Samsonite Black Label and Alexander McQueen joined forces a while back to create a limited-edition collection of luggage.  The pieces were incredible and featured black and white suitcases with either an enlarged croc-like pattern embossed on the leather or a faux-spinal column protruding from the front - very avant garde (or scary)!  The collaboration was such a success that the pair are releasing a silver luggage collection for Fall.  ”Created with Bayer, one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and high-performance plastics, the bags’ shiny silver coating feature a special UV resistant mirror paint that won’t crack or scratch. ”  The luggage will be available for sale beginning in September and retails from $800 to $2500.  With that price tag, it’s truly for the “jet set.”
 

Image & Info:  WWD

So you just got the cutest new belly ring. Or maybe you’ve had other more private areas pierced. Whether you just had your piercing done or have had it for years, the metal jewelry you take for granted in your day to day comings and goings could be a security hassle at the airport.

Up until now, proper TSA procedure would require that you remove any jewelry that sets off the metal detectors, probably resulting in you having to get back in line and go through security again. This can be a real bugger if your body jewelry is not meant to come out easily; you could risk damaging yourself or your expensive body jewelry if you’re in a rush to get back through the security lines and off to your flight.

Very recently, TSA has changed its procedure to allow passengers to request a visual inspection instead of removing the jewelry, but hey! Who wants some security agent poking and prodding your piercings, right? Here are a few ideas to help you avoid this embarrassing scene at the airport:

1.  Take your jewelry out before you get to security. Unless the piercing is brand new, it should be fine for most piercings to take out the jewelry for an hour or so while you check in and get through security. Place it in a clean contact lens case, cover with sterile saline, and pack it in your quart-sized liquids bag to present to security. When you’re through security, find a bathroom and replace the jewelry. No harm, no foul.

2.  Make sure you wear body jewelry that is easy to get on and off. If you fly a lot, you definitely need to make sure that you can remove your body jewelry yourself. If you need to have a piercer remove it, you probably shouldn’t wear it while flying.

3.  Carry extra components. If you wear rings with capture beads or removable segments, have an extra bead or segment or two in your bag in case one does a runner while you’re taking off or putting in your jewelry. If you wear jewelry with external thread closures, or with internal thread closures…well, same thing. Have an extra closure or two available in case you lose one.

4.  Try wearing jewelry with plastic or acrylic posts. There are tons of bars and rings available now in plastic and acrylic, materials which won’t set off the security devices at the airport. Consider investing in a few pieces for travel. Just make sure you don’t have allergies to the plastic or acrylic. Some jewelry styles even come in wood or other organic materials. You might just find them more comfortable than metal!

5.  Consider a retainer for travel. Retainers aren’t just for facial piercings anymore. Consider wearing a plain retainer for travel.

6.  The one type of body jewelry you should NEVER wear while traveling? Seamless rings. These require pliers to put on or take off, so traveling with them is totally inconvenient and potentially dangerous.

Whatever type of body jewelry you choose - from earrings to nose rings to nipple rings and beyond - just make sure you understand the potential for air travel security delays and then adjust your jewelry accordingly.

Happy Travels!

Our very own M.I.S.S. Diva On A Carry-On who writes our M.I.S.S. Jet Set posts has one of her travel posts as part of a competition. If you vote for her story you’ll be entered to win a trip to Martinique! Who doesn’t want to get out of the cold and into the Carribean?? Simply vote for her story “Cartoons Aren’t Just For Kids.” It’s easy & free so go do it!!

If you’re anything like me, you love to travel with your chick-tech but hate the fact that it can take up so much room. No problem. There are tons of techie gadgets out there to help you make that on-the-road experience feel just a little more like home. Here are a few of my staples, all easily packable in your favorite carry on bag.

Music and More
In the 50s, traveling meant that no lady would feel complete without a practical pair of gloves. It’s a new century, baby, and now where would a lady be without her tunes? And movies, and podcasts, and audiobooks,and games … so many choices! Thanks to microtechnology, it’s all available at your oh-so-ungloved fingertips. Staples of my personal travel entertainment kit? iPod (with padded black leather cover - I’m rough on my toys), earbuds, firewire, AC charger and speakers, all of which can fit neatly in their own quart-sized ziplock bag.

Read the full story after the jump . . .
Read the full story

There are a ton of blogs popping up these days but it’s such a welcome pleasure when someone brings something new to the table - case in point - “Diva In A Carry On: Because Real Women Don’t Check Luggage.” As someone who travels pretty frequently this blog is full of info that the jet set need - updates on TSA requirements, packing tips and recommendations for travel products. Here’s how they describe themselves:

Our blog is specifically geared towards women who like to travel well, but light, and covers a little bit of everything for the traveling-light woman, from skin/hair/makeup product reviews to fashion to news about potential travel hitches to great tips and tricks for on-the-road. We do our best to write with a lot of humor, and a lot of love for our readers.

Check it out for yourself here.