The Travel Essentials I Always Pack for a Holiday
Summer holiday packing made easy.
I don’t know about you but with every trip I go on, there’s always that moment when I stare into an empty suitcase and spend too long thinking: “What should I pack?”
I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of overpacking in the past, only to get to my destination and wear the same few things on rotation. So while I’m counting down to summer getaways (after what feels like the Longest Winter Ever), I’ve come up with a list of essentials: the pieces I wear and things I use the most on holiday to avoid what I like to call the Panic Pack.
These are the things that are useful, versatile and in some cases, have multiple uses. Consider it an efficient (but never boring) summer holiday packing list.
Skincare
SURI toothbrush
I’ve been using my SURI toothbrush for over a year and I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my oral health. It’s the first toothbrush I’ve used that’s left all my teeth clean (yup, even those hard-to-reach back ones) and I recently got my other half one, who said the same thing. It’s also the first toothbrush I’ve used that actually looks good — it has a slim, aluminium body and plant-based heads that you can send back to SURI for free to be recycled once you’re done with them.
When I’m at home, the toothbrush slots neatly onto a mirror mount in my bathroom (which minimises mess and clutter around the sink) and when I’m travelling, I take it in its travel case (pictured above). The battery lasts for 40+ days but the travel case doubles as a charger when plugged in if I need it, and it has a UV-C light that cleans the brush of 99.9% bacteria in one minute.
Use code JONES to get £10 off any SURI order until 8th May 2025. Shop SURI here. [Sponsored placement].
Salt & Stone mini deodorants
Natural deodorant that works! This discovery set is great for travel — the deodorants are mini size so they won’t take up too much space in your suitcase (or carry-on, if that’s how you’re travelling), plus you can try out all five scents.
111SKIN eye masks
Out of all the sheet masks I’ve tried, 111SKIN is up there with the best. The brand does a ‘jetsetter’ set that’s made for travel: three different eye masks in a little cosmetics case. Great if you’re travelling long-haul and want to look as though you haven’t only had two hours of sleep and consumed too many mini bottles of red wine.
ZIIP Halo*
Speaking of post-flying face… this is a facial toning device that actually works — I use mine a few times a week on the days when I want a little lift and glow. ZIIP has also recently launched ZIIP DOT, a device that uses microcurrent technology to clear spots and blemishes (which quite often pop up for me after flying).
Tan-Luxe face drops
I keep my face out of the sun at all costs which, while good for the health of my skin, means I often end up with a face that’s a good 3-4 shades lighter than the rest of my body in summer. So I add a couple of these drops to my moisturiser to even things out a little. As long as you apply it carefully, you’ll get an even colour with no streaks, and it fades evenly.
Aesop rinse-free hand wash
AKA hand sanitiser. I haven’t dropped the habit of sanitising my hands post-pandemic, especially when travelling. This one from Aesop genuinely smells nice (as you can imagine) and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. It also comes in a small, travel-friendly bottle.
SPF 50
Come rain or shine. La Roche-Posay is my usual go-to but I also like this one from Beauty Pie and this from Oh My Cream. I like Oh My Cream for body suncream too.
Clothing
A slip dress
I have a navy one from Raey (RIP) but I like this as an alternative.
I always pack a long jersey dress whenever I go on warm-weather holidays. They’re so easy to chuck on, don’t crease in your suitcase and thanks to the fabric, are cooling and breathable.
Linen trousers
I like Toast and Beyond Nine (as shown below).
You know I love a good pair of trousers, so I can't really go on holiday and not take a pair. A good pair of linen trousers ticks the boxes for heat-friendly and outfit-lifting, especially if they come in a good print or shape like a barrel leg.
Linen shirts
I like Something to Hold and With Nothing Underneath.
When they're loose or oversized, linen shirts keep me cool (and protected from the sun) and they're easy to wear with pretty much everything. I have a couple from Something to Hold that I wear a lot in summer; With Nothing Underneath is a good alternative. I always take a couple of short-sleeved shirts too (Uniqlo normally has a few good options in summer).
Boxer shorts
With Nothing Underneath is the best I've tried.
Are shorts one of the trickiest items to wear and style? I think so — so much that I dedicated a post to them last summer. I’m 5’4” and I often find it difficult to find shorts that don't look frumpy, but I've come to realise that a loose fit, like a boxer short, is the style I feel best in.
Cashmere jumper
Rise & Fall does my favourite lightweight styles.
