Travel In Style

I love travelling. From the moment we leave the house until the cab drops us back home, I’m in high energy mode.

Right now, we are exploring New York for the first time (one word description of our trip so far – sensational). And we’re in full planning mode for our next visit to France.

I love how inspired and creative I feel when we travel. New sights, tastes, smells, experiences and people will do that for you.

About the only thing I’m not so sure about when we travel is living out of a suitcase. Even when I’ve packed my very favourite outfits I can sometimes end up feeling more than a little crumpled and perhaps not as stylish and elegant as I would like.

Over the years, I’ve built up a kit of items that I must have in my suitcase to help me travel in style. Similar to this list of goodies that I pack in my carry-on luggage for long-haul flights, these little bits and pieces can help me feel a little more ‘put together’ when I’m on the road.

Travel In Style

Baby Wipes/Anti Bacterial Wipes

I’ll let you in on a secret. I never go anywhere without these guys. I literally never leave home without them. I have a pack in my handbag, carry-on bag and suitcase. And you’ll find them in my car and my desk drawer too. They are great for cleaning up little spills and marks. They’re helpful for freshening you up in a hurry – it’s not only kids who can get sticky fingers. And they are better than anything I’ve ever tried for removing those pesky white deodorant marks that sometimes occur.

Travel Sized Leather Wipes

If you are anything like us, then you walk an awful lot on your holidays. Which means your shoes take an absolute beating. Personally, I tend to travel with leather shoes – usually boots or some sort of flat. If I’m staying in the sort of establishment that offers complimentary shoe shines then I’ll definitely take them up on the offer. Otherwise, I find a quick wipe with a leather wipe removes the grime and dust and keeps my shoes sparkly. Which in turns makes my outfits look better.

Garment or Linen Spray

There are many travel sized garment sprays on the market these days. And a quick spritz of a fresh scent can revive your travelling clothes. I find these products work best if I use them in conjunction with a little steam. Lightly spraying items that can get a second wear then hanging them in the bathroom while I have a shower freshens them up quickly and easily.

Travel Lint Roller Or Lint Remover Sheets

I wear a lot of black and charcoal when I’m travelling. They are easy colours to mix and match, and they can easily be dressed up or down. And it also seems that they have magnetic properties – or at least they do when I am wearing them!  I seem to be able to pick up bits of white fluff with absolute ease. Which means I never travel without some form of lint remover. Whether that be a mini lint roller, or lint removal sheets, or sometimes both. A couple of seconds with the lint remover and I’m good to go.

Cashmere Comb

I rarely travel without at least one cashmere sweater or scarf. Cashmere is soft, light and warm and can make a very civilised and sophisticated travel companion. But even the best quality cashmere can have a tendency to pill a little. Which can make it look more weary than smart. That’s where a cashmere comb comes in. Playing a similar role to a lint remover, a quick brush with a comb can have it looking fabulous again.

Garment And Shoe Bags

Shoe bags are a must for keeping shoes organised and everything else in your suitcase clean. And I find garment bags or packing cells work equally well for keeping your luggage tidy and a little less wrinkly.

Small Swiss Army Knife

I bought my Swiss Army Knife (in Switzerland, appropriately) after travelling with a friend who used hers to rectify all sorts of fashion related travel emergencies. If you consider itchy tags and dangling threads emergencies of course. Think carefully when buying your own utility knife. I specifically wanted scissors and a file on mine – I can’t tell you how handy those two items have been over the years. And regardless of how small it is, make sure it is packed in your checked luggage so it doesn’t get confiscated by airport security.

Do you have any go-to items that help you travel in style and keep you looking your best while you are on the road? If so, I’d love for you to share them in the comments section below.

And until next time – au revoir.

Photo Credit: Haute Stock