Packing used to stress me out. Now I often travel carry-on only and always know what I’m wearing. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s years of research, trial and error. And I never gatekeep.
Hi, I’m Alison Gary, a midsize woman in midlife who loves clothes and loves travel and adventure. From weekend getaways to the ocean or a major city to cruises, summer road trips, and week-long trips across the globe, I share what I packed, what I wore, what worked, and what didn’t so we can learn together to be stylish and savvy travelers.
Travel style for women over 40 has its own specific challenges: finding pants that work on a plane and a dinner out, building a capsule that covers a week without looking like you’re wearing the same thing every day, figuring out what luggage is actually worth the investment. Add in the reality of midlife bodies (temperature fluctuations, comfort priorities, wanting to look like yourself and not a walking REI catalog), “just pack light” advice only gets you so far.
This is where I share what actually works and is worth your hard-earned money. You’ll find destination-specific packing guides, what-I-wore recaps from real trips, honest luggage and travel gear reviews, and the best travel pants, shoes, and bags for women in midlife, tested in real life.
Whether you’re packing for a long weekend or a two-week trip, you’ll leave here with a better list.
I own some, I have friends who own others, and the rest were recommendations fromm you and fellow women travelers. Some of the most stylish travel jackets in sizes XXS-3X with petite and tall options.
An honest Quince suitcase review featuring the Quince 20″ Expandable Carry-on Spinner suitcase and how this luggage held up after a year of use.
Completely updated for 2026, nine of the best travel pants for women offering misses, petite, tall, plus size, and budget options!
I just got back from a five-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, and Bimini, The Bahamas, AKA The Riviera Maya, with Virgin Voyages. It was a blast, and I felt I packed very well. I wanted to share what I wore on my Virgin Voyages cruise as an over-40, size 14/16 petite woman. Why I’m Sharing…
My sister and I have been going to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for at least one long weekend a summer for over two decades. At first, this annual Rehoboth Beach girls’ weekend getaway included our mom. When my daughter was born in 2009, she joined us. Our mom passed away just over a month after our…
Recapping a four-day trip I took to Williamsburg, Virginia and all I did (it wasn’t just Colonial history!)
In the Wardrobe Oxygen Community on Facebook, someone asked when I shared this fall getaway capsule wardrobe what was my favorite luggage. I have shared bits and bobs over the years but decided to make a post sharing my favorite luggage and travel accessories: My Favorite Luggage And When I Use It Best Laptop Bag,…
As a grown-ass woman, I was very focused on what I packed to wear for four days in Las Vegas in the winter. Winter in Las Vegas is 40-60 degrees and going for my 50th birthday, I wanted to be prepared, festive, but not corny or uncomfortable. I know I am not the only person…
Sharing what makes Seattle-based bag company TOM BIHN different and my favorite TOM BIHN bags including the TOM BIHN Aeronaut, Cafe Bag, and Cubelet.