Hotels Style + Design Trip Ideas clothing bag handbag sleeve product outerwear items coat brand pattern clothes various different
Style + Design

20 Travel Basics Every Girl Needs

Outfit planning on a day-to-day basis is hard enough. Throw in a foreign city with unpredictable weather, plus a tenth of your wardrobe at your disposal, and you're looking at a potential fashion disaster. Stock up on these basic, infinitely versatile pieces, and we promise you'll never be at a loss for what to wear on vacation again.

See recent posts by Siobhan Reid

Style + Design clothing sleeve blue blouse outerwear shirt dress neck pocket collar gown textile t shirt clothes
1

A feminine blouse

A blouse lends feminine appeal to every look, and this Victorian-inspired tie-neck works just as well in the office as it does on vacation.

Style + Design handbag accessory bag indoor tote bag leather brown fashion accessory case shoulder bag brand textile
2

A leather tote

Every woman needs at least one high quality carryall in her life, and this Transport Tote from Madewell checks all the boxes. It has an eight-inch strap drop (so is long enough to sling over your shoulder but short enough to hold as a top handle); an interior side pocket for your keys; and a durable leather construction that’ll last for seasons to come.

RELATED: The 10 Coolest Backpacks

Style + Design person t shirt white clothing sleeve standing pocket arm neck photo shoot shirt blouse human body posing
3

A perfect white tee

A white tee is a constant in every woman’s wardrobe, and after road testing every brand's version from Gap and Hanes, we’ve deemed Everlane’s Cotton Crew our favorite. It’s a true crew and made from Supima, the highest quality cotton out there.

Style + Design watch hand product strap mineral colored
4

A timeless watch

Sure, you always have your iPhone, but there’s just something about a beautifully crafted watch. Our daytime standard? Daniel Wellington’s Sheffield Analog Watch. Its masculine black strap is tempered by rose gold details and Swarovski crystal hour markers.

Style + Design clothing person dress sleeve abdomen arm pattern cocktail dress textile pocket trunk Design human body neck denim material posing trouser dressed
5

A versatile black skirt

Travel with a perfectly cut black skirt and you’ll never have an “I have nothing to wear” moment ever again. Find one in a flattering column shape that hit mid-calf like this one from Club Monaco.

RELATED: What to Wear Where

Style + Design eyewear spectacles sunglasses glasses vision care fashion accessory accessory goggles
6

High-performance shades

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement—they shield against hazardous UV light. This is why it’s important to invest in a high-quality pair that’s by equal turns safe and stylish. Our go-to? Wyeth’s Calyer frames. They’re designed in New York, handmade in Italy, and somehow flatter every face shape.

Style + Design jacket clothing leather jacket leather black textile material outerwear coat sleeve
7

An edgy leather jacket

Channel your inner biker girl with a buttery leather jacket, like this supple lambskin option from Aritzia. It's super layer-able and warmer than a blazer or cardigan, making it the perfect piece for between-season style.

Style + Design clothing footwear shoe white sneakers walking shoe athletic shoe product tennis shoe cross training shoe leather outdoor shoe skate shoe
8

Cool walking shoes

Every traveler needs a trusty pair of walking shoes to last them through long, adventure-filled days. And there isn’t a trainer cooler or more iconic than Adidas’ Stan Smith. Designed for French tennis player Robert Haillet in the mid 60s, the snazzy sneaks are a winning option for off-the-court style.

RELATED: Best Sneakers for The Road

Style + Design black clothing white sleeve t shirt product long sleeved t shirt pocket brand neck active shirt collar
9

A striped tee

A sailor-striped tee will inject a dose of French-girl style into the most basic of outfits. We wear ours with a necktie, jeans and mules by day and a skirt, heels and leather jacket by night.

