The Art of Packing Well (or not, in my [suit]case).

We have recently returned from quite a long break in Europe. As most expats will attest, these annual trips (or pilgrimages as I often jokingly reference them) can sometimes be a bit arduous and exhausting.  It's assumed that we will travel to every corner of England to see family (despite having already flown nearly 7000 miles to get to the UK), sleep in funny beds, endure long car/train journeys that no one is used to.  This summer though we were lucky to be largely based at my Mum’s chalet in France so there was actually time to...holiday!  The teens had friends to stay / made new friends (a French Elise for Elyse!), did so many activities (canyoning, horse riding, mountain biking, parapenting, zip lining, paddle boarding, e-bike adventures, swimming, hiking) and we all  practised our french, ate great food (oh God I miss a tomato tasting like a tomato already), lazing by lakes, painting, even upcycled a cabinet and relaxed.  

So all in all, it was a lovely trip seeing family, friends but what I have come to realise is that whether I am away for a weekend or a month, I pack the same.  Faced with the prospect of over five weeks' travel spanning England to France with all of the possible weather scenarios, so many different activities and occasions just justify me in a tail spin of overpacking failure.  

The only time I can recall a successful, smart packing scenario was the time I went on a short business trip to India.  It is one of the few times I’ve flown hand carry only - not because the trip was only for three days - but uniquely down to the fact that the baggage belts at Heathrow were broken so passengers were only permitted to take carry-on bags.  Nothing like a hard boundary to concentrate the mind. 

Now, for context, our cases are not really huge (I think my son’s is 80L so don’t go conjuring ideas of ten trunks) as we have to plan for rental cars where boot space is always a factor.  And yet, I packed too many clothes, probably a quarter I wore sparingly or not at all.   I think I can put this failed packing down to not following the rule of thumb 1) don’t leave with a full case, you will likely buy things or 2) don’t take things you never normally wear just because you’re ‘on holiday.’     

Where did it all go wrong and what went well? 

The Weather Factor. 

It is becoming all too much a recurring story that whenever we head to Europe, dreaming of wearing jeans and pulling on a sweater (we do live in year-round tropical humidity you see and miss the seasons) - we are embraced by climate-changing heatwaves.  This year was no exception - we landed in London for their hottest day on record.  “Oh you should be used to it, you live in Singapore” they chime.  Erm, yes and we have aircon, ceiling fans and refrigerator cold malls to dive into and escape the heat.  Such is the reassuringly unpredictable nature of the British summer, you simply have to pack for all weather events. 

Jacket Overload. 

Despite living so close to the equator, not to mention how I tend to run 10 degrees hotter than anyone in my midst, that I’ve ‘come into’ a few jackets lately is unusual, some might say, foolish.  

It was a coup de coeur with a beautiful cream/mocha/brown striped linen jacket picked up from Singapore based French brand, Edition Limitée at Design Assembly.  “That will be great in Europe this summer” I thought of the funky red metallic Missoni-esque coatigan that caught my eye from the thrifting pop up, One Soul Many Stories, (a last minute decision to release this from the case was the only smart decision made).   

That would be so ‘useful for summer too’ I thought of the fitted denim jacket procured from Tanglin Mall ahead of an earlier Hong Kong trip.   And well, the rain coat that was vital for the ‘exceptional, once-in-every-10-years weather event’ trip that coincided with the netball trip to Perth would have got a lot more use in years gone by in [normally drizzly] England.

Which was the GOAT of COATS?  The Edition Limitée was perfect to wear over long white pants, shorts, dresses and scrunched up it made an excellent travel pillow.   The others, alas, were hardly touched.  

Bag Lady - never enough bags (well, maybe one or two too many). 

Packing numerous handbags for a holiday is completely justified as, after all, I am a bag designer/brand founder. Choosing the right travel bags and handbags for a holiday is part of the fun — especially when I know I’ll want different bags for sightseeing, evenings, lunches and those inevitable Instagram moments in London and Paris.

The trouble is, my children aren’t all that obliging when it comes to my constant requests of ‘can you take it again and get bag in shot’ please.  Whilst my husband can be more pliable, he had to head back to Singapore early, so the bag-in-cool-location snaps were somewhat limited.  

The Holiday Handbag Report

1. Most Worn Bag – Ophelia Bag in Olive Suede

Without doubt, my go-to travel bag for the holiday. It holds all the essentials — passports, wallet, purse, keys, phone and a small water bottle. The olive suede is neutral enough to work with everything, while also being surprisingly hardy and forgiving when it comes to dirt. (Unlike my white trainers — I always forget how clean our Singapore streets are and how filthy European ones can be.) Casual enough for daytime markets, smart enough for dinner.

2. Evening Companion – Finn Scallop in Baby Cheetah
A versatile evening clutch with a chain strap. The baby cheetah print is surprisingly neutral, making it work with far more outfits than you might expect. 

3. Walks, Picnics, Panaché – Polly in Bambi
My small crossbody bag for phone, keys and cards. Done. Silk twilly Fleur Kakasi scarf for added fun.

4. The Bright Campaign – Striped Overnight Bag
A great travel bag for swimmers, towels and all the other paraphernalia that comes with a day by the pool. It also doubled up nicely as an extra checked bag on the journey home. (Sorry I cannot link to this bag as it is old season).

5. Vine & Branches – Floral Fabric Bag
My shopper bag for all of those “Mum, can you carry my jumper, camera, water bottle, suncream?” occasions. 

When did tying a sweater around your waist become so uncool?

6. Mila Silver – Evening Metallic Clutch
The smartest bag of the bunch. I needed a properly glam evening bag for a couple of fancy parties, but after those? Bottom of the case. I didn't even get the bag in shot either!

7. Alfie Bambi Bag
OK, hands up — I only took this bag out on the town (of Cambridge) once. Though this was mostly because I justify it behind and never took it on to France. A packing fail of my own making.

Packing Cubes: The Secret to Packing Well or Just… More?
I’ve long been a fan of a packing cube.  Divides up those varying weeks of the holiday so nicely - swimmers, active wear, dresses etc.  Though maybe it was the reason for the over-packing downfall?  At this point in time, I’m probably just clutching at straws.  Whether it was because I was too busy before we justify, or whether I forgot I love to pick up bits and bobs from our travels, I just didn’t think this packing through well enough.

Just before I justify, I ran into an Australian friend who was saying she ONLY travels with carry-on. She doesn’t allow any of her family to check in bags.   I know a few other people who are like this - I’m in awe.  She said she stopped packing things she doesn’t wear in Singapore (why would you wear them overseas if you don’t at home) plus she knows she can wash things.  Sage advice I really ought to remember before my next adventure...but somehow know I will likely fail to.