A travel essentials packing list from the perspective of the women’s buying team.

Trade a literal mixed bag of items for incredibly thoughtful selections that have you releasing your stress as you ascend into the air. Too good to be true? We disagree. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, moving about the world comes with built-in challenges–but your wardrobe should never suffer.

It’s about making yourself at home in the world. While you can’t pack it all, knowing where you win big means bringing along pieces that streamline the trip. Ilze Vizulis, Director of Women’s, imagines her day to day, her mindset and how she wants to present herself out in the wild. It’s about staying true to yourself and packing what will bring you comfort, confidence and a much-needed routine to a new location. It’s tempting to want to pack new things and novelty items but staying grounded in what consistently works is the fail-safe formula. 

• We encourage pieces that know how to morph to the mood. A White + Warren cashmere travel wrap is the chameleon accessory that works as a light blanket on the plane, is a great scarf for walking on windy cindy days and is an elegant and soft wrap for evening looks. Bottom line: she’s a triple threat.
  
  
• Break up with travel stress and get a healthy exercise glow when you include a Greyson athletic set. Including a sporty athleisure set means you are ready for light to more advanced exercise and the ensemble can also be worn on the way home as an extra casual fit.  
  
  
• The calm of quiet luxury pieces keep things clean and concise. T-shirts in short and long-sleeved silhouettes from Majestic Filatures lay the groundwork for effortless styling (and make it easy to add in your personality with jewelry, scarfs and layering pieces like bomber jackets). They’re soft, anti-microbial, great for layering and can be worn multiple days in a row without the worry of carrying unpleasant smells.
  
  
• Choose your fabrics wisely–and choose Rag & Bone’s Miramar. This fabric mimics denim–actually printing jean details onto a fluid and soft fabric so you stay comfy on the plane because you feel like you’re wearing sweatpants while maintaining appearances (and no one is the wiser).  
  
  
• Because the buying team is getting their steps in as they run from appointment to appointment, shoes are a high-priority item. Versatility is non-negotiable. The likelihood of getting blisters is a lot higher if you wear the same shoe every day so to avoid that, pack several shoe styles for comfort and style adaptability. For longer trips, if the shoe doesn't go with at least two outfits, ditch it. 
  
  
• Play matchmaker with your accessories. Because you are working with many moving parts, assembling easy to pair accoutrements brings the idea of cohesion and harmony. When the sunglasses and handbags effortlessly match the outfits, you are visually showing the world you are in control.

Once you have control over your travel style narrative, you have the freedom to be yourself. Packing the required pieces paves the way for you to play and bring a bit more elegance and personal attention to your look. Take the artful approach to travel life and move seamlessly from your normal routine, adding a more romanticized version of yourself. Women’s Buyer and Stylist Blair Dame offers another travel perspective that weaves a worldly charm into how you dress on the road. Know the value of the right pieces that offer your individual je ne sais quoi that translates to how you see the world. 
 

• Icons only. Bring along a trench coat or outerwear piece for coverage and to play the attention-getting game. You can always count on Theory to offer a classic trench with a seasonal update. You never know if you’ll get caught in the rain so having a cool water-resistent trench takes the focus off the crummy weather and keeps it on your killer style. 
  
  
• Go to the dark side when it comes to denim. The darker the better, KHAITE has an option that appears a bit more dressy and upscale than light washes. It’s a way to balance both a casual look but in a rich shade that weaves in a chic sophistication that still aims to impress. 
  
  
• Again, your footwear needs laser focus. Pack a comfortable sneaker that’s both fashionable and neutral so it can be of use for many moments. Reserve room in your suitcase for a timeless penny loafer or ballet flat that exudes classic femininity while keeping you ready to run for a taxi. 
  
  
• Especially relevant for work travels–invites and events pop up. It’s worth remembering a wrinkle-resistant, packable dress for grab-and-go polish that shows you can think fast. Bonus points if it has a touch of excitement or designer detail, making it a day to night option. 
  
  
• Tried and true but still very you, a L'agence denim jacket is an ageless choice that you can bring along for casual yet genius layering. Whether in black, white or classic blue–it delivers comfort from the cold in a recognizable and approachable look that can quickly be added or subtracted from your outfit. 
  
  
• Nominated as the best Fake It Until You Make It travel must-have is the quintessential blazer. Your polish is set on high when you include a Veronica Beard blazer. It’s professional and empowering and even if you don’t feel it, it conveys a deep sense of put-together appeal that’s undeniable. Adding the removable Dickey accessory delivers a layering opportunity for a two-in-one look. 

Look for support systems and ways to fill the gap in your suitcase. This is where you add value. When you think of how to be the glue to hold together a trip’s shifting needs, you step into your power. Women’s Merchandise Coordinator Lauren Putrich knows that being able to provide fast fixes on the go is so rewarding. Think about pieces that have that resolve and reset mentality. 

• Plan on an airport run. You just have to. Your strongest standby is a shoe that checks off both comfort and neutral styling and you get both with Autry. This brand has been spotted on a number of celebrities and has that adaptability that we seek when compiling our top-tier travel gear. 
  
  
• Something small that delivers maximum impact, bringing along both a black and brown belt is an easy workaround for when you are trying to make new outfits with what’s on hand. Consider a style with a bold or decorative buckle that instantly elevates your look. These special details make you memorable. 
  
  
• Whether jet lag, an early appointment or late night, a pair of sunglasses can save you. A manageable item, you can travel incognito with a pair of classy black shades that go with everything and act as a way to hide (and get a few winks in) on the plane, in an uber or while waiting at a coffee shop. Downtime is precious and sunglasses let you steal more of it. 
  
  
• Traveling can get dirty. When you are bringing along your best handbags you need to safeguard them and Carrie Atelier is the answer. These discreet, portable and foldable hooks grip tables at restaurants, cafés, bars and airports to keep your precious purses off the ground. This is the hack that takes up almost zero space so it’s absolutely worth it. 

Travel will always come with variables you can't control - delays, weather, a last-minute dinner invitation. What you wear isn't one of them. The women's team at A.K. Rikk's has spent years refining what it means to move through the world looking intentional, feeling grounded and never compromising on quality. The right suitcase isn't stuffed - it's curated. Every piece earns its spot and pays it forward in versatility, comfort and confidence.

Shop the brands and pieces featured in this guide in-store or at akrikks.com, and let us help you build a travel wardrobe that goes as far as you do.