How A Fashionista Like Simone Heng Packs

“When I was in my 20s, I used to take along absolutely everything and I looked like an ant with a giant bag,” quips the petite Australian-Chinese DJ, 32. “Now, I take just one hour to pack. I always travel with a big suitcase ’cos I’m a big gift-giver. I’ll bring gifts for my friends and family if I’m visiting them, and leave some space in my suitcase to pack more gifts for people back in Singapore.” And if you’re on a beach holiday where sand and water could damage your $5,000 designer bag, Simone says to pack a dust bag or cheap foldable ‘sacrificial’ cotton tote bag as a protective cover for your pricey Chanel. “I get them from Cotton On. You won’t feel the pinch if something happens to your tote bag. All my make-up pouches are free gifts with purchases. I’d have one pouch for accessories, one for makeup and save the largest pouch for skincare.”

“I always travel with two pairs of heels, one pair of nude flats and flip flops. I put them all in individual shoe bags. I’d pack by placing my undies at the bottom of the suitcase first – ‘cos nobody need to see my business – followed by clothes and then shoes on top. If I don’t have a lot of space left, I’d place each pair with the soles facing each other to save space. Sneakers take up the most room, but I travel in the sneakers so they never take up weight or room in the suitcase.”

“A jumpsuit is an outfit in itself. I know it sounds really boring, but it makes packing easier. (Laughs) Just dress it up with a hat, earrings and heels. I also pack clothes that are mostly black. You don’t have to iron it, but it makes you look neat and clean. I usually take clothes that I can just throw on without ironing, in case the hotel I’m staying at has no iron. It was 40°C when I went back to Perth recently, so I didn’t pack tightfitting tops that I can’t breathe in, or skinny jeans. Confirm die! But for cold weather, I always wear layers, and bring along a wool coat and a lined leather jacket with black and white scarves that are easy to match. Bomber jackets look better on me ‘cos of [my small frame]. Long coats are too overwhelming for me.”

They jazz up your look but take up almost no space in your luggage. Simone reckons “big gold earrings” are good for when you want to go glam (“I love these coin earrings I got from Lovisa.”) But it can also feel like you’re wearing heavy anchors on your earlobes in hot weather. Simone explains, “My recent trips have all been to warm countries like Dubai, the Philippines and Australia, and big earrings don’t do well in the heat.”

When you’re away from home without your arsenal of beauty tools, forget about attaining your perfect mane. Simone’s tip to hide your holiday hair woes: “I always wear a cap on the plane. I don’t like to style my pixie crop [for flights] ’cos my hair just feel so gross at the end of the flight with all the hair products on my scalp. Add some aviator sunglasses and you’d look like off-duty J Lo. (Laughs) Usually my OOTD would be like a straw hat worn with a caftan and bathing suit. When I pack my hat, I always stuff my underwear or a top inside so that it keeps its shape."

Get away with sloppy T-shirts and jeans… by wearing red lippie. “If you’re going to a really casual place, a plain white T-shirt, black pants, a hat and red lipstick look great together. I always have red lipstick and false eyelashes with me on a trip. They instantly make any outfit look more glamourous.” Oh, and make-up products that do double duty, like a bronzer and blush palette so you can save space. “I save the product samples that cosmetics companies give me so I can take them along on my trips, and an atomiser filled with water to mist and hydrate my face on the plane."