Friday
Sep042009
September 4, 2009 Packing scientist
Canada’s Globe and Mail interviews a “globetrotter museum planner”:
You must have packing down to a science.
I do. And by the way, there’s no such thing as perfect luggage, only a perfect packer. I travel with just a carry-on, whether I’m going for three days, three weeks, or three months. The essence of packing carry-on is that you have to be willing to give up freedom of choice. The clothing you take should be pre-planned. I rehearse every minute of every trip before I go, and the packing follows. Every trip has a colour scheme. - more here
(Thanks to OBOWer Maria for the heads-up)
Reader Comments (5)
That is why the clothes I take are my favourites that I enjoy wearing and feel very comfortable in. Giving up the freedom of choice isn't actually a sacrifice IMHO, I spend less time umming and arring over what to wear, the only decision stems from what the weather is doing and should I layer or not. At home I can waste too much time dithering about what to wear because I have too much choice.
One thing I do pack every time which also passes for dressy wear, black shirt and trousers. I have suddenly found myself attending a funeral on past trips to the UK (which is home and where family and friends are), at least I've had that outfit to wear and not been caught out with jeans or pants that wouldn't really pass muster.
Excellent points Paula. I too want to be comfortable - in terms of the physical aspect and the emotional aspect as to the clothes I am wearing when I travel. Also it helps to pack favourites that you know will work.
Blacks and neutrals - works for me!
I have to admit that I have occasionally succumbed to packing my "best" or "most travel oriented" clothing - you know, the stuff that's really great, so great you stick it in the "travel section" of your closet, just waiting for that special trip - only to discover the basic rule of travel:
If you like wearing it at home, you'll like it when you travel. If you can hardly bring yourself to wear it at home, you aren't that likely to enjoy it on your trip. It may not even fit well, for all you know!
So imho, one should only travel with clothes that are "old friends."
If you want to wear something different - because you can hand launder it or it has cargo pockets - at least wear it a few times around your own city before you pack it and haul it elsewhere.
You're absolutely right, Michael. Travel clothing (whether it's "travel" or not) should be test worn at least a few times. And there's a great overlap between my travel and everyday clothing.
Travel section in your closet Michael???
Mine is a travel shelf! ;-)
I chuckle and puzzle over the line....."I rehearse every minute of every trip before I go,....."
I know what she means, I THINK!
When we / I return to places I know well, I can picture what I would wear (or need to wear, especially when travelling in trains, planes and automobiles) but that is as far as it goes for me.
My imagination couldn't rehearse the time my flight was cancelled in Madrid (dee plane ees brok-ed), or the surprise trip to Spain, my parents landed that one on me when they picked me up at Gatwick.....aargghhh wot!! No beachwear!!! I was packed for the city of London not the Costa Lotta!