Half the fun of taking a trip is shopping for stylish travel items! I love tracking down the best luggage tag or finding the perfect sandals. If you’re going on a trip, you wanna look cute! Am I right??? If you’re looking to find your travel style, keep reading because in this post I’m sharing the best accessories to up your style game…
The Key To Great Travel Style
Fancy hotels?
Expensive clothes?
Private jets?
Nah! You don’t need that to be a savvy and stylish traveler.
“Real style is never right or wrong, it’s a matter of being yourself on purpose”
G. Bruce Boyer
The key to great travel style is to be yourself!
And along with that, I’ll be sharing a few other ways to feel confident when traveling (and find your signature travel style!) From your outfit to accessories (and of course the perfect travel bag), what you choose to bring on your trip can really make a difference.
It’s The Little Things
Having great travel gear that you love will make your trip that much more awesome. One of my favorite items I like to bring is my reusable water bottle. It might seem like a small thing, but it’s such a gorgeous bottle and I just really enjoy using it. It makes me happy!
For you, maybe it’s splurging on expensive leggings to wear on the plane, or indulging in a great meal on your trip. Even buying a fancy hand cream for your purse. It can be anything, and it will be different for each person.
Giving yourself little moments of luxury while traveling feels soooo nice.
You Deserve It
Come on girl, you work hard and you deserve this!
Traveling is such a great way to escape the monotony of everyday life, and I know you are so looking forward to your trip.
One thing that’s nice about buying things for travel is that once the vacation is over, that hat you bought or nice travel bag will always remind you of your amazing getaway. Plus, buying a stylish travel piece is an investment in your wardrobe.
I have a pair of sandals in my closet right now that, every time I see them, remind me of when I wore them on my honeymoon in Italy. It totally brings me back, even years later. I can remember exactly what the weather was like that day and how I explored the ruins of Pompeii wearing those sandals. (Want to explore my Guide To The Pompeii Ruins?)
It’s funny how the mind works, but we tend to attach memories and points in time to a physical object. And hey, if that means you get to re-live great memories, I’m all for it! So without further ado, here are a few of my favorite chic travel finds (and where to get them) so you can always travel in style.
Chic Travel Finds
1. Great Luggage
Every great trip requires great luggage, and this Zuca rolling suitcase is phenomenal.
A few things I love about it are its perfect size, durability, and stylish exterior. It has an aluminum frame (and get this) a built-in seat for when the airport’s crazy busy! The top is flat, so it’s also really easy to stack a laptop case, purse, or other items on top of it. Talk about travel style, this Zuca bag is a home run.
I always get so many questions about this bag when I travel with it! The funniest ones have been if it’s made for wine (lol) or bowling balls (????).
One thing’s for sure, this bag has a distinctive design so you’ll always be able to easily spot it at the bag claim. And it’s size qualifies it for the overhead compartment on most planes so you can avoid those baggage fees! It’s just an awesome bag all around. I’ve been traveling with it regularly for over three years and have zero complaints.
2. Reusable Water Bottle
Let’s be real, it’s super hard to stay hydrated when you’re on the go.
And why waste money or use plastic when it’s unnecessary? For those reasons and so many more, my S’well water bottle is always by my side! If you haven’t checked out their bottles, they are not only amazing quality but also beautiful in design.
A few key stats: they keep liquids hot for up to 24 hours and cold for up to 12 hours, are made of insulated stainless steel, and don’t sweat. They have a ton of sizes available, from 9-25 oz. and lots of styles and patterns to choose from. I just bought a new one (here) for my car cupholder! They’re sold in several different retail stores and on Amazon.
3. Stylish Hat
What says chic more than a great hat? It’s a quick and easy way to look stylish (and provide shade from the sun).
And hey, we all have bad hair days, right? Throw a hat on. Problem solved! You’ll look stylish and chic without having to try.
A great go-to source for cute hats is Madewell. I have a few of their baseball caps but they also have some great floppy hats, straw hats, fedoras…. All with super cute detailing and great quality.
4. The Perfect Bag
Something you will likely have at your side the entire trip is a great travel purse or bag. You’ll want something stylish but also functional, that can hold essentials like your phone, wallet and camera.
Take into consideration size first! I recommend going as small as you can so you aren’t (literally) weighed down as you explore your destination.
A few great options are a small, lightweight backpack, a medium-sized tote bag, or a crossbody bag. When I travel I prefer a crossbody bag that zips.
5. Small Travel Pouch
Another fun and chic travel favorite of mine is a great cosmetic bag. It might be the love of organizing or the love of makeup… but there’s just something about a great little bag that I just can’t resist.
