Top 5 Travel Snob Essentials: Pack Light and Prosper

I pride myself in efficient traveling. I pack light because I bring essentials that can multi-task. The way I see it, the less extra stuff in tow to bog you down, the lighter and freer your trip! These are my secrets for happy trails.

1. Tote: Rag & Bone Woven Camel Beach Bag
You need a beach tote for most holidays, but one that can perform double-duty as an onboard tote keeps you lean and mean. The leather trim on this woven carryall turns this into a legitimate daily tote. Plus, it’s priced right for getting beaten up while traveling. Worry free is definitely essential for travel. On Ssense for $395.

2. Luggage: Road Warrior
The biggest buzz in the luggage world is over the soon-to-be-released Road Warrior. We were able to get a sneak peak of the most innovative design in suitcases since someone thought of putting wheels on them. The full-sized luggage (it comes in 5 shapes and sizes, as well as 3 colors) will collapse down to half its width for easy storage when you’re at home, so it fits nicely under your bed or takes up half the amount of room in your closet. And it comes with a storage bag with handles, so you can hang it in your hotel-room closet and keep it out of the way. I need this stat, but it’s not available until May. Inquire at Road Warrior for purchase.

3. Wallet/Clutch: Valentino Textured Leather Pouch
Everyone needs something like this for traveling: while you’re on the move, this is a pouch for your passport and documents; when you land, you suddenly have a clutch for evening. It also doubles as your pared-down wallet for day (you won’t need your membership cards and all those extra cards while abroad). Valentino’s looks divine, and it has enough room to also include basic cosmetics. On Net-a-Porter for $475.

4. Crossbody Bag: Adriana Castro Python Mini Carriel
Crossbody is the only way to go when you’re sightseeing. Python is lightweight and in its natural palette, the skin pairs beautifully with everything, especially summer brights. This sweet shape is big enough for a digital camera and your minimized wallet. At Adriana Castro for $985.

5. Packing System: Spacepack Set
Once you go Spacepak, you can never go back. I just cannot travel properly without these things anymore – I even have them for my kids. Now they’re a favorite for gift-giving in my circle of friends (who all end up buying more). It’s the most efficient way to pack. The cases double-compress everything, so you maximize the room in your suitcase. The multi-pack is Spacepack’s best deal. Trust me, you will need all three. The Shoe bag and Toiletry pouch are both sized to work with the Clothing pack, so it all fits neatly in your 30″ Road Warrior luggage. The best part is when you arrive at your hotel, take the entire pack out of your suitcase, unzip it, and stick the whole thing in a drawer. Voila! Unpacking is done in 30 seconds. The packs have two sides, one for clean and the other for laundry, so you’ll also enjoy easy organization when you arrive home. At Flight 001 for $98.