August has been a month of back-to-back trips—from Hawaii (where I learned a new trick for dealing with jet lag) to the North Carolina coast (a T+L guide to Wrightsville Beach coming soon) to Switzerland, where I spent three days in the tiny village of Andermatt. This weekend, I’m headed to Alaska to see the bears in Katmai National Park, so expect a full packing guide for that trip next.
Because I’ve only had a few days at home in between each trip, I’ve almost been on autopilot when packing. I grab the same suitcase, the same packing cubes, the same jeans, the same bathing suit, the same toiletry bag. A few pieces change here and there, but for the most part, I have a solid lineup—and I’m sharing my go-to pieces with you below.
My Carry-on Suitcase
If you read this Substack on a regular basis, none of these picks should be a surprise. Apologies in advance if this is a little repetitive. Starting with the best carry-on suitcase I’ve ever traveled with. I firmly believe there is no other carry-on on the market that can hold as much as the Away Bigger Carry-On. It’s simultaneously sturdy and flexible, and the shell and zippers are strong enough to withstand a bit of overpacking. If you haven’t invested in one yet, now’s the time: It’s currently on sale.
My Checked Suitcase
In the exact same vein… The Away Large suitcase will forever be my favorite checked luggage. Mine has seen its fair share of baggage claims and bumped along miles of brick and stone streets, and I have zero complaints. It’s also on sale over Labor Day Weekend—so it’s a good time to stock up.
My Packing Cubes, Travel Pouches, and Toiletry Bag
I have two sets of packing cubes that I use—this Away set and this set from Amazon (that’s currently marked down). They’re not classic compression cubes, but they’re super versatile; I’ll usually bring an extra one to use as my laundry bag. For even more organizational help, I’ll pack a couple of these Stoney Clover Lane dupe pouches in my personal item bag—one for snacks, one for cords and chargers. As far as toiletry bags, I use a clear one from Paravel (which I just saw is no longer in business), but this Away version is very similar.
My Personal Item Bag
I’ve been an MZ Wallace convert for a while now. Not only is the Large Deluxe Metro Tote incredibly roomy, but I have also never had any problem fitting it under the seat in front of me (even when it’s packed to the brim). The only issue I have with it is the fact that it’s so big and has so many pockets. I’m often digging through it trying to find exactly what I’m looking for—but that’s also where those aforementioned pouches come in handy.
Clothes and Shoes I Consistently Pack
I’ve gravitated toward solid colors and basics this summer—the ideal pieces for a mix-and-match suitcase. So in no particular order, here are some of my most-worn travel-friendly items from my own closet…