Travel amenities you’ll want to pack this spring & summer
Sometimes it’s the little things that can make travel feel a bit more luxurious. Depending on the season, there are certain travel amenities I always make a point to include when drawing up my packing lists.
This post is sponsored by Nordstrom. All ideas and opinions are my own.
Travel amenities for spring & summer
Certain aspects of travel may always be a bit (or more than a bit) of a hassle. I’ve learned to bake that in to my expectations when traveling, and it’s helped save me some stress and anxiety. There will always be aspects we can’t control. But I try to have a few items on hand that help me to roll with the circumstances, and stay (relatively) comfortable and flexible.
above: eye masks | sleep mask | expandable tote |
lightweight wrap | hydrating spray | packable hat
While we’re just wrapping up our Big Trip for the year, we’ll probably be taking some shorter road trips during the warmer months. Here are a few of the little amenities I’ll be including…
Getting a better night’s sleep (or at least faking one)
Even if we’re not changing time zones, I find that getting a good night’s sleep in a new location can be a challenge. When we fly long-haul, I always use one of these silk masks to help me sleep on the plane. And they’re great for blocking unwanted ambient light at your destination too.
But sometimes, a good night’s sleep is elusive. So I never travel without these Triangle of Light Eye Masks. They really do reduce puffiness and circles under the eyes, and make me look more rested and refreshed. (And for a little extra help, I use Instant Eye Lift concealer/brightener on the under-eye area.)
A lightweight wrap
Even during the warmest months, I always travel with at least one lightweight scarf or wrap. They come in handy in heavily air-conditioned interiors or when warm days give way to cool evenings. This modal-silk wrap comes in two pretty colorways, and is the perfect thing to toss into your bag and throw around your neck or over your shoulders.
More lightweight scarves & wraps:
The do-everything tote
We love to pack one of these folding totes in our luggage for the outgoing trip, then use on the way home if we need extra space. 😉 But they also make great beach bags (throw your damp towels and bathing suits inside, no worries) and shopping totes for market days. This expanding version is especially versatile and comes with an adjustable shoulder/crossbody strap.
A little refresher
I always try to save enough room in my carry-on liquids bag for a small facial spray and this is one of my favorites. Airplane cabins are exceptionally dry, but air-conditioned interiors can be too, so a spritz of hydration feels so refreshing and revives my skin. This one is also great for setting mineral makeup.
A (truly) packable hat
I’m diligent with my sunscreen, but really need to start wearing a hat when we’re out in the sun for extended periods. This one has a brim you can wear down or turned up, and can be rolled up for packing. I like this cloche style too.
More packable hats:
BTW, many of these might make nice Mother’s Day gifts for the mom who loves to travel. Just saying… 😉
Nordstrom has a great selection of all kinds of travel gear and amenities. Shipping and returns are always free. Traveling soon? You can always order online and have items shipped to your nearest store for pickup.
What travel amenities do you always pack?
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Hats are the biggest challenge. One size does not fit all!!!!! But, yes, they are a must, even if they give me hat hair!
Completely agree! I have a quite large head, apparently, so it takes a lot of hunting to find hats that fit. Probably 95% of women’s hats are one-size-fits-all, and they absolutely don’t fit all! Banana Republic sometimes has two sizes of hats available, I’ve learned. I was also able to find a packable straw fedora in a larger size, online. I also buy men’s hats & visors for playing tennis.
would appreciate a link to the packable fedora in a large size as i have a truly enormous head surmounted by lots of hair! thank you
I got one from J Crew, and the other one which I bought online was from Siggi.
You are so right! Most hats are for very small heads, if you have a large head it’s difficult to find a hat that fits. Also, hat hair is a problem but if you don’t care about flat hair with no volume well that’s not a problem.
Tilley hats (tilley.com) come in multiple sizes, for men and women. They have a variety of styles, too. I also have a big head and one-size-fits-all hats never fit me, but I was able to get a Tilley hat that fits me just right.
I’m with you on the lightweight wrap, which I keep in my carry-on bag if flying. Two things that never leave my suitcase and always come with me — a small nightlight for the bathroom and a tiny roll of black electrical tape. I use the latter to cover any of those small, annoying lights in a hotel bedroom — from a smoke detector, WiFi router, wall outlets, television, etc. — especially if they flash. I guess I’m obsessive about light — the absence or the presence, LOL.
I found a really great nightlight a couple of years ago. It’s small and comes with a couple of plug adapters for foreign outlets. And it has 2 usb ports so you can charge your phones!
I am you on the black electrical tape. Those little lights must be defeated!
Hi Susan. Thanks so much for all fashion and travel tips. All wonderful. I’m a Canadian subscriber. For some reason when I click on any links to The Nordstrom USA web site you provide I am taken to the Canadian Nordstrom site general page and not the link to the item. So frustrating as it makes it difficult to impossible to find the item. I would be grateful if you could speak to your contact at Nordstrom (or perhaps it’s the Rstyle.me causing the problem) or your techie for a solution. Thanks so much.
Thanks for letting me know, Liz! I’ll ask my rep about that.
Me too! So irritating that we Canadians can’t use your links.
I am with you on this one, so annoying. Unefemme is not the only blogger which I follow that this is happening on.
Cathy
As a fellow Canadian, I can tell you that the reason that happens is that the Nordstrom USA site is different from the Canadian one and Nordstrom USA no longer ships to Canada. Unfortunately, many of the items featured on this site are not available in Canada and so it won’t show up when you click the link. I really wish Nordstrom hadn’t changed their rules on shipping to Canada, but there it is.
Yes, it’s disappointing that the Canadian web site and stores, vancouver in my case, have such a limited selection of items. If I can’t order from the US web site, I still want to look…. Cheers
Ear plugs. For noisy hotels.
I always travel with a headlamp, like you would wear backpacking. It’s lightweight, and it’s proved handy at odd times. Walking back from a dinner in the country when it’s pitch black out. Reading in bed without disturbing your partner.
I agree regarding Nordstrom.ca…also merchandise shown is so limited and so much unavailable.
When on a long flight…eg London to Vancouver I keep my cloth napkin from my meal , and using some water, I make it damp and keep against my face & especially my nose when trying to nap.
This keeps my nasal passages from drying and find it is much more comfortable. Sprays are good but are gone in a flash.
I appreciate the idea for a travel night light for UK and EU, and will look for one. No stumbling in the dark!