Refining the art of packing and travelling well is something for which there is no shortcut. It is something of a rite of passage to find yourself at Heathrow airport at 6am with the dawning realisation that you’ve packed six bikinis but no underwear, or settling into your carefully-selected window seat only to be met with blasting, Arctic-level air con that makes a mockery of your holiday-ready tank top and linen trousers. It’s all a learning curve, that’s for sure.
For many members of the Vogue team, travel is a regular occurrence, whether it’s jetting off to international fashion weeks, travelling to far-flung shoot locations or attending a whirlwind three-day press trip. So between us, we have more than a handful of, shall we say, learnings, of what to pack and what not to pack, and which underrated essentials can be the difference between a enjoyable travel experience and a hellscape that requires the entirety of the holiday to recover from.
Vogue editors’ travel essentials:
- The toiletry bag essential: To My Ships Of The Gods Polygonum Roll-On Deodorant, £35
- The hydration sachets: Liquid IV Hydration Sachets, £19
- The sheet mask: 111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Mask Box Set, £90
- The carry-all: Peachy Den The Stella Bowler Bag, £110
- The ultimate trackies: Uniqlo Sweat Wide Trousers, £35
- The reliable earplugs: Loop Experience 2 Earplugs, £23
- The slip-on clogs: Boston Suede Clogs, £150
- The mid-flight moisturise moment: Caudalie Beauty Elixir 100ml, £29
- The good book: Waist Deep by Linea Maja Ernst, £15
- The travel perfume: Charlotte Tilbury Perfume Travel Trio Set, £48
- The trainers: Nike Air Max Muse Sneakers, £145
As we enter into summer holiday season, there’s no better time to grill the Vogue editors on the subject of travel essentials. Some of their answers may not surprise you – think eye masks, headphones and comfortable travel clothes – while others are a little more out of the box. For example, associate features editor Riann Phillip swears by a specific rehydration sachet for when you’re feeling a little less than fresh post flight. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Scroll down to see and shop our travel essentials.
Mia Portet, shopping producer
Anyone that knows me, knows I can’t stop talking about my Uniqlo C tracksuit. It might not be the most obvious summer essential, but when that plane air con kicks, I want to be my cosiest, comfiest self, and right now I’m reaching for this ultimate one-and-done set. The bottoms sit perfectly on the hip, with a comfortable adjustable waistband, while the hoodie has just the right amount of slouch and a hood that’s thick enough to block out any unwanted disruptions when gazing out of the window.
Anna Cafolla, news editor
This is the only natural deodorant I truly trust when travelling. It dries quickly for some rapid deodorising in between running for flights and island ferries. Because of its formula that includes powdered silica, I never worry about getting white marks on my compact travel wardrobe. I can even go sans perfume because I love the fresh and sweet scent, too.
Riann Phillips, associate features editor
On a girls trip to Ibiza last year, my friend (a nurse) had the ingenious idea to bring Liquid IV sachets in her suitcase. I was a sceptic at first. How could any kind of “hydration multiplier” cure my hangover from slamming (too many) tequila shots the night before? How would this ward off my inevitable heat stroke? Turns out, with their mysterious magical entities (read: science), these sachets restore one’s electrolyte balance lost through heat, exercise and travel. Whilst they’re not explicitly a “hangover cure” – proceed with trepidation – they certainly can help you get back on your feet. I haven’t travelled without them since.
Alice Cary, senior shopping writer
Plane journeys are made endlessly better with maximum hydration – both for consumption and the skin. A big water bottle satiates the former, and I swear by 111Skin’s sheet masks to nourish the latter mid or post flight (plus some optician-bought eye drops). The Black Diamond Lifting Mask – in fact, the entire Black Diamond range, especially the eye patches – are a personal go-to, as are the Rose Gold Brightening and Cyro De-Puffing masks. They’re quite the indulgence on long-haul flights (early departure times become somewhat bearable), but they’re just as good for shorter trips.
