Shayna Marchese
By Kara Murphy
Whether you're off to New York City, London, or Rome, traveling to any major metropolitan city around the world presents similar packing challenges. How do you stay comfortable but look stylish? How can you protect your valuables from pickpockets?
Supplement your packing list with these easy solutions for your packing dilemmas. Have you developed a perfect packing tip for weekend getaways and urban adventures? Share your best packing tips on the Frommers.com Packing Forum.
Photo Caption: Navigating Grand Central Terminal in New York City
"Definitely bring a wheelie bag," says Melanie Fascitelli, founder of Clos-ette & Clos-ette Too (https://clos-ette.com). "You don't want to have to lug a duffel doing things like getting in and out of taxis." Spinners -- suitcases with four wheels instead of two -- are great for navigating crowded streets, and they're super-easy to maneuver on escalators. Most luggage companies make them, including Samsonite (www.samsonite.com), Tumi (www.tumi.com), and Bric's (www.brics.it). Always go for a bag that's expandable. An inch or two of extra room may prove to be a lifesaver, but make sure that you don't exceed your airline's weight restrictions for luggage.
If you're checking luggage, pack enough clothing in your carry-on in case your bags are lost or delayed. Also bring a day bag, such as a cross-body or messenger bag, to carry with you while you're out exploring. If it's not big enough to hold everything you want to have with you on the plane, carry it inside of a larger tote and take it out once you've reached your destination.
Photo Caption: Samsonite's Lift 21-inch spinner luggage, $300, www.samsonite.com
If the bag is light enough to carry, consider a weekender bag that can hold what you need for two or three days of travel. Go for one with sturdy arm and shoulder straps (short tote handles and a long, adjustable strap), so that you'll have the option to shift the weight or free up a hand or shoulder when needed. Look for durable nylon, leather, or canvas bags with several inside pockets to keep your items organized. Fossil (www.fossil.com) has great canvas options with handy pockets). LeSportsac (www.lesportsac.com) and Kipling (www.kipling-usa.com) make colorful options in heavy-duty nylon; Kipling also makes rolling duffels.
For your personal bag, opt for a purse, small messenger bag, or a backpack that can double as your day bag. For such a short trip you should definitely limit yourself to no more than two bags. If you need to bring your laptop, stow it in a sleeve instead of a separate computer bag. That way you can slip it into either your larger bag or your personal bag.
Photo Caption: Pottery Barn's Tomlin canvas and leather weekender bag, $67, www.potterybarn.com
Bring travel-friendly sizes of as many items as possible. This includes electric shavers, toothbrushes, and toiletries. Even if you're traveling by car, stick to 3.4-ounce travel sizes. You can buy them either with product already inside, or you can fill your own. GoToob (https://humangear.com) makes squishy silicone bottles with wide mouths for easy refilling.
No need to bring along a fancy toiletry bag -- all of your toiletries should fit inside the TSA-allowed quart-size plastic bag. Flight001 (www.flight001.com) makes sets of empty bottles,too.
Consolidate any medications you need to take. Instead of bringing several separate bottles, take out only the pills you will need for the weekend and stash them in a pill case.
In case you end up going out to a nice dinner or a show, you should always bring a dressy ensemble with you. It can be as simple as bringing along dressy accessories like jewelry, a bag, or a scarf -- hints of sparkle are an easy way to kick an outfit up a notch.
Men can take a collared shirt and a pair of slacks and amp them up "with a vest or jacket, a tie, and nice shoes like dress shoes or loafers," says Kirshan Murphy, style advisor .
In general, build outfits around a neutral color like black, navy, or khaki so that you can mix-and-match pieces. Choose space-saving fabrics like cotton, cotton blends, rayon, cashmere, and wool blends. Fine-gauge knit sweaters are not bulky and travel well.
"If you go away for three days you only need one pair of jeans, not three!" says Ari Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of StyleCaster (www.stylecaster.com).
Photo Caption: A pashmina or scarf can dress up a casual outfit.
In case you end up going out to a nice dinner or a show, you should always bring a dressy ensemble with you. It can be as simple as bringing along dressy accessories like jewelry, a bag, or a scarf -- hints of sparkle are an easy way to kick an outfit up a notch.
Men can take a collared shirt and a pair of slacks and amp them up "with a vest or jacket, a tie, and nice shoes like dress shoes or loafers," says Kirshan Murphy, style advisor .
In general, build outfits around a neutral color like black, navy, or khaki so that you can mix-and-match pieces. Choose space-saving fabrics like cotton, cotton blends, rayon, cashmere, and wool blends. Fine-gauge knit sweaters are not bulky and travel well.
"If you go away for three days you only need one pair of jeans, not three!" says Ari Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of StyleCaster (www.stylecaster.com).
Photo Caption: A pashmina or scarf can dress up a casual outfit.
Definitely wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane, and pack pairs that can be flattened in cloth shoe bags or plastic bags. Women, if you can go without heels, absolutely leave them at home. There are so many stylish flats and sandals that go with everything, even dressy outfits. If you can get away with only bringing one pair of shoes, kudos!
Pick a muted, simple pair that can be worn with all of the clothes you pack. Converse sneakers, boat shoes like Sperry Top-Siders, TOMS, and boots are all great unisex options. For women, a pair of ballet flats always works, and for men, driving shoes from a brand like Tod's are comfy yet stylish. Other brands to consider are Clarks, Ecco, Born, and Josef Seibel.
