It’s hard to believe but also incredibly exciting to think this time next week I’ll be on a plane to Hong Kong! While we’ve been busy preparing for our move, one thing I’ve purposefully left till last is packing. I have a lot of clothing and I’ve faced the hard reality that not everything in my collection will be making the journey with me. As you can probably imagine, it’s been quite a painful week for me as I decide on what will come travelling and what will be stored.

Something which helped lighten my mood a little is an article in a 1951 issue of the The Australian Women’s Weekly. Written by a lady who clearly loves clothes as much as I do, she offers some words of wisdom on how to pack your travel wardrobe.

Here is some of her advice which I can gladly follow:

‘To any girl travelling by air, I’d say choose your clothes so that you don’t have overweight luggage. Travel is much simpler and less worrying if you keep within the weight allowed.’

‘I didn’t have any hat problem, for I don’t wear them. Instead of buying hats, I got myself a special Australian trip haircut. It’s simple and easy to manage–a good thing for a girl who would rather watch tennis than sit under a blower.’

‘Another wrinkle for girls on the wing is to have clothes that don’t need much pressing. This applies even to my two evening gowns…’

This is where I slip into dreamland and wish I could pack like her:

‘In my three nylon suitcases I packed 12 nylon panties, four brassieres, two full slips, three half-slips, two nightgowns, one a shortie of white nylon, the other full-length in lightweight pink wool, with a dressing-gown to match.’

‘I also put in four cocktail frocks and two evening dresses, eight casual summer dresses, one suit, three peasant blouses, two peasant skirts, one pair of lounging trousers, four tennis outfits, six pairs of nylon workettes, 12 scarves, four handbags, two white fur jackets, one travelling coat, one sweater, one cardigan, and six pairs of stockings.’

But wait… there’s more!

‘I found room for 12 pairs of shoes and a pair of slippers in gold elasticised thread.’

I’m going to try my best, but somehow I don’t think I’ll be packing quite that much! How about you? Are you a traveller? Do you have any travel wardrobe advice for me?