There are so many little touches that can take travel from gruel to drool. Antonia Whyatt shares her essentials for making the journey more enjoyable. Think of it as an upgrade for those of us who don’t get to turn left.
Vuori Joggers
Ever since I was introduced to these sweatpants at one of my favourite stores in O’ahu, (Bikini Bird), I can’t live without them. They are ultra-soft and lightweight, the waistband doesn’t dig in, and they can do everything from yoga to pyjamas. Plus they’re easy to roll up and pop into your carry-on for slipping into on long flights. $130
Espe Ellis Fanny Pack
I never travel without this chic, compact yet surprisingly roomy cross body bag. Made from soft pebbled vegan leather by Toronto family-owned brand, Espe, with several zipped compartments, you can stash all the essentials – passport, wallet, makeup, phone – and still look stylish. $78
iWalk Portable Pocket Charger
It’s amazing how quickly things can unravel when your phone runs out of battery while you’re on the go and you find yourself without Uber, boarding passes, Google Translate, maps and much, much more. This charger is small, light, and pretty-looking and delivers enough juice for one full charge. $50
Aesop Hand Sanitizer
It smells incredible, comes in a handy travel size and hydrates as well as purifies your wash-weary hands. Plus, it elevates the whole sanitizing experience – making it feel like a treat instead of a chore. $15
Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray
I discovered this when a beauty consultant at the Duty Free Clinique counter suggested I try it, saying that it’s the go-to for flight attendants – it blew my mind. My face remained dewy all the way to Los Cabos. $43
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Under Eye Masks
Individually packaged for no mess, these masks sort out tired, jet-lagged eyes. They’re especially handy for de-puffing the undereye bags of those of us without the self control to resist a glass of wine while flying. $49
Uniqlo Ultra Light Puffy Jacket
You’ll never have to worry about being cold again thanks to this wondrous jacket. Worn on its own, it will take the sting out of a cool wind on a cruise ship deck or, layered up under a coat, can beat unforeseen weather events like “The Beast from the East” – the Brit’s name for the Siberian wind that can barrel through the U.K. and disrupt its mild winter. Plus, you can stuff the whole jacket inside the built-in storage pouch and use it as a pillow.
Briggs & Riley Expandable Carry-On
Tough, chic, with just the right amount of pockets on the outside for stashing a laptop, scarf, jacket and magazines – there’s even a “power pocket” for charging your phone – this understated carry-on is the WASP-y bag of choice. And for those of us who have trouble editing down our clothes, there is a nifty one-touch system that expands the bag for packing and compresses back down to overhead-bin size when you zip-up. That alone, plus the lifetime warranty, is worth the hefty price tag. $799
Smythson Passport Holder
Mine is bright green so I can always find it when I scrabble through my bag, and 18 years on it still looks brand new thanks to its hard-wearing, textured “Panama” cross-grain leather. I also appreciate the open-sided slip for the boarding pass and the closed one for the passport: luxury is attention to detail after all. $345
Jacquemus Bucket Hat
I don’t own this, yet. A fellow travel editor has one and I covet it as the perfect travel accessory. The hat folds flat without getting crushed, keeps the sun off, covers bad hair days and is super stylish. $250
FUJIFILM X HALF CAMERA
I am desperate to separate my phone from also being my camera, and this deliciously retro digital is the answer. It shoots vertical, horizontal and video, has different effects, an app and a smartphone application, but feels like a film camera. It even has a frame advance lever and manual focus. $860