I’ll never travel without a jumper because you never know when you might be facing fierce air con or a cool evening. Cashmere is soft and breathable so it's warm without feeling too heavy. When it comes in a classic fit, like this one, it's easy to dress up or down too.
Swimwear
Matteau, Casa Raki, JETS Australia and Zulu & Zephyr are my favourite brands for swim.
It’s no surprise that the Aussies know their swimwear so if in doubt, brands like Matteau, JETS Australia and Zulu & Zephyr are always safe bets. The fits, shapes and quality are always the best — I’ve had some of my Matteau bikinis for years and they still look new. Closer to home, London-based Casa Raki is also very good (and you can get 20% off with code ANGHARAD20). I’ve linked some of my favourite swimwear here.
Footwear
Tan suede sandals
A. Emery’s Jalen sandals get a lot of wear.
I’ve had these sandals from A. Emery for a good few years and wear them with everything in summer. They have a good supportive sole and suede straps and they’re easy to wear with casual or slightly dressier outfits, like here.
Canvas trainers
I have these from Studio Nicholson. Novesta trainers are a good alternative.
I need a shoe that is comfortable and that I can walk various lengths of airports in, and one that’s light so it won’t bulk up my suitcase during the rest of my travels. I also want a pair that’s light enough to wear in the heat, and my canvas pumps from Studio Nicholson do the trick.
Fisherman sandals
My most-worn pairs are from Soeur and Salt-Water Sandals.
They’re comfy, they go with everything and they offer a bit more support than other sandals, thanks to those ankle straps. My pairs are both brown because I find that colour the easiest to wear with everything else in my holiday wardrobe (which tends to be white, navy, green or black).
Birkenstock Arizonas
Are Arizonas still cool? I’m not so sure, but I don’t care. After spending far too much of my late teens and 20s in shoes that did absolutely nothing for my feet, I need footwear that’s comfortable and supportive — and these are both. I’ll put these on for the beach and daily pottering.
Accessories
Straw hats
I particularly like Lack of Color.
Getting older means knowing sun protection is much more important than a whisper of a tan, so I’m rarely without a hat whenever I’m on holiday. I have two straw hats that I switch between: one small foldable style from COS (this one is very similar, and great if you don’t have much space) and a larger one from Lack of Color.
Basket bag
I’ve used this one from Paris/64 hundreds of times.
Basket bags have been a staple for summer holidays for decades, so they’ve definitely surpassed ‘trend’ status. I take mine to the beach, out for dinner, to pick up a few bits from the shop, you name it.
Sunglasses
Monokel Ellis and River are my favourites.
A bit of a no-brainer but an essential nonetheless. If you ever see me wearing sunglasses, 9 times out of 10 they’ll be from Monokel. Ellis and River are the shapes I’ve tried and liked the most, and the quality is excellent. Use code angharad on any purchase and you’ll get 10% off.
Beaded necklace
I like Hermina Athens.
A string of colourful beads around the neck screams summer, and they go with everything: vest tops, peeking through open shirt collars, resting on top of dresses etc. etc. I have one in green — it goes with most things and adds a bit more colour to my more neutral clothing.
Cord necklace
I have one from Lines & Current that I wear a lot. Other good options here and here.
I don’t like to take overly delicate necklaces away on holiday — I don’t know why, maybe I think I’ll be far too relaxed (and clumsy) to look after them properly. So something a little more hardy, like a cord necklace, is a good alternative. Plus, they tend to be bigger, thicker and darker than other necklaces, so they become more of a focal point in an outfit.
Gold cuffs
Monica Vinader and Daphine have my favourite styles.
A gold cuff is a very easy way to add a bit of fancy to an outfit, without it taking too much effort. Their size makes them more obvious than a delicate bracelet and there’s something about gold that always looks good against sun-kissed skin.
Clothing Care
Steamer and fabric spray
I’ve had this Steamery steamer for a good few years now and use it on an almost daily basis. It’s a gentler way to remove wrinkles from fabric and helps lift any odours from your clothes, cutting down on washing and helping your pieces last longer.
Another Day from byMATTER is a bio-active fabric freshener that contains probiotics that neutralise odour-causing bacteria (rather than merely masking them like other fabric fresheners). I use it when travelling to revive clothing that’s been worn a few times — or spent too long at the bottom of my suitcase.
Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
This post contains some affiliate links. If you buy something through those links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Angharad you’re holiday outfits are incredible! I was only just at some gorgeous green beads on the Lines and Current website yesterday. So many inspiring pieces! x
Lovely!! And as a Swiss person, I got unreasonably excited when I recognized Zurich (and the Swiss beer) 😁.