How to avoid holiday fashion disasters: Packing Tips

We’ve all had them, the lost suitcase, the spilt suntan oil over your best linen trousers, the cotton top that’s too creased to wear, or the button that comes off the moment you try and fasten your skirt.

One of the things about being on holiday is that, rather than have the contents of your whole wardrobe at your disposal, you only have those items that you have packed in your case. If something goes wrong with one of those pieces, or heaven-forbid your suitcase gets lost, you are in trouble.

In this day of low-cost budget airlines and keeping luggage to a minimum, more and more savvier women are packing smart. This means taking less but wearing more; carefully packing clothes that will do double-duty. Consequently, if you spill wine on that versatile white blazer or you catch your foot in the hem of that beach-to-bar maxi dress, then this leaves a hole in your holiday wardrobe.

Simple Steps to Preventing Fashion Disasters on Holiday

Try to anticipate any potential disasters by planning ahead. Here are a few tips that could lead you out of trouble:

After an incident with a leaking makeup bottle and my new white linen trousers, I now make sure and place all my clothes in vacuum pack bags. These cost very little and can be used again and again. Not only can they be scented, and, therefore, make your clothes smell fresh, but when the air is pushed out of them, they pack flat giving you additional space in your suitcase. When it comes to careful holiday packing, place shoes in separate bags too, in order to prevent them from soiling your clothes. Wrap bottles in plastic bags.

If you are worried about staining your beach clothes from wearing suntan lotion, then buy water-based lotions rather than oil-based ones.

To get rid of creases, especially those in natural fabrics such as cotton and silk, hang the offending garment in the bathroom on the shower rail while you are taking a bath. The steam from the bath will banish most of the creases. When it comes to de-wrinkling your best cashmere jumper, then point a hot hairdryer at the creases and watch them disappear. Remember, the more you squash things into your luggage, the more wrinkles your clothing will have!

A no-brainer really, but always remember to pack an emergency sewing kit, for those little accidents such as a dropped hem or a missing button. This is also one time when iron-on hemming tape comes into its own, provided, of course, you can lay your hands on a travel iron.

Whilst wearing white is also a great way to show off your tan, be extra mindful of any possible mishaps such as a melting ice cream or a drip from a glass of red wine. Try and protect clothing from potential incidents by placing a serviette/tissue on your lap. If you have spilt something on your upper half, then if all else fails, you can try to hide the stain by using a brooch or a scarf.

If you have laddered a pair of your precious tights or have made a hole in the toe of your hosiery, spray a firm-hold hairspray onto the offending area. This will stop runs from getting worse.

If you are taking more than hand luggage on a flight then it might be prudent to pack some spare underwear and an extra top into your hand luggage, just in case your luggage gets lost.

Finally, if luggage space is at a premium and you need to travel light, then my failsafe holiday recommendation for those chilly evenings or breezy days is a pashmina, which will keep you warm as well as looking chic. It is also great on those flights where the air conditioning is up so high that your teeth begin to chatter. A pashmina is one of those versatile accessories that can double as a scarf or a shawl, or even a blanket.

 

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