Fashion for the Real World
You won't see any filters, props, or artificial lighting. Just clothes. Clothes that you can feel good about wearing every day.
Before I started working at my current job, I didn't travel all that much. I had the same, worn out, cloth suitcase that I would pull out from under my bed every time I went on a trip- usually a vacation. It worked fine. Yes, I dreaded packing that thing. I would inevitably stuff it to the brim, sit on it to get it to close, and it would be so over sized it looked like a bloated baby whale. As long as it closed, it was a go. Checking a bag?? No way. Now with all the fees, and the risk of being on a trip without my essentials? No. Too much of a risk. I need to have all my personal belongings with me at all times. So I would trek through the airport, sweating through my shirt as I dragged along my huge, heavy "carry on". My favorite part of every trip was standing in line to board the plane. No matter how hard I tried to hide my fat atrocity of a suitcase, they spotted it. They zeroed in on that thing like it was their prey. "Miss?" I would look around pretending I didn't hear. "Miss? Can you put your suitcase in the sizer?" The dreaded sizer. I took it as a personal vandetta when I got called out of line. It happened every. single. time I traveled. There was no way a sizer was ever going to take me down, so with all my might I would shove my suitcase in the sizer, so hard I even broke the zippers off one time. Proud, I would always show the airport worker that it fit, while I silently struggled to the point of exhaustion to get it out of the thing as soon as they looked the other way. And then the ultimate feat of athleticism: Lifting that "whale" over my head into the overhead compartment. I feared for my life (and the lives of those around me) as I would bench press that suitcase. Of course it never fit, and again the voice would come. "Would you like me to check that for you?" No. I would not. I can manage this, thank you. As the line behind me started to grow, I could always hear the sighs of people waiting for me to get my suitcase situation under control. Needless to say, a stressful experience, overall. However, I didn't travel enough to really do anything differently. In my current job, I travel about once a month. The first time I traveled for work I went with my supervisor who travels ALL the time. She had this down to a science. She literally rolled her suitcase with one finger, as I was tripping and sweating, dragging my whale suitcase down the endless airport hallway. I think she was embarrassed of me because she kept walking faster and faster, making it difficult for me to keep up. I knew something had to change. I knew I needed new luggage, but there are so many options when it comes to luggage. What kind of suitcase? What kind of personal item?? What is the best combination so that I can fit all the clothes I need (and then the ones I inevitably bring, but don't need whatsoever?) After several months and several iterations of luggage combinations. I got it. I'm going to share my secrets with you. "One Personal Item"The one personal item you are allotted for air travel is almost as essential as the main luggage. For me, I dabbled with a few different types of totes and purses. When I would carry a bit tote, I could never find anything in it, and it would get extremely heavy. Also, when I travel and have work meetings or conferences, I needed something that could double as a "computer bag," but wasn't one inch thick and could hold everything I needed for the plane. There's no way I'm taking significantly less things, so that means I needed to find an item that allowed me to take everything I need, while still being organized and looking chic and professional. Out of pure luck I found this purse at Marshalls. It has completely rocked my world. I am NOT a light traveler, and this bag accommodates everything I need without ending up with a "stuffed to the brim, can't zip" mess. Let me introduce you to the "Tutilo Tech Double Agent Travel Duffel." When you have this bag, you become a Double Agent: An over packer disguised as a professional that is completely in control, and always has what is needed in an easily zipped bag. Here is what I put in my Double Agent Travel Duffel: Main Section - Bose headphones (need these for air travel) Snack bag (essential) Liquid bag Charger zipper case (holds all my chargers for all my gadgets) Laptop section- Laptop (obviously) iPad Front two pockets- these are huge Charger for laptop (huge and awkward) Cell phone for easy access Wallet Chapstick for easy access Pens Extra contacts Advil Back pocket: Boarding pass (if paper) Notebook More pens A final note- and this is important - this bag is FLAT on the bottom. This is important because it will sit very easy on top of any roller suitcase, including the one mentioned below. If you notice, the key to looking like you're completely in control of your travel game at the airport is effortless wheeling. You want to have no weight on you, not just because it looks like you're totally with it, but because it's just healthier to not carry heavy things on your shoulders. Therefore, I will sit this bag on top of my suitcase, and merrily roll along. I would snatch this baby up, particularly from Amazon where it is 50% off of the typical price on the Tutilo website (see button below). The Main Attraction: SuitcaseThe key to upping my travel suitcase game was embracing the hardtop. I know this may seem drastic for an over packer. The problem was that I would over pack the cloth suitcase, and it would allow me without any restriction. I would be left with a huge, bulging mess. Yes, it zipped, but it would grow to 8 times its original size. The hardtop is great once I embraced it. I can still over pack, and do my usual "sit on the suitcase to get it to close" but it always stays the same size. The one I found is what I would call a "hybrid." It is not the hard plastic of a typical hard top- it is cloth, but with a firm structure to it. The spinner wheels are a MUST. These allow you to wheel the suitcase with such little effort. This suitcase is extremely light weight, which is great because that means you can stuff more in it without the added weight of the suitcase, itself. I will usually pack all of my work clothes on one side- rolling the clothes is how I can fit the most without them being too wrinkled. I put my hair dryer, toiletries (non-liquids), and leisure clothes on the other side. So there you have it! The luggage that has changed my travel world! Hope it helps you!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|
|
Forget everything you know about fashion blogs. On this one you will see no ripped jeans, ponchos that you feel stupid wearing to work, grassy fields, filters, or puppies (okay, maybe puppies).....
This blog is for those who want to buy full outfits that fit into the daily life of working professionals.
All
Blazer
Brown Boots
Hat
Plaid
Poncho
Pumps
Scarf
Shoes
Sweater Dress
Vest
Winter Boots
Winter Hat
Work