Pack Like a Pro

Packing for travel can be a tedious, time consuming, and a downright painstaking task.  Have you ever spent two hours packing for a four day trip only to find during your stay you packed more than you would ever need and you still did not have all the necessary essentials?  Here are some ideas to help you prepare for your next trip.

Pack as light as possible:

• before you begin packing decide what garments are necessary and make a list (you can also use Closet Concepts cards and holders, they fit neatly in your travel bag with your corresponding ensembles)

• do not pack a bathrobe

• if you workout when you travel pack a minimal amount of exercise gear

• pack one pair of business shoes and wear the other pair

• do not bring a travel iron or blow dryer if staying in a hotel

Pack items properly:

• reuse plastic dry cleaning bags to wrap easily wrinkled items, for example; dress shirts, pants, and skirts

• put all items that may leak in Ziploc bags

• package shoes in disposable shower caps, you know the ones all hotels have in their bathrooms

• pack all jewelry in individual Ziploc bags to prevent jewelry from tangling up with each other; for easily tangled necklaces leave the clasp end out of the bag

• for frequent travelers, keep a separate cosmetic/travel kit with travel size shampoo, shaver, shaving cream, makeup and any other cosmetics/toiletries you might need

Items to make your travel more pleasurable:

• small collapsible umbrella and sunglasses

• travel pillow

• small bottle of spray wrinkle releaser

• black and brown sharpie for a quick fix on scuffed shoes

• first aid kit in briefcase or carry on with cold, headache, indigestion remedies, etc.

• dark garments to reduce appearance of dirt, spots, and stains

• travel candle and a small framed picture for extended stays to add warmth to you hotel room.

Clever tip for women:

• To reduce wrinkles on your skirt when traveling spin your skirt around and sit on the front of it while driving or flying.  When you arrive readjust your skirt and there will be fewer wrinkles on the front and you suit jacket will cover up the wrinkles on the back.

Last but not least:

• put tags on all luggage, carry on, briefcase, etc.  ensure that you use your business address rather than home

• make sure two people have your itinerary and hotel phone number

• never dress shabbily on a flight you never know whom you will run into

• do not forget all essential chargers e.g. cell, tech gadgets

• ensure your luggage does not embarrass you

• check on-line, prior to flying, for all new TSA prohibited  items and your airline’s baggage requirements

• do NOT forget  ID requirements for all airport checkpoints