My Must-Pack Carry-on Essentials
Suitcase Space-Saver
Thule Compression Cube Set, $48 (originally $54)
When I first started travel writing, I spent nearly two years living out of a carry-on suitcase. I’ve navigated nearly every sort of packing puzzle, from traveling through different climates on a trip from Italy to the Maldives, to considering occasion-specific outfits for an Australian camping trip that included a friend’s Gold Coast wedding. I’ve learned that no matter where you’re heading—whether for one week or one month—there are two foolproof tricks to maximizing your suitcase space: compression packing cubes and a carefully curated packing list. To that end, I’ve rounded up my must-haves, based on a three-week trip I spent traversing Central Europe—specifically, the cities and remote wine regions in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—followed by a rogue, sun-soaked jaunt to the Greek island of Zakynthos.
From must-have travel accessories that solved my packing woes to the silk skirts, button-downs, and walking sneakers I won’t travel without, here’s my guide to editing down your wardrobe to fit into a carry-on, no matter how long you’ll be on the road.
Travel Accessories
Thule Compression Cube Set
$54
$48 at Amazon
Of the dozens of travel products I’ve tested over the past few years, there’s one thing I won’t fly without: compression packing cubes. They’ve revolutionized my packing style, allowing me to fit significantly more clothing into my suitcase while keeping my outfits organized and noticeably less wrinkled. This two-piece set from Thule boasts an ultra-durable compression zipper, which is easy to close even when the cubes are stuffed full. Plus, the ripstop fabric is water-repellent and semi-sheer, so you can see what’s inside at a glance. The smaller cube (which measures 10 x 7 x 1.25 inches when compressed) is ideal for stashing delicates and swimsuits, while the medium cube (13.4 x 9.1 x 1.25 inches, compressed) can fit more than a week’s worth of tops, pants, dresses, and even a lightweight sweater or two.
Cadence Travel Containers
$138 at Amazon
My secret to a mess-free toiletry case? Cadence capsules. I’ve relied on these leakproof, magnetic travel containers since they first launched in 2020, and their proven durability over the past few years has made them well worth the investment. Before every trip, I refill mine with my go-to skincare and haircare products—Sulwhasoo and Ouidad, respectively—which I tend to order in bulk for my apartment. I love that these capsules are a more sustainable and stylish alternative to buying travel-sized toiletries or plastic travel bottles, as they’re crafted from recycled materials. Plus, they make staying organized a breeze, thanks to the interchangeable labeled tiles that help me keep track of which product is inside.
Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
$69 at Amazon
This memory foam neck pillow has become my most trustworthy travel companion, joining me on flights to Tbilisi and Paris, on train rides to upstate New York, and in rental apartments where the pillows provided don’t quite cut it. Over the past six months of near-weekly use, the Velcro has held up remarkably well, and the soft, modular pillow itself shows no signs of wear and tear—thanks largely to the handy carrying case I stash it in on the rare occasions it’s not in use. The case conveniently clips onto the exterior of my personal item, too, so it doesn’t take up any unnecessary packing space.
Away 22-inch Carry-on Luggage
$275 at Amazon
I’ve sworn by my Away Carry-on for five years now, and after nearly 100 flights—including several times when it’s been gate-checked—it’s still in excellent shape. Sure, there are some superficial scratches, and the telescoping handle sticks from time to time, but the bag is dent-free and rolls across airport floors and the cobbled European side streets as smoothly as it did on day one. The interior organizational features are a major help: one side features a zip-around mesh closure with a spacious pocket, while the other boasts a removable compression pad with zippered pockets that also help to keep my belongings in place.
Hoxis Oversized PU Leather Tote Bag
$36
$29 at Amazon
I always recommend traveling with an empty tote, which you can use as an in-flight personal item, a grab-bag for day trips, or a souvenir stowaway on the way home. I gravitate towards bags that are chic, minimalist, and easy to wear in any season, like this oversized vegan leather tote from Hoxis. I love that it has a button closure for a bit more security, and that it comes in 10 classic and colorful shades that are easy to mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe. The perfect blend of slouchy yet structured, this roomy bag easily fits a laptop, book, wallet, and a spare layer for chilly evenings.
