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Shopping for the women in your life can undoubtedly feel like a daunting task — it’s the number one reason why we’re now assembling a monthly gift guide for her — but the secret really is just to be able to hone in on any one of her, no doubt, numerous interests. And if one of those interests happens to be travel? Well you’re in luck.
As someone who travels a lot and is also a woman, I can say with confidence that I consider my meticulously curated assortment of travel accessories also some of my most prized possessions. I swear by this stuff. And if I don’t already own it? I’m coveting it. So if my significant other came home one day and unexpectedly gifted me something from one of my favorite brands, in advance of an impending trip, for said trip? I’d be beside myself. Not only are unsolicited gifts thoughtful in and of themselves, but the level of attentiveness that procuring a gift that so directly corresponds to not only ones needs but their interests, too, is something else entirely. And frankly, I don’t think theres enough emphasis on travel-related gifts in the world. So, with that said, below: A roundup of a few of my must-have travel accessories, from said favorite brands, which I’m sure she would also love … particularly coming from you.
The Rimowa Polycarbonate Cross-Body Bag
I’m not afraid to admit that I’m Rimowa stan because, as far as quality goes, Rimowa is unparalleled. Pioneers of both the aluminum and the polycarbonate suitcase, they’ve been around for more than 120 years and so if you’ve traveled so much as even a handful of times over the course of your life, you’ve surely — whether you’ve known it or not — witnessed the Original Rimowa suitcase in action. Its iconic groove design is said to have been inspired by the golden age of aviation, though since then it’s been repurposed several times over … which brings us to the Personal Cross-Body Polycarbonate Bag. An obvious homage to the original design, this cross-body is the perfect travel companion for the jet-setting, luxury brand attuned woman. A contemporary spin on a classic, it’s durable, packable and with an interior fabricated of full-grain Italian leather, it’s the perfect vessel to stow all of her daily belongings. Not afraid to splurge? Consider the Dior x Rimowa collab.
Coach Luggage Tags
There’s nothing that causes me distress quite like watching twenty of the same exact bag (read: twenty black or navy Away suitcases) circumvent the carousel at baggage claim, despite the fact that I do not, at present, own a black or navy Away suitcase myself (yet). It has nothing to do with the bag itself — stay tuned for me professing my love for Away here — so much as the potential for error. Or, rather, confusing one’s bag with someone else’s. Fortunately, it’s nothing that a good luggage tag can’t fix — and the more eye-catching, the better. These citrus-print cuties from Coach, made of coated canvas and smooth leather, check all the boxes. Not only are they just enough to help distinguish her bag from all others, they’re also adorable — and now 70% off.
Madewell Leather Passport Case
Albeit a little corny, I pride myself quite a bit on the amount of stamps I’ve amassed in my passport over the course of the past decade. While it is, first and foremost, the pinnacle of personal identification and travel documents, it’s also an ode to all the places I’ve been and loved. So naturally, it’s important to me — as it should be to you and everyone else on Earth — that I keep it nice and safe, and a passport case is just the ticket. This one from Madewell is made of vegetable leather that “burnishes with wear into a beautiful patina.” Now, a little about me: anything with a product description like that, I’m buying — full stop. But for as aesthetically pleasing as it is, it’s also both timeless and equally functional. It’s invariably going to match virtually everything she owns, and can double as a sort of minimalist cardholder if she so desires.
Monos Compressible Packing Cubes
What the fuck were we all doing before packing cubes came around? When I was 20 years-old, I packed my life up into one giant check-in and a second carry-on for a few month-stint in London. Talk about chaotic. I think a lot about that time and how different my life might have been had I had a decent set of packing cubes. Monos is another of my favorite brands and while these particular packing cubes were designed with their luggage in mind, they work just as easily with any other standard sized carry-ons or checkins (set of four fits most carry-on sizes, while a set of six fits check-in sizes). Each cube’s exterior is constructed of tear-resistant nylon twill, while the interior features soft, anti-microbial fabric to keep her belongings fresh in transit. The mesh top panel allows her to see what’s inside without unpacking and the anti-catch zippers ensure a snag-free packing — and unpacking — process. Is she prone to chaotic packing tendencies? For the love of everything that is good: Buy her some packing cubes.
