Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Travel comfortably in style!

Spending time in airports and riding airplanes can be fun and exciting when you have the luxury of flying with the best airlines with amazing first-class seats.  However, for budget travelers, traveling can be exhausting and inconvenient especially on a long-haul flight. This is why I am not looking forward to my 22-hour flight to NYC in May. The only thing I'm excited about is having four hours to burn in Hong Kong International Airport before my connecting flight to JFK and my very first experience with Cathay Pacific. So to make my flying experiences tolerable, I have one rule that I always follow: fly comfortably with style. To achieve this, I have my list of must-haves:

1. Big carry-on shoulder or cross body bag
When traveling, you need a bag that will carry all your things and will free-up both your hands (no short handle totes!) so you can run around the airport without hassle.

Coach Bag

 Canvass Tote from Kate Spade

2. Comfortable clothes
Because I get cold easily, my fail-safe airport outfit includes a soft sweater or a cardigan over a basic shirt. If I get to my destination and it's warm, I could just pull-up the sleeves of my sweater or take off my cardigan. Meanwhile, if I'm going somewhere cold, I could just add another layer of jacket, gloves and a scarf. It's also important for me to wear comfortable bottoms. No skirts for me as I usually fold my legs into an Indian seat position whenever I'm tired. Cotton/linen pants, stretch denim or leggings are my top choices.

Stylemint's Benson Waterfall Cardi
 Stylemint's St. Clair Sweater


3. Minimal Accessories
I get that wearing accessories can add personality and style to a typically normal ensemble. However, taking them off and putting them again whenever you go through security can be tiring for you and annoying for the people behind you. In the end, you'll save yourself from more inconvenience and hassle so leave the belt, chunky necklace and arm bands. At the very most, I only wear a pair of earrings and a watch when I travel.

 Timex Originals Easy Reader - big classic watches are awesome!

4. Flats
There's no way I'm going through airports in heels. They may give me additional height but the pain I will have to endure from walking through check-in, immigration and to the boarding gate is not worth it. A pair of black ballet flats is my favorite.

Yosi Samra flats

Posh Pocket Shoes