9 travel essentials for spring getaways
March 1, 2022
Sunnier days are ahead — before hitting the road (or the runway), you’ll want to make sure you have the right gear and accessories for the trip. To help, we asked Ashley Theis, travel adviser at The Constant Wayfarer (on Instagram @theconstantwayfarer), to share a few of her favorite spring travel essentials.
1. Future’s so bright
Stylish sunnies are always a travel essential. These Captain sunglasses from Johnny Fly are an updated take on the classic aviator and are great for men or women. Johnny Fly Captain sunglasses, $135, johnnyfly.com
2. Don a duster
Worn over jeans and a T-shirt, a bathing suit or a dress, the Lina duster is a perfect versatile piece to throw on whether walking through the airport or lying by the pool. Z Supply Lina button-up duster, $94, Boem, shopboem.com
3. Just in case
To keep your personal care items organized and in one spot, a durable, sturdy-but-stylish toiletry bag is a must. A water-resistant bag like this leather one from Paper Twist is great for occasional spills and is easy to take in and out of your bag while going through security. Leather toiletry case gray geometric, $122, Paper Twist, papertwist.com
4. Stylish stash
A great travel wallet is essential. You need something big enough to hold your foreign currency, credit cards, passport and any Covid travel documents, and keep everything safe and secure. Long thin wallets like this durable leather one can easily be carried like a clutch or placed in the pocket of a carry-on. ABLE Debre wallet, $68, Moxie Mercantile, moxiemercantile.com
5. Feet first
Vejas leather sneakers are my all-time favorite travel shoes. I’ve had my Vejas for years, and they are the most comfortable shoes to wear when exploring a new city. They mold to your feet and provide support while looking stylish. These unisex sneakers are great for long airport walks to your gate — and they come in kids’ sizes as well. Vejas Recife ChromeFree sneaker, $150, Poole Shop, pooleshopcharlotte.com
6. Stuff it in style
Taking a weekend road trip? A duffle is easy to pack and throw in your trunk before hitting the road. Look for durable fabrics like canvas with leather detailing for longevity. A duffle is also great to bring as your personal item on planes (as long as you can fit it under the seat in front of you) — bonus if it has a compartment for your laptop or iPad. Portland Baggage Co. duffle, $149.99, available at Sharon Luggage, Mori Luggage & Gifts and at bergmanluggage.com
7. Hip to be square
When my clients ask for packing tips, this is always my No. 1 suggestion. These cubes are the perfect way to organize and compress your clothes, allowing you to bring more options — perfect for the over-packers in all of us. I use separate cubes for undergarments, lounge and sleepwear, tops and bottoms. Bonus tip for big families: Buy a set in different colors and assign each member a color. If you are sharing suitcases (or have lots of little ones), everyone will be able to find their stuff. Sage travel packing cubes, $39.95, Paper Source, papersource.com
8. Light layers
Light layers are your friend when traveling, especially when you are unsure what kind of weather to expect. A great lightweight jacket is perfect for easy layering — I try to pack in neutral colors that I can mix and match. Officine Generale Leo jacket in organic cotton twill, $345, Tabor, taborclt.com
9. Chic carry-on
I am a firm believer in packing light, and I bring only a carry-on as often as I can. Stylish and sustainable Paravel luggage offers carbon-neutral suitcases, canvas bags and nylon totes (made from upcycled water bottles, vegan leather and recycled zippers). Their luggage is also beautifully designed to stand out from the sea of black suitcases at baggage claim. Paravel Aviator carry-on, $275, paravel.com
