Well-Travelled Fashion

Ah, summer – the sun is shining, the patio is gleaming, and outdoor walks in the neighbourhood are permeated by the scents of neighbours grilling up delectable summertime feasts. It’s also that time when many of us are busy preparing for long-awaited vacations, and whether they are far away or the next county over, knowing what to pack (and how to do it) can have some amazing benefits for both you and your attire.

Your choice of wardrobe will depend on the climate you are visiting, but one thing that remains constant are fabrics that wrinkle: linen, cotton and rayon, especially so. If you’re going to be packing these items in your bag, it’s crucial that you prepare them properly to avoid unnecessary creases when you arrive at your chosen destination.

Before you pack, make sure your clothes are steamed or ironed, and folded neatly and by their seams to ensure minimal creasing. Though many travellers do this, most unknowingly undo their efforts by employing the “bag crunch.” We’ve all done this: overstuffed our suitcases to avoid additional baggage fees at the airport, and then sat on our soft-sided luggage to press everything down before zipping it up. If you want to escape wrinkles, this is a huge no-no. Friction causes wrinkles, so by piling up your clothing in your suitcase and then sitting on top of it, you’re pretty much guaranteeing more than one of your outfits is going to need a good ironing once you get to your hotel.

A trick to avoid this problem (in addition to not overstuffing your luggage) is to utilize dry cleaner bags. These thin plastic protectors are amazing at helping you transport easily-wrinkled clothing from home to your favourite vacay spot by reducing friction (it also ensures that rogue shampoo bottle doesn’t explode on them). If you follow the “one item of clothing per dry cleaner bag” rule, you will considerably reduce your need to find an iron as soon as you land.

Now, it wouldn’t be a properly accessorized vacation without your favourite jewellery, which has been known as the bane of many travelling fashionistas. From rings that go missing to necklaces that arrive tangled in a silvery/golden mess, travelling with your cherished charms can often seem like a frustrating endeavour. However, a simple and popular “hack” can help you avoid this, and the tool you need is probably in your kitchen cupboard: straws.

Straws are effective at not only allowing you to sip on your favourite, refreshing summer beverage, but also at preventing necklaces from tangling into a spiderweb of annoyance. Whether you use plastic or opt for the revival of the eco-friendly paper straw, begin by unclipping your necklace and carefully threading one end through the straw (make sure you’re using a straw wide enough to accommodate larger chains). Once through, simply clip the ends back together, and then place in a small bag for travel. No matter how fiercely the cargo crew – or your road trip partner – tosses around your luggage, you can guarantee that once you arrive at your destination, all your necklaces will be untangled and ready to dazzle.

Travelling can be stressful, but with these tips, travelling with your favourite fashions won’t be. Bon voyage!

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