I have traveled abroad happily, and smugly, for any number of years with nothing larger than an in-flight case and a handbag. Not for me the jostling for position at the reclaim carousel, no fear of being stranded on the beach in only the underwear I traveled out in!
Easy Jet at Gatwick, "Please put your handbag into your case."
I'm a good packer, but not that good.
Handbag into case will not go!
What! Squash a good handbag!!
So my in-flight bag had to go in the belly of the plane with all the big brutes and take it's chances on the carousel. To add insult to injury, on the way home I had my bag searched at the airport. Was I mad! Did the man care as he ploughed through my tissue-wrapped clothing? Not a bit of it. I offered to lift the items out but he preferred to rifle away until everything was disturbed and he had found my chunky necklaces.
Easy Jet have become far more rigorous about in-flight baggage. I've got two more flights booked with them for later this year so I've been to the sales to find a suitcase that should survive the rigours of baggage handling. I bought a 'Tripp' that came out best in a television programme when thrown from a great height! It's got four wheels. I 'drove' it through town and back to the car with great success and it is just the right height without my having to use the extending handle thingy.
Which is good!
Considering the fact that with my in-flight bag I have often come home with clothes that I've not worn I dread to think what I might be tempted to pack in the new case.
I read other bloggers posts about packing with interest. (Paula got me started.) Janet, at The Gardeners Cottage has just returned to America after a fabulous holiday in Europe. I can understand the dilemma she had as to what to pack - cold, wet, warm, baking, the weather can be any or all of these. When I'm flying anywhere it is easy because I am going only in search of much needed sun and warm sea. Apart from wearing a pashmina round my neck for warmth, which can double as a wrap at the resort, and a mac and brolly for Blighty, all that I need to pack is light weight summer wear. The only heavy items are my necklaces and sports shoes!
Did somebody mention black and white? I can do that!
While I was in town I had a peep at the clothes sales and found this linen top in The White Company. Not my size, but with this shape I think it's the bigger the better.
For Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.
oh i saw lots of people with those suitcases! they look really easy to tote around. i love that you only go to warm places on vacation and i totally understand that after being in europe for 3 of the coldest weeks of spring i've ever experienced.:)
ReplyDeletethat would make packing so much easier. on a side note i love you hair style, i wore mine like that at one point in my life. it didn't suit me as it suits you though.
have tons of fun on your upcoming trips!!!
I got a price reduction on my new suitcase because the 'grape' colour is not selling well. Black is the colour of choice, apparently. That's good news because it means that I'll be able to recognize my case as it comes round the carousel!
DeleteLove your new linen top, so breezy. And I so empathize with your travel woes! Thanks for sharing your great look and cautionary tales with Visible Monday : >
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to join in your Monday party, Patti, and it has made me analyse my style of clothing - which by comparison with others is very plain!
DeleteYour b&w combo is very elegant and perfect for travelling. Oh, Easyjet......just today they announced that carry-on baggage has to be smaller, so even less chance of squeezing a handbag inside! I would willingly check my case in, but you end up in a massively long queue again!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's Easyjet's latest carry-on dictate that prompted me to invest in a check-in case, but I hate the thought of the rugger scrum that gathers round the carousel.
DeleteI'm singing the praises of leggings layered with a dress - that's basically what I wore to Dallas, along with a cotton jacket. When we got in the hot weather, off came the leggings and jacket, plus it was all comfortable on the plane. And in black and white!
ReplyDeleteDresses are absolutely the most comfortable travel wear! I love your leggings- under-the-dress-idea (as I've done that myself). And dresses are far cooler than pants in the heat.
DeleteYes, I agree that a dress with leggings makes the ideal travel combo, that is exactly what I wear when flying. (The leggings get removed in the airline toilet before touch down and visa-versa on the route home!)
DeleteBravo! Have just convinced my husband (after packing a "trial run" of his wardrobe) that we can jet off to Italy toting carry on only. For thisoverpacker, it will be a liberating challenge to have fewer choices. The trick, I have read, is bring things you love and won't mind repeating. I think I have some of those...
ReplyDeleteShoes are the problem, and men's shoes are so BIG! But you do feel terribly smug with only carry-on, as you walk straight out of the airport avoiding the queues! Do blog how you get on.
DeleteMy next two holidays are to Italy, where a bit of style is required!
They wouldn't let you have your handbag on the plane? Really? Wow. Almost don't mind that I can't afford to travel, now. Good for you for getting around them with the new bag ... fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteYou have some legs, lady! Very chic looking black and white combo!
It's a bag in the hold from now on, Jan, so I've lost all advantage I'm afraid. And because it's bigger I'm sure that I'll be tempted to load it with all manner of stuff!
DeleteThanks for the leg praise but in real life they are not good lookers!