Packing for an end-of-summer work trip or holiday and not sure which pieces will offer the most mileage for your limited luggage space? We asked two seasoned travellers, both of whom are on the road at least once a month for business, to share their pro packing tips for warmer and transitional weather. Here are some of their essentials for looking stylish on the go, no checked bag required.
Fashion stylist Corey Ng packs with versatility in mind. “I’m all about things that I could wear multiple times in one trip for different occasions,” he said. He packs clothes in darker colours such as navy, black and brown, which he finds easier to mix and match. But he also often adds in a pair of white jeans or colourful accessories for contrast and visual interest.
Ng packs “elevated basics,” such as a nicer polo or knitted T-shirt that can go from day to night. “A black knitted T-shirt with a black trouser – you’re already looking a little more dressed up,” Ng said. An oversized poplin shirt in navy is another must-have, he says. “Because it’s poplin, it does wrinkle, but there’s something about the wrinkles of a poplin shirt that I don’t find offensive, versus a linen.”
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Maryam Siddiqi, a travel writer and former lifestyle editor at The Globe and Mail, feels the same. “Linen is my enemy because it wrinkles so much,” says the creator of urban culture newsletter Property of Toronto. She always packs a classic white button-up shirt in light cotton or poplin fabrics, which she said do “not wrinkle as much, they hold their shape better.”
Siddiqi prefers “light, flowy layers” for hotter weather and gravitates to pieces that are multipurpose. Her current must-packs include a midi-length, black silk shirt-dress that is easy to dress up, but can also be worn with a jean jacket for more informal excursions.
Rounding out her selections are a pair of stylish runners – she likes New Balance’s retro 327 sneakers – that can be worn both on the go and to the hotel gym. She also takes along a matching, quilted cotton pant and top set from Toronto-based label Hoi Bo.
“I actually just got it last year and it’s become a staple,” Siddiqi says. “I can wear leggings underneath the pants if I need to layer up for a colder destination because they’re even more barrel-y than barrel pants.”
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In the men’s department
Tilley five-pocket denim pant
Designed in Toronto and made overseas, these minimalist jeans are a mid-weight, 100-per-cent cotton denim fabric. Monochromatic and with a straight-tapered leg, they have the potential to easily elevate an outfit from day to night. $180
COS boxy cotton-poplin utility shirt
A classic poplin shirt would work well for any trip, but for your next vacation (or workcation?) consider packing this boxy, slightly utilitarian version that looks just as good with jorts as it does with chinos. $129
Marimekko Astrilli Piccolo Kioski scarf
Add pattern and a pop of colour to your travel ensembles with a charming scarf. This unisex cotton bandana is available in multiple hues and features Marimekko’s iconic striped Piccolo pattern, created in 1953. $70
In the women’s department
Muji Cool Touch shirt-dress
This midi-length shirt-dress is made with a 100-per-cent cotton fabric that’s designed to feel cool to the touch. It can be worn as is in warm weather, and styled over leggings or under a blazer in the fall. $99.90
New Balance 327s
Siddiqi recommends these stylish runners that also offer plenty of support for when she wants to work out while away from home. They’re available in a wide range of colours and in sizes five to 12. $129.99
T. Line Coco cropped shirt
You can find a great white poplin shirt from many brands, including Toronto-based T. Line. This one is made in Canada, features a subtly curved hemline and has a more fashionable, cropped fit. $295