This is my Lost Luggage Survival Guide. It is a plan of action for people who like to be happy and don’t want to stress out when God laughs at your plans.

I have traveled the world on many standards from luxury to backpacker.  I am asked about my strategy for traveling. There are many ways to look at it. I intend to write a series of travel tips approaching different scenarios. This particular post is about what to wear for a flight, surviving airport security and insulating yourself if your bags don’t arrive, or you get stuck in a foreign airport. If you are not fond of reading, please skip to the video below the words that precede it.

I’ve had two such situations.

1. I got stuck in Texas when my flight from Colorado didn’t leave at its scheduled time and I missed my connection. Continental Airlines withheld my bag overnight and I had to find accomidation for 7 hours before I could return the next morning for my flight to New York.

2. On Day ONE of the Manchester trip, I arrived safely but my bag did not. KLM/ Delta did not place my bag on the plane. It stayed in NY then traveled on to Germany. Yes, it went to Munich on a private tour.

These rules I am sharing have saved my ass, particularly as my bag, which was promised to me by the next morning, didn’t arrive for three days.

Here are my key points.

I. Dress Business casual

I am not talking about a blazer and dress shoes. Think dress down Friday. Think polo shirts and loafers.

A. Wear elasticated, or drawstring pants, made of a polyester blended “drifit” or wicking fabric. Make sure they have pockets.

For example: I wear yoga pants by Lululemon. They are comfortable, wrinkle resistant, have deep pockets and bridge the gap between casual and slacks. You pair them with a blazer and you are good to go. You want to wear them to the gym and lift weights, you are golden.

Here’s why:
1. No belt required. Having a belt will slow you down because you need to take it off to get through security. If you really need your belt, then you will be going through the line holding up your pants.
2. Comfort. You may love your jeans but they are not comfortable for a long haul. Synthetic fabrics son’t trap moisture, and will leave you exiting the flight feeling fresh.
3. If your luggage is lost, these fabrics wash and dry very easily and quickly. I’ve been in Cambodia, having to wear my clothes into the shower, washing them with soap and shampoo, wringing them out and hanging them to dry for the next day. It worked like a charm. Soap is soap. All you need i s hot water. Jeans won’t cut it. I prefer to rent serviced apartments when I am out of town for a bit. They have washing machines.

B. Wear a slip-on shoe with a sock. No buckles or metal.
For example: I wear a years old black Prada loafer with an short cut ankle sock.

1. Comfort! Ladies if you want to wear heels carry them in your carry on.
2. Easy to slip off for security
3. Easy to slip off on the flight.
4. You will appear better dressed than a sneaker.
5. If your bag doesn’t arrive you have a shoe that can take you day into evening.

B. Appearances matter. I witness silly travelers dressed inappropriately all the time. Some are wearing pajamas, shorts, and just a plain mess.
a. You wear shorts, you will be cold. Most airlines don’t carry blankets anymore.
b. You look a mess, you will be treated like one.
- An airline will take your appearance into account as to whether or not you warrant an upgrade in the event of a seating conflict. I have been moved to business class a number of times when the flight was oversold.
c. Well dressed people generally don’t get harassed in customs. You will be in and out fast. I’ve only been stopped once and that was when I didn’t follow my rules.

2. Pack a Carry On
You can bring one carry on and one personal item on any airline. You want to pack any item you are certain you will need for your trip with you. DO NOT put these items in your suitcase.

Carry on contents
- Small toiletry kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, moisturizer, deodorant, medication, etc.) You may want this for your flight and you will definitely need it if your bag is lost, or your flight is canceled, and you are forced to stay overnight in a foreign city without your belongings. Don’t be a victim.
- If you need a suit, a dress, any items for an event you are attending, carry it. Again, flight delay, cancellation, if you have your clothes with you, you can go right to work from the airport, or to your event.
- All important documents should be with you (passport, money, etc.).
- Try to get rid of paper (electronic tickets and download all maps and documents to your smartphone, laptop or IPad). It will make you lose things if you can’t find your important documents within 5 seconds. You don’t want to go on a scavenger hunt, unpack a bag in a public area and try to re-pack it in a hurry.
- Some airlines will allow you to print your boarding pass to your phone and check-in via your phone. Do it.

3. Keep all your valuables in one place
Get a zip pouch. I use the Eagle Creek Pack-It system. Put important valuables in one small case so it stays together and you don’t have to search for it.

1. Do not pack your jewelry, expensive accessories or electronic adapters in your luggage. Take it with you.
2. If you have an expensive watch, DO NOT WEAR IT. Unless it is a sports watch, or has a leather band, you are often asked to remove your watch at security. That will keep your favorite time piece out of your sight for up to 5 minutes depending on the airport. Imagine laying $5K on a conveyer belt and walking away from it hoping you will get it back. There is a lot of distraction and you may never see your watch again. Put it away in your valuable case, in your bag, and put it on AFTER you have gone through security. The same applies for jewelry.

In closing, I had no expectation of being caught in Manchester, UK for three days without my suitcase. Every day I had to wash my clothes and I can’t stress enough how these rules saved me. I had comfortable clothes to get through the day and night. There was little I couldn’t do except for go running. I could wear this outfit to a museum, a restaurant or a movie. It pays if you plan ahead.

Life happens. You can’t get pissed off about it. Strategize.