave, I’d return in the same way, empty handed, and gift all my purchases to a friend or acquaintance….
It’s a fantasy of course, but there’s no harm in dreaming. So tell me please, in an ideal world, how and where would you like to travel, and just how much would you put into that bag?!
41 comments
I have gotten much better over the years.It’s not the going to the destination thats the problem……….its the going home that can be sometimes tricky!I have been known to leave clothing behind!
My husband and I travel to Fiji where we are building a house. Just a carry on works; tank tops, shorts, swimsuits, flip flops…all I need
Sounds like heaven Cheryl
xx
We’ll have to bear that in mind for your September trip! 🙂
xx
I have always dreamed of doing the same thing because I am a notorious over packer. I think I need to be prepared for everything. The freedom to just go and buy what feels good for the day would be a vacation in itself, the location just the cherry on top.
My goal is a small carry on, and I mean small, and my purse, with my electronic’s of course.
a girl after my own heart , thank you Kaye
xx
Shoes always seem to be a problem for me. I tend to bring more than I ever need!
but how can you be certain you won’t need that pair of high heels … and those sandals … and of course a pair of ballerines, just in case
I totally understand your problem Bonnie!
xx
I’m much better as well than I was when I was younger. That would be a fantasy of mine as well but if I purchased new things, I would definitely have it mailed home or leave the old stuff behind. Quite some time ago I went to Italy with my daughter. She traveled much heavier than I did & had to mail a box home. I had a carry on & a backpack. It worked out just fine. Love the outfit you picked out.
My next trip would most definitely be France but I must return to Italy. I felt at home there. X
I understand you feeling at home in Italy Colleen, and I’m sure you found inspiration too
xx
Sharon – I’ve been a backpacker for years so that has taught me how to pack light. Carry no more, no less than I’ll need. I can go anywhere in a small suitcase and a tote, both of which can go in the overhead bin. My motto is – pack light! When you reach your destination, if you don’t have it and you need it then buy it when you get there! There is a great website for those who are challenged . . . http://www.onebag.com. Check it out!
off to check out onebag,,,, I haven’t used a backpack for years, but an outsized tote remains appealing
xx
Greece….3 long dresses…a pair of sandals…go to slack and two t’s and a shawl! I don’t do hats! Ha! dresses and t’s can be dressed up and down…it is all about comfort and looking good! Regardless I will look like a tourist..therefore I might as well look like a comfortable tourist!
Katherine, the comfortable, and elegant tourist, …. I like that!
xx
I am definitely challenged when it’s comes to packing and I’m notorious for taking far more than I use, when I pack I’m sure I will need everything… I am travelling in Italy and France with a friend later this year and I’m already worried about what to take and what to leave behind. I am turning over a new leaf, I am taking the advice of Vicky from Athens…I am going straight to https://www.onebag.com…fingers crossed!
I justify my need to pack so much by explaining that we have travelled so often as a large family, when suitcase space was limited, so now I enjoy the luxury of a whole bag just for me, and MY stuff! 🙂
xx
With every trip, I’m packing less. One jumbo suitcase to France the first time was like dragging around a ball & chain! Second trip to France was an carry-on in the overhead bin. Going to Florence next year & I’m going to have room in my case to bring back some awesome items! I’m learning to pack clothing that does double-duty and can be worn several times in different ways. Shoes….always a problem. Luckily, here in the U.S. I get the TSA pre-check, so I get in the super-fast lane and breeze through, no waiting in line, leave everything on, it’s such a pleasure. Love the outfit you’ve shown, especially the Michael Kors handbag!
How I hate a jumbo suitcase! We have pre-check here too, but it doesn’t get you through security with any more dignity!
xx
My choice for another trip would be a visit to Norway to stay on the farm where my grandfather was born. The last few trips to Europe my husband and I have both managed to fit everything into a 22 inch suitcase for each of us. The first time we traveled for one month with those small cases, and found we could do it. I pack one pair of go-to pants and wear one, a few simple tops including something that looks quite dressy, a skirt, one cute pair of shoes plus a good pair of walking shoes, a sweater and a jacket. I usually have room to bring home a few things, but have been known to leave some item of clothing behind.
Love the things you have shown in this post.
Linda
Sharon
I’m always envious and somewhat amused when I watch a movie where the heroin at a moments notice throws a few gorgeous items of clothing into a stylish bag, grabs a small toiletry bag, zips up the bag, grabs her keys, tosses her hair and strides out of the tidy house or apartment to an awaiting cab which whisks her to the airport.
