As you guys know, traveling is one of my favorite pastimes. I was lucky to be raised in a family where the opportunity to travel was looked at as a way for us to appreciate what is beyond our own community and it instilled a sense of wanderlust in me that only grows year over year.

It’s been a while since I updated you guys on my travel essentials so today I’m breaking down a few habits and hacks of mine when it comes to packing and hitting the road. Also I’d love to hear any travel tips you swear by so do share!

Pack Smart

Packing well doesn’t come to everyone. I certainly wasn’t one of those people initially but overtime I’ve figured out what works best for me. I like to roll my clothes for a few reasons. 1. to maximize space, 2. to be able to see what I have in my suitcase more easily and 3. to limit any inevitable wrinkling. A few other ways to pack smart? Limit your shoes and plan your outfits in advance. This will allow for you to see the many ways you can mix and match outfit components. If you can’t wear something more than one way, you may want to leave it behind. For long trips I write each outfit down in the Notes app on my iPhone and then refer to that each morning of my trip!

Compartmentalize

This may be a no-brainer but for someone who spent years over-packing, compartmentalizing my items is where it is at. Nowadays I pack my makeup in this bag (the larger goes in my suitcase and the smaller comes in my bag for on-the-go touchups and any other necessities I want to have on me), all my toiletries in the genius Truffle (it is an upgrade from the Ziploc bags I used to take my liquids in everywhere) and I put my undergarments in one of these cute bags. Everything is easy to find and easier to keep neat and tidy while in a hotel room. (I also never travel without this because I hate ironing.)

Dress for the Occasion

I’m all for being comfortable but airports and airplanes are no place for pajamas. If I’m taking a red-eye maybe I’ll wear leggings but generally I believe loungewear is for indoors in your own home. That being said, you can still achieve being put together and being comfortable for long travel days. I’ll typically wear flats like loafers that are easy to slip on, jeans that have some give and layers on top so if I get cold on a plane, I’m ready vs. uncomfortable. I also love having this wrap when I travel. So cozy and perfect to wrap yourself up in!

Have the Right Gear

No more excuses when it comes to having luggage that doesn’t function properly (broken zippers! busted wheels!) Invest in a suitcase that makes your life easier. I recently got this AWAY carry on and used it for my trips to both Orland and Montreal and I’m in love! Not only does it fit way more than it appears to, it even charges your phone thanks to a handy battery inside! Genius, am I right? The suitcase also has a compression system that makes life easier when trying to maximize what you can fit inside, a TSA approved lock built-in and comes with a bag to separate clean clothes from dirty clothes. If you use this link, you can get $20 off your first purchase by the way! Next to my suitcase, I’m always carrying one of my Cuyana totes which fits all my necessities.

Rest Easy

Make sure you can settle into your seat on your train/plane or in the car and have what you need for a less stressful trip. I do this by having an eye mask and my noise cancelling headphones at the ready. If I’m flying on a red-eye that also means no movies to distract me from resting and only one glass of wine before I attempt to doze off into the night. I arrive in my destination in a better state of mind this way and ready to seize the next adventure! Also avoid stressing about your phone battery by taking a portable charger on the plane. Not all planes have seat outlets yet so when you’re stuck sitting on a tarmac for a long time (like I was this past Sunday!), you won’t fret about the life of your phone. Just juice up it from your lap!

There you have it! I’m personally winding down on travel for the year. I have a bachelorette party in a week and then will stay in New York for Thanksgiving. I’m excited to soak up time here in the city when it is all festive and then I’ll get to head to Colorado to spend Christmas with my family.

Hope you guys find these tips helpful for whatever trips you have on the horizon!

Shop the Post:

AWAY Suitcase  (c/o) // Jeans // Loafers // Tote // Travel Case // Headphones // Travel Cape // Truffle Clear Pouch

p.s. the benefits of staying in an apartment when you travel and a long weekend guide to Palm Springs.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]