Packing. Unless you’re a platinum-level business traveler, deciding what to bring is usually a headache. How many times have you stuffed your suitcase, only to wear half of what you bring? That’s why we were fascinated to learn that Wendy Mak, creator of the capsule wardrobe and author of the book The Capsule Wardrobe: 1,000 Outfits From 30 Pieces, also has a travel-packing philosophy. Here, she shares her tips on how to lighten your load and focus on what really matters: traveling.
OK, so the original idea of a capsule wardrobe is 30 pieces = 1,000 outfits. How does that translate to the suitcase?
“The great thing about a travel capsule wardrobe is that you can make it as large or as compact as you wish. The formula is simple: Multiply the number of tops with the number of bottoms you plan to bring and that’s the number of outfits you’ll be able to create, as long as every top coordinates with every bottom . That’s the key.
“As an example, you could literally travel with nothing more than six tops and four bottoms and that will give you 24 great outfits, as long as all 10 pieces work together. If you add two or three jackets that you can layer on top, you’ll be able to create even more options.
“To work out the number of outfits I’ll realistically need to get through a holiday, I start by thinking about how many nights I’ll be away, and then I consider things like access to Laundromats. Then I think about how many of those outfits need to be formal or whether I’m just kicking about on the beach with just a handful of casual nights out.”
Say you’re about to head out on a trip to a warm-weather place. How do you decide what to bring?
“As a general rule of thumb, if I’m going away for a seven-night beach holiday, I’d pack two to three pieces of swimwear (so that they have time to dry in between), a pair of shorts and a couple of skirts, four tops that match all my shorts and skirts, and a dress in case I go somewhere special. This will usually get me through the whole holiday as I can create at least 13 outfits from these eight pieces. If it’s a place that gets a bit cooler at night, I may throw in a light sweater or pants, and maybe a couple of beach cover-ups.”
What if you’re going to a place with unpredictable weather?
“Layers are key. Light layers, such as a long-sleeved tee and a long-line cardigan or sweater, make it easy to adapt quickly to weather changes. Look for pieces in light, thin fabrics, which give you the ability to layer without looking bulky.”
Shoes are the toughest thing for me to pare down. How many shoes do you recommend packing?
“I love shoes, so I understand your dilemma. The reality, though, is that we rarely wear every pair we bring. If you’re going for a holiday where you’ll be doing a healthy amount of sightseeing and going out to dinner, I’d plan to bring one really good pair of walking shoes, a slightly dressier pair of flat shoes that you can wear to casual drinks, and a pair of heels or wedges for more formal nights out. For a beach holiday, I’d bring a pair of flat sandals for daytime, a pair of beach shoes (rubber thongs or similar), and a pair of wedge sandals for nights out.”
How frequently do you travel?
“With my work, I’m usually on a plane, going away for a few days, every fortnight. I’ve definitely mastered the art of packing everything I need into a carry-on so I can avoid waiting for my luggage.”
What did you bring on your last trip?
“I actually just got back yesterday from a two-night business trip. I packed two dresses in iron-free fabrics for work, a pair of nude heels that matched both dresses, casual pants and a little knit for dinners, a pair of flat shoes, and some pajamas.”
Are you a roller or a folder?
“I’m definitely a folder. It keeps the creases to a minimum. Unless it’s things like my smalls, socks, or swimmers, in which case I roll them up and stuff them into every open crevice of my suitcase.”
What kind of suitcase do you use?
“I use a super-light, four-wheeled hard case. I have two sizes ready to go, a small one for quick, short trips that I can carry on, and a larger one meant for longer trips, which I do check. Because I always use my capsule wardrobe philosophy, I often find I have a bit of spare space in my suitcases—except for one recent trip to New York where I went a bit wild while shopping and had to be super-creative about packing everything so I could take it all home.”
How has the travel capsule wardrobe changed the way you travel?
“A travel capsule wardrobe makes it fast and easy to pack, which makes it easier to get through airports as I don’t (usually) need to check any baggage. Traveling light means you spend less time worrying about what to bring and can literally halve your current packing time. This leaves more time to focus on the fun aspects of your trip.”
