Barbara Corcoran, Real Estate Trailblazer
In the 1990s, Barbara Corcoran, known for her successful Corcoran Group real estate firm, was ubiquitous in Manhattan. She sold the business for $70 million in 2001, after transforming a $1,000 loan into a $5 billion powerhouse. But instead of fading into business history, she is now a TODAY Show contributor, appears on ABC’s Shark Tank, pens business books such as Use What You’ve Got and travels the world as a motivational speaker. Says Corcoran, “Most of the travel I do is for business, some short trips and others as far as Australia. But wherever I go, I never vary my routine. It’s taken me years to perfect the details that allow me to go anywhere without ever having to check a bag.

Travel Essential:
I never travel anywhere without my trusty Ferragamo fringed double-cashmere cape. I have two, one in charcoal gray and another in toasty brown, and they go with everything. I paid far too much for them, but they’re worth their weight in gold!

Travel Uniform:
I always pack two white Hanro stretch T-shirts. They always feel comfortable, look fresh and seem to brighten my face and even whiten my teeth! I also always pack two pairs of Cambio Celia jeans. They look good with everything and are made with Lycra, so they wear well for days.

The Bag:
I carry Bric’s faux cowhide carry-on with wheels. They fake cowhide looks and feels more luxurious than the real deal, and it never gets dirty. The bag fits perfectly in the overhead compartment. Its adjustable handle never jams, the hidden wheels roll quietly and, should something spill inside the bag, the lining zips out and can be thrown into the washer.

Sounds of Silence:
I can’t imagine even a short plane ride without my Bose noise-canceling-headset.

In-Flight Entertainment:
I always pack a travel-sized Scrabble game. It’s helped me make friends all over the world. It’s easy to start a conversation with “Do you play Scrabble?”

Delta Sky Magazine, August 2010