Deconstructing the Suitcase

Packing a suitcase (or a duffel bag) is an idiosyncratic art. We caught up with seasoned traveler John Martens, vice president and general manager of Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, as he headed to the south of France. He flies about 45,000 miles a year, and here are some of the travel tips he’s developed along the way.

In the bag: If this were a business trip, Martens would bring a garment bag for suits. But it’s a pleasure jaunt, so he’s using a black Prada duffel (distinguished by a forest green ribbon so that it can be identified on the luggage carousel) and a colorful blanket bag by W & H Gidden, a British saddle-maker.

Case load: A black leather satchel by Dunhill, worn around his wrist, contains passport, airline tickets, cuff links, etc.

Layered look: He advises packing a suitcase wall-to-wall so that nothing moves. Trousers should be put at the bottom so that they don’t buckle. Place tissue paper between layers of clothing. Items that have been recently dry-cleaned can be left in the plastic bags.

Time flies: He recommends bringing your own alarm clock. You’re used to it. And many European hotel rooms don’t have one.

In brief: Martens always packs new underwear for traveling. Calvin Klein is his brand of choice.

Carried away: In case his luggage gets lost, Martens’ carry-on bag always includes extra shoes and underwear, four hankies (especially good when allergies are acting up) and toiletries, including Kiehl’s Close Shaver Squadron, Blue Astringent, Ultra Facial Moisturizer and Lip Balm #1.

it’s a wrap: When traveling to big cities, Martens doesn’t pack a bathrobe. But he can’t count on the country hotels in France to provide one, so he’s bringing a silk, polka-dotted Hanro robe.

Critical list: Martens doesn’t leave home without his old Bottega Veneta leather bedroom slippers, a clothes brush for freshening suits and Hermesetas, a Swiss sweetener that’s great for coffee and tea. “It doesn’t leave a taste in your mouth,” he says. “The only place I know that sells it in Los Angeles is Mickey Fine Pharmacy in Beverly Hills.”