Wendy Mak is an Australian-based professional fashion stylist and style blogger at WendyMak.com who brings the fun back to fashion for those stuck in a style rut. Wendy dispenses easy-to-follow, practical advice—all with a healthy dose of humor. She believes that cluttered closets create cluttered lives; her book The Capsule Wardrobe: 1,000 Outfits From 30 Pieces is available from Skyhorse Publishing and in bookstores.
Seven Things Flight Attendants Never Travel Without
For some, prepping for a flight is akin to prepping for a long-term move. You make extensive lists of what to pack, including outfits for both freezing cold and summer warmth (you never know). You bring all your favorite beauty products and emergency packets of Splenda, as though they don’t have lotion or artificial sweeteners in France. Your suitcase is perpetually overweight because you’re a serial overpacker. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, but this is no way to live.
There are few people in the world who know more about savvy travel than flight attendants. Frequent flights and size restrictions mean that they’ve got preflight prep down to a science. They aren’t falling prey to the usual packing-related anxiety. With this in mind, we thought we’d tap a few attendants from Delta Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to share their insight on how they prep for a long flight. Read this before your next trip.
Luggage Organizers
You’ve undoubtedly heard about the tried-and-true method of rolling your clothes like mini burritos to save space, but if that fails, turn to professional help. Vinnie De Jesus, a flight attendant with Delta, recommends clothing organizers to “compartmentalize and compress clothing.” While there are tons of companies offering these efficient tools, Away’s packing cubes are our favorite for stylish storage.
Ziploc Bags
While they’re not the most environmentally friendly product, Ziploc bags (or more importantly, the plastic material they come in) are super useful for travel. Try repurposing lightly used bags for packing. Hawaiian Airlines attendant Theona Kapoi swears by them. “Putting things in Ziploc bags and squeezing the air out helps give you lots of space, keeps you organized, and protects your belongings in case your luggage gets rained on,” she advises. Keep electronics, like chargers or USB cables, safe in these little bags to protect them and make them easy to find.
A Book
De Jesus’s go-to tactic for helping anxious passengers relax? Distraction. “Try to watch a movie, read a book, or start a conversation with your seatmate,” he says.
Sweet Potatoes
When it comes to in-flight food, it might be best to DIY. Hawaiian Airlines attendant Mapuana Faulkner always brings steamed Okinawan sweet potatoes and taro for healthy snacks, which she says have high antioxidant levels and fiber.
Fellow Hawaiian Airlines stewardess Heather Sanchez also stresses the importance of planning when meal prepping for a flight. “Always consider agricultural restrictions when traveling to certain destinations,” she says. A few of her favorites? Fresh fruit and veggies to stay hydrated and dried fruit and nut bars in lieu of trail mix. “They’re much easier to consume without making a mess and are generally made up of the same components,” explains Sanchez.
An Oversize Scarf
“Hawaiian flight attendants never leave home without at least one pareo,” says Faulker of her carry-on necessity. “It’s a colorful, oversize scarf extraordinaire. It can be a soft, breathable fabric throw to toss over your head on the plane so no one sees you sleeping with your mouth open, a casual pool cover-up, or an impromptu picnic blanket.” Find one multifunctional item, be it a light sarong or a heavier cashmere scarf and make it your in-flight essential.
A Bullet Journal
Bringing things on board to calm you can be just as important as the functional necessities, especially if you have travel anxiety. “As one who travels a lot, staying ‘grounded’ in an emotional sense is often more important,” explains De Jesus. “Take something with you that helps ensure you are in the right headspace. For me, that would be my bullet journal and Bible. These items help keep me focused on the things that matter and are a comfort to me when traveling gets stressful.”
A Reusable Water Bottle
It’s an old truism, but it exists for a reason. De Jesus maintains that drinking water is the single best thing to ensure you stay healthy while traveling, especially because cabin air can get quite dry. Bring a reusable water bottle from home to get past TSA. “Flight attendants can always fill up your flask,” shares Hawaiian Airlines attendant Joyce Foley. “This will help you stay hydrated, which also helps with jet lag and bloating.”
Think beyond water to stay hydrated too. De Jesus keeps his sinuses in check by toting Zicam or Vaseline around with him on flights. And Sanchez has her own in-flight skincare routine she swears by: “I’ve used a variety of moisturizers over the years, but right now, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($30) really works for me.” You don’t need to bring your entire medicine cabinet with you; just bring the one item you keep on steady rotation.
