Power Packing: How to fit a week’s wardrobe into a carry-on

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With the announcement that American Airlines will charge domesticpassengers $15 to check their first bag and $25 for their second,winging it with just a carryon is more than a convenience,it’s a fiscal responsibility.
But is it even possible to stow a week’s worth of wardrobe ina space the size of a breadbox without looking as stale as day-oldbread?
We asked two of the fashion world’s most frequent fliers:Michael Macko, former vice president of men’s fashion at SaksFifth Avenue and new fashion director at Details magazine, and FernMallis, senior vice president of IMG Fashion, which organizesfashion weeks around the globe.
When it comes to carry-on bags, Macko swears by a custom-made L. L.Bean canvas boat and tote – size large.
“I get an outside pocket put on, which is the perfect sizefor a passport and boarding pass and luggage claim stubs –and a zippered top, so nothing falls out in the X-raymachine,” he said.
He leaves a black nylon Prada bathing suit in the bag at all times(“They double as workout shorts and fold up intonothing.”) and counts flip-flops and Woolite among hismust-haves.
Among the space-saving tricks he’s learned is getting dressshirts professionally laundered and folded before departure.
“Not only do they travel better, but I reuse the plasticsleeves later on in my travels — they’re good for wetbathing suits or flip-flops when you’re out at thepool,” he said.
Mallis, who calls her penchant for tote bags a sickness, often canbe found lugging one full of unread magazines through an airport inone hand, with a soft-sided leopard- print Dolce & Gabbana carry-onin the other.
“The straps are long enough to get on my shoulder,” shesaid of the latter. “I haven’t mastered the flightattendant’s wheelie bag yet, and it looks chic — atleast every few seasons when animal prints are in.”
Her travel essentials include black cashmere sweat pants to travelin and a sweater by Egg. (“It can serve as a blanket, a shawlor a wrap and get you through all kinds of weatherpatterns.”)
You both live in New York. If you had to fly to Los Angeles with just a carry-on, how long a trip could you take?
Michael Macko: Five days — no, I could probably go a week.
Fern Mallis: Two days, maybe three. How do you maximize style in minimal space?
MM: When I’m traveling, I always try to do a color story. Forexample: navy and gray or khaki and navy, so it all mixes andmatches and you don’t have to worry if shoes and jackets gotogether. If you just pack by outfit, you get in trouble.
On a summer trip I’ll bring a navy blazer, a khaki suit andsome Michael Bastian sport coats, and I’d probably wear anavy suit on the plane.
And I have a light gray Prince of Wales check suit, so that jacketwill also work with a pair of white jeans and my Dior Homme skinnykhakis.
I also always lay out things and make a mental note of my outfits.And I usually wear my heaviest pieces, which saves a lot of room inthe luggage.
FM: I try to stay in a black or neutral color story — but sometrips are more successful than others. I usually stack stuff up onmy bed, and then I’ll go back and take out all the brownpieces or gray pieces that are throwing my color story off. Thegoal is keeping it to black and white with some accent color piecesthrown in.
And I only bring the things I know I am going to wear.
When it comes to keeping your wardrobe wrinkle-free, do you have a secret weapon?
MM: I’m a firm believer in tissue paper. Turn a suit jacketinside out, fold it in half, put tissue between the halves, fold itin half again over a rectangle of tissue and lay it in thesuitcase. It acts as a kind of buffer.
FM: I’m a tissue-paper packer; I wrap my clothes just likethey’d wrap them at Saks, with several layers of tissue paperin between. Through the years I’ve almost never needed tohave anything pressed.
If you were limited to a single carryon bag, what would be in it?
MM: A Ralph Lauren Black Label navy blue blazer with silver buttons— it’s a nice slim cut — and a pair of dark,straight-leg Levi’s 511 jeans. With that I could go anywhere.
FM: One pair of slingbacks or dressy sandals that will go with almosteverything — usually a Manolo Blahnik. And Piazza Sempionemakes these capri-length pants — the ‘Audreypant’ — I bring those in black, khaki and white andintermix them with a variety of long tops and tunic tops byEskandar and Sabyasachi, an Indian designer I really like.
They are comfortable and can be dressed up really easily with along scarf or jewelry. Sometimes I’ll wear a leggingunderneath that’s just a little narrower and a little bitmore dressed up than the pant.
What about accessories?
MM: The best way to get a lot of mileage out of your wardrobe is tobring ties and a lot of pocket squares. I just got a bunch ofreally great Brooks Brothers Black Fleece ties. Thom (Browne) didthese great madras shirts with matching ties, two bow ties and aclassic skinny tie. I’m bringing them all. It’s likethey’re the new twin set.
FM: I bring the bangle bracelets that I bought in India because theygo with anything, and I always travel with a couple pair of danglyJudith Ripka earrings that dress up everything.