From The Straits Times    |

Image: Showbit.com

The whole experience of travelling begins with packing your luggage, and on top of the usual shirts and undergarment, we let you in on some modish travelling companions you can’t do without to ensure that you look and feel good as you explore the world. Have a dapper flight!

Sunglasses

Be it Bali or Budapest, a trusty pair of shades should always be among the first few things you toss into your hand-carry. Besides doing what it is meant to—protect your eyes—it adds some serious style points to almost any ensemble you don. Just make sure you remove them upon entering museums and religious sites, because no one likes a person who wears sunglasses indoors, unless you are Audrey Hepburn. The classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer is a safe choice for a versatile pair of travel sunnies.

Headphones

Getting around becomes more enjoyable with music in your ears. I’ll usually create a mixtape loaded with songs relevant to the city I’m visiting to enhance my experiences, and having a solid pair of headphones will ensure that your time on trains and planes will be well-spent. We recommend the stylish Bose QC-35 wireless headphones for an aurally and aesthetically pleasing commute.

Organiser

Life on the go can be a messy affair if you’re not the organised sort. The Knomad Portable Organiser is here to help. Lightweight, svelte and full of compartments of all shapes and sizes to meet your every need, it is also durable and non-bulky, allowing you to bring your iPads and tablets without the hassle of a bag. You can also store all your important travel documents like your passport in the many concealed pockets. With your everyday devices and items all packed neatly in a folder, you can spend less time digging around for them and more time for the finer side of travelling.

Travel Adaptor

A travel adaptor is akin to the Swiss army knife of plugs. Until the world decides on a standard global electrical power outlet, a good adaptor that includes the most commonly used plugs is definitely a must-have. The sleek and lightweight World Travel Universal Power Plug Adaptor comes with four different plug configurations that has your back for 150 countries. This is one essential gadget for the power hungry.

Sneakers

For the traveller, style and comfort begins with your feet, and your choice of kicks can go a long way in determining the satisfaction of your trip. Put your best foot forward with white sneakers, perfect for matching any outfit and weather. The classic Stan Smith sneakers from Adidas are comfortable and will take you places with sophistication.

Umbrella

Bad weather is one of the many things that can rain on the parade of your holiday, so it would be shrewd to arm yourself with a nifty umbrella that is both practical and looks chic at the same time. The Samsonite Windguard Auto Open/Close Umbrella is one for the spiffy and sassy, with its automatic open and close button, compact and travel-friendly size, and double canopy. Say goodbye to cheap, run-of-the-mill umbrellas.

Backpack

Choosing the right backpack for your trip is an important decision, since it will be the vessel for all your other essentials on the move. The ideal backpack for travelling should allow you to access your items with ease, while not being bulky and easily damaged. City-hopping with the Danish-designed Rains backpack is a breeze, which features a laptop compartment and a hidden phone pocket at the back to deter those pesky pickpockets.

Neck Pillow

A neck pillow is like a caring arm ensuring that you can have a better inflight sleep, so it is crucial to choose one that is both comfortable and of good quality. The Barry Smith U-Shape Travel Pillow is ergonomically designed to fit your neck and comes with a super fleece shell-polyester cover. It also features a nifty plastic hook which allows you to hang it anywhere depending on your mode of transportation.

Hand Cream

Travelling as a kid, I hated applying hand cream (and lip balm) to no end as it made everything greasy to the touch, until I experienced the pain of dry, cracked and bleeding hands. Aesop’s popular Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm helps to moisturise hands and cuticles stripped of moisture by the cold weather, softening and scenting the skin with emollients and fragrant botanicals—all these without making your hands feel greasy. Now you can get as trigger-happy as you want!

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