Make sure you break them in a bit and test them out before you leave. Uncomfortable shoes can easily derail your trip.
Photo Caption: Ash canvas Original Classics by TOMS, $44, www.toms.com
Equip your smartphone or tablet with city-specific maps, apps, and guides. A quick search in the iTunes store or Android market will yield tons of options. Remember to download them ahead of time. If you prefer to carry a city guide in hard copy, consider bringing only the pages that you plan to refer to that day; leave the rest of the book in the hotel room. You may find it helpful to flag points of interest.
For international destinations, remember that roaming charges are expensive, so look into apps that work offline.
Photo Caption: The Apple iPad 2, from $499, www.apple.com
On city trips, you'll be walking a lot, so plan accordingly. If the forecast calls for a lot of rain, you might want to bring a pair of rain boots or another type of waterproof footwear. But typically, you can get by with a pair of shoes that will hold up in the rain and keep your feet dry.
If you're expecting to encounter a few downpours, stash an umbrella in your bag and if it's cold, bring a rain coat. Otherwise, you can always buy a cheap umbrella once you've reached your destination. In warmer months, a lightweight windbreaker will do. Always bring a lightweight sweater or cardigan -- fine-gauge knits like cashmere and wool blends are great choices.
Photo Caption: Flat Pack umbrella by Samsonite, $16.95, www.samsonite.com
Whether you're off to New York City, London, or Rome, traveling to any major metropolitan city around the world presents similar packing challenges. How do you stay comfortable but look stylish? How can you protect your valuables from pickpockets?
Supplement your packing list with these easy solutions for your packing dilemmas. Have you developed a perfect packing tip for weekend getaways and urban adventures? Share your best packing tips on the Frommers.com Packing Forum.
Photo Caption: Navigating Grand Central Terminal in New York City
If you're checking luggage, pack enough clothing in your carry-on in case your bags are lost or delayed. Also bring a day bag, such as a cross-body or messenger bag, to carry with you while you're out exploring. If it's not big enough to hold everything you want to have with you on the plane, carry it inside of a larger tote and take it out once you've reached your destination.
Photo Caption: Samsonite's Lift 21-inch spinner luggage, $300, www.samsonite.com
For your personal bag, opt for a purse, small messenger bag, or a backpack that can double as your day bag. For such a short trip you should definitely limit yourself to no more than two bags. If you need to bring your laptop, stow it in a sleeve instead of a separate computer bag. That way you can slip it into either your larger bag or your personal bag.
Photo Caption: Pottery Barn's Tomlin canvas and leather weekender bag, $67, www.potterybarn.com
No need to bring along a fancy toiletry bag -- all of your toiletries should fit inside the TSA-allowed quart-size plastic bag. Flight001 (www.flight001.com) makes sets of empty bottles,too.
Consolidate any medications you need to take. Instead of bringing several separate bottles, take out only the pills you will need for the weekend and stash them in a pill case.
Men can take a collared shirt and a pair of slacks and amp them up "with a vest or jacket, a tie, and nice shoes like dress shoes or loafers," says Kirshan Murphy, style advisor .
In general, build outfits around a neutral color like black, navy, or khaki so that you can mix-and-match pieces. Choose space-saving fabrics like cotton, cotton blends, rayon, cashmere, and wool blends. Fine-gauge knit sweaters are not bulky and travel well.
"If you go away for three days you only need one pair of jeans, not three!" says Ari Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of StyleCaster (www.stylecaster.com).
Photo Caption: A pashmina or scarf can dress up a casual outfit.
Men can take a collared shirt and a pair of slacks and amp them up "with a vest or jacket, a tie, and nice shoes like dress shoes or loafers," says Kirshan Murphy, style advisor .
In general, build outfits around a neutral color like black, navy, or khaki so that you can mix-and-match pieces. Choose space-saving fabrics like cotton, cotton blends, rayon, cashmere, and wool blends. Fine-gauge knit sweaters are not bulky and travel well.
"If you go away for three days you only need one pair of jeans, not three!" says Ari Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of StyleCaster (www.stylecaster.com).
Photo Caption: A pashmina or scarf can dress up a casual outfit.
Pick a muted, simple pair that can be worn with all of the clothes you pack. Converse sneakers, boat shoes like Sperry Top-Siders, TOMS, and boots are all great unisex options. For women, a pair of ballet flats always works, and for men, driving shoes from a brand like Tod's are comfy yet stylish. Other brands to consider are Clarks, Ecco, Born, and Josef Seibel.
Make sure you break them in a bit and test them out before you leave. Uncomfortable shoes can easily derail your trip.
Photo Caption: Ash canvas Original Classics by TOMS, $44, www.toms.com
For international destinations, remember that roaming charges are expensive, so look into apps that work offline.
Photo Caption: The Apple iPad 2, from $499, www.apple.com
If you're expecting to encounter a few downpours, stash an umbrella in your bag and if it's cold, bring a rain coat. Otherwise, you can always buy a cheap umbrella once you've reached your destination. In warmer months, a lightweight windbreaker will do. Always bring a lightweight sweater or cardigan -- fine-gauge knits like cashmere and wool blends are great choices.
Photo Caption: Flat Pack umbrella by Samsonite, $16.95, www.samsonite.com