On the Today Show, Ben Baldanza of Spirit Airlines was interviewed by Matt Lauer, talking about the new fee to charge $45 for carry on luggage at teh airport.  Here’s an example of where being a pioneer in the business is not necessarily good.

What’s going to happen if the traveller is going to pay even more for their luggage on flight.  We’ve been working hard enough to simplify our  wardrobes while travelling to a carry on, so all the more reason to really zero in on how to travel lighter.

Keep it light and simple.  The Europeans have been doing it for years by wearing their favorite things multiple times while on vacation.   It is often recommended to hand-wash in the hotel sink if necessary.  Lots of hotels offer laundry service, and yes for a rather high fee, but it is an option. 

I’m reminded of a trip I took to Milan years ago.  I was a buyer for a jewelry company.  Do you remember Impostors?  I was their buyer for all 30 stores.  I had been on the job about a month and went on my first trip to a jewelry show in Milan for a long weekend –leave Friday, return on Monday. 

Since I was new to international travel, I wanted to keep it as simple as possible, and that meant one suitcase.  The contents  were simple:

  •  one awesome suit – jacket, skirt and pants. 
  • a pair of jeans,
  •  a cardigan,
  • couple of tees,
  • a dress blouse, and
  • alternate pair of shoes (heels)

It was that simple and Iwas good to go.  All that and my cosmetics, accessories and some paperwork all fit into my Travel Pro carry-on.    I wore the pants from the suit, t shirt, cardigan and flats on the plane.  (I also wore my international favorite, an Hermes scarf for a little variety.) 

That was 10 years ago and i was thinking even then how to keep it as simple was possible.  Today with mu business i enjoy working with woman to help simplify their wardrobes and consult on what in their wardrobe is fabulous enough to wear .. everyday and anywhere.  We too often are saving our clothes, or go out and buy something new for a trip.  Chances are you have what you need and when you start crfeate systems even for your wardrobe you can make simple changes to improve your travel life. 

We’ll see how these new fees take off?  In the meantime, we can make changes to prepared if the idea really flies.

(c) Strategize & Organize. Anne McGurty 2010.