Carry-On in Style
by St. Supery CEO Michaela Rodeno

Leery of checking baggage, I’m a carry-on fan.  I go for up to 10 days with a nylon shoulder tote (for books and papers) and an unstructured nylon zippered hanging bag with handles (for everything else). 

Packing light requires thinking through how many outfits you need, especially if you’ll be seeing the same people.  The worst is to bring home things you haven’t worn.

Miscellaneous advice:

• Ship the wine ahead!  FedEx needs four business days to deliver wine internationally  
• Leave the new stuff at home.  Travel in broken-in shoes and comfortable, stylish clothes
• Black is a great neutral that doesn’t show stains
• Don’t sip wine while packing

What’s in the bag?  One pair of shoes.  Two-three suits on hangers.  Five or six shirts/ sweaters/T’s, none bulky, that mix-match with the suits.  Hermès scarf.  Minimum undies and socks (easily washed).  A roomy T shirt to sleep in -- I love hotels that supply bathrobes, and hair dryers.  Earrings.  Toiletries and cosmetics (unfortunately heavy – I keep badgering Chanel to make travel sizes but they’re ignoring me).  A pair of jeans, only if I’ll have leisure time.

Changing climates makes packing light a challenge.  The answer is to dress in layers.  I don’t own a winter coat, or even a raincoat.  There’s a small collapsible umbrella in my tote.  Expecting cold?  Add cashmere sweater, gloves and a wool scarf. 

What’s on my back?   If I’ll have a chance to play tennis on the road, I wear tennis shoes on the plane; otherwise, comfy walking shoes.  Dressy pants with some stretch in the fabric, a similarly stretchy top; in cold/wet weather, add my aged waterproof Timberland hooded jacket. 

Don’t ask what’s in my purse.  But it fits in the shoulder tote if an over-zealous TSA staffer insists I can have only two carry-ons.