Packing light and travelling light, secret of silk ...

Silk, yes, silk, is the answer to travelling and packing light. Just in case you luggage is lost or delayed, you can take a small extra garment in your hand luggage or handbag.

Silk Underwear
For a weekend away, wear two pairs of lightweight silk underwear, briefs and larger if you have them. One can be washed, maybe dried fast under the hotel hair dyer, even the hand dryer in a toilet. You still have the spare outer pair. Not too bulky for travel. Warm for leaving a cold country, light for arrival somewhere warmer.

Silk Vests
What else? Silk vests are light. Same principle. Wear one and pack one. You could even wear one short sleeve and one long sleeve or sleeveless tank top.

Silk Blouse or Dress
Silk blouse, even a long sleeved one with a tie bow neck packs light or is light to wear. Silk sleeveless dress is small enough to post through the letterbox, and can be worn as a sleeveless dress or as a slip under your travelling outfit.

Silk Jacket and Hood
A lightweight silk jacket with a hood is a handy cover for travel, covers arms in religious buildings and provides protection from strong sunlight or draught air conditioning. It packs away small in a tote bag if you are carrying it just in case, or don't want to risk leaving it behind or losing it in a restaurant.

Silk Scarves
To brighten up a garment in a subtle colour, add splash of colour from a scarf, which can double as a belt.

Packing Secrets

I shall cover packing lists, guarding against loss, and travelling light.

Packing Lists
Keep a permanent packing list on your computer and printed off taped inside the lid of your suitcase. You use it for packing. Also for re-packing. Saves you leaving behind your bathrobe or night clothes behind the bathroom door.

Leave a duplicate at home in case your luggage goes missing and you need to make a claim.
A photograph of your suitcase on a camera phone is handy to show the porter or lost luggage what you are looking for.

Your luggage label on the outside should not reveal the address of the home you have left empty. You could give the details of your office or family or neighbour and warn them about this system and that your movements and home address should not be revealed to callers.

Have a photocopy of your passport and a record of its number. Also other means of identity in case it is lost.

Luggage
Systems include, shoes on the outside to reinforce suitcase, socks inside shoes to save space and speed dressing, night clothes, swimsuit or outfit needed at destination on top of suitcase.

With a couple travelling together you could split the suitcases, so that if either suitcase goes missing you both have clothes.

Re-packing For Returning Home
When you re-pack, all your original packed items should fit in. The souvenirs can go in another bag. Or buy a second suitcase. Pack a spare bag inside the big one.

Frequent and fast travelling
The quickest way to get out of an airport is to travel light with only hand baggage.
A first class passenger can usually take a suit in a plastic garment carrier and ask for it to be hung up.
If necessary wear your fancy evening outfit to check in. If you are smartly dressed you might get upgraded. Carry your smartest track suit and change into it as soon as you board the flight.
If you are being met as VIP - eg for a wedding, change back into your suit just before arrival.
Otherwise simply carry it off with you. What you carry on is weighed but what you carry off does not matter, so long as you are not switching flights.