Travel Clothing
Grapent Wide-leg Trousers
$35 at Amazon
I’m not much of a denim girl—instead, I find that drapey, high-waisted pants (like my favorite pair from Everlane) are an ultra-versatile alternative for travel across all sorts of climates. These wallet-friendly, wide-leg lookalikes from Amazon come in 28-inch and 30-inch inseams, and feature an elasticated waistband for added comfort.
Skrtimory Satin Maxi Skirt
$34 at Amazon
A silk or satin skirt should have a place in your suitcase at all times, particularly in shoulder seasons. I can’t overstate how versatile they are: I wore mine with a tank top and sneakers to keep comfy while roadtripping between Austria and Hungary, then dressed it up with a vintage scarf top and sandals for dinner that same night at a winery. In the fall, I layer them with sheer tights, black boots, and a knit sweater for a fuss-free, polished look. I’ve traveled with a golden-hued midi from Souer for years, and get tons of compliments on this chocolate brown number from Quince that I added to my wardrobe last year. For an even more affordable lookalike, I love this silk maxi from Amazon, which comes in 23 colors and has an adjustable drawstring waist.
Big Dart Oversized Button-down Shirt
$25 at Amazon
I’m a late-in-life convert to the fandom of button-downs, and I’m not quite sure how I ever made it through a trip without one. Now, there are usually two in my suitcase at any given time—one breezy linen option that I bring as a beachy layer or swimsuit cover-up (like this one from Lacoste), and one everyday cotton style that can be dressed up a bit more or worn on a chilly flight. I’m usually all for neutral hues while traveling, but I’ve found adding a bit of color with my layers—like royal blue or olive green—can elevate an otherwise basic outfit. Ultimately, this might be the most versatile layer in my wardrobe. On a recent trip, I wore my favorite vintage button-down almost every day, pairing it with jeans on a chilly afternoon, then over a mini skirt with knee-high rain boots during a summer storm.
Gap Tie-front Woven Maxi Dress
$50 at Amazon
A white cotton dress will never steer you wrong. I slipped a similar version on with sneakers for vineyard visits in Slovakia and accessorized it with a silk scarf and sunglasses while traipsing around hot, hilly Zakynthos. I love that the straps and front tie are adjustable for a custom fit and that the dress is easy to slip on and off overhead.
Staud Wells Midi Dress
$285 at Amazon
I love this Staud dress so much that I own it in two lengths (mini and midi) and four different colors. It’s structured yet swishy and adds a bit of polish without sacrificing comfort. The fabric is a bit weighty, so I often wear it on a flight to save space in my bag, but it’s worth it for how much wear it gets on every trip. Few dresses can transition as smoothly from day to night—in Athens, I wore this to visit the whimsical Alekos Fassianos Museum and straight on to a solo dinner at the sultry, vinyl-spinning Pharaoh.
Anrabess 2-piece Linen Jumpsuit
$50 at Amazon
Everyone knows that a two-piece set is the truest workhorse in any travel wardrobe. This comfortable, casual set comes in 17 shades, including neutrals like black and tan, plus eye-catching cherry red. I love that both the square-neck tank and pull-on pants are simple enough to mix and match with any other pieces in my suitcase, and that the lightweight linen material takes up hardly any packing space.
Cider Ruched Boat-neck Tank Top
$24 at Amazon
Boat necks are a timeless silhouette that can be mixed into any outfit—I love the feminine cut and flattering ruching of this top from Cider, which comes in eight different vacation-ready hues. While I’ve always preferred a tank to a proper T-shirt, this is where I’d mix in a classic T-shirt (like the Madewell Short-sleeve Harley Tee), if that’s more aligned with your style.