Rosa Weait, fashion assistant
A good bag makes all the difference when travelling, and I’ve found this one from Peachy Den to be perfect. Not only does it fit neatly under the plane seat for free (tried and tested) but it works well for short staycations, too. A long strap is a must for comfort and different pockets help to organise everything I need. I’m also a strong believer in comfy footwear when travelling, and these Birkenstock Bostons are a great slipper alternative, especially when paired with a fluffy sock.
Charlotte Rutter, associate fashion editor
The biggest perk of my role is getting the opportunity to travel for work. Usually it involves a long-haul flight and a very tight turnaround before jetting back, which means it’s even more essential that I get my beauty sleep on the plane. For this reason, my travel essential is a pair of Loop earplugs to ensure a peaceful rest. I also love a soft cashmere scarf or pashmina (which also doubles-up as a pillow) to swaddle myself in.
Emma Spedding, shopping contributor
This year, clogs have become my new travelling essential – specifically a pair of Boston Birkenstock slip-on clogs. They have a slipper-like quality, which is ideal for a long-haul flight, and can work for many different climates. Wear with a cashmere ribbed sock for a 6am arrival at Gatwick and during the flight, but take them off when you arrive in the sunshine, and they function much like a sandal. I even wore mine to the beach in Sri Lanka.
Joy Montgomery, shopping editor
Sometimes it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference on a flight, and for me I’ve learned that bringing an extra pair of socks in my carry-on is a game-changer – especially as I typically wear my trusty Birkenstock Arizona Eva sandals when travelling, and find that bare feet is not pleasant four hours into an air-conditioned flight. Then, for when I land, it’s 111Skin’s sheet masks all the way. After landing in Tokyo for a press trip last year, one mask was enough to make me look like I had slept a full eight hours, rather than the reality, which was being stuck, fully awake, next to a snoring stranger for 13 hours.
Julia Storm, contributing shopping writer
Jet-setting is all fun and games until you step off the plane with dry skin and a puffy face, so number one on my packing list is Caudalie’s face spray, which acts like a two-in-one perfume and mist. It will make you feel as though you’re at a spa rather than stuck in the middle seat between two strangers. There are a number of other products, like hand sanitiser, a lip balm, eye mask and face wipes that will always make the shortlist, but the second most essential after my face mist is an under-eye serum roller. This one from Clinique feels cool against the skin and works wonders on puffy eyes.
Daisy Jones, acting new and features editor
It’s easy to forget that, when travelling, there are often a lot of still moments. Waiting in an airport lounge for three hours. Having some downtime at the hotel. Sitting by the pool, etc, etc. Which is why I literally never travel without a good book – maybe two, if there’s luggage room. Recent favourites: Waist Deep by Linea Maja Ernst, Love In Exile by Shon Faye and Fun and Games By John Patrick McHugh (although I like to avoid a hefty hardback where possible).
Anisa Kennar, creative production coordinator
Beauty of Joseon’s Revive Eye Serum is marketed for the eyes, but I use it everywhere. It’s lightweight but deeply hydrating, making it perfect for the lips, around the nose, or anywhere that feels dry or dull. On a plane it gives my skin a revived, healthy look without feeling heavy. I also can’t travel without a roll-on fragrance oil, as it feels more personal and soft than a spray perfume. It sits close to the body, lingers all day and gives you that clean, “put-together without trying” scent. Plus, it’s mess-free and travel-friendly.
Naomi Smart, shopping director
I wore flip flops to the airport once – big mistake. I had to sprint for a connecting flight and ended up having to be scooped up by one of the roaming luggage buggies, which rushed me to the gate. Never again. It’s only my bouncy Nike Air Muses from now on. I only ever take hand luggage, so I’ve learnt that it’s best to wear rather than pack your bulkiest shoes, so you have room in your suitcase for holiday trinkets! After the chaos of lost luggage in the first summer post-lockdown, the fear of never seeing my suitcase again is real, so adding an Apple AirTag to locate my bag has become another must-have travel essential.
