Packing for at trip, whether 2 days or two weeks, is almost as stressful as trying to get through the TSA screening. To help you de-stress, TravelSquire presents a new column, In the Bag, dedicated to giving you tips from the travel pros. Each month, Patricia Honeycutt Cantor—TravelSquire’s Executive Editor, takes you inside someone’s bag. The first bag is her own!
I’ve been vacationing in the Caribbean for decades. Now, I have the good fortune to have a home in French St Martin and also still travel to the islands around St Martin. So when it comes to tropical clothes, I understand what works and what doesn’t.
It’s important to keep it simple, versatile and “cool”. I’m a big fan of linen for the tropics. It dresses up or down. It wrinkles, but that’s part of its charm. Ever seen a French man or woman with a starched linen shirt and pants? Never. They are always chicly wrinkled. You also want items that will do double duty. I live in long sleeve linen shirts as does my husband. White and pale grey are my favorites. Linen shirts are the most perfect item you can own. Just roll the sleeves up and toss over easy linen or cotton pants and you look fabulous at anytime of day. Or wear with linen shorts for beach lunches and shopping. And if you happen to be dining at an air conditioned restaurant (yes they do exist in some islands), you’ll be grateful for those long sleeves. And if you are a jeans person, a linen shirt is a great way to dress them up. Toss in a linen dress if you like. Remember, the Caribbean is casual, but you still want to be polished. Linen does that for you.
I’m also a big proponent of limiting what you pack and the amount of luggage you shove everything into. After years of paring it down, I can travel around the world for three weeks in TWO on-board pieces of luggage. The secret…pack as if you were only going for 3-4 days. That’s really all the clothing you need. Just wash what you need every few days. If you manage to pack everything for on board, you will not be that poor sap who is wearing the same thing days in a row because their luggage was lost.
Here is my pack list for a basic non-sport Caribbean wardrobe. And yes, I can get this into two pieces of on board luggage. I slip everything into those plastic bags from the dry cleaner and everything arrives in great condition. I also travel with a small steamer to remove any wrinkles that do occur.
Remember…check to see whether the island is 110 or 220 voltage. Or take dual voltage electronics.
Tops
*Two linen shirts/long sleeved. One in white. One in a color that looks good on you (mine is pale grey).
*Two linen shirts/short sleeved. I take two. One white and one cream.
*Two knit tops/I use a white pique polo and one simple T-shirt. If you are going to be hiking through the rainforest or visiting ruins, toss in two more t-shirts that are comfortable for more active things.
*Two knit camisoles/I always take two white camisoles with built in bra. They work under the linen shirts and can also work alone as another top.
Pants
*Two long linen pants (or can be cropped)/one white and one in a darker color (mine is a soft slate brown)
*Two pair of shorts/I use linen and khakis. If hiking or doing something mildly athletic, you can toss in one more pair of shorts that work for sporty things.
The Extras
*One simple dress/knit , linen or cotton. Whatever you feel wonderful in and that can work during the day or for dinner at night.
*A wonderful skirt if you wear them.
*Two swimsuits/one black and one navy maillot. Maillots in solid colors can “double” as a top. Just wrap with a pareo or a skirt to go out to lunch.
*Two pareos/pareos are one of my favorite pieces of clothing and double as beach covers and casual skirts for lunch at beach restaurants.
The Accessories
*Shoes: One great thong sandal for day into night. Beach thong. Sneaker like Superga for hiking and walking.
*Handbags: one small bag for wallet, cell phone. One collapsible like a Longchamps for arrival.
*Accessories: Silver everything. Two pair of earrings/one simple and one “glam”. Two great bracelets and one great necklace. I love ExOvo…she’s a friend and also a great designer (Takishimia, MOMA, Louvre etc.)
The Necessities
*Lingere/4-6 pair of undies; two bras (one you travel in); socks if you need them.
*Knit nightgown or sleep T/
*Toiletries and Cosmetics/I downsize everything into small bottles and jars with enough “stuff” to last 2 weeks and still manage to cram it into a one quart zip bag for TSA. Buy sunscreen when you arrive, but travel with a 3 oz bottle/jar.
*Travel Steamer-dual voltage/I can’t live without my tiny travel streamer which also can iron. Freshens up everything.
*Travel hair dryer-dual voltage/only take if you need it or your hotel doesn’t supply them. Mine is very tiny.
Places I Love to Shop for Linen from Expensive to Moderate
Anyplace in Italy like 100% Capri/Capri and St Barth’s
Monica in Marina Royale/St Martin
Eileen Fisher
JJill