Fab Finds from My Recent Travels: Style, Beauty & Smart Essentials
One of my favorite parts of travel is discovering stylish and practical items that I can bring home and use every day. From wardrobe staples to clever accessories, I always keep an eye out for those travel-friendly finds that make packing lighter and dressing smarter a little easier. On my recent trip to London and Paris, I discovered a few new favorites, from a truly waterproof raincoat to a hands-free phone lanyard and some beauty essentials that earned a permanent spot in my travel kit.
A Stylish, Travel-Friendly, and Truly Waterproof Raincoat
My sizes: Raincoat – XXS, Cardigan – S, Jeans – 8 Petite
On my first full day in London, I took a stroll along King’s Road, which has so many fabulous shops, including two of my favorite UK brands, ME+EM and Varley. I’d been hunting for a lightweight travel raincoat for some time, but never quite found “the one.”
As I was passing Varley, I remembered my friend Annie had mentioned their raincoats, so I stopped in for a look. I’m not a big athleisure gal, but I appreciate Varley’s more elevated, polished approach to casual style. I spotted this dark brown raincoat and made a beeline. The sales associate suggested I size down to an XXS, which turned out to be perfect: roomy enough to layer but still sleek. (Most Varley pieces I’ve tried do run a bit large.)
I wore this coat on the one rainy day in London, and yes, it really is waterproof! It also rolls up compactly, making it ideal for travel. There’s also a shorter version here.
Keep Your Phone Handy: The Best Travel Lanyard
My smartphone is the only camera I travel with these days, but I don’t love walking around with it in my hand (partly for fear of dropping it, and partly to keep it secure). Still, I’ve missed some great photo ops while digging through my bag.
Recently, I started noticing more women with phone lanyards, and it struck me as the perfect solution. During my Paris visit in the spring, I’d seen a whole section of them at Le Bon Marché, so it was one of my first stops this time around.
Many of you asked about my phone case and lanyard after I shared Paris outfit photos last week. It’s from the French brand La Coque Française, and I found mine in-store at LBM, but this online version is very similar (and yes, they ship to the U.S.).
I’m sold! The crossbody style keeps my phone accessible and secure while freeing up space in my bag. The only downside? The case isn’t compatible with wireless charging. I’ve since ordered this one, which should work with my lanyard setup.
Annie loves her Bandolier phone case (with a card wallet), so I’ve ordered this one to try as well. (Also has magnetic feature for wireless charging.) And here are some other options: Cordée | Casetify | Cordée | Bandolier
Beauty Finds That Travel Well
It came as a surprise on one of our first European trips that not all hotels provide face-sized washcloths. Since I prefer to go to bed with a freshly cleansed face, I packed these compressed cotton washcloths to test out, and they’re a win.
They’re featherlight, take up virtually no space, and expand to full size once wet. I used them with my cleanser, then rinsed and re-used each one for a few days. They’d be equally handy for camping or hiking.
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen & Lip Balm SPF50 (c/o)
I wear sunscreen daily, year-round, and stick to mineral formulas. The team at colorescience sent me these products to try, and both earned a thumbs up.
Many tinted sunscreens turn orange or cakey on me, but this one doesn’t; it gives a natural finish, neither matte nor shiny. Looks great alone or under makeup. The SPF 50 lip balm adds just a hint of color with no shimmer, perfect for everyday wear.
Now that I’m wearing my hair a little longer, I find some days it can go a bit flat. When I was in London, I asked Annie’s “hair guru” if there were any products he’d recommend, and this volumizing styling foam at was top of his list.
I’ve been applying it to a vented brush, brushing through damp hair, then letting it partially air dry before finishing with a blow dryer (scrunching rather than brushing). My hair looks fuller without stiffness and the volume lasts all day. For a bit of extra lift or texture, I’ll add a mist of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.
Takeaway: Travel-Tested Favorites Worth Keeping
It’s always satisfying to return from a trip with more than just photos, especially when those stylish travel essentials continue to make daily life a little easier. Whether it’s a waterproof coat that actually works, a clever phone lanyard, or a smart beauty essential, these are the kinds of discoveries that remind me why I love exploring new places (and shops!).
Have a travel-tested favorite of your own? Share it below…I’m always on the lookout for clever, stylish finds!
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Great recommendations! Thanks.
Too bad I cannot use a laynard. I love my phone case and it was expensive. It has saved my phone already many times as I am in the habbit of dropping it often. (I drop many things; one time I was sure I had a disease.)
But it is indeed handy to have the phone (camera) ready.
Greetje
I left my phone on a park bench in Lyon a few years ago. I did retrieve it but after that I ordered a Bandolier case with the credit card holder. I also bought a pouch that attached that is big enough to hold my passport and my reading glasses and lipgloss.
Love these items, Susan! That raincoat is fabulous and looks great on you. Would you mind sharing how tall you are? The models on the website look very tall. I’m afraid the coat would be way too long on my 5’2″ frame.
Hi Jennifer, thanks! I’m 5’1″ so firmly in Petite territory. 😉
I think we have similar fine hair. I’ve found the Wow products are fabulous! Volume without stickiness and they come in travel sizes.
I also have fine hair without much natural volume. Do you have any specific Wow products you like? Most of the hair products I use don’t come in travel sizes which I find really annoying, so I’m always interested in finding good products for fine hair that are available in travel sizes!
Hi Susan, I’ve been following you for years and love love love the style information that you share. Now, I take you shopping with me😄. When I’m in doubt about a color or style I ask myself, “What would Susan think”. You’ve saved me from many careless purchases. Huge thanks for all that you do Susan!❤️😄💐
Hi Susan
Has Annie disappeared from social media? I cannot seem to find her.
No, she’s quite active in her Stories, but doesn’t post much on her main feed. You can find her here: @justanniecastano
How strange, I just get a blank white screen. Must be something awry with my app.
Do be cautious about storing phone and credit cards together in the same case. If it goes missing however that happens, you may not have access to any money.
Love the raincoat! Going on my wishlist. I have been looking for a truly waterproof raincoat for ages and I adore the color.
Those phone lanyards look handy!
Recently I asked about travel sleepwear and you mentioned that you pack a pair of silk pajamas. I’d love to get some for myself, but as a fellow petite, I’m having a hard time finding sets with shorter inseams (and no, pajama shorts are not for me!) Do you mind sharing where you found yours and if you’ve had any issues washing them?
Hi caroline, the pair I traveled with is from Lunya and is a shorts set. I’m keeping eyes peeled for a style with a cropped pant.
If you (or anyone reading this) spy a set with a cropped pant, please share the source! I’ve just found two: Talbots has a nice cropped bottom, but their tops are skimpy or only available in black; Quince has a cropped bottom, but it has a long slit (previous experience has taught me that slits make the fabric bunch up uncomfortably in bed.) I’m expanding my search to include rayon and lyocell which also have light, silky textures.
Thanks for the links to those lanyards and leather bandolier phone cases. I took a cord lanyard for my phone, but it kept getting caught up with my cross body bag and nearly garrotted myself. My must take travelling piece is my Paqme raincoat It is stylish, has a hood, is waterproof and folds up into a small plastic bag. Last trip, I bought online from a small business in California, a Stashbandz. It is a stretchy thin money belt worn under my clothes and is not at all noticeable – it just slips on. I liked the security when travelling on trains and it fit my cash, credit cards and passport. Did you stay at the Saint Beauvais hotel in Paris again? On your recommendation, I had rooms booked, but had to change at the last moment when my sister joined us and they didn’t have a third room available, am always on the lookout for hotels personally recommended.
I did a quick Google search a few years ago to try to locate the pearl-chain phone strap and case an acquaintance had been sporting and discovered a wonderful little company right in your neck of the woods, Susan: Keebos.com out of Santa Monica. Wonderful to do business with, and I now own several of their straps and get asked about the case/strap combo all time. Transitioning from an old SE to an iPhone 16 was very easy too as I could just order a new case without having to spend on a strap at the same time. Great option for those looking for a nice but not super-expensive option.
My latest two favorite travel items are: 1) a travel sheet, which is a twin size very thin microfiber sheet that folds up into a tiny pouch. I sleep hot, so I really have a hard time with European (and some American) hotels which have only a duvet and no top sheet on the beds. So I’m either hot, with the duvet on, or cold, with the duvet off. Now I bring my own sheet! And I got it in dark green so I won’t forget it amongst the white bedding. Item #2 I just tried out last week and it was a great success. I have an “S” hook that’s normally hung on a grid in my closet. I brought it along on this recent trip, & it was super useful in the hotel bathrooms. I used it as an extra towel hook if needed, and also to hang my robe & nightgown when the lone existing hook was needed for hanging towels.. Can recommend!
Dear Susan,
I have used colorscience wand for a few years as my travel and everyday sunscreen to make in my handbag and have not been disappointed. Given your review, I will give these products.
Thanks