Things I Actually Find Chic When I Travel
By Diana | Between Chapters
There's a version of travel that looks polished in photos and feels like chaos in real life. Then there's the version where you've figured it out - where you board the plane feeling put together, you arrive with everything you need, and you spend zero mental energy on the stuff that used to stress you out.
That's what this is. Not a packing list. A philosophy. These are the things I actually use, actually love, and have not traveled without in years.
The Outfit: Comfortable Is Not the Opposite of Chic
I used to think dressing well for travel meant arriving wrinkled, cold, and miserable. I was wrong.
Now I wear a polished sweatsuit or sweat shorts set , the kind that looks intentional, not like you rolled out of bed. Clean lines, good fabric, nothing that creases badly when you've been sitting for six hours. Layering is non-negotiable. Planes are either freezing or somehow both cold and stuffy at once, and you will not know which until you're already up in the air.
Great socks. Great sneakers (just ordered in this colorway). I know it sounds minor but it is not. Your feet are going to carry you a long way and they deserve the investment. I've been wearing my Adidas Sambas everywhere for years…… cobblestones, city streets, long museum days. They are comfortable in a way that still looks good.
Comfortable undergarments round out the whole thing. No one talks about this enough. You will thank yourself.
What I'm wearing: [Favorite sweatsuit set] | [ Adidas Sambas] | [Travel socks
The Rain Situation: Get Serious About It
A rain jacket is not optional. It is your insurance policy.
Mine is from Stutterheim. It is lightweight, not particularly warm, but actually waterproof. That distinction matters. Water-resistant will leave you wet. Waterproof will not. Know which one you're buying before you buy it.
Also: many countries have a complicated relationship with umbrellas. Wind and narrow streets make them impractical or just plain rude. Your rain jacket needs a hood that actually fits and stays put. I have had a hood blow straight off my head in London. It was not chic.
The Luggage: This Is Worth the Investment
I resisted spending real money on luggage for longer than I should have. Then I bought my travel set from Quince and I understood. I own this carry-on and this similar weekender bag. I have also heard GREAT things about the AWAY brand, currently 20% off!
Good luggage rolls smoothly. It holds more than you expect. It doesn't tip over every time you let go of it. The carry-on especially -- the compartments, the straps, the material -- it's one of those purchases that pays for itself in peace of mind on every trip after.
One habit I've kept since the beginning: I pack my cosmetics and toiletries inside a separate toiletry bag within the luggage. A spill stays contained. Your clothes stay clean. It sounds small. It is not.
The Toiletry Bag: Find a Good One and Never Unpack It
This changed everything for me.
I have a hanging toiletry bag with real compartments. When I arrive, I hang it on the back of a bathroom door and I have access to everything immediately. No unpacking. No digging. No leaving something behind because it was buried at the bottom of a pouch.
The other habit that goes with this: when I get home from a trip, I restock immediately. Not someday. That day. My bag is always ready to go, which means I am always ready to go.
One thing I always keep in there that I learned the hard way: a spare pair of contact lenses. I don't want to elaborate further.
The Tech Stack: Battery Anxiety Is Real and Preventable
My biggest travel fear is not losing my passport. It's running out of battery.
I download everything before I leave -- Kindle books, podcast episodes, audiobooks. If I don't have wifi or data, I still have entertainment. This is non-negotiable for long flights. On the plane, a charging cord for my phone is essential. Most airlines now have USB ports built into the seat. Use them.
Off the plane, I carry a portable charger everywhere. Every single time I leave the hotel. GPS eats battery at a shocking rate, and being lost in an unfamiliar city with a dead phone is a specific kind of panic I would like to avoid.
My earbuds come with me too, and I have a trio charger that folds and charges my earbuds, phone, and Apple Watch simultaneously. One cord. Everything charged. Tidiest thing in my bag.
The Seat: Always Aisle
I always book an aisle seat. Always.
A little more legroom. The freedom to get up without disturbing anyone. I get restless on planes. The aisle seat is the difference between a manageable flight and an anxious one.
The Snacks: Pack Your Own
Airplane food is fine. But fine is not what I want when I've been traveling for eight hours.
I pack snacks I actually want -- bars, pretzels, whatever I'm in the mood for before I leave. Electrolyte packets are always in the bag too. Staying hydrated on a flight is harder than it sounds and electrolytes make it easier. [ Favorite electrolyte packets] | [Travel snack bars]
A Few More Things Worth Mentioning
These didn't fit neatly above but they belong here:
A great book -- or ten, downloaded before you lose wifi
Your loyalty numbers -- have them somewhere accessible; hotel and airline points add up
A small crossbody or day bag for exploring -- something secure that holds your essentials without being heavy
A door alarm or safety door stop for solo travelers staying in unfamiliar places
Packing cubes -- once you use them, you won't go back
Have a question about any of these? A favorite of your own? Find me on Instagram at@ireadbooksinbars or leave a comment below
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them -- at no extra cost to you. I only link things I actually use and love
The Carry-On
📖 Reading…
My reading month has been a little better, but I'm still finding it hard to stay focused. Right now, I need books that grab me from the very first chapter and refuse to let go. Slow burns just aren't working for me at the moment. I am just so exhausted by evening that I doze off once my eyes hit the page. My only chance is audiobooks during walks and long drives
Two standouts this month were The Good Girl and Heather.
The Good Girlis a gritty, emotional thriller about two sisters trying to overcome an abusive childhood. One battles addiction while the other does everything she can to build a better life for them both. It's a heartbreaking story of survival, family, and revenge that kept me completely invested.
Heatherwas another winner, especially as someone who lives in New Jersey. Set in the Pine Barrens, the setting felt incredibly authentic, and I loved the nods to the Jersey Devil legend. Blending local folklore with a compelling mystery involving a missing twin and an abandoned baby, it was the kind of page-turner I couldn't put down.
A friend had suggested John By John, and right after her recommendation one of my favorite bookish podcasts also RAVED about it. It was her FIRST five star read for the YEAR! This was an immediate purchase for me, as it also is based in Scotland, Isle of Lewis, where I will be this summer! So excited for this atmospheric literary fiction
🎧 Listening…
I just started “John By John” on Audio, and of course “Book Talk, Etc.” podcast
🍷 Drinking…
Lots of water, coffee, and vodka tonics (Loving Grey Goose ATM)\
✈️ Planning…
My summer plans - Day trips, visiting my mom, Scotland….
💛 Recommending…
This summer set, in tan, a beachy sweatshirt, a darling coverup, dainty sneakers, and lace trimshorts
