The Carry On: January 2020

The Carry On is our monthly round-up of our favourite travel items we'd happily haul from Stansted to Seville, Heathrow to Hydra. Be it a functional fedora or the latest in skincare science, we've probably got it in our carry on. Riffing on the adage "if you can think it, you can be it", we're saying: "If you can jam it in your carry on… you can bring it." Catchy.

Note: weight restrictions and other practicalities do not apply.

From skin saviours to on-the-go health hacks, these are the items we're packing in our suitcase…

Tyron Logo-embroidered Suede Baseball Cap

Isabel Marant

The ultimate no-photos-please paparazzi shield for a quick exit from the airport, the baseball cap is every A-lister's favoured off-duty staple. Take cover under this Isabel Marant suede iteration - perfect for keeping the sun off the skin, masking any bad-hair days or hiding the tell-tale signs of late-night parties. Rendered in soft khaki-brown goatskin suede, it's best worn with a tactile knitted sweater for maximum effect.

Buy now at Isabel Marant£180.00

Women Ultra Stretch Ribbed Trousers

UNIQLO

No four words in the English language better sum up our January aesthetic than "ultra stretch ribbed trousers". Though Karl Lagerfeld once said that wearing tracksuit bottoms is a "sign of defeat", we're unabashed fans of the humble jogger. We could happily spend all day (and all flight) in UNIQLO's easy-going loungewear - these trousers are made with a special knit material that stretches in all directions make them extra comfortable.

Buy now at UNIQLO£12.90

Advanced Night Repair Powerfoil Mask

Estée Lauder

An Estée Lauder bestseller (and VB's sheet mask du jour) the Advanced Night Repair Powerfoil Mask's innovative foil back allows deeper hydration - a major bonus when you consider how much plane travel dries out skin. Apply for 10 minutes for a quick pick-me-up (it's a jet-setter's grooming godsend). Concerned other passengers might mistake you for Hannibal Lecter? No need to feel sheepish about wearing yours, they're common-place enough that it's likely your seat partner will be donning one too.

Buy now at Estée Lauder£64.00

Charlie Colour-block Mélange Cotton-Blend Socks

Thunders Love

The off-kilter allure of a statement sock should not be underestimated. This geek-chic option by Thunders Love is spun from multi-coloured yarns to create a unique mélange effect, and the pair looks awfully handsome worn with a leather sandal. Made from a thick recycled cotton-blend, they're a fantastic accoutrement to your airport-approved Birkenstocks.

Buy now at Thunders Love£22.00

Wool-blend Bouclé Travel Neck Pillow

Lauren Manoogian

Forget that neck roll you've been lugging around, we've found the perfect travel pillow. Brooklyn-based designer Lauren Manoogian has crafted this cream travel neck pillow from blended alpaca and Highland wool, and padded it out with a soft filling - it's oh-so chic (and sustainable too). Hands down the most luxurious addition to any jetsetter's repertoire of travel accessories, this should be considered the cloud nine of carry-on items.

Buy now at Lauren Manoogian£210.00

Plantshake sachets

FOGA

There is nothing nicer than a freshly-made smoothie, but constant travel often means its a case of buying a pre-packed option for £10 in the airport or going without until you're reunited with your kitchen. Combatting that woe is FOGA, a freeze-dried powder developed with King's College London nutritionists that transforms into a smoothie-like texture once water is added. Made for healthy travel bugs, each FOGA sachet contains approximately two of your five a day - the blueberry and sour cherry shake is particularly delicious.

Buy now at FOGA£29.99

Garment Bag

PLIQO

A suit bag is essential for any serious business trip, but traditional full-sized garment carriers can be awkward and unwieldy. PLIQO's garment bag not only lets you origami your suit into a shape that fits neatly inside any travel bag, but ensures that your tailored wool jackets (linens are a lost cause) come out as crisp as they were when packed. Made to meet airline carry-on requirements, this garment bag packs a suit down to a size not much bigger than a laptop bag (you can carry it like a briefcase on board or stuff it inside a bigger vessel). It's specially made hanger folds horizontally from tip-to-tip meaning there's room enough for a pair of trousers and jacket or shirt. Not convinced? Watch this YouTube video.

Buy now at PLIQO£160.00

Make-Up Remover Pad

Face Halo

Face Halo's make-up remover pads will cleanse and refresh your skin in less than 30 seconds. To use, simply dampen with warm or cold water and gently sweep over the face - no cleanser or harsh chemicals required. Made from soft, plush microfibers, the pads' compact size make them particularly convenient for travelling (and when you tot up the space you'll save by leaving your cleanser and toner behind, they're a no-brainer of a purchase). Reusable (the pads are machine washable), recyclable and affordable, this eco-friendly make-up remover is a serious game-changer.

Buy now at Face Halo£18.00

Discover More
The Carry On: December 2019