I’m somewhat ashamed of the amount of small travel bags I currently own. It’s out of control! But what can I say, they’re so handy.
Great for holding snacks, makeup, hand sanitizer, your cell charger, a hair tie, your glasses… You definitely need these, and I’ve found some chic options at Target, TJ Maxx and Anthropologie.
6. Stylish Pair Of Shoes
A great pair of stylish shoes are essential to travel in style. If you’ll be doing lots of walking, consider a cool pair of sneakers. More of a warm and sunny destination? Grab yourself a pair of on-trend sandals. No matter your destination, great shoes can elevate any outfit!
A few I would recommend that are both stylish and comfortable are the Superga Cotu Classic sneakers and Sofft Mirabelle sandals. I’ve done extensive walking and sightseeing in both and been super happy with them both.
7. The Perfect Accessory
If there’s one accessory that can instantly make you look more pulled together, get yourself either a fabulous scarf or a great jacket. These two pieces are great because they instantly upgrade whatever clothing they’re paired with!
Keep in mind, these will be investment pieces so look for quality fabrics like silk or leather. Quality doesn’t have to be expensive! You can find beautiful pieces online, shop sales, or even thrift shops. Start here if you’re looking for a great scarf.
8. Chic Sunglasses
I bet you already own a great pair of sunglasses, and these are definitely a must-have to travel in style.
If you want multiple stylish pairs to choose from, I highly recommend Shades Club! My husband got me their sunglasses subscription box as a gift this past year and it’s been so fun.
If that’s not really your thing, you can always invest in one great pair that has a classic style and can be worn with multiple outfits and in many different settings. You can’t go wrong with aviators!
9. Cute Luggage Tags
If you’re traveling, a couple of essentials are a luggage tag and passport cover. And the good news is, there are SO many stylish ones to pick from! One I love (that will never go out of style) is this one from Leatherology. It comes in 15 colors and can be monogrammed.
Etsy is another great source for unique luggage tags and passport covers. They have an endless selection to choose from to match your personal style. Check it out here.
10. A Beauty Mist
A great little luxury to have in your carry-on bag or purse is a hydrating beauty mist. Have you ever noticed that your skin sometimes goes haywire when you travel? For me I become more dry and prone to breakouts. What I’ve found as a great solution is to take extra steps to keep my skin hydrated.
A travel-sized mist is not only refreshing but also feels a little luxurious and pampering. We could all use a little of that, am I right? Especially because sometimes travel can be a little stressful if we’re dealing with unexpected delays and crazy-busy airports. One of my favorites is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir.
11. Luxurious Hand Cream
Speaking of travel and dehydration, don’t forget about your hands! A great, rich hand cream feels like a luxury to me. It’s one of those things I like to treat myself with if I’m going on a trip, and it’s easy to toss in your bag.
The one I find myself reaching for again and again is the L’Occitane hand cream. It’s super hydrating and smells great (comes in lots of different scents, too) but absorbs fast so I can still use my cell phone without issue.
12. The Perfect Dress
And last but not least, your outfit is a key way to look and feel stylish while traveling. A chic and comfortable option is to wear a dress! It’s easy to dress up or down with your accessories and you can easily add your scarf or jacket to complete the look.
A dress that fits you great will always be a great staple piece in your wardrobe, for traveling but also many other occasions in your life. If you’re looking for options, check out this roundup article with lots of good suggestions.
Be Stylish And Be Yourself
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life”
Marie Kondo
Traveling in style isn’t about being materialistic or going overboard when you’re shopping for a trip. It’s about truly enjoying travel and finding items that will make sense for your journey. And if that means you get to have fun and find items that express your personal sense of style, all the better.
Being stylish shouldn’t be hard, so let it be easy! Go with the things you’re naturally drawn to and don’t over complicate things. If you’re in trip planning mode, here are a few additional resources you might like:
- What To Pack: The Genius Method You Need To Try
- Worst Travel Apps (and what to download instead)
- Keeping Your Sanity on Long Flights: Secrets For Happier Travel
Time To Shop
To recap, here’s your shopping list of chic finds:
- Zuca suitcase
- Reusable water bottle
- Chic hat
- The perfect bag
- Small cosmetic pouch
- Great pair of shoes
- Perfect accessory (scarf or jacket)
- Sunglasses
- Luggage tag
- Beauty mist
- Luxurious hand cream
- The perfect dress
I hope you enjoyed this post and it helped you find your travel style! I can’t wait to hear all about it – drop me a comment below and tell me where your next trip will take you.
Don’t forget to grab your free copy of the Travel Essentials packing list here:
