Jay Hunt, 39, is a television presenter, writer and stylist best known as the on-screen stylist for BBC2’s Would Like to Meet.
“Matt and Harriet missed a big trick here: the smart way to travel light is by exploiting the lack of restrictions on how much you can wear on the plane. Air con prevents baking, so you can almost double your allowance if you dress clever.
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Try — for her — white cotton dress over jeans, big leather belt, poncho and jacket, jewellery agogo and sunglasses on head, and — for him — summer trousers, fine knit sweater on top of T-shirt and under lightweight suit jacket, with another sweater or a long-sleeved cotton top round the shoulders.
“Hotels provide toiletries and towels, so just decant any must-have creams into tiny Muji or Body Shop containers that fit into bigger male pockets for travel.
Buy sunscreen and toothpaste there (it’s cheaper), use and chuck. Cull your make-up to two-in-one compacts only.
“Comfort and versatility are the keywords — there’s no leeway to have a fat day or change your mind, so take clothes that have been tried and tested at home. And for designer purchases, buy a Jiffy bag and mail them home.”
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THE TRAVEL EXPERT
Paul Goodyer is the MD of Nomad Travel Stores (020 8889 7014, www.nomadtravel.co.uk), travel kit and health specialists who have supplied travellers and expeditions for more than 15 years.
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“First, that wheelie was a 2.5kg luxury. Ryanair’s 50cm height restriction is 5cm less than most other airlines, so your choice of bags is limited, but the tough 40l Lowe Alpine Transit measures 50cm x 35cm x 23cm, has hide-away backpack straps and weighs a more reasonable 1.8kg. Matt could then upgrade his underwear and pack the swimmers.
“Second, the whole day sack/pocket fight: easily avoided with a bum bag that converts into a day sack. The Tatonka Superlight (190g) would have done the job for Matt, leaving Harriet to handle the passports and lippy — in a hide-away pouch. Go’s Body Pocket is probably the sexiest option.
“Third, shoes: on a short break, you can manage with just one pair each. Go for a modern travel shoe — the Columbia Holbrook, Irvington or Dunthorpe, for example: comfy on cobbles, smart enough (just) for dinner.
“Last, the book: it might sound a bit Fahrenheit 451, but rip out the pages as you go. And, if you were on an expedition, which this trip sounded like it became, you really should have sawn your toothbrushes in half. And gone commando.”