I have an aunt who is an accomplished world traveler, including stints with Habitat for Humanity and the Road Scholar program.

I asked her for packing advice, since she is such an expert. Knowing how to pack goes a long way when it comes to enjoying a trip. As she discussed her choices, she mentioned that outdoor types of clothing turn out to be an important category in world traveling. From versatile layers to being able to dry quickly, this kind of clothing is made for even more than enjoying the outdoors.

That's when I realized she had given me an excellent opportunity for a fun outing. We should go shopping at IBC, (aka International Border Company,) a wonderful place for outdoor clothing and outfitting. It turns out to be a great place to get other travel items you might not have thought of.

what to put stuff in

Oh, the days of yesteryear, when world travel meant you packed a steamer trunk. These giant pieces of luggage were named for the ocean-going. steam-powered, boats which were the only means of intercontinental travel. These trunks were almost the size of a closet, all by themselves.

Today, the approach is the complete opposite. Weight and numbers of luggage become an expensive factor now that we mainly travel by air. What you save in travel time is a reduction in what you can bring with you. Airline rules about luggage categories creates a need for items which are lightweight and versatile, like these tote bags.

For women, having a "purse" you can put your purse into leaves plenty of room for shopping, hats, sunglasses, and other items which need to be carried, or worn, as needs dictate. It helps to find one which has some internal structure, so there is less fumbling for what rolls around in the bottom, and more being able to go for the pocket which holds what you need.

The formula of one carry-on as luggage and one carry-on as a personal bag needs to be viewed as a way to carry everything you will need when you reach your destination. This is where your personal minimums will be carried, and what you can rely upon.

"Airlines lose luggage," my aunt said with a sigh. "The more you travel, the more you are going to have that happen, and it takes a while to straighten that out. By putting everything I need for at least a few days in my carry-ons, I won't be frantically running around a place I am not familiar with, trying to replace the things that are really important to enjoying the trip."

Even if you are traveling by car, it's appealing to be able to lug less stuff in and out of cars and lodging. Then there is less to keep track of. A good way to relax and enjoy the trip is to keep that kind of decision making to a minimum.

IBC has lots of choices, from luggage, to backpacks, to adorably tiny purses that fit into them, and are easy to carry essentials in.

what stuff to put on

"Oh, my!" My aunt was holding out an adorable hat. "They have Stormy Kromer!"

Hats are a big deal to world travelers. If a place is feeling too hot or too cold, a good hat can fix both issues. Versatility is what we want in all of our travel apparel.

Turns out, the Stormy Kromer cap is famous in many circles, and the idea dates back to 1903. George "Stormy" Kromer was a baseball player and railroad engineer who got tired of losing his hat in windy circumstances. He asked his wife to come up with a way to keep his hat on, and she added ear flaps to a basic baseball cap shape. This turned into a range of attractive hats and other travel-related goods, now called Stormy Kromer Mercantile.

A hat that is easy to pack, and with some means of fastening to make it difficult to lose, is tops on my list of packables. Staying put in the wind was what sparked the Stormy Kromer hat line. I find them more reliable than sunscreen, useful in any kind of weather, and a nice thing to put over my hair when it is not behaving at its best. I always drift towards the well-stocked IBC hat areas.

Note to self: check this rack the next time I come, because I have fallen in love with this Stormy Kromer hat. Only the fact that this style is not in my size holds me back today.

what stuff to put on under

Layering is about flexibility. Thanks to our modern advances in clothing, layering can be about staying warm, but also dry, and cool.

Another bonus is that many of these "smart clothing" choices are easy to wash in a little sink and hang up to dry overnight. "You can always find a sink," my aunt said. "But you can't always find a plug for the drain. I carry my own."

Thanks to her, I looked at a lot of the clothing on display with more informed angles. Activewear has a lot of uses. A sports bra can be a top, too. Leggings can be a layer to keep warm or a cool alternative to pants when paired with a big shirt.

"By wearing the same thing over and over, and being able to wash it yourself, your packing gets cut down to stuff that always looks good and will be comfortable," my aunt said, pointing out her favorites on the racks around us. "Halfway through a day of touring is no time to find out your clothes or shoes are rubbing in all the wrong places."

What I came away with from our fun shopping trip (aside from some on sale tops and a longing for a new hat) was how going for quality, not quantity, can reset your head. When it comes to packing your stuff for a trip, it's best to ask each item how it can work in many different circumstances, not just one.

She made me realize that the local IBC store can indeed be the center of your next trip; big or small.

You will need a great place to stay. And a good meal. And maybe... more shopping.