Over the past year, I’ve been on an airplane countless times. I attend school in Shanghai, China, so I spend a lot of time on long flights. Aside from travelling for school, I travel a lot within Asia with my friends and during the summer with my family. Personally, I’d like to think I have carry-on packing down to a science. For those who don’t fly often, this can be a daunting task, so here I’d like to share my five carry-on essentials to help make the process a little less stressful.
Pouches:
Yes, it may sound silly, but they seriously help keep all my stuff together! I keep my passport, boarding passes, phone, cash, and cards in one, and my various tech accessories in another. Separating my stuff into pouches keeps my bag more organized and helps me make sure I don’t accidentally set anything down anywhere and lose it.
An eye mask:
A necessity for long flights! Getting sleep on planes is hard enough (especially if you’re really tall like me). I always make sure I have an eye mask to help block out some of the distractions. If you want to go all out, get a cashmere one for a particularly luxurious sleep.
Noise-cancelling headphones:
Even though they can be pricey, I think these are a worthwhile investment. Planes are loud, and the headphones work so well at blocking out the outside noises. From watching movies to catching some shut-eye, noise-cancelling headphones are definitely the way to go. Plus, you can use them when you’re studying, not just on a plane.
Healthy snacks:
Especially important for my fellow vegetarians, don’t forget your own snacks! Even if you’re not a vegetarian, plane food is notoriously yucky, not to mention unhealthy. I like bringing KIND bars, pretzels and hummus, and apples. All three fill you up without making you feel bloated. On a similar note, DRINK WATER! Planes make for dehydration, which can make both you and your skin unhappy. Avoid dehydration and breaking out by bringing plenty of water—I guarantee you’ll get off the plane feeling much more refreshed.
A backpack:
I love a cute tote bag as much as the next girl, but I’ve come to realize that they are not the optimal carry-on piece. When you store them underneath your seat or in the overhead compartment, it’s really easy for stuff to fall out. If it’s leather, it’s really easy for it to get scratched, dirty, or both. I stick with my Marc Jacobs nylon backpack because it’s machine washable and durable. It also has pockets and the main compartment is pretty roomy. I keep my neck pillow (another essential!), laptop, magazines, and pouches inside and still have room for some more goodies. Backpacks are just easier to carry and more organized, so they’ve become my go-to carry on bag.
What do you bring with you when you fly? Let me know in the comments below, or share your favorite tips on social media and tag @CFashionista!
