Cover Edwin Pun climbs Mount Fuji (Photo: Supplied)

Going away for Chinese New Year? See how Calvin Wang, Jessi Chloe Chen, Edwin Pun and Victoria Tang-Owen stay organised while on the go

However much we love going on vacation, packing for it can be daunting and time-consuming on most days. Add to the fact that this Chinese New Year holiday might be the first time on a plane for many of us since the start of the pandemic, and you have a whole new set of worries. Luckily, we asked four jetsetters in the Tatler community including Victoria Tang-Owen and Edwin Pun to tell us their most useful travel tips. From which suitcases to buy to how they keep their clothing fresh and crease-free after a long-haul flight—these pro packing tricks will ensure your travel experiences are as seamless as possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
 

Calvin Wang

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: @clowverk/Instagram)

What is your go-to suitcase to travel with?

I prefer simple and discreet-looking luggage like the Tumi Alpha 3 or the Rimowa Classic collection. They last long, they don’t attract attention and you can stuff a lot of things into them. I also always have an expandable duffel bag handy, especially when I travel to places where I know I may shop.

How do you keep things in order?

I like to fold and categorise my things into four quadrants when I pack. I try to fill each of the quadrants with smaller items such as T-shirts, sweaters, socks, underwear and caps. It’s like playing Tetris. When all four quadrants are at even height, I then pack my larger jackets and coats on top of them.  

I also pack extra clothes in my carry-on luggage for the first two days after my arrival. I do this just in case my check-in suitcases get delayed or lost. I also place an AirTag in each of my suitcases to track their whereabouts.  

Do you have any pre-flight packing rituals?

I run through the entire itinerary of my trip to plan ahead on what to wear on day one: morning, afternoon, night—and so on. This way I know how I need to look every day. I then try to condense the number of items I need to bring to create the maximum number of looks. Doing this makes me travel with much less luggage. I used to pack two suitcases for a week-long trip. I would end up carrying extra things that I never even wore. I prefer to keep things concise now.

How do you keep your items fresh after a flight?

When I don’t have access to an iron, I usually hang my clothes in a steamy bathroom. It helps to reduce creases. I have also recently started placing scented paper in my luggage so that my clothes smell pleasant after a flight.

Any other tips for packing like a pro?

1. Plan for the expected weather conditions.
2. Plan based on the events you are attending and the people you are going to meet so that you know what outfits to bring.
3. Always pack your first-day outfits in your carry-on.

Jessi Chloe Chen

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Supplied)

What is your go-to suitcase to travel with?

Rimowa has always been my luggage of choice. I also pack a foldable Longchamp travel duffel— it’s light, compact and great for extra shopping. 

How do you keep things in order?

Laundry bags are a must. I am also a big fan of pouches in all sizes to help categorise and organise, especially when it comes to beauty products.

Do you have any pre-flight packing rituals?

I like making lists. I think we were all out of practice after not travelling during the pandemic, so a list helps me pack lighter, smarter and faster. I also plan my outfits ahead and make them multifunctional. My final ritual is to always check-in online. 

How do you keep your items fresh after a flight?

The Laundress Fabric Fresh spray. It’s easy to pop in your toiletry bag. Just a spritz or two removes odour and keeps your clothes crisp between washes.

Any other tips for packing like a pro?

Keep one set of essentials in your carry-on—it could be makeup or even underwear. With all the logistical nightmares that happened over the summer last year and the lack of ground staff at major airports, Apple AirTags are a must for all your luggage items. You can verify that each piece has gotten on your flight, and if not, you can at least track where it is. 

Edwin Pun

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Supplied)

What is your go-to suitcase to travel with?

For extended trips, I always travel with my Tumi Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case. When you know your suitcase is going to be a checked-in luggage (read: thrown around), you definitely want it to be extremely sturdy. I have been using my Tumi suitcase for almost 10 years and it still works like new. Another reason I am drawn to this suitcase is because it is made with recycled materials. 

For shorter trips, I go with my Rimowa Essential Lite. It is light, so it's the ideal carry-on suitcase. Finally, I always bring along my Longchamp collapsible foldaway bag. In the event I impulsively buy a few too many things on my trip—which happens a lot—this foldable bag works wonders. It doesn’t take up much space in my suitcase, and looks chic. 

How do you keep things in order?

I am a little OCD so I use packing cubes in various sizes. I like to see my items neatly packed in categories—a small one for my socks, a medium one for my gym clothes, and a larger one for my outerwear. I like to use organisers because in some countries, travellers are required to open their suitcases at customs. I think it looks impressive to open neatly packed luggage (laughs).

How do you keep your items fresh after a flight?

One nifty trick is to use dryer sheets to keep items fresh. Simply placing a dryer sheet in my suitcase can help keep things smelling fresh even after a long-haul flight.

Do you have any pre-flight packing rituals?

Make lists! There’s nothing like travel to send me into list-making mode.  I always make three lists prior to travelling: 

1)Things to do before I leave 2) Things to buy before I leave 3) Things I need to pack. This list is particularly important because there are many items that will make or break my trip, such as my toothbrush, charger, camera battery and travel documents.

Any other tips for packing like a pro?

1) When in doubt, leave it out. Do you really need to take everything with you that you think you might use or wear? Cut the cord.

2) Make a list for each type of trip you are going on, and save it. I do this so that I don’t have to recreate the list the next time I travel. 

3) Always pack a lightweight bag such as a tote or foldaway backpack in your main luggage; it’s sure to come in handy.

Victoria Tang-Owen

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Supplied)

What is your go-to suitcase to travel with?

I used to travel everywhere with my Globe-Trotter trunks, but since my son Rocco was born, I had to put practicality first. I bought an expandable Tumi suitcase and had my initials monogrammed on it. 

For the carry-on, I love matching with Rocco with Rimowa bags. Our carry-ons are powder blue. He has the Essential Lite for kids which is perfect and he can manage it himself.

In my suitcase, you will always find my Prada Re-nylon washbag that fits all my toiletries and I have been using it for years. You will also find a Kipling foldable duffel as a spare bag. I always travel with large foldable duffels.

How do you keep things in order?

I am super-organised when it comes to packing—it’s a skill I am proud of. Everything has to be in order and fitted to perfection. I don’t use packing cubes, but I do use pouches and drawstring bags to organise electronic devices. 

How do you keep your items fresh after a flight?

The trick is to use fabric softeners or dryer sheets. I put them in my suitcase and carry-ons to keep everything fresh. 

Do you have any pre-flight packing rituals that you can share?

I always shower before a flight and pack my pyjamas first, because I forgot about them once, and will never do it again. 

Any other tips for packing like a pro?

I start to make a packing list 10 days before flying; and because I also have to pack for Rocco, I make a list for him too. When I was younger, I used the Pack This! notepad from [stationery shop] Knock Knock, but have now created my own list to fit my specific needs. 

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