The only travel gear I actually trust after 30 flights this year
Inside my updated travel rotation: the trousers that look chic but feel like leggings, and the kit that keeps everything in my bag organized (that went viral twice)
I’m finally settled back into my NYC apartment and getting into the swing of an actual routine after an absolute whirwind of travel: 30 flights, 13 hotels, and 10 trips. To put that into perspective, I have traveled more in the last six months than I ever have in an entire calendar year.
When you spend that much time navigating TSA lines and living out of hotel rooms, your relationship with the products you travel with changes. Anything that isn’t absolutely vital or life-simplifying simply cannot be packed. Every single item on this list earned its spot through pure endurance after a genuinely brutal travel schedule.
As this is the third edition of my annual travel essentials list, I’m bringing back the key from last year so you can see exactly how my rotation has evolved:
Still a favorite: An item that was on last year’s list and hasn’t been replaced.
Longtime staple: Something that wasn’t on last year’s list but I’ve been packing for a year or more.
New: A net-new essential from this year’s travels.
Upgraded: I found something better and that replaced a pick from previous years or an old essential.
In-Flight Uniform
The alter-ego sunglasses (new): At this point, these have officially become my signature. They instantly make me look pulled together and awake, even when I’m running on three hours of sleep and an airport Americano.
The pleated trousers that secretly feel like leggings (upgraded): I recently discovered these and they are a literal cheat code for travel. They genuinely feel like you are wearing loose, buttery leggings, but they look like structured trousers complete with belt loops and pleating. Best of all? They don’t drag on the floor when I’m wearing sneakers. Absolute perfection.
The comfy base layer (longtime staple): It’s always this tank. It’s sleek against the body so it feels cooling, and it never rides up. I buy them in bulk.
The easy-but-chic footwear option (still a favorite): I always love a loafer when I travel. They’re easy to slip off at security if you don’t have PreCheck, and they elevate a casual outfit instantly.
The outerwear rotation (upgraded): I’ve always brought some kind of third layer on a plane with me, but this year I’ve been rotating through three specific jackets depending on the destination and weather: 1) a suede, drapey number to pair with denim when I need to look instantly chic the second I step off the jet bridge; 2) a sporty, zip-up twill jacket with a high neck for that perfect off-duty aesthetic; 3) a lightweight version of the high-neck zip-up for the summer months; 4) a sporty, soft-but-cooling zip-up for ultimate comfort on long-hauls.
Read on for the full breakdown of my 2026 Essentials, including:
The $30 tech dupe for my all-time favorite luxury organizer that went viral—twice.
The exact packing hack I use to travel carry-on only while still leaving room to bring home shopping hauls.
The tiny, waterproof speaker I blast in hotel showers.
The target wellness buy that finally fixed my airplane sleep schedule (and the electrolytes that actually taste like homemade lemonade, not syrup).