Ever despaired of deciding which tichels to throw into your suitcase? I’m in beautiful Israel right now, and I think I’ve finally perfected my packing strategy. Here are my favorite tips for your next trip!
Here’s a recent travel-selfie: a wrap using a sari sash and a purple 2-in-1 from yesterday in Jerusalem!
1. Don’t forget your “undergarments.” This one’s first, because you’ll want to check and DOUBLE check that you didn’t forget your no-slip velvet headband or tichel shaper! Even if you forgot to pack ANY scarves, you can buy one almost anywhere – but your essential tichel underwear is hard to replace!
2. Lay out the clothes you’re bringing as you choose tichels. It’s easier to see what’s going to work if everything you’re bringing is in front of you.
3. Use a formula (loosely): Two parts basic solid colors, one part fancy/patterned tichels, two parts accessories. 2:1:2. It’s a ratio. The first category is solid colors that match your wardrobe. The second is either special-occasion tichels (whatever that means for you – one woman’s basics are another’s night-out scarves!), or scarves with a pattern. And the third is any kind of accessory – pins, sashes, headbands, you name it.
So how do you use it? Let’s say you’re going for a long weekend, and you want a decent (but not huge) amount of scarves – you’d probably want to double the ratio, so you’d pack 4 solids, 2 fancy or patterned scarves, and 4 accessories.
This is just a guideline – don’t get too rigid about it! I don’t adhere to it 100% but these are the general proportions whenever I pack. The ratio approach saves me from silly decisions like packing 20 of my “faaaaavorite” sari scarves/patterned scarves and getting stuck because I forgot the basic colors.
How many times should you multiply the ratio? Probably x2 for a long weekend, x3 for a week, and x4 for long trip. I’m in Israel now for two months, and my ratio is about x3.5.
This balcony is just great for tichel pictures!
4. Don’t pack anything that doesn’t match at least 3 other things. ‘Things’ can mean other scarves, or pieces of clothing you’re bringing – but if it doesn’t look great next to 3 other things you’ve packed, no matter how much you love it, don’t bring it along. With this approach, you’ll be able to get a lot of different looks with a minimum of scarves! (A possible exception here might be if you’re going to a wedding or special event and have a tichel that matches your formal dress and nothing else- that would definitely be fine.)
5. Remember the weather!!! Leave your pashminas at home when traveling to hot climates, and pack extra-warm scarves for snowy situations.
And one from today. I got so many compliments on this! It’s a Liezl with two 2-in-1s and a lace sash.
What are YOUR favorite traveling tichel tips??? Share them below in the comments – we’d love to hear!
The Wrapunzel Blog 
That is so beautiful. Thank you for mentioning what kind of scarfs are used. It would help if woman would mention the colors exactly also so if so inclined we can know what to order. Love the lace combo, so elegant.
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Naomi Rose, you have such a great sense of style. The entire team has great style, so different from each other, the personalities really shine. It’s inspiring.
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We spent Pesach at my parents’ house in Monsey. I keep my 2-in-1s in one big shopping bag, so I just brought that whole bag and added my dark gold shimmery and a couple of saris to coordinate with my Yom Tov outfits. It was easy, and I had what I needed.
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I’m beginning to put aside clothes etc for my annual 6 week trip to Israel and this is a very good guideline. I try to use my tichels as a way of adding variety to my wardrobe when I travel. My sister comes to the States for 3 weeks at least once a year and brings a couple black tops, skirts, hose and one pair of nice shoes besides the more supportive shoes she wears on the plane. She brings tichels in different colors and ribbons, headbands and pins to change her look. Even SHabbos she is basic black but will sometimes borrow a colorful top from me. This way she has lots of room in her suitcase to bring back things her children and grandchildren want. 😉
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WOnderful advice,especially since I’m off to Israel in 2 weeks!
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Ina, we were in Israel at the same time. I wish I had seen this posting before I left. I don’t know how I missed it. I was in Israel the month of July. So, no Pashminas. I brought several Israeli tichels since without the shaper, I can put a straw hat on. I guess in a way, instinctively, I packed in a similar fashion. Funny, but no problems with my hair clips in U.S., but in Israel leaving the country, I had to remove my tichel and my hair clip. I was in business class, so it was easier sleeping but without any shapers.
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Very helpful! Thx! I want your sari sash! I hope Wrapunzel will be restocking them soon?
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I like to stick to three colors plus denim (which goes with everything) and take mostly solid colors. Unless I have an outfit planned that calls for a specific tichel, I make sure the patterned ones will go with at least two outfits. Then I roll them up and put them all into a gallon-sized ziplock baggie. The hard part for me is picking out the shoes to wear.
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Question for the group : when you travel, what do you wear on your head, especially when flying. TSA can be a bit of a hassle (no complaints when they are doing their job properly) when it comes to head coverings. I fly wearing hats with no metal in them (it can be used in the brim to give it shape) and as little metal in my hair as possible. Even though I have TSA pre-check they can still stop you. I also find that if I have too much bulk in the back of my head the airline seat is even more uncomfortable to sit in. Thoughts.
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You’re so scientific! Love it!
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Regarding airplane seat I always French braid my hair underneath so that it’s all tucked away in the back but without creating a bun. I like to do a loose regal wrap with this which looks great from the front and just flat in the back but super comfy!
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Pingback: Tamar Adina: Tichels on the Road! | Wrapunzel ~ The Blog
WHERE can I buy your tichels – volumizers in Jerusalem????
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I travel at least once a year, and have big trips about every two to three years. For short trips, a week or less, where you only have your carryon and personal bags, less is more. Basic neutral colors or colors that match your clothing are the way to go. Do you best not to carry more than five scarves. The idea of two solids per pattern is nice, but takes a lot of planning. I leave patterns home for short trips unless I’m going to be attending a fancy event. Choose smaller shapers like the Signature or Cloud 9. There’s really no need for your Uber at Disneyland. If you MUST have your Wendy then plan to wear it while you are traveling because it takes up too much space in a small suitcase.
For long excursions you will need a more careful strategy. Again, pack light weight scarves, (chiffons, 2in1s, Cornerstones, etc.) even if you are going to cooler climates. It saves weight and space.
Long trips pose other challenges. My husband and I took a month-long trip to Japan last year, starting with a two week cruise across the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.. We were passing through three entirely different climates! We were at or near the Arctic Circle across the water, but temperate in Central Japan, and on the return we had several days layover in Hawaii, which was tropical.
I did not take ANY pashminas. I organized my choices by laying out everything I planned to wear. Then I chose my scarves with an eye to being able to wear as many as possible with any of my clothes AND with each other. I left out all my patterned scarves, and focused instead upon my sashes, headbands, and pins. I ended up taking a total of ten scarves, in mostly neutral or harmonizing colors. That left me a bit of room for any beauties I might find along the way (CONFESSION: I came home with a lot more than I had left with!) For the rest I relied upon my own knowledge and creativity in creating interesting wraps.
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