Getting forced out of a high-paying job in fashion turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to Alexandra Jimenez.
The California native ended up traveling around the world, from a safari in Africa to a lodge in the Guatemalan jungle. She bemoaned the weight of her bag and turned to the Internet for advice but found that the tips didn’t apply to her.
“The information was too practical, too functional. Men can turn their underwear inside out, and for women it’s not that easy,” Jimenez says.
She took matters into her own hands, launching the blog travelfashiongirl.com in 2012. She shares her five tips for lighter luggage.
Use packing cubes. These compartments are like subdividers for your suitcase. “Not only do they help you organize your clothing, but they also help you compress it,” says Jimenez, who says you can use them either for different types of clothing, or to divide clothes, electronics and toiletries.
Don’t buy travel products. While the eye cream Jimenez buys comes in a container well below the size limit for carry-on liquids, she figures out how much she needs for each trip and transfers that amount to a specifically ordered smaller container.
Put together a capsule wardrobe. It’s a week of outfits made of 10 pieces of interchangeable items — about seven tops and three bottoms. “Stick to one color story so you can wear every top with every bottom.”
Think about fabrics. “Thicker doesn’t mean warmer and thinner doesn’t mean cooler,” Jimenez says. The most cost-effective fabric is a polyester or synthetic blend, which can be worn over and over on a long trip. For colder destinations, long underwear made of silk or merino wool is a must.
Shoes matter. Jimenez says only three pairs are necessary: one for sightseeing; one for any special activity (like a wedding or hiking); and an extra pair. A few go-to brands? Clarks, Ecco or Cole Haan. “It is worth investing in your feet,” Jimenez says. “The minute your feet give out on you, your trip is done. Game over!”
