HOW I PACK: TARA BENNETT OF PROVIDER STORE
Mastering the art of packing light with July
Tara Bennett Creative Director and Maker of Sydney home wares brand Provider Store, shows us how she packs for her buying trips.
If you’re sitting on your suitcase to try zip it up before you’ve even left, you’re doing it wrong. It’s basically a personal goal of mine to make sure my suitcase weighs in under 15kgs at departures. I am a big shopper - not just for Provider but for myself. If I am going on a buying trip to Japan or on a holiday to say, Paris, I know I am going to purchase things so I need as much baggage space as possible.
This particular trip I was packing for was my biggest buying adventure to date, as it’s the second Christmas that I have had a physical retail space and I also have more stockists in Australia and worldwide to buy for. I actually packed my July suitcase (which was the perfect size) inside another suitcase so I can separate them while over there. I also have a backpack, a big canvas tote and my Porter shoulder bag. When I am sourcing product, I need to be able to carry it so I usually roll up totes and things inside other bags for when I am on the go.
My July bag is also perfect for when I am carrying fragile items as it’s super hardy with an unbreakable shell and corner bumpers. It’s made for these trips!
My July Checked Bag in Navy - Cute!
A.P.C Bucket Hat and Porter Bag
Travel Routine
I start mentally packing a week before I go away and start physically packing a few days before I leave. I always write a list of the important things I need to remember (backup charger, laptop charger, business cards, hair straighter…). For a buying trip I have to send boxes from my hotels so I always ensure I have fragile tape and shipping label bags.
I always make sure I do my washing a few days before to ensure everything is clean and I have enough underwear to last me the entire trip.
I never arrive to the airport with makeup on if it’s an overnight flight. In my carry on I always have face toner moisturiser and a toothbrush.
In-Flight Entertainment
I am a sucker for watching trash movies on the air plane. While my partner Matt always has a million podcasts and shows ready to go, I get a thrill out of watching the worst movies on board (mainly because I fall asleep to them). My one routine is that I always take the latest Monocle magazine to read as it distracts me during take off and landing.
Packing Philosophy
Pack smarter. No one wants to look like a tourist when travelling, but I also can’t afford to give up good suitcase room for 8 over-the-top dresses that I never even wear in Sydney. I do however, want to feel like myself. Here is how I pack when I am travelling for 7-10 days:
Four Bottoms (one of these I wear on the plane).
Five or Six Tees
One Jacket (I also always pack a sweat for the plane/hotel).
One Dress or Jumpsuit that you can either dress up or down, or one that’s a multi-wear. ie. My Worktones Jumpsuit - It’s comfortable and it’s navy… No one is going to notice the ramen juice on it.
MAX two shoes…I know, I pack the same shoes in two colours… But I am here for trekking, not partying.
The trick is that each bottom (two pants, one pair of shorts and one skirt), actually matches all five tees and the denim jacket also goes with all outfits… All of a sudden, I have about 15 outfits.
I also reduce my toiletries down because packing everything would legit equal 5kgs of potential Japanese goodness. I have also learnt to let go of my hairdryer… every hotel and airbnb has one… it doesn’t matter how good your one is, once you adapt it with a converter, they suck. Use the hotels. I do however pack my hair straightener because that’s my version of a pair of fancy shoes.
Make sure you have clean socks and underwear though. Outfit repeating is fine but you need to feel clean underneath.
When you’re zipping up your suitcase and you have so much room left, you should have that moment of “shit, have I packed enough?!” - Yes you have, and even if you haven’t, it means you have an excuse to buy things while you’re travelling.
Next time you are in Sydney make sure you visit Tara and Pocari at Provider Store
Provider Store
381b Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
