If you saw George Clooney in Up in the Air last year, you know that how you travel is often just as important as where you travel to.  Bringing a cotton jacket can help keep you warm on a cross-country plane ride, but several things must be considered: Will it fit in your suitcase?  Can you wear it during and after work?  Does it match the rest of your travel wardrobe?  With luggage allotments shrinking and the cost of checking bags skyrocketing, it’s important to plan ahead when travelling.  Here are some handy tips for jet-setting in style.

Choosing a bag that suits you

Let’s face it: that old gym bag may offer plenty of space and fit in an overhead compartment, but it doesn’t exactly scream “classy adult”.  An upright, wheeled carry-on suitcase is a great investment for even the casual traveller.  When given careful thought and care, luggage can last a lifetime, and your carry-on should be no exception.  Though lacking in flash, Samsonite is a quality brand that makes trolley cases suitable for everyone from the exchange student to the business professional.  A Samsonite Xion 2 Spinner Trolley Case is an elegant yet subdued choice, though if you’re not ready to give up your bohemian globe-trotter ways, there are still options.  The wheeled backpack is a newer alternative but can be extremely sensible for long-term trekkers.  A fine example is the Alpine TT Destination 75 Travel Bag, which looks fantastic in dark grey and comes with a robust wheel system to save your back and shoulders.  It also costs less than most traditional carry-ons, meaning you can spend more money on kebabs and less on your luggage.

Preparing for the plane

Airplane cabins can be unpleasantly cool, which is a problem when you’re flying long distance.  Since heavy coats and jackets can be a pain to travel with, consider dressing in thin layers that can easily be added or removed.  For men, no item is more valuable for travel than a lightweight v-neck sweater.  A v-neck can be dressed down with jeans and a pair of trainers, or worn under a suit for a more professional look.  For ladies, a lightweight knit Combobella jacket will provide warmth and sophistication while remaining thin enough to fold on your lap or in the overhead.  And as always, if you need to bring boots wear them on the plane to save space in your bag.

Did you know?

Cabin air may be cool, but it’s not as dirty as it’s made it to be. The air is run through hospital-quality HEPA filters, which actually make it cleaner than the air found in most public spaces.

-Jeff O.

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