HC Traveller: Inside Tania Leil O’Brien’s London Suitcase

October 2, 2026

Location: Toronto, Canada
Upcoming Trip: London, England
Career: Marketing and communications executive and consultant
Travel Milestone: More than one million miles with Air Canada
Travel Style: Carry-on Only
HC Hero Pieces: Her 2014 Aro Pant, plus Blaise Jumpsuit, Cabri Reversible Cardigan, Mirabel Reversible Jacket, Orly Turtleneck and Sousa Top
Best Packing Trick: Fill every inch, including the inside of your shoes

What Does a Million Mile Traveller Pack for London?

When Tania Leil O’Brien told us she was packing for an upcoming trip to London, we had one question.

Could we look inside her suitcase?

Fortunately, she said yes.

Tania joined Helene live in our Toronto store with the suitcase she had genuinely packed for her trip. Together, they unpacked her travel wardrobe, talked about the lessons Tania has learned after more than a million miles in the air and put together some fabulous new outfits.

There was practical advice.

There was shopping.

There was also a great deal of laughter.

Watch Packing With a Million Mile Traveller

From Boardrooms to Conference Stages

Tania has spent more than 25 years leading marketing and communications for large international organizations. Her career has taken her across Canada and around the world for meetings, presentations, conferences and time with international teams and clients.

Much of that travel was completed with nothing more than a carry on suitcase.

When Tania reached her million mile milestone, she shared what her Helene Clarkson clothing had meant along the way:

“The vast majority of my travel was with nothing more than a carry on, thanks to your fabulous clothes. They have taken me across four continents, from boardrooms to conference stages. I thought it only fitting to wear my favourite HC pieces while I opened my package. Thank you for your incredible and timeless work.”

That is quite a journey for one woman and her wardrobe.

Inside Tania’s London Suitcase

Tania packed for London the way she genuinely travels.

Her suitcase included pyjamas, a pair of jeans, a sweater, a T shirt, leggings, a dressier top, shoes and jewellery.

We also spotted several well travelled Helene Clarkson favourites, including Albi Tops, Aro Pants, a Mirabel Reversible Jacket, a Cabri Reversible Cardigan, an Orly Turtleneck, a Sousa Top and a Blaise Jumpsuit.

Everything had a purpose, and almost everything could be worn with something else.

That is the secret to a good travel wardrobe. It is not about how much you can fit into a suitcase. It is about how much you can do with what you bring.

Still Travelling After Twelve Years

One of the pieces we were most excited to see in Tania's suitcase were her Aro Pants that date back to 2014, and are still part of the wardrobe she travels with today.

Twelve years of flights, destinations, packing, unpacking and wearing it again.

Tania loves the Aro Pant because she can dress them up or down and completely change the look. Worn simply, it works for an easy day out. Add jewellery, a scarf and a change of shoes, and they are ready for dinner or an event.

That is what longevity looks like to us.

It is not clothing kept carefully at the back of a closet. It is clothing that is worn, washed, travelled in and relied upon year after year.

Pack Outfits, Not Just Clothes

Tania does not fill her suitcase with unrelated “just in case” pieces.

Her T shirt can be worn with jeans, leggings and travel pants. Her sweater and cardigan can be layered for the flight or worn once she arrives. A dressier top gives her an evening option without requiring an entirely separate wardrobe.

Scarves and jewellery add colour and personality without taking up much room.

And, naturally, reversible clothing offers two looks in the space of one.

More outfits. Less luggage.

Very HC.

What Earned a Place Next?

After looking at the Blaise Jumpsuit that has travelled with Tania since 2017, Helene brought out a small selection of new arrivals.

The idea was not to replace the clothing Tania already owns and loves. If a piece has worked beautifully for nine years, it has certainly earned the right to stay.

Instead, they looked for new pieces that followed the same principles: versatile, comfortable, easy to pack and able to work with the wardrobe Tania has already built.

By the end of the show, four pieces had earned their place:

• The Odessa Reversible Cardigan
• The Nadi 8 In 1 Travel Wrap
• The Gisele Tie Necklace
• The Hanna Ponte Wide Leg Jeans

The Odessa and Nadi offered more than one way to wear them. The Hanna Jeans gave Tania the polished look of denim with the comfort of a pull on pant. And the Gisele Necklace could completely change a simple outfit without taking up valuable suitcase space.

Comfort. Versatility. A little drama from the jewellery.

London ready.

Tania’s Million Mile Packing Tips

After more than a million miles, Tania keeps it practical:

✔️ Roll clothing to make the most of your space
✔️ Fill shoes with socks and undergarments
✔️ Pack silver and gold jewellery separately
✔️ Keep electronics and toiletries accessible in a backpack
✔️ Choose pieces that work with more than one outfit
✔️ Bring clothing you already know and trust
✔️ Use jewellery and scarves to create variety
✔️ Make every piece earn its place

You do not need more clothing.

You need more possibilities from the clothing you bring.

Watch the Live Show Replay

Thank you to everyone who joined us live, asked questions and shared their upcoming adventures.

We loved hearing from viewers in Victoria, Nashville and beyond, with trips to Japan and Egypt on the horizon.

If you missed the show, you can still watch Tania unpack her London suitcase, share more of her packing advice and style some new Helene Clarkson travel looks with Helene.

Watch Inside the Suitcase: Packing With a Million Mile Traveller