When it comes to preparing for a trip, flight attendants are experts. We travel light with just a rollaboard and a tote bag. Rolling instead of folding leaves clothes wrinkle free. Outfits are coordinated around footwear; a comfy kick-around pair for exploring the city by day and something dressy for dinner and a show at night. Undies, socks and bikinis, whatever can be wadded up, are housed inside shoes. No space goes unused. To make things simple, pack black and be done with it. So what if we wear the same outfit over and over, that’s what accessories are for! Scarves and jewelry can completely change boring black into something fab. Whatever gets left behind becomes the perfect excuse to go shopping for something new! Or how about getting to know the locals at a Laundromat. What better place to read a guide book or ask around for a great place to eat?
Flight attendants aren’t the only experts. My last Galley Gossip post, The Best Women’s Travel Writing 2010 – book giveaway, brought in quite a few interesting travel tips from smart women travelers around the world. Here is a list of my top 10 favorite tips…
10 SMART TRAVEL TIPS FROM WOMEN
1. My mom always says bring your swimsuit and one easy outfit in your carry on so you won’t lose a vacation day if checked bags are lost – Lindsay
2. If you are traveling with someone else, pack a few things in their luggage and a few of their things in your luggage. Then, if God forbid, one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some things to wear. – Leslie
Heather Poole 
[…] #9: Create space saving magic Jump to Comments Dear Heather, In reference to your post, 10 smart travel tips for women around the world, I have an issue with tip # 9, pack an amazing convertible dress like the American Apparel Cotton […]
Really proficient post. Theoretically I could write something like this too, but taking the time and effort to make a good article is a lot of effort…but what can I say….I’m a procrastinater. Good read though.
Well anything is possible, really, as long as you’re willing to put the time and effort into it! Time and effort is everything.
Which brand suitcase is the one you show and /or what are the dimensions?
Thanks,
Viv
Travelpro 22″ Suiter bag. I’ll write a post featuring the bag – the pros and the cons! It’s not my favorite bag, but it works well for long trips.
Saw the NYT’s article. Great advice, but how much did your suitcase weigh when you had finished packing? Can you lift it into the overhead rack by yourself? Thanks. I look forward to reading your blog.
It weighed a ton! And yes, I could lift it by myself. Not sure if anyone else could. I’d NEVER pack anything I couldn’t lift by myself. It’s just a rule of mine.
It’s worth noting that International airlines have very restrictive weight limits for carry-ons – they range from 13 to 22 pounds – far less than the more liberal weights allowed in N America.
This is true. But I’ve been pretty lucky. Last year went to Italy with way more stuff and managed to get my carryon onboard Ryan Air – twice
Good to hear. I am going with my wife to Greece for a month and we both hope to get our travelpro 22″ aboard as a carry-on…we will try to stay under 30 lbs if possible :>) …btw your travel packing tips were great……
9. Pack an amazing convertible dress like the American Apparel Cotton Jersey Bandeau Dress – $43 . It’s space-saving magic – Gina
This is definitely not amazing, wearing this in some countries could get you stoned – like Jersualem – or not able to enter a pagoda, or perhaps even mistaken for a local — street walker, that is.
10. I email myself AND my mother a copy of my passport, my itinerary, and the international phone numbers for my credit cards. If I can’t get online, I know I can call my mum should anything get stolen. – Morgan
This is definitely not a good idea. Yeah, okay give the info. to your Mom, or anyone person that you list for emergency info – But are you stupid or what ????? — Never send your passport over email or advertise your name along with the credit card phone numbers ! Try sending it in the snail mail.