New Items Give a Break to Women on the Go
When a woman’s place is on the road, these new products ease the going. Many may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping.
Vested interest: Mountain Hardware makes classy, well-tailored outdoor wear. Polartec makes lightweight, wind-resistant fleece fabric. Pair the two and you get stylish garments that keep you warm without weighing you down. One of the most attractive new collaborations is the women’s Ozone Vest. The zippered sleeveless jacket has a contoured fit, a high collar, two zippered pockets and a draw cord at the hem and back collar for extra insulation. Makes a nice layer under ski jackets, or wear it over a T-shirt for nippy nights in warmer climes.
Mountain Hardware Women’s Ozone Vest in black, periwinkle or slate is $95. Information: (800) 953-8375, www.mountainhardware.com.
Image maker: Wouldn’t it be nice to travel with makeup and jewelry in one easily accessible place, with a mirror handy for putting it on wherever you happen to be? That’s the idea behind Travelon’s Portable Mirrored Vanity. Unfold the 11- by 9- by 3-inch-thick nylon case, and you’ll find a flip-up 6-inch-square unbreakable mirror, elasticized loops to hold lipsticks, makeup pencils and brushes and, on each side, spacious zippered compartments for perfume, jewelry or even a small paperback book.
Each side compartment has plastic-lined zippered pockets to keep things organized. When closed, the case is secured with Velcro strips. It has an outside zippered pocket and sewn-in carry handle.
Travelon’s Portable Mirrored Vanity in red or black is $34.95 at luggage stores. Information: (800) 537-5544, www.travelonbags.com.
A shoe-in: Tumi’s travel bags show an attention to detail more commonly found in designer clothes. With their trademark leather trim, black-striped linings and plethora of pockets, these bags aren’t cheap, but they are as useful as they are attractive. This season the manufacturer has gotten playful with its line of women’s bags, making many of them in wild-cherry hues. A particular winner is a small duffel with a separate zippered shoe compartment at the bottom.
The main section, made of rugged ballistic nylon, has four interior pockets. The rigid-frame leather shoe compartment has one interior pocket. Both compartments have double zippers that can be locked. (Two small combination locks are included with the bag.) The 17-by-141/2-by-91/2-inch bag has a zippered exterior pocket, leather handles and a detachable shoulder strap.
Tumi Small Duffel with Shoe Compartment (Style 43066) is $450. Information: (800) 322-8864, www.tumi.com.
Bitty slicker: No need to debate whether to use precious luggage space for a bulky (but possibly necessary) raincoat. This waterproof microfiber coat provides plenty of protection but packs into its own 11-inch-square pouch. The buttoned coat has a hood zippered into the back collar and a draw cord at the waist for a more tapered look. The pouch has its own zippered pocket and a sewn-in shoulder strap, making it a useful little tote on its own. A lightweight zip-on nylon/polyester liner (sold separately) adds extra warmth.
Packable Microfiber Classic Raincoat in olive, black, red or sand (Item 5744) is $189; liner (5268) is $59.50, from TravelSmith; (800) 950-1600, www.travelsmith.com.
Fragrant dreams: Aromatherapy may not heal what ails you, but the botanical blends used in the body treatments certainly can be pleasant to the senses. Essence of Vali, a manufacturer of herbal massage and bath oils, has introduced a nighttime potion called Sleep, meant to reduce stress and calm the user into peaceful slumber.
Just sprinkle the oil-based mix of lavender, cedar, marjoram and ylang-ylang onto the pillowcase and think tranquil thoughts. Sleep comes in a tiny cobalt blue bottle with a velveteen pouch. Unless you’re allergic to the ingredients, consider the pleasant-smelling balm like chicken soup--it couldn’t hurt.
Essence of Vali Sleep Botanical Blend is $18 for a 5-ml. bottle. Information: (212) 242-0576, www.essenceofvali.com.
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