Time-Saving Packing Lessons From the Flu
I do not recommend having the flu just before a trip, though I did learn some things from that experience.
I learned that I could put off a shampoo and haircut until I arrived at my destination, which was Washington. I learned that I could travel even lighter than usual because I did not have the strength to pull many garments from the closet.
I learned that I could pack slowly and in broad daylight, instead of the late night or predawn rush hours of many getaways. I learned that the lists, which I always make in order to cover wardrobe needs, could be even shorter.
I learned to spread out my clothes on the still-rumpled bed and choose some of those items to wear on the plane.
For a week in the capital, a week of meetings, touring and banquets, I packed the following:
A navy blue wool skirt, matching V-neck pullover, and striped blouse of navy, ivory and camel. An ivory wool skirt, matching V-neck sweater and silk shirt.
A camel, gray and white plaid dress of lightweight wool. A three-piece black knit suit that has a long jacket spangled with paillettes. A long-sleeved, crinkled silk dress of stormy-day blue. (Long sleeves are great in air-conditioned halls.)
Two belts (taupe and black); a long flannel robe; a black evening purse, and other odd essentials.
Shoulder Bag and Low Heels
I traveled in black wool pants, a black cowl-neck sweater and a boxy camel jacket brightened by a gold pin in the lapel. I wore low-heeled taupe slings (my only daytime shoes), and carried a leather shoulder bag and a lightweight black raincoat.
The first night I was too tired to change for dinner, so I merely switched from the black pants to the skirt of my black knit suit and added a belt. I wore black silk shoes (my only evening shoes).
The next morning it was spring in Washington. I wore the navy skirt, striped shirt and taupe belt. That evening I did not feel like changing for a reception at the National Press Club, so I stayed with the navy skirt and switched from the striped shirt to my V-necked navy sweater.
I added pearls and a gold chain, then tossed the camel jacket over my shoulders. I noticed that lots of men turned up in the same suits they had worn in the afternoon.
The next morning it was summer in Washington. I wore the plaid dress of lightweight wool to hear speeches by Dr. Ruth Westheimer and, later, President Reagan. Both drew full houses at this convention of newspaper editors, but the questions to Dr. Ruth were spicier.
That evening I put on my black suit to go to the National Gallery of Art for a viewing of the “Treasure Houses of Britain” exhibition. Then I headed back to my flannel robe for room service and the final innings of a wild Mets-Philadelphia baseball game on TV.
Autumn--Time for a Nap
The next day was autumn in Washington. I wore the ivory skirt, blouse and sweater, and took two Tylenol. I warmed up to the remarks of Sen. Robert Dole and Lee Iacocca. The afternoon was free. I took a nap.
The alarm clock rattled at 6 p.m. A reception at the Cosmos Club lay ahead. I wore the same-day ivory blouse and sweater with the skirt of my black knit suit. While getting out of the taxi at the club, I tore my black stockings. I assumed a cover-up stance for the rest of the evening.
The next morning there were showers in Washington, but I did not leave the hotel. I wore my ivory skirt and navy sweater to meetings. That night I wore the silk banquet dress, from which napkins tend to slip. By then I did not care.
The next morning it was spring again. The breezes that had carried off the cherry blossoms the day before I arrived were back in force. I added the camel jacket to my navy group and met friends for lunch at the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House.
The next morning I pulled on black wool pants, ivory sweater and camel jacket. I packed in 10 minutes and slept on the flight home.
I never wore my raincoat. I shall not complain. The flu has flown.
