How To Always Look Polished When You Travel
Call me crazy, but I’m writing this post at 4.20am on my way to the airport. I think most clearly in the mornings and can’t sit still for the hour long taxi journey without doing something productive, so I thought I’d share a few tips on how to ensure that just because you’re jetting around the world, your wardrobe still looks its absolute best. I travel usually 2 or 3 times a month, so there are certain pieces I always pack, some go-to outfits, and can’t live without accessories.
When travelling to and from your destination, of course comfort is hugely important – I’ll never understand those that can happily endure a 4+ hour flight in jeans and stiletto heels (or worse, a short skirt – I can’t bear the thought of skin on the leather seats of the plan!!) but there are certainly ways of looking stylish while on the move. My current outfit consists of wide leg pleated trousers, a silk vest top, cashmere jumper and cross body bag. Far from immaculate, but it’s simple, comfortable and certainly looks chic and polished.
This post is in collaboration with Philips
What’s In My Carry On?
Whether or not I have a bag in the hold, I’ll usually travel with two carry on bags. I have a pretty pink suitcase which will contain a change of clothes, my makeup bag and all of my electronics (never put your camera in the hold bag, the lens is very fragile and it may not like being thrown onto luggage carousels!) – as well as any valuables such as jewellery or previous bags / shoes, just in case.
The Essentials
Packing light has never been hugely my forte (although I love the challenge of packing with hand luggage only, and always plan my outfits for each day, right down to the accessories, mixing and matching as much as possible if this is the case) but I’ll always check the weather before travelling, and ensure I have chic layering pieces with me – there’s nothing worse than being caught out by a chilly evening – so a cosy cardigan or classic trench coat will often come in handy. All-year-round pieces such as wide leg trousers, silky blouses and lightweight coats are items that can usually be found in my case, no matter where I’m travelling to.
When the space allows, I’ll pack additional accessories such as shoes, bags and jewellery, to enable me to restyle my outfits with a different vibe, and take a look from day to night.
Keeping Your Clothes Looking Their Best
Hands up who has been guilty of hanging their clothes in the shower, dousing in strong perfume, or even using straighteners to get that ‘day one’ look back in the past? Thankfully no more! Upon researching this post, I also discovered that steam kills over 99% of bacteria, so if you’re away for a few days and want to avoid hefty hotel dry cleaning bills but want to freshen up your garments, just steam them!
The majority of my wardrobe at this time of year is made up of light fabrics including chiffons and silks. They pack down to almost nothing, and make for beautiful elegant pieces to really uplift your look, but only if they’re well cared for! My Philips Steam&Go Plus is something that not only I use frequently at home to quickly smarten up my garments, but also now an essential for keeping my clothing looking its best while I travel. It’s small and portable, and quickly removes wrinkles and freshens up garments to give your look the ultimate polished finish. I always say, you can have a £500 designer silk blouse that’s wrinkled, or a £30 highstreet top that’s well cared for, and the latter will look a million times better and more expensive. Equally, if you choose to invest in high quality pieces, it’s a shame to ruin their beauty by not taking proper care of them.
When you travel, you want to spend more time out and about, exploring, discovering and enjoying – and certainly NOT devising hacks to freshen up your clothes! The handheld steamer allows you to get a perfectly crisp finish without needing an ironing board; but with the continuous steam you can even use it on flat surfaces such as a bed or table, so, if you really wanted to, you could even steam your soft furniture and bed linen – and you can also use vertically – so you can steam on the coat hanger straight from your wardrobe. The device uses SmartFlow technology, giving super results as the steam flow heats up the plate to an optimal temperature which works for all fabrics, and doesn’t cause wet spots. I trust the device with my most precious, delicate fabrics knowing that the coating enables smooth gliding, and even results.
Have you ever tried any silly hacks to make your clothes appear more fresh during your travels or at home? Let me know about them in the comments below! Discover more about the Philips Steam&Go Plus here and try it out for yourself using the exclusive discount code below – you’ll wonder what you ever did without it!
Use code STEAM1 for a 20% discount until July 31st.
Always pack a dress ( or two )
I tend to pack a dress no matter the destination. They work so well for a capsule wardrobe, and are an instant chic look. You can wear during the day with flats, or add jewellery and heels in the evening. Chiffons and broderie anglaise are my favourite materials at this time of year, or a cashmere blend jumper dress in cooler months.
Invest in a chic swimsuit
Buying a bikini can be tricky, but once you find ‘the one’ you’ll never look back. Spend a little more time and money trying on premium brands swimwear offerings, and discover which style suits your body type and don’t be afraid to invest. I have a couple of swimsuits that were probably double what you’d usually pay for a highstreet design, but I feel fabulous in them and know they flatter my body. Even after regular wear (they’ve collected some serious air miles!) they still look fabulous and I feel sure that I’d have spent the same amount on multiple highstreet swimsuits if I hadn’t invested.
What are your tips for looking chic while travelling?
xoxo
