Five Travel Bag Must-Have Essentials

It’s safe to assume that all of you lucky ones traveling to exotic beach destinations or visiting your favorite medieval city have already booked everything and are ready to go, well, almost. There is still some light packing to take care of, and when we say light, we truly mean it, because different destinations don’t require a plethora of fancy clothes, but you should bring a chic dress – perhaps a trendy shoes or gorgeous jacket for date nights and candlelit dinners if you’re in a couple. However, on today’s agenda, we’re not peeking into your suitcase. No, we’re just here with a friendly reminder list of five absolute essential items that you must carry in your new bag when you head down to your travel destination. Some are skin and health savers, some are style enhancers, and some are both, so stay tuned, we promise to keep things short and stylish.

Health comes first

Fun is great, but it’s even better when you know you’ve done your due diligence in the protection department and can proceed with your carefree travel time without a single worry. This is why the first thing that must go in the travel bag, no matter if it’s summer or winter, is the best possible sunblock. Dermatologists advise that you always opt for broad-spectrum sunscreen as it has the power to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Of course, aside from great protection, you want something in which your skin will feel non-sticky and comfortable, which is why the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Activewear Lotion Sunscreen Sport is your absolute best choice. It’s both SPF 60 – as protective as it gets, and the skin absorbs it in a matter of seconds, leaving you with smooth and grease-free feel.

The right clothing
Although many different styles have had their fair share on the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter runways, the clothing that wins in terms of stylishness by a landslide is the one that is functional. Retro cuts have also made a great comeback, whether they’re monochromatic or feature iconic retro patterns such as polka dots. Of course, the absolute winner are all those athleisure pieces that will make you feel comfy during your travels, such as the ones Stella McCartney created for Adidas, so if you want to be on trend and on point, high-tech kints are the way to go, and when you want to shake things up, there are also the mighty cotton knits – case in point.

Therefore, why not embrace current trends – and by that, we mean athleisure footwear, and rely on brands like Nike when it comes to sneakers. The renowned sports brands have certainly upped their game and created the kind of footwear that is both comfortable, chic and casual at the same time, so a great pair of sleek Nike sneakers won’t only serve you during the day, but will be a great companion for your feet during those evening walks.

Enhance your style

This is an item that serves to both elevate your style and protect the eyes from the sun. Obviously, we’re talking about eyewear. Now, there is a plethora of choices, from colorful lenses to narrow or rectangular retro frames, simple or embellished frames, but in this case, don’t follow trends blindly. Choose your eyewear based on two factors – the level of sun protection the lenses provide and the frame that is most flattering for your face shape.

A touch of pizzazz
The final item that simply must find its way into your travel bag is a hat. Wide brims are very much back in style, and will give you not just proper protection – both for the eyes and the head, as exposure to the sun and wind can leave you with a feeling of dizziness, but will also give you those mysterious and classy French Riviera vibes. An alternative can be found in a chic head wrap or turban, which has its own exotic charms and has entered mainstream fashion thanks to Mark Jacobs.

Bonus tip
Wherever you go, a stylish denim jacket is always a smart item to carry along, as it just exudes a more elegant vibe when you want to go out in order to get a casual drink or head straight from the hotel to sightseeing. It’s functional and breathable, modest and chic, simply put – an unmistakable must-have.

Article by Peter, a lifestyle and travel writer at Men-Ual and Ivania's Mode magazine, living between the UK and Australia.