05 APR 2017: Clothes for work have always been an issue for women. And women like us who travel both for work and pleasure find it even more challenging. The days of having to iron, before heading off to an evening, or a site inspection are over, thank goodness. So are the days of separate evening clothes, with Grandma’s “suck it in” undergarments.

Like you, I’ve tried everything to make my suitcase lighter and put less in it. I’ve also tried all kinds of clothes to fly in, not with any great success. And do I ever have stories about travel clothes disasters.

There was the time, I only took carry-on on a Sunwing fam to Panama. I received the itinerary early, and planned what to wear each day. “Sam, do you want to go into Panama City and Interview Ruben Blades, the Minister of Tourism?” asked Sunwing’s Lawrence Elliott.

I had nothing vaguely suitable to wear for that kind of an afternoon. I borrowed from wonderful agents.

Then there was the time I was interrupted while packing for a coach tour of Northern Mexico in January. While looking through my suitcase the first night of seven different hotel stays, I discovered I’d only packed one pair of undies, the ones I was wearing. Eight days of wet underwear isn’t fun. Russia wasn’t fun either when senior officials laughed at my inappropriate wardrobe better suited for Miami.

Recently I found Sympli … a wonderful wearable brand Made in Canada no less.

It is designed and made in Vancouver. How I found it, is interesting.

It has been a lot of years since my late husband Cam Norton and I owned the “mistake by the lake”… a little hospitality property with nine self catering cottages, a gift shop and a restaurant.

He wanted his own bar, I wanted a gift shop which sold not only giftware but also clothes. Neither of us wanted the self catering cottages.

Be careful what you wish for! One change-over day Cam and I, the dishwasher, and a wait staff member were cleaning all the cottages, because our regular cleaner was in jail, and her one phone call was to her lawyer not us.

Meanwhile, I needed help finding clothing suppliers, and a cousin, Sandra Turnbull, suggested Frank Desveaux enterprises Inc. Frank Desveaux did a great job for her store. I loved his Canadian made products that I wore and wore. And they sold well too. So that was then, but 30 years later in another life, I got an email from him.

“Sam, I have a product I think women in travel will love.” said Frank. I couldn’t wait to see the line and when I learned that Kari’s of Ancaster sold the Sympli line I got right in the car and went to have a peek. These jersey separates are perfect for our travel needs. And they’re cut and draped so beautifully all my lumps and bumps don’t show. Layering the pieces could take me from the airport at 4am. on the flight, through hotel check-in, site inspections, and the dressy dinner with the GM.

We all travel with women like Diana Winters, Susan Webb, and Denise Heffron who always look so put together, like they’ve spent hours doing it, and we know well that they’ve had no more time than we have.

When I tried on Sympli, I felt pulled together for a change. I felt good in it, it would also look stunning on daughter Jayne, and look gorgeous on my great niece Kassianna. And that is the whole point. Jan Stimpson the founder wanted the perfect tee, 15 years ago. You know the one-the perfect neckline, the perfect length, the perfect tee. This as you might have discovered is not easy, it is different for all of us with our unique shapes.

And that is how Jan came up with the vision for Sympli, a brand created for comfort, and designed with everybody in mind. It is season-less, so really fits all of my travel.

I love the stretch, and the jersey, and the fact that it washes. Jan, designed and made doll clothes as a child. She’s been 40 years in the business, and designed four other lines and a children’s line before starting Sympli 15 years ago. She’s also raised three children as a single Mother. Like many women owned businesses, White House Design’s first factory was in the basement of Joan Jordan – Jan’s best friend and colleague.

Jan shares my belief in women being perfect just as they are, and the company supports the Looking Glass Foundation, a caring community of prevention and support for those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders.

I wanted it all, but had to make choices of course. I wanted to show it to you, so booked Rob Cooper Photography, for a photo shoot. Beth Cooper did the styling, Rob is a Burlington-based photographer specializing in weddings, contemporary portraits and marketing/personal branding. He can provide a make-up artist, and hairdresser.

I think my travel disasters are over.