What's In My Bag
Mastering the travel essentials and my must-haves when on-the-go.
If there's one thing I both love and loathe in equal measure, it's packing. I loveee shopping for and piecing together outfits for every occasion, whether it's a leisurely stroll through the city, a day on the boat, a sunset aperitivo, or an elegant date night.
Yet, despite my enthusiasm for curating my travel wardrobe, the challenge of fitting everything into my suitcase without surpassing the weight limit is an art form in itself. It's a constant lesson in the practice of 'less is more,' one that I'm continually refining.
So, while I'm preparing a more in-depth post on how I plan and pack for a trip, I wanted to start by sharing what essentials I always keep in my bag for those long flights and travel days.
Said Bag | The essential carry-all…
While I've managed to get by using my Dragon Diffusion bag and perhaps even over-relying on it, there are better alternatives available. When it comes to a travel tote, I prioritize easy access, straps that edge the line between comfort and style, and ample space.
From practical to splurge-worthy:
Luka Expandable Laptop Tote- Calpak
The Everywhere Bag- Away
Classic Easy Tote- Cuyana
Soft Margaux 17 Bag- The Row
Then there’s the bag within the bag. Some of the essentials listed below have a knack for getting lost in the shuffle, which is why I've grown fond of using these mesh zip pouches. They help keep everything organized and in its place, ensuring that smaller items like hand sanitizer or lip balm don't disappear into the depths of my larger bag. For a more chic look (& a pop of color), you can always use a personalized toiletry bag like this.
Note: The bag I'm referring to is not your designated carry-on but not quite your everyday purse. It falls somewhere in between.
Wear | There's an undeniable satisfaction in mastering "the airport look" for long-haul flights—finding the perfect balance between comfort and style. My go-to:
A cozy lounge set (I love the Skims foldover pant + t-shirt- I just wish the pants were a bit longer) or leggings
Pair with a cashmere wrap (or this “mist" shrug from Naked Cashmere is so cute), a sweater, or a hoodie. I usually get cold when I fly, so I like to be prepared.
If you’re going somewhere cold, layer with a classic trench or an oversized coat
My go-to sneakers- though I'm currently in the market for a more exciting variation of them.
Cozy socks or compression socks, whichever you prefer.
For shorter flights, I typically gravitate towards linen pants, a bodysuit, a light cardigan, and comfortable shoes (they could be ballet flats or loafers).
Sleep | Some people can, some people can’t…
I'm one of those people who can—and likely will—fall asleep on any flight. I remember a few years back when my husband surprised me with spur-of-the-moment tickets to Bali. They were unbelievably affordable, and our seats reflected just that. On our initial international leg, spanning 17 hours, we found ourselves in the middle seats of the dreaded middle row. With my husband on my left and a sweet elderly woman on my right, I managed to sleep for 12 of those hours, unaided. Perhaps it's the detachment from the outside world or the instinctual urge to survive such a lengthy journey, but somehow, I pulled it off.
A few things that do help me drift off into sweet oblivion:
A good sleep mask- I love the thickness of the Lunya Silk Sleep Mask but recently came across the Tesla of sleep masks- The Aura Smart Sleep Mask, and I’m eager to try it.
In lieu of a travel pillow (which takes up space and poses sanitation challenges), I will use a sweater or wrap mentioned above for extra padding.
If you do need extra sleep assistance, the Lemme Sleep gummies are incredible.
Self-Care | My favorite part. I love stepping off a flight, feeling somewhat refreshed and put together. This may not align with my "less is more" philosophy, but when it comes to self-care, I don’t think it’s as applicable.
Moisturizer (Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask or Avène Cicafilate +)
Hand sanitizer- I love the lavender-scented one for optimal relaxation
Extra-rich hand cream (Malin+Goetz or Typology)
Eye masks (Peter Thomas Roth) + an eye cream
Hair scrunchie or a hair clip
Brush- I love this mini, but I was also just given this personalized comb that comes in a sleek travel sleeve.
Lip balm (Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, or Officine Universelle Buly Lip Balm)
Facial mist (Elemis Superfood or Caudalie Travel Beauty Elixir)
Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy roll-on (alternatively, this lavender roll-on- which lives in my purse at all times)
Gua shua and facial oil (I love to have this on long flights to help with lymphatic drainage)
Gum or mints
Tech | I’m keeping this simple because while I love gadgets, I don’t want to travel around as if I were working in IT.
Kindle- I've recently gotten into using a Kindle and am loving it so far. While I usually enjoy the nostalgia of a physical book, the Kindle is incredibly practical for traveling, especially when you want to keep things light and read quickly like I do
Laptop—Unless it’s a very short weekend trip where I can manage everything on my phone, I always bring my laptop.
Bluetooth adaptor for headphones
Airtags in anything and everything
By finding the right balance between ease and practicality, you can make every trip more enjoyable and stress-free. Whether it's selecting the perfect bag, curating your in-flight essentials, or simply embracing the nuances of travel, a little preparation can go a long way.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual packing of my favorite things.
Xx
so thorough and I love the collages!!
This collage is my new mood board