The weather’s hotting up and the long school holidays are just around the corner. To help you prepare, here are our top summer suggestions to make sure the journey is as comfortable and trouble-free as possible. Read on for our curated selection of essentials to see you through the flight and your weeks away, so you can concentrate on having the best vacation ever.
Tumi Extended Trip 86cm 4-Wheel Suitcase in Forest Green, £1,043
This aluminium-shell suitcase not only looks good but it’s incredibly durable, so fragile items inside are well-protected. It incorporates zip dividers, compression straps, and a hanger to keep clothes from creasing. The spinner wheels and retractable handle make for easy movement across carpet, hard floors and outdoors, while the TSA lock adds peace of mind. www.johnlewis.com
Mulberry Mini Alexa Heavy Grain Leather Cross Body Bag, Black, £995
When you’re travelling you need a bag to hold the essentials, such as your boarding pass, bank cards, and passport, that doesn’t require your attention too much. That’s where this cross-body comes in – it won’t slip off your shoulder or end up unnoticed on the floor. And that’s a very good thing when your hands are full dragging luggage off the carousel and perhaps even hanging on to a wriggling toddler. www.johnlewis.com
Aspinal of London Connaught Cabin Case, £895
When you’re jetting off for a long weekend this handcrafted leather cabin case could be all you need. There’s enough room in the main section for clothes to last several days, while the pocket at the front is perfect for a laptop. Internally, one side features a zipped divider, while the other boasts leather-trimmed compression straps and a zipped pocket, ideal for jewellery or other small items. As well as a retractable handle, there’s a leather grab handle on the top and another at the side. www.aspinaloflondon.com
Silhouette Antibes Sunglasses, £306
These retro sunglasses are perfect for summer holidays and have a bit of a rock star vibe going. We love the brown frame with red brown gradient lens, which is softer on the face than black sunglasses. It’s a shade that also looks amazing against a tan, and will work with whatever you’re wearing. www.silhouette.com
La Mer The Revitalizing Mist, £80
A facial spray is a must to stop skin drying out during long flights, and this is ideal for taking with you on sightseeing or shopping trips. We love La Mer’s revitalising mist, as it contains the marine botanical extracts the brand is famous for in an easy-to-use format. Simply spritz on your face, neck, and decolletage for a fast cool down. www.lookfantastic.com
Biossance Squalane Niacinamide Eye Serum, £44
Keep this in your travel bag to pamper your eyes in flight, then have it handy for days in the sun. It’s packed full of nourishing ingredients to prevent dryness, and the cool metal applicator tip is heaven against hot skin. It contains squalane to hydrate, niacinamide and vitamin C to brighten and reduce the look of dark circles, as well as caffeine to reduce puffiness. www.spacenk.com
Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF30, £49
We should be wearing sunscreen year-round, not just by the pool in summer – and that includes when flying. This version from Dermalogica is lightweight and absorbs easily, rather than sitting in a sticky layer on top of your skin. It contains green tea and bio-active mushroom complex to calm, hydrate and prevent dryness, as well as defending against environmental damage. Though it contains zinc oxide, it doesn’t leave a white cast, protecting against UVA, UVB and blue light. www.dermalogica.co.uk
Focal Bathys MG Headphones in Chestnut, £999
These award-winning Bluetooth headphones are the ultimate in listening luxury, and because they’re noise cancelling, you can enjoy your favourite tracks in peace. The technology is cutting edge, with magnesium drivers for precise and natural sound, and aluminium for lightness, while the memory foam ear pads and headband deliver superior comfort, no matter how long your journey. www.richersounds.com
Paul Smith Loves Barbour Women’s Plimsolls, £119
Comfortable shoes are a must when flying, especially if you’re going long-haul and sat for hours on end. These bring together two beloved brands in one – Barbour and Paul Smith – for their second season collaboration. The quality canvas outer, and vulcanised soles, promise long-term comfort without weight. They’re also perfect for the beach. Available in three colours, including our personal favourite, off-white. www.barbour.com
Fujifilm X100VI Silver, £1,599
When a phone camera won’t do, this digital camera is just the thing to capture the majesty, colour and fun of your holiday. It’s lightweight and small, packed full of features to delight your inner creative photographer – but it’s also point and shoot if that’s all you require. It’s also been recommended by a well-known publication for its superb image quality and premium build, with fast operation and good autofocus also mentioned. www.amazon.co.uk
Wear Two Hero Wide Leg Praline Jumpset, £198
If you want to land looking stylish and sophisticated then pack this two piece in your on-board luggage to change into before you land. An original and best-selling set from Wear Two, in a modern warm light brown hue, the elegant sleeveless Hero top and Goddess wide-leg trousers give the streamlined looks of a jumpsuit, but without, as the website quite rightly describes, the “fit and faff” limitations. www.weartwo.co.uk
