5 Necessities for the Fashionable & Practical Traveler

At any airport in America, you’ll see people wearing and toting so many different things. When I went to Cape Cod last week, I saw people wearing pajamas, suits, cutoff tank tops, yoga pants or stilettos. No one was wearing more than one of these items at once, but as I sat waiting for the delayed plane to get to my gate, I thought about what a large disparaity there is in travel wear. There are certain travel necessities that are musts if you are hoping to have an easy, comfortable and stylish trip.

Some people go for only comfort when they travel, while others go for looks and some simply go to the airport straight from work. Personally, I go for comfortable and slightly dressy, casual travel clothes and practical items to keep me going. Regardless of whether or not I’m traveling, it makes me feel good and confident to wear an outfit that I have put some thought into. I usually go for a travel look that is similar to what I would wear to work on a casual Friday – jeans, knit top, comfy and fun shoes and my usual accessories.

I travel pretty regularly and have found over the past few years that certain clothes and a couple products are particularly perfect for traveling. Here are the top five must-haves for my fellow fashionable and practical travelers.

#1. BIG BagIt’s best to travel with a handbag that is big enough to fit a laptop, wallet, notebook, passport and snacks easily inside. If you’re at all like me and you accumulate more things as you travel, it’s good to have a roomy satchel or tote in hand. Pro tip: pack your bag the night before you travel and make sure there is room for the “extra” things that will turn into “necessities” during your trip. 😉

Sole Society Faux Leather Weekend Satchel, $80 // Tory Burch Parker Leather Tote, $298

#2. Water Bottle — So many airports and train stations have filling stations for water bottles now that it makes sense now more than ever to bring a water bottle with you when you travel. Of course, water fountains work just fine too! Not only will it save you money throughout your trip, but it’s also better for the environment. I got the bottle below in my FabFitFun summer box and the blue silicone cover is so soft and squishy!

BKR Romeo Bottle, $21 (40% off!) // MIRA Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $20

#3. Comfortable Denim — Jeans with the perfect amount of stretch are a must when I travel. I love jeans that are comfortable and will help me look polished and less like the hot mess I usually feel like when I am traveling! Below are two of my go-to pairs of jeans for traveling because these styles have stretch that will make you feel like you’re wearing yoga pants, and they maintain their shape over long days; i.e. they don’t end up sliding off you!!


Kut from the Kloth Mia High Waist Skinny Jeans, $90 // Hudson Nico Skinny Jeans, $195


#4. Portable Phone Battery — 
Relying on airport outlets or plane outlets to charge your phone is a rookie mistake. Chances are when your flight has been delayed, you won’t be the only person vying for a battery re-charge. Portable phone batteries have been a life saver for me when I’m traveling all day, whether I’m airport hopping or sightseeing around town.

Anker PowerCore+ mini, $14 // Apple Lightning Portable Charger, $25


#5. Stylish Sweater
— I always prepare myself to be cold and hot when I travel, so I purposely wear or bring a few layers. A stylish, neutral sweater or sweatshirt is my favorite way to stay warm and still look cute.

BB Dakota Sweater, $28 // J.Crew Pompom Sweater, $60

In addition to these necessities, I usually pick out some form of entertainment like the latest book I cannot put down or book of sodoku puzzles. Do you have similar travel necessities? I’d love to hear what you can’t travel without.

Cheers!

Sarah Camille

19 thoughts on “5 Necessities for the Fashionable & Practical Traveler

  1. The Everyday Mom Life says:

    Yes to all of these, especially the big bag and portable charger. When I used to travel for work the bag was the number 1 item though. I needed it to fit so much!

  2. Dyana @adebtfreejourney says:

    I have not traveled by plane since I was 5 (phobia) but I plan to soon! I would have never thought about a portable charger or water bottle. I also love a good pair of stretchy jeans but I may opt for the pajamas.

    • SC says:

      That’s great you’re planning a trip! Pajamas can be super cozy too. As long as your comfortable, that’s all that matters. 🙂

  3. Sweet Coralice says:

    I always get caught up at airports watching ppl around me as I wait for my flight … what they wear, carry and even drink& eat. It’s interesting how life is outside your circle. These suggestions are great though and I’ve gotten to the point that less is more when packing. I used to be a pack rat, you know, everything but the kitchen sink packer lol. Now as long as I’ve got a comfy pair of jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes and my phone/charger, I’m good to go. Oh and Starbucks, always Starbucks 💕

  4. Suanlian Tangpua says:

    Great list…portable mobile battery/power bank is always my first thing to concern when packing for travel.

  5. Kate says:

    I normally take 2 to 3 power bank chargers because I have been without a phone during travel. It was not fun trying to get a hold of my ride.

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