No matter how many checklists one writes, the likelihood of arriving at your travel destination and realising you have left something behind is high. I’m lucky enough to get to travel a lot for my career, so have learnt that there a few items which simply have to get in that suitcase! Whether it’s for work or pleasure, ensuring that you follow the tips below will make your trip that little bit better.

Comfortable Shoes

I cannot stress enough the importance of packing a pair of flat shoes that you can comfortably wear all day. If you are holidaying it’s likely you will be doing a lot of walking, and if you are on a business trip you are often on your feet most of the day. A pair of leather penny loafers or brogues will be invaluable for walking the streets, and a pair of low-heeled mary janes or wedges are perfect for workwear. You don’t want to ruin your feet for the whole trip by wearing stilettos on the first day!

Sun Care

This one might seem obvious, but often the smallest things are the easiest to forget. No matter which part of the earth you are venturing to sunglasses, sunscreen and lip conditioner are essential. There’s nothing worse than spending your sightseeing squinting or coming home a shade of red, and while it is easy to pick these things up overseas nothing beats the quality brands that you are used to. A light tinted sunscreen is a great idea as you can wear this instead of foundation, and if you are wearing lipstick make sure you condition first to keep those lips hydrated.

A Handbag

Of course you aren’t going to forget your handbag – no woman does – but packing the right handbag is the key. Since you can take them on the plane alongside your carry-on luggage, I recommend bringing a large sized handbag. This way you can easily fit all of the items you need with you on a daily basis when travelling – phone, makeup, sunscreen, camera, water bottle, sweater and whatever else. Plus, if something happens to catch your eye in a store window you’ll have room to take it with you…

Going-out Clothes

Often the best trips involve spontaneous outings, so it’s important to be prepared. It is easy to feel self-conscious when under-dressed, so avoid the feeling by packing at least one nice outfit you can wear to any elegant occasions that may arise. A dress is a great choice, as it means you only have to pack one item – bring your favourite accessories to go with it, and voilà!

Entertainment

Who needs entertaining when they’re overseas? The excitement of being in a foreign country is entertainment enough! While this is true, layovers in airports can be extremely tedious. It’s a great idea to bring a magazine or book with you to fill in those boring gaps, and also give you something to do when relaxing in your hotel. Jessica Alba shows us how it’s done.