While watching the movie Salt with Angelina Jolie I could never work out how her amazing outfits would miraculousy appear when she needed them when she had not brought them there herself. Ahh the magic of movies.
These goddesses of style on the big screen always pack everything needed, look amazing and it all fits into a small bag that weighs nothing. In the real world our clothes take up space, especially winter clothes and can be quite heavy as we lug them through the airport. A summer holiday for a week with bathing suit, sarong, 2 light dresses, 1 pr shorts, teeshirt, 1 pr sandals and toiletry bag is something I look forward to but I would as usual end up with extra things just in case. The idea of taking nothing but a credit card sounds exciting and dangerous. They do it in movies. Ahh the movies.
I am quite happy to play along with screen fantasy. Do you remember Grace Kelly in Rear Window, opening a tiny little suitcase and releasing the most divine nightwear?! Who cares that she needed 2 hours to get ready for the scene, it looked wonderful!
xx
I have a client who has houses in all the most wonderful cities + she just travels light with her purse + credit card. I would love to do that one day + have homes in NY + GB + Calif + Italy + I can dream BIG. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
having houses around the world is not one of my fantasies, but travelling with a purse and a card would definitely work for me Peggy, such freedom!
xx
With growing old the first you pack your medicines and pills .Anything else is not so important.
Dorka from the Plain in Hungary http://www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu
First of all….I just chuckled over Debbie’s comment about the Grace Kelley/Angelina Jolie style of packing. ….just give your already-perfect hair a quick & flippant toss….and OF COURSE there’s always an air-conditioned taxi wag to whisk you to the airport….presumably, the driver will notice how attractive (and non-sweaty) you are and will mildy/pleasantly flirt with you during the remarkably short and comfortable drive. Thank you ,Debbie.
As for my experience with packing?….I’m lucky; Herve (who spends his life running around the globe) does it….including the editing, so to speak. I just put out (the night befroehand) what I think I’ll “need”, and he winnows that down to what I’ll actually need. It helps, of course, that we’re two guys; even with a seven-inch height difference, there’s still a lot of stuff that needn’t be duplicated.
More amazingly, though? My French mother-in-law (who lives in Tours, but is constantly travelling to South Africa, Italy, and the annual 3-week visit to us) never brings more than a single, tiny suitcase…..and she, at age 73, always looks great. I know her ways well-enough to realize that she relies on two pairs of slacks, three blouses, and two skirts…..and, predictably enough for a Frenchwoman, an apparently infinite number of scarves and necklaces. She does leave her tennis/work shoes here (she doesn’t play tennis, and she has a gardener back in Tours….so, they’re not needed in her “normal” life).
Happy travels,
David Terry
Senior Friends of mine from Australia travel a lot and very light, just a very small backpack each with toiletries and the bare necessary
On their arrival they go to an op shop, purchase what they need and when they leave that place they donate it to the same of a different op shop!…
I really admire them for their attitude to comfort…..& less is best !…
I figure out what I think I’ll need, then halve that. Essentials stay with me in a carry-on, on the theory that my luggage will someday, inadvertently, go to Barcelona. Everything washable, easy-pack, tissue paper. For a long domestic trip, it may be easier to mail a box to your destination.
Travel was much more pleasant before we were all reduced to cattle-car status, and barefoot in airports at that. I’m thinking that Cunard NY-Southampton would be more relaxing and a mini-vacation in itself.
Oh Sharon I applaud you as I cannot seem to pack light!
I hope you will come to see the amazing weekend and dinner party at Andrea’s, the French basketeer!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Sharon,
If I could go any where it would be to Israel. I’d go in the spring and pack lovely full length casual dresses and some capris and tee shirts for any hiking we might do.
Marilyn
It’s sure has taken years to overcome the temptation of excess packing! To our amazement, last year (husband and I) travelled to France for three months during European summer months with only a “carry on” each, leaving behind the Australian winter and heavy clothing! Today’s light & versatile fabrics can easily be rolled up in luggage and dress up or down with light footwear, jewellery & scarves..similar to your selection Sharon, plus with swimsuit & sarong. We purchased toiletries, lovely French lingerie etc at our various destinations in France…..too easy and much more enjoyable to “lighten up” and be carefree rather than lugging around heavy suitcases.
I always travel light. Sunhats, sandals and beachwear is often best purchased once you get there anyway. I keep a small wardrobe at home too !