Lululemon Carry Onwards Mat Travel
Is she the type to wake up early whilst on vacation for a run or a morning stretch? Can’t relate. But in all seriousness, if she is, she’ll most definitely appreciate this packable yoga mat from Lululemon. It’s quite literally — as its name implies — designed to fit into a carry-on, or even a backpack. Made of sustainably sourced, natural rubber, its ultra lightweight and not-at-all bulky, meaning its not a nuisance to bring along nor will it dominate too much of the prime real estate that is space in her carry-on. And, of course, while this is technically a gift guide geared towards jet-setting women, its also worth noting that this particular mat is definitely unisex (it comes in black, too) so if you’re the type to wake up early whilst on vacation for a run or morning stretch? Snag this mat and carpe diem.
The Away Jewelry Box
Away is one of, if not, the most popular luggage brand on the market at present — and for good reason. With “features that solve real travel problems and premium materials chosen to be resilient and beautiful,” their products are easily some of the most recognizable amongst frequent flyers. In fact, theres a good chance she’s the proud owner of Away luggage, already. That said, this Jewelry Box from Away is a must have. Whether traveling for a wedding or a conference, chances are she’s packing at least a few of her favorite jewels and baubles and so — because traveling with jewelry (particularly of the dainty variety) is an extreme sport — she’s going to require something to store them in. This jewelry box not only has multiple organizational compartments, but also a flat panel capable of holding up to four pairs of earrings, a padded cord for smaller rings, clasps and slip pockets for necklaces and a spacious main compartment for “chunkier items.” In other words, it’s sure to become a permanent installation in her carry-on forevermore.
The Béis Cosmetic Bag
Béis is a fairly new — albeit enormously popular brand — and I, for one, would love to own their entire product collection. In both colors. After initially purchasing the Weekender bag on a whim, in anticipation of a — get this — weekend trip, I returned for the cosmetic bag. I’ve since spent an immeasurable amount of time thinking about the next time I’ll conceivably be able to use the two, together.To start, its incredibly spacious, which is important because no woman wants to have to choose between her favorite products on account of lack of space, but on top of that, it also has a removable brush holder, and a generously-sized mirror for last minute, pre-landing touchups. I’ve sampled more than a handful of cosmetic bags in my time on Earth and this is one of my absolute favorites — a sentiment apparently widely shared, evidenced by the fact that it regularly sells out.
Glossier Skincare Edit
Something about a day of travel, particularly one spent in the cabin of an airplane, can be brutal on the skin. Needless to say, it’s imperative that she (and honestly you, too) be armed with a plan to combat inflammation, dryness, oiliness or emergency in-flight breakouts. Enter Glossier’s Skincare Edit. It’s not even specifically designed for travel’s sake, but it just so happens to include everything she might need in a pinch, including Glossier’s iconic Milky Jelly Cleanser, Super Bounce serum, Priming Moisturizer Rich, two Balm Dotcoms, Futuredew oil-serum hybrid and a nylon-spandex headband — which comes in handy come time to put the aforementioned products to good use — all in carry-on-friendly sizes.
The Away Travel Blanket
If you’ve spent so much as 10 minutes on a plane, you know that there’s a 100-percent chance of sub-freezing temperatures onboard. Earlier this month, I traveled from a 90 degree New York to a 90 degree to St. John and had to pack a jacket exclusively for the flight. It was disturbing, and, given the choice, I would have much rather been sporting this travel blanket from Away. Featuring thermoregulating technology, the particles of which will help to cool her down when its hot and warm when its cold, it also has an interior kangaroo-style pocket for all of her essentials, plus a foot pocket for added warmth.She’ll be carrying this blanket around with her for years to come. (For the record, this also feels like another one that you, too, should own).
The Madewell Leather Laptop Case
You can get a decent enough laptop case from just about anywhere, but there are more than a handful of reasons I like this one from Madewell best. Made from that same natural, semi vegetable-tanned leather (that deepens into a distinctive patina) as the passport case — ergo it matches — no two are identical. Available in both “True Black” and “English Saddle,” it’s sleek, professional and will keep her laptop safe while on the move. The best part? You can have it monogrammed for her — a totally sweet touch that will have her swooning over an otherwise practical gift.
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