This is no longer a man's world. Women are flying solo on numerous adventures, from business travel to vacays with girlfriends. You have places to be. So, get there safe and smart without losing a moment or a thing. Use the right travel bag for women on-the-go and to follow these travel safety tips. GET A LIGHTWEIGHT, LOCKING TRAVEL BAG FOR WOMEN Women travel differently than men. We have more stuff and our strengths aren't in our biceps. So, you need a tough, chic bag that you can take anywhere. Strong, lightweight materials with lots of roomy compartments and pockets are vital. LOOKING FOR A GREAT TRAVEL BAG FOR WOMEN? CHECK FOR THE FOLLOWING THEFT-PROOF FEATURES: Lightweight and easy to carry Cross-body straps Zippers on all open pockets Zipped inside pockets Can be locked One indispensable travel bag for women that Brighton designs is the Lock It Super Tote. This travel tote comes in patterns you can't take your eyes off of--and has features thieves cannot get their hands past. It has adorably detailed heart-shaped zippers and a key lock. The tote can fold up into its own included pouch. Or, use the pouch for in-flight items. Although it is not a cross body bag, this is a great lockable travel bag for women to keep with you instead of a purse. It's particularly convenient for air travel. Brighton travel duffel bags and weekenders don't lock, but each has cross body strap options (except our rolling suitcase, of course!). For extra safety, get extra small locks for all the outside zippers on your travel or totes bag.Travel safety tip: Keep a couple small zip ties in an inside pocket of your lockable travel bags. If you lose your key lock, you can use a zip tie. Cut it off at your destination. Making things a little more difficult generally means dissuading potential pickpockets. HOW TO CARRY YOUR PURSE SAFELY IN ANY CROWD Traveling bags for women aren't safe when unsafely carried. Here are the safest ways to carry a purse or travel bag. Always carry your purse or bag close to your body. Keep your handbag away from higher risk traffic flow. For example, on a sidewalk, walk close to the buildings with your bag hugging your body between you and the wall. When walking on the street-side of a sidewalk be warry of bicyclists. Don’t leave your bag dangling on the street-side where passing bikes can easily grab it Secure bags with cross-body straps. If you do not have a cross body bag, wear your bag high on your shoulder with your hand firmly above the most frontward handles. Do not swing or hold your bag down or away from your body. Wear your purse in front of your body. Don't let it slide behind you. Put outside pockets or pockets holding valuables in front. If wearing a backpack on public transportation or standing in a crowded area, put the bag at the front of your body. Alternately, if it is safe, put it at your feet with your leg through the straps. For sitting at a table, especially outdoors, don't hang your bag on your chair or place it next to you in the seat. Keep the strap on (if possible) and wear it between you and the seat back. If not possible, put it away from pathways of foot traffic. WHAT SMART WOMEN DO TO NOT BE PICKED OUT? Always be vigilant. Pickpockets and purse thieves are looking for easy targets. It takes a criminal only 7 seconds to size you up (NBC Health). BODY LANGUAGE: Your nonverbal signs say a lot to potential thieves. You want your body language to show alertness and confidence. So, walk tall with solid natural strides. Keep up with surrounding foot traffic. AWARENESS: Be aware of where you are all the time. Look around. Avoid being alone, in alleys, or anywhere that makes you uncomfortable. Listen to your intuition. Shop Travel Accessories KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING & HOW: From the minute you arrive at your destination, travel smart. Know where you are going ahead of time. Some travel smart tips: Don't rely on your phone alone (in case it dies or has no signal). Print out a map and write directions. At the airport, take official transportation like hotel shuttles and official car services. Don't make a mistake to avoid a line. At your hotel, ask concierges about the best way to travel and where to go. Consider group tours. Read reviews before you go. If the tour guide is alone, opt out. TRAVEL LIGHT: Leave most of your valuables in the hotel safe. Keep everything else in safe places that cannot be easily accessed or pulled from your body. A small cross-body wallet or organizer purses and backpack should be the most you take with you when walking around. WHAT MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A TARGET FOR THIEVES AND PICKPOCKETS? BEING DISTRACTED: Pay attention to where you are and what you're doing. While you are haggling with a street vendor of watching a busker, someone could grab your bag. HEADPHONES, PHONE CALLS, UNAWARE EYES: Dulling your senses is a common sense lowering of your defenses. Be sure to frequently give a casual glance to take in the people around you. It'll show thieves that you notice your surroundings. Also, practice a little mindfulness. Take in the scenery without multitasking or listening to music. You'll have a more authentic vacation experience and enjoy your phone calls more if you save them for downtime. LOST VISITORS: Slow, disoriented walking or other signals of being lost mark you as an easy target. If you are unsure about where you are, confidently go into a store or somewhere secure to ask an established local for help. Police officers, vendors, and mothers are generally good options. FUMBLING THROUGH BAGS. Fumbling through bags makes you look disoriented and can give thieves a peak into what you have hiding in there. Do not put things on the counter while you search for wallets. Keep an organizer bag to keep you sorted. PULLING OUT MONEY OR SHOWCASING CARDS: It's a rule of urban areas. If you have cash in your pocket (or pocket book) keep bigger bills folded on the inside of smaller bills. Take only the smallest denominations out, a few at a time. Drawing attention to cash is a serious sign that reads, "Cash on demand!" OBVIOUS VALUABLES: Cut down on unnecessary jewelry and expensive items, like fancy cameras, whenever possible. POCKETS & INSECURE BAGS: Do not put items in your back pants pocket or loose, open jacket pockets.