Lands’ End Cotton Cardigan
$63 at Amazon
A cotton cardigan will never go out of style. It’s the platonic ideal of a versatile layer—lightweight yet warm, cozy yet chic. It’s hard to beat the quality of Lands’ End, which has earned a reputation over the past six decades as an expert in clothing designed to last. This fine-gauge sweater is silky-soft, machine-washable, and a more elegant alternative to a button-down when you need a layer for a night out.
Baleaf High-waisted Biker Shorts
$27
$20 at Amazon
I practically live in my bike shorts. Whether I’m hiking, running, or just layering them under a dress, they add comfort and convenience to every outfit. I love that this pair is moisture-wicking, stretchy, and breathable, which helps to keep me cool (and avoids chafing!) while exploring a new city on foot. Best of all, there are three pockets—two deep side pockets, plus a hidden waistband pocket for discreetly stashing keys, cash, or earbuds. They’re available in three different inseams, including 3, 5, and 8 inches.
Floerns Tie-back Strapless Bandana Tube Top
$20 at Amazon
Silk scarves are the single most-used accessory in my suitcase—I’ve worn them as strapless tops, bandanas, bag charms, belts, and just about any other way you can imagine. They’re the first thing I search for while vintage shopping, as I’m always on the lookout for one that’s large enough to double as a top and won’t cost me a small fortune. Good news for those of you who also love the thrill of the thrift: this palm-printed pick from Amazon is only $20.
Suvimuga 2-piece Halter Swimsuit
$25 at Amazon
I’m all for keeping it simple with a bikini—minimal silhouettes and classic colors are my go-tos. I find that it’s easier to wear them repeatedly that way without drawing too much attention to it. I’ll layer mine with a chic button-down one day and a gauzy sarong the next. My favorite brand is Monday Swimwear, which turned me into a halter lover with its ultra-flattering Hanalei top. For a more affordable and impressively durable alternative, I love this two-piece set from Amazon.
Chuangdi 2-piece Sarong Cover-up
$12
$9 at Amazon
For warm-weather destinations, I’ll always stash a sarong in my bag. Chiffon-style options like this duo can be worn in so many ways—around your waist, tied in the front as a top, Grace Kelly-style around your head, or as an accessory to help your beach bag stand out. Plus, this set comes in two different colors.
Comfortable Shoes
Hoka Rincon 4 Sneakers
$146
$125 at Amazon
I wore these Hoka sneakers every day of my trip, whether to navigate Zakynthos’ hilly terrain or to explore 300-year-old wine cellars in Slovakia. I’ve had them for far longer than I should’ve at this point—I just passed the two-year mark, so I’m overdue for a new pair—but can confirm that they’ve held up remarkably well over the years, providing traction on city sidewalks and rocky hikes alike. While they’re great for all my athletic endeavors, I love that they’re simple and stylish enough to wear with a black dress or shorts and a tank top for long days of sightseeing as well.
Minshluu Wedge Slides
$50
$40 at Amazon
I’ve gone through two pairs of slinky platform wedges over the past few years, having worn my favorite Steve Madden pair into the ground over dozens of trips. These 90s-inspired lookalikes from Minshluu are easy to pack, thanks to their stretchy fabric uppers, and they match with just about everything in my suitcase. While sandals like these don’t offer much in the way of traction, I’ve easily clocked 10,000 steps in mine while wandering through Vienna and other cities, and love that they’re casual enough to wear during the day yet nice enough to keep on for dinner and dancing at night.
Reef Water Willow Marina Sandals
$45 at Amazon
Since I was only going to be on an island for a short part of my trip, I didn’t want to waste precious space on beach footwear. Enter: these flat, ultra-packable Reef sandals, which look like a classic slip-on sandal at a glance but are actually designed with water-resistant traction. The textured outsole offers enough traction to wear in slippery environments, and the padded footbed is comfortable enough to wear for long walks on the beach or around the city.
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