Packing with Lauren Ho

It seems like Lauren Ho, the travel director of Wallpaper*, practically lives on the road, bouncing from one far-flung corner of the globe to another. But she does, in fact, have an address in London, where she spends just enough time to swap out the contents of her suitcase between trips to Greenland or Uzbekistan. She shared her packing approach that’s equally glamorous and practical and some favorite pieces that pack flat, dress up or down, and never wrinkle.

Although I am technically based in London, I live most of the year bouncing around the world out of one suitcase. I try to plan ahead so that when I’m briefly home, I can pick up what I’ll need for my next trip, such as my winter wardrobe for a cold‑weather assignment or hiking gear for an outdoor trip. That said, I tend to chase summer, as warm destinations are easier to pack for and, if I’m honest, I dislike the cold. This year alone I’ve been in Australia, Fiji, Beijing, Bangkok, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Uzbekistan and New Zealand. My style is minimal and considered, built around a handful of reliable pieces that work together in different ways. 

What’s your go‑to luggage and why?

One of my pet hates is clamshell suitcases, as having to flip open a heavy side in a tight space –  especially at airport security or on a plane, is impractical. For this reason, my go-to is the Globe‑Trotter Safari Carry‑On, which has one deep compartment and a shallow lid that makes it easy to pack, quick to open, and doesn’t take over the whole bench or floor. I am also a fan of the brand’s timeless design that can fit in anywhere, whether it’s the Rosewood Hong Kong, Aman Tokyo or The Peninsula in Paris. 

For trips under ten days, I only travel with hand luggage as patience is not a strong point of mine, and I don’t like waiting at airport baggage belts. I’ve also had enough bags go missing over the years to know it’s not worth the risk for a short trip.

How do you approach the basics?

I choose fabrics that don’t crease and pack down to almost nothing. Pleats are a favourite as  they lie flat, spring back into shape, and work in almost any climate. They are also great for evening formalwear, as I often get invited to red carpet events. My Issey Miyake pieces travel everywhere with me, and the pleated L’IDÉE WOMAN dress I wore for the last 50 Best Hotels awards ceremony takes up less room than a T‑shirt. I also keep a rotation of linen blends that soften rather than wrinkle, and technical fabrics that look like natural fibres. Everything can be dressed up or down and most importantly don’t need to be ironed, because unfortunately this is a skill I also do not have the patience for. 

Are you a roller or a folder?

Both, depending on my mood. Everything goes into packing cubes, which I swear by. I rarely unpack as most of my trips involve moving every couple of nights, so cubes make it easy to keep things in order and get dressed without dismantling my suitcase.

What’s your shoe strategy?

One pair for each situation: gym trainers, evening flats or heels, and a daytime pair. In summer it’s my beloved Amanu Studio sandals, handcrafted by artisans in Kenya with a 14k gold‑plated toe loop; in winter, it’s my worn Blundstones that I have had for many years. I also try to wear the heaviest shoes I have on the plane.

How do you think about accessories?‘

I like to keep it simple and also have one for each situation: for my carry on, I have a battered safari tote that has seen better days (but has a lot of stories to tell), during the day I use an old COS cross body bag that’s convenient for keeping my phone at hand, and in the evening I have a Bottega clutch that was gifted to me by the Fashion Director at Wallpaper* during my early days when I worked on the fashion team.

Jewellery is the exception—I travel with all my diamonds and antique pieces from my grandmother, which is probably not the most practical decision, but they make me happy and it’s the one thing I never edit down. Now that this is out in the open, I will not be posting my room number on Instagram in real time!

Do you have a great travel hat?

My go‑to is a custom piece by BxmBxm (pronounced BamBam), made by my friend Dave Robledo in Sydney. Dave taught himself hat‑making by reworking a plain cowboy hat—burning it, distorting it, and then re‑stitching it—and turning it into something entirely new. Each one is crafted from rabbit‑fur felt and recycled materials, dyed, distressed and hand‑stitched in his Bondi studio, finished with his stitched “X” mark.

They’re wide‑brimmed and structured, so certainly not foldable or easy to travel with, but I love it and it’s worth the effort. Mine has been with me from the beaches of Fiji to the deserts of Saudi Arabia—it has a presence, and it always feels like part of the journey.

What’s always in your toiletry bag?

I’m actually not precious about skincare and unashamedly will slap anything on my face that works. The only musts are my own shampoo and conditioner—hotel bottles ruin my hair—factor 50 sunscreen and Lucas’ Papaw Ointment, which I use as eye cream! 

On a plane, what’s in your carry‑on?

Silicone earplugs, my Slip silk eye mask, eye drops, HydraLyte sachets, hand cream, my Kindle, laptop, AirPods, spectacles, sunglasses and passport (obviously). Everything has its own place, so I can reach it without digging.

Any wisdom on travelling with electronics?

One universal adaptor, one foldable travel wireless charger for my phone, watch and AirPods. In other words, as few cables as possible as the tangles stress me out. 

Do you have a travel uniform?

I don’t know if this is a good or a bad thing, as I have secret ambitions to one day be as flamboyant and stylish as Iris Apfel was, but I tend to wear athleisure. Leggings, a soft tank, a cashmere hoodie, trainers and a cap. It’s comfortable, it layers well, and I can go straight from the plane to a meeting without changing. As a side note, I interviewed Iris many years ago and she intimidated the sh*t out of me.