How to transform a jacket into a travel vest

On an aircraft you are probably going to be separated from your luggage.

Whether checked in the hold, last minute 'gate checked ' or you put it in the overhead compartment before you swapped seats with the kid three rows back, your luggage will not be accessible. There are some items that you just need on your person at all times. Riffling through a million bags for that one thing can be frustrating, if not fruitless.

The best thing is to have all essentials on your person. In pockets.

Me in travel jacket in France

If you have the sewing skills or knows someone who does, you can design a travel vest or jacket. You can get really creative but remember you have to wear this through an airport with hordes of sleek business men and women. If you look nice, you will feel more confident push forward to catch a tight connection and to stand up for yourself against obstructionist airport staff. Peter Pan says first impressions are the most important and if you are meeting a group of students you will travel with for weeks, you might also want to ensure you are not wearing a sack.

Next, size 14 - a size or two bigger than I usually wear

Here are the steps:

Write a list of everything you need. It may be short like this:

• Kindle
• Phone
• Pen for immigration docs, visa waivers 
• Tissue
• Chapstick
• Mints
• Earbuds

Or long like this if you have kids:

• Nappies/diapers
• Wipes
• Nappy bags
• Travel sickness bracelets for everyone 
• Extra onesie
• Baby medicine 
• Plus everything on other list:
• Kindle
• Phone
• Pen for immigration docs, visa waivers 
• Tissue
• Chapstick
• Mints
• Earbuds

Collect these items to figure out how big your vest needs to be. The more items you take, the longer and more bulky your vest must be to accommodate.

Now decide how big to make the pockets. 

My kindle-sized pocket for my kindle

Keep in mind pocket placement. There may be parts of your body you don't want to look bulkier than they already are (bust, hips, tummy....). 

Some people including myself have an arch in their back so putting a pocket to the small of back can be a good option. I can fit 4 diapers in the back pockets and it is actually really comfortable and supportive when sitting!

I knew some people who put clothing for two days in sewn-in back pockets. They said they looked like they were wearing their coats over a backpack - i.e. it looked funny. So know how far into 'funny' you want to go.

Top tip: always do one item or type of item per pocket if you can. I once took a jacket, cut an incision to the lining, added an invisible zipper and used all the dead space between the jacket outer fabric and lining as one giant pocket. The result was lumpy and disorganised and I had trouble finding items quickly.

The best thing for finding items quickly, staying organized on a long trip and keeping your Kindle from getting scratched is to have separate pockets.

Never place a pocket behind another pocket. One or both will bag out or the stitching will interfere. The one exception is something really thin like a kindle might go behind another pocket. Just make sure the seam line doesn't interfere.

Pocket empty and open - note waterproof lining

Pocket full

Pocket closed

1. Find a coat or vest you like. Charity or thrift shops are great for this. Find a washable one as you will want to wash after every international trip to remove the airplane smell, spills and stains.
1. Try to find a vest or coat with a lining. If your vest or coat is not waterproof, consider lining the pockets with waterproof fabric.
2. If you plan to breastfeed, try to find one without a zip as the zip can catch breastfeeding babies in the face
3. You can alternately design and construct a vest or coat if you so desire. 
2. Choose pocket fabric. You need at least half a yard. It should match your jacket lining as closely as possible.
3. Lay out your items. Cut an inch more than you need in two layers of fabric.
4. On the phone pocket, cut an extra three inches for a compartment for your pen which is the most useful item you will pack. Also consider velcro or snaps for this pocket to allow Earbuds to attach while in the pocket. We love listening to Rick Steves podcasts when we travel.
   
   
5. If using zippers, apply zipper according to manufacturer's directions. If using velcro or snaps, apply now.
6. Consider how warm you want to be. If you are taking a heavier coat, remove sleeves to make a vest.
7. If keeping sleeves, consider adding a cuff pocket. When you pull a small item out of the cuff, it feels like magic!
8. With right sides together, sew pocket front and back. Press. 
9. Sew to garment. I recommend hand stitching to avoid pocket shape seams which alerts pickpockets. If a side of the pocket lines up with the seam then go for the sewing machine on that side if you like.
10. Fill the pockets!

Small of the back pocket, empty

Small of back pocket, with diapers

Maintenance: check seams every time after a long flight or a wash. Hang to dry. Press.

Travel vests or jackets are a great way to stay hands-free and even luggage-free a lot of the time. You can avoid being in a pinch without that essential item by sewing a special pocket for it. A breastfeeding mom can use this extra layer as a breastfeeding shawl. It can be tied around one's waist in hot weather. Usually European off-peak travel season, when it is cheapest to travel, is bound to be chilly or freezing so you will never be sorry you brought your travel jacket. The best way to be on top of any situation when traveling is to be prepared with your travel vest/jacket.

And when it's really cold in the Loire Valley, you can use it as a cozy toes!