Why not travel all in black so that you are co-ordinated? No dirt and stains.
Firstly, don't have a plain black suitcase. On 9/11 (11 Sept 2001) a bomb threat was made to my Singapore Airlines plane going to S Africa for a conference. Our incoming and outgoing plane was directed to a distant runway. All the luggage was offloaded onto the runway. Each family or group in turn had to identify our own luggage. My bag was black. I was faced by a river of black bags. Guarded by men with machine guns. I ran from bag to bag saying, "Here it is - no, it isn't."
What I look for in travel clothes & bags
Loose
Hard-wearing
Easy to wash
Smart enough to get me upgraded
Handy pockets
Secure anti-theft pockets
cheerful colours
some pattern to not show stains
Colours easy to co-ordinate
Not such small sleeves that it feels like wearing a tourniquet
Not such large sleeved that I can't wear a jacket on top
Patterns of lack of patterns to not clash
Arms down to wrists or with tab so they let down to wrists
Anti mosquito
Protection from sunburn
For a jacket
Pocket big enough for a hat
Hood attached so I can't lose it
Secure pockets
Inside pockets
Zips off fast at security
Won't stain easily
crease-free
Enough pattern to hide stains but not so much that it clashes with everything else
Shoes
No heels - too tiring and they rub up inflable escape chutes so you will be asked to remove them and leave them behind or carry them
Quick release straps so you can remove them at airport security
Suitcase
Not black.
Add identifying ribbon to handle.
Add strap in case locks break
Carry food and drink in a separate bag
4 wheels so I can wheel it upright without stooping and straining my back
Solid top so I can put a handbag on top
ideally an outside pocket for extras, but not one which when full tips over
Suitcase cover
Won't work if it prevents me opening an outside pocket
The packing list in wiki reminded me that you need sports clothes and a sports bra for using the gym on holiday or at a hotel.
Take insect repellent and sunscreen and water bottles and a torch (flashlight in the USA), swimsuit and sports bra for the hotel, sturdy waterproof walking shoes.
You want to avoid leaving food in your backpack near you overnight, and prepare food far away from your sleeping area.
Apart from theft, loose pockets allow items to drop out. Two suggestions:
Double pockets with your credit card inside the pocket inside or behind the main larger pocket.
If zips break or your new jacket has no zips on pockets, add a zip or press stud.
No time, no zip, can't sew zips?
You can also sew in an airline amenity bag which has a zip.
Pack a small sewing kit including a self-threading needle and a couple of press studs.
For advice on backpacks and how to escape or fight a bear, see
https://wikitravel.org/en/Wilderness_backpacking
It says bears are like dogs and chase after somebody running away. (Same goes for the police.)
Useful websites
https://www.bustle.com/p/the-15-best-travel-dresses-18224345
craghoppers
https://www.craghoppers.com/
ebay
https://wikitravel.org/en/Packing_list
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.
Firstly, don't have a plain black suitcase. On 9/11 (11 Sept 2001) a bomb threat was made to my Singapore Airlines plane going to S Africa for a conference. Our incoming and outgoing plane was directed to a distant runway. All the luggage was offloaded onto the runway. Each family or group in turn had to identify our own luggage. My bag was black. I was faced by a river of black bags. Guarded by men with machine guns. I ran from bag to bag saying, "Here it is - no, it isn't."
What I look for in travel clothes & bags
Loose
Hard-wearing
Easy to wash
Smart enough to get me upgraded
Handy pockets
Secure anti-theft pockets
cheerful colours
some pattern to not show stains
Colours easy to co-ordinate
Not such small sleeves that it feels like wearing a tourniquet
Not such large sleeved that I can't wear a jacket on top
Patterns of lack of patterns to not clash
Arms down to wrists or with tab so they let down to wrists
Anti mosquito
Protection from sunburn
For a jacket
Pocket big enough for a hat
Hood attached so I can't lose it
Secure pockets
Inside pockets
Zips off fast at security
Won't stain easily
crease-free
Enough pattern to hide stains but not so much that it clashes with everything else
Shoes
No heels - too tiring and they rub up inflable escape chutes so you will be asked to remove them and leave them behind or carry them
Quick release straps so you can remove them at airport security
Suitcase
Not black.
Add identifying ribbon to handle.
Add strap in case locks break
Carry food and drink in a separate bag
4 wheels so I can wheel it upright without stooping and straining my back
Solid top so I can put a handbag on top
ideally an outside pocket for extras, but not one which when full tips over
Suitcase cover
Won't work if it prevents me opening an outside pocket
The packing list in wiki reminded me that you need sports clothes and a sports bra for using the gym on holiday or at a hotel.
Take insect repellent and sunscreen and water bottles and a torch (flashlight in the USA), swimsuit and sports bra for the hotel, sturdy waterproof walking shoes.
You want to avoid leaving food in your backpack near you overnight, and prepare food far away from your sleeping area.
Apart from theft, loose pockets allow items to drop out. Two suggestions:
Double pockets with your credit card inside the pocket inside or behind the main larger pocket.
If zips break or your new jacket has no zips on pockets, add a zip or press stud.
No time, no zip, can't sew zips?
You can also sew in an airline amenity bag which has a zip.
Pack a small sewing kit including a self-threading needle and a couple of press studs.
For advice on backpacks and how to escape or fight a bear, see
https://wikitravel.org/en/Wilderness_backpacking
It says bears are like dogs and chase after somebody running away. (Same goes for the police.)
Useful websites
https://www.bustle.com/p/the-15-best-travel-dresses-18224345
craghoppers
https://www.craghoppers.com/
ebay
https://wikitravel.org/en/Packing_list
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.