A work colleague of mine (years ago now) went out celebrating after her last day at work before flying off to the Greek islands very early the next morning. She hadn’t done any packing at all and didn’t get home from a nightclub until the early hours, having rather overdone the celebrating. She finally arrived in Greece to unpack several odd shoes and unmatched underwear, even a winter pullover had found its way in there. My advice is to plan ahead !
Have you tried that Guerlain fragrance, Sharon ?
On a trip to Sweden last year with my adult son he had a bigger case than mine which was a first!
Hello Sharon
I am a good light packer for close-by places in Europe,
but for a lovely planned holiday with special occasions I become hopeless.
When I was younger with more time, I used to plan the outfits before leaving..its a good idea. I always take a proper suitcase and check it in, because of all the rules in security now, in England it’s a rigmarole.
No carry on, just a handbag
One thing my brother advocates is looking very smart to travel, which he does often.
He says that if you wear a suit, someone is more likely to help you 🙂
Something I must try!!
I love your blog, but never comment. Your question is the reason for the comment. It has always been my dream to see Italy and France. The only thing I have on my bucket list. I guess that’s why I enjoy your blog so much.
wenda
I go anywhere, are lightly armed! What do you need, what to buy.
Loved every item you chose. Do you have the sources for all those lovelies, especially the slacks and purse. Thx
Sharon, I don’t remember that scene in Rear Window but I do remember the movies of that era when small travel cases contained very feminine, frothy looking see through over thingys that went over the baby doll pj’s. I love the makeup cases they all travelled with.
David, I’m usually packed well before my husband has even given a thought to what he’s going to take. I used to stress out about this but now I lay out what I think he should take on the guest room bed. Tell him what I’ve done, make sure his travel bag is there then I try to ignore him. I’ve found going for long walks the few days before helps. The morning of departure is usually spent with husband trying to sneak his extra things into my bag. I now lock my bag and quote “less is best”. On the way to the airport after frantically making sure everything is turned off and the house is securely locked I double check tickets and passports and I really don’t relax untill I’m on the plane. I have my movie star moment when I’m served my evening meal before everyone else. It’s something I enjoy doing. I actually try to pick seats and my meal on the airline website. I like the vegetarian meals they serve better than the standard ones. The first time I did it I was surprised that my meal came before everyone elses. The girl next to me asked me if I was someone special. I replied it was a special meal, which is what they call the meals that are not on the menu, but only found on the website.
My first trip abroad was three months in Europe, for which I had to carry all I needed in a small rucksack. That taught me the value of travelling light…light enough to be able to carry all I had. After college, though, my good packing habits were ruined by my flying for an international airline for eight years. As crew, I was subject to no baggage limits and my baggage was transported for me from the time I checked it in at the originating airport. (I once brought home 19 sheepskin rugs from New Zealand, plus my baggage for a 10-day trip, all free.) That all went away, along with travel passes, when I stopped flying. Now, many years later, I still am trying to regain the ability of packing wisely, especially for short trips for which there is little time to plan. As I don’t like to spend precious trip time shopping, I must take all I will need with me. As for where I would like to travel next: from the South Island of New Zealand to Bhutan to Finland, with a flight from Hong Kong to Paris on the way. (And, of course, with stops in New York City and San Francisco to visit our children on the way home.) Ah well…
I’m travelling to France for a 10 day bike ride in the Loire Valley. Only carry on luggage allowed. Interesting.
I do all my vacations in a carry on. I wear my heaviest shoes, blazer, top and pants on board the plane, then pack a light print skirt, cardigan, 1-2 pants and 3-4 tops and some scarves. A bathing suit, Havianas and a crush proof hat if it’s hot and sunny. I use the tops and skirt for beach cover, other wise a light sarong is useful. I have light dressy sandals, and I like a light pair of walking shoes. I pay attention to the weight of my shoes and other packable items when I’m buying things I’ll want to pack.
In winter it’s a cocktail dress, light dressy shoes and wrap plus 2 pair pants, cardigan and 3-4 tops. Spare LIGHT walking shoes. Wear the winter coat over the blazer along with a hat, gloves and scarf. Wear the heaviest shoes or boots with this outfit to spare the weight in the carry on.
Either time of year it really makes a difference to simplify makeup and skin care. Powder makeup is lighter and it won’t use up the airline liquid allowance. Creams etc even sunscreen can be decanted into smaller containers.
forgot, one lipstick or at most two, not 6 or more. Ditto eyeshadow, blush, mascara etc. I have an all purpose Elizabeth Arden lipstick shade called Breathless that seems to make my face glow and goes with everything I own. Very like Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle that Vanessa Paradis wore in the ads a few years back Or Estee Lauder’s Pinkberry.