It's amazing how far 2 yards/2 meters of fabric can go! The second most important item in my travel gear is a batik sarong. My original was a gift when I left Indonesia. Instead of making it up into a garment, as was my first thought, I discovered rather quickly that it had too many uses to bother with sewing up something else.
My sarong has served as: bed sheet, bath towel, a beach cover-up & beach towel, a casual wraparound skirt for sightseeing. I wrapped up in it in frigid St. Petersburg along with my lined trench coat. It has served as a scarf and as a shawl. I gathered it into a smashing sash over a plain black tunic and slacks. It also twisted up into an elegant halter top under my suit jacket for dining out when I had an unanticipated invitation to a fine restaurant.
Useful? You bet. Pick one up next time you see one, and stash it in your carry on tote. Indonesia and Malaysia are famous for their batiks, and the art has spread to the Caribbean, where a sarong is often called a pareo.
May your road rise to meet you,
Ann
Showing posts with label travel wardrobe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel wardrobe. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Your Most Versatile Wardrobe Essential
EveryWoman's most critical wardrobe element, and the most versatile, is a travel essential, too. The ubiquitous Trench Coat! Go-with-everything beige or khaki; go-everywhere from Hong Kong to St. Petersburg. With a detachable hood and zip-in wool or cashmere lining, it will take you everywhere except the hottest and humidest tropical downpours or the chilliest Arctic snowstorms.
New raincoats in microfiber and other fabrics promise easy packing. Most are too short to keep you from a real drenching, and are only suitable for gentle Spring or early Autumn weather.
Mine seemed a bit bulky, and I nearly left my Burberry's behind in Hong Kong. Glad I didn't! On chilly airplanes, it served as as a lap-robe or blanket. On the Trans-Siberian Railroad, it made an extra toasty blanket at night. It protected my suit en route to business meetings, no sloppy hemlines from getting splashed by errant puddles and drivers who always seem to shlosh through the muddiest as you await the walk-light.
The detachable hood often ended up padding items in my duffle over the summer months in China, but I needed it badly even before I reached St. Petersburg - already facing the chill of impending winter in September. That zip-in lining over a sweater or other layerings is urgently needed when the thermometer drops.
Wear it on the plane, use it for a travel blanket. Wrap the liner and hood around whatever needs a bit of padding in the suitcase until you need it. The belt can be a useful strap for whatever. Above all, it keeps you warm and dry in all but blizzards or the steamiest tropical downpours.
Take it, pack it, but be sure to bring it along!
May your road rise to meet you,
Ann
New raincoats in microfiber and other fabrics promise easy packing. Most are too short to keep you from a real drenching, and are only suitable for gentle Spring or early Autumn weather.
Mine seemed a bit bulky, and I nearly left my Burberry's behind in Hong Kong. Glad I didn't! On chilly airplanes, it served as as a lap-robe or blanket. On the Trans-Siberian Railroad, it made an extra toasty blanket at night. It protected my suit en route to business meetings, no sloppy hemlines from getting splashed by errant puddles and drivers who always seem to shlosh through the muddiest as you await the walk-light.
The detachable hood often ended up padding items in my duffle over the summer months in China, but I needed it badly even before I reached St. Petersburg - already facing the chill of impending winter in September. That zip-in lining over a sweater or other layerings is urgently needed when the thermometer drops.
Wear it on the plane, use it for a travel blanket. Wrap the liner and hood around whatever needs a bit of padding in the suitcase until you need it. The belt can be a useful strap for whatever. Above all, it keeps you warm and dry in all but blizzards or the steamiest tropical downpours.
Take it, pack it, but be sure to bring it along!
May your road rise to meet you,
Ann
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