12 Things That Make It Into My Suitcase Every Single Trip
Travel Essentials That Have Earned a Permanent Spot in My Suitcase
I’ve reached the point in life where I’ve packed for enough vacations to know that the things I use the most aren’t usually the trendy travel gadgets everyone is talking about. They’re the random items that prevent chafing, save an outfit, keep my phone alive, make airport days easier, and stop me from digging through my suitcase looking for something I swore I packed.
After many years of traveling for work, vacations, cruises, Disney trips, and now traveling with a toddler and baby in tow, these are the items that have officially earned a permanent spot in my suitcase. If you’re planning a trip soon, don’t forget to browse the Travel section of my site too. You’ll find trip recaps, vacation outfit ideas, packing inspiration, and plenty more travel-friendly finds.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, this one probably won’t surprise you. I wear these inside unlined bras, in place of removable pads, under dresses and tops, and even in swimsuits. They come in grippy, sticky, and lifting, making them one of the most versatile items I pack. Not sure where to start? Check out my beginner’s guide to nipple covers for the full breakdown.
This is one of those products I don’t think twice about packing anymore. Whether it’s a beach vacation, sightseeing day, theme park, or anywhere with heat and humidity, it’s always coming with me.
Lately, I’ve been loving the gel version, but the original stick is still a favorite and easy to toss in your bag for reapplication on the go.
These lightweight shorts help prevent chafing and make me feel a little more comfortable and confident in dresses and skirts. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and one of my most-packed travel essentials. These are another pair of my favorite everyday shorts to wear.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your shapewear is fitting correctly, check out this blog post where I share 7 signs your shapewear fits the way it should.
I’m diligent about sunscreen, but reapplying throughout the day can be a challenge, especially when I’m wearing makeup. This spray makes it quick and easy for the whole family, and I’m also a big fan of the scalp spray which makes it on every trip!
It lives in my beach bag, pool bag, and carry-on all summer long. You’ll find even more favorites in my SPF guide, too.
Nothing spikes my anxiety quite like seeing my phone battery hit 12% while traveling. Between boarding passes, maps, photos, videos, and texting family updates, I can burn through a full charge surprisingly fast.
This portable charger has saved me more times than I can count and has earned a permanent spot in my carry-on.
This one probably goes without saying, but I always pack at least two pairs: one pair I love and one pair I won’t cry over if they end up at the bottom of the ocean, forgotten at the pool, or mysteriously disappear somewhere along the way.
It’s a travel system that’s served me well for years. You can shop more of my favorite sunglasses here!
This tote comes on every trip with me because I always end up needing an extra bag. I usually pack it down to nothing in my suitcase, then use it for the beach, pool, shopping, day trips, or inevitably carrying home more than I left with.
It’s lightweight, fits easily under an airplane seat, and has plenty of pockets to keep travel essentials organized. If you’re looking for more travel favorites, you can browse my luggage and bags for travel roundup here!
No matter how much effort I put into my vacation hair plans, there’s always a point where I end up throwing it up in a claw clip. Beach days, boat days, humid days, getting-ready days… it comes in handy more than almost anything else I pack.
It’s a small thing, but I’d be annoyed if I forgot it. Shop my favorite claw clips here!
Ever since I started packing for multiple people, packing cubes have become completely non-negotiable. They make organizing a suitcase so much easier and save me from digging through everyone’s clothes trying to find one specific thing.
We each have our own color or print, which makes it easy to keep everyone’s items organized and makes unpacking at our destination a breeze. If you’re curious about my system, I shared exactly how I use packing cubes here.
Hotel irons can be a gamble, and sometimes you’re either too tired to use one or don’t have access to one at all. This spray has saved countless outfits over the years and takes up almost no space in my suitcase.
It’s one of those underrated travel MVPs I never think about until I need it, and then I’m very glad I packed it. You can find more of my favorite fashion emergency solutions here.
I bring this one with me everywhere. Traveling tends to throw my routine off, and hydration is usually one of the first things to fall by the wayside. I actually prefer traveling with this smaller size since it doesn’t take up as much room in my bag, but still holds enough water to keep me reaching for it throughout the day.
The spill-proof design is a huge bonus for flights and road trips, and having it with me makes it much easier to stay hydrated during long travel days and warm-weather vacations.
I’ve learned the hard way that vacation is not the time to break in new shoes. These days, I usually pack a neutral, comfortable, and supportive pair of Archies or Crocs because they’re comfortable, versatile, and work with nearly every outfit I bring, and for walking around the hotel room.
If you’re trying to decide between the two, I shared a full comparison here.
Thanks for reading!
While every trip requires a few destination-specific items, these are the things that make it into my suitcase again and again. They’re the travel MVPs I’ve relied on through beach vacations, cruises, work trips, family travel, and plenty of airport delays along the way. If you’re planning a trip soon, I hope this list helps make packing a little easier. And don’t forget to browse the Travel section of my site for trip recaps, packing tips, outfit inspiration, and more of my favorite travel-friendly finds.
Have a travel essential you never leave home without? Let me know… I’m always looking for something that can earn a spot in my suitcase.
xx CMK