Style + Design toiletry cosmetic lipstick red cosmetics black lip
10

The perfect red lipstick

Even if you don’t wear lipstick on a daily basis, it’s a good idea to have that perfect red in your beauty arsenal. It can turn any look from blah to BAM in seconds, so there's no need for clunky statement jewelry or other unfriendly travel accessories. Find a red that’s highly pigmented and works well with all skin tones, like Nars’ Audacious Lipstick in Shirley.

RELATED: The Best On-The-Go Beauty Products

Style + Design clothing dress day dress sleeve cocktail dress little black dress gown neck formal wear textile human body abdomen posing
11

A body-hugging LBD

If you travel for business, you know that an LBD is the key to versatile dressing. Style it up with statement jewelry and heels or down with flats and a blazer—either way, it’s a foolproof way to look put together at a moment’s notice. Our favorite style is this All-Season Sheath Dress from Ann Taylor.

Style + Design bag handbag brown shoulder bag leather fashion accessory textile coin purse accessory case
12

A black clutch

As Jetsetters, we’re all for eliminating excess baggage. Which is why one of our must-have travel essentials in a cute clutch. This Loeffler Randall option is compact and clean-lined and just big enough to fit your keys, wallet and lipstick.

Style + Design clothing trench coat coat person wearing overcoat posing suit sleeve beige outerwear collar jacket dressed tan
13

A wearable trench

Trench coats have remained practically unchanged since they first invented in the 1850s—no surprise given how functional and universally flattering they are. We wear our Topshop Military Trench rain or shine and tie it at the waist to accentuate our figure.

RELATED: Don't Make These Packing Mistakes

Style + Design luggage suitcase accessory bag handbag piece case shoulder bag briefcase black business bag leather baggage hand luggage
14

A weekender bag

A weekender is a no-brainer basic. Throw in all your weekend essentials, and you won’t have to worry about over-packing, baggage fees or lost luggage. At $49.99 H&M’s Weekend Bag is a classic, budget-friendly option.

Style + Design footwear boot brown leather leg outdoor shoe human body textile shoes
15

Ankle boots

The MVP of any fashionista’s wardrobe? Ankle boots. They work with everything, and if you invest in a high-quality leather pair, they’ll become the second most comfortable footwear in your closet after your runners. We love the rounded toe and a contrast block heel on this Isabel Marant pair.

Style + Design clothing sweater sleeve outerwear wool suit cardigan long sleeved t shirt neck pocket t shirt collar
16

A cashmere sweater

It may be cliché, but there’s nothing quite like cashmere. It’s versatile, lightweight and incredibly luxurious, and only become softer with time. To get the most bang for your buck, opt for a 100 percent cashmere buy like this super soft sweater from J.Crew.

RELATED: 9 Stylish (And Affordable) NYC Hotels

Style + Design jewellery earrings fashion accessory old body jewelry diamond cufflink material metal brass
17

Diamond earrings

A pair of diamond earrings may seem like a big purchase, but when you do a cost-per-wear analysis, they’re so worth the splurge. Go for a twist on a classic with these edgy white diamond baguettes from designer Suzanne Kalan.

Style + Design clothing suit man coat outerwear overcoat sleeve formal wear wool jacket tuxedo collar pocket posing tan
18

An impeccably tailored blazer

Think blazers are just for business wear? Think again. Pair this COS blazer with boyfriend jeans, sneakers and a white t-shirt for effortless airport style.

RELATED: 12 Packing Hacks You'll Live By

Style + Design footwear leather brown shoe leg high heeled footwear sandal textile basic pump outdoor shoe human body strap
19

Strappy heels

Behold the most versatile sandal you will ever own. With a chunky heel and dainty ankle strap, these strappy black Steve Madden sandals will elongate your legs and add instant elegance to any look.

Style + Design coat clothing trench coat overcoat outerwear sleeve robe wool gown
20

A statement coat

A classic wool coat adds low-key glam to every look, and while this wool-cashmere Theory number is on the pricey side, it’ll pay you back in compliments alone.

Want more?

Comments

comments

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.