We spent a significant part of our last year in airports! Travel requires good planning. Ironically, a newbie world traveler wrote in and asked our advice for being a stylish and organized traveler–a question perfect for our first fashion post! We observed that most travelers were far from chic and composed, so, of course, have some sage advice for organized and fashionable travel.
What Carry-on?
Mimi says it’s best to only carry one bag unless you simply must bring more and then two is acceptable. The purse or under seat bag should be one with lots of room and lots of pockets. Mimi’s favorite is the Louis Vuitton Totally MM with Eva clutch; it zips to prevent spills during take-off and landing. It also has an inside hook for the Eva clutch, that can double as an evening or cross-body bag. So versatile! The larger overhead bag should still be a soft sided bag, preferably duffel. Mimi uses the Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandouliere 45 (monogrammed, of course). Mademoiselle relies on the Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM, packed to overflowing! She rarely needs a second bag, but to be fair always puts her camera and extra’s in Mimi’s duffel. If Louis Vuitton is not your bag, there are loads of other companies making great travel bags. Some of our favorites are listed below!
What’s inside?
Mimi likes lots of little travel organizer cases or bags, one for make up, one for jewelry, one for electronics, one for meds and one for snacks. Mademoiselle concurs! Please use our travel necessities and incidentals checklist!
☐ Identity Documents and Foreign Currency (if necessary)
☐ Travel Documents: Itinerary, Hotel and Ground Transport documents
☐ Business or calling cards
☐ Glasses/Sunglasses
☐ Small make up kit (Remember: <3oz)
☐ Travel Size Brush (maybe even some Dry Shampoo!)
☐ Headphones (or earplugs)
☐ Chargers and charging cords
☐ Camera
☐ Sleep app (White Noise is an M&M favorite)
☐ Socks
☐ Pashmina or sweater
☐ Reading material
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Kleenex
☐ Mints or gum
☐ Snacks
Optional Incidentals:
☐ Hair ties (Emi Jay’s are another M&M favorite)
☐ Packable beach bag
☐ Packable Flats
What should I wear?
We highly recommend being a stylish traveler. Plus, studies show if you’re nicely dressed you’re more likely to receive an upgrade! Can you say business class to Paris? Oui oui! We were a bit shocked by the number of travelers in bad t-shirts, sweats and pajamas. While we remember the Mad-Men/Pan-Am days when travel used to be a privilege and everyone dressed up, we recognize that Spanx and heels are a bit impractical for modern day travel and security requirements. We stress – you do not have to sacrifice comfort for style!
Pack your heels. Wear flats. Get “no-show socks”.
If you need heels at your destination stash them in your overhead carry-on bag. Any heel, no matter how comfortable, becomes unbearable when walking close to a mile for your gate. Our solution is to wear a cute flat, paired with a no-show sock. With all the security hubbub and shoe removal we are all grossed out by the thought of our bare feet sharing germs with everyone else’s bare feet, but it’s not an excuse to wear tennis shoes with your outfit. Do not wear sandals, especially gladiators, shoes with buckles, boots, or strappy heels and please, leave the crocs, flip-flops and Chacos at home.
Mimi almost always chooses Chanel Ballet Flats, Mademoiselle prefers the Chloe scalloped ballet flat or the Tory Burch Reva. We also think Cole Haan’s Grammercy Oxford Cap Toe is too cute, comfortable and stylish. A cute Jack Purcell, La Coste or Prada tennis shoe can be a smart and casual exception.
Wear layers with pants, boyfriend jeans or leggings.
It’s generally hot in the airport and cold on the flights. Mimi’s go to outfit this summer was a Vince linen drawstring beach pant and striped raglan cotton sweater.
Mademoiselle’s choice was a Rag & Bone blazer and blouse with a comfortable Hudson stretch black jean.
Both outfits were comfortable and looked perfect even after eight hours of flying. Non-exercise leggings and oversized shirts with a blouse and cardigan or a lightweight sweater over a fashion tee is another excellent choice. On long flights be careful choosing jeans, make sure they are stretchy and non-binding, like the Current Elliot “boyfriend jean” or Mademoiselle’s favorite, the Hudson NICO cut jean. Hours in a pair of tight jeans can be miserable and bad for your circulation!
Here are a few additional Carry-on suggestions to check out:
Bon Voyage!
The fine art of Shelly Lewis Stanfield
The Charleston Academy
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