The Do-It-All 8-Piece Carry-On Kit
Clothing and a duffel that can be used over and over while still looking polished
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With ever-soaring baggage fees, it’s as important as ever to curate a collection of well-made, multifunctional travel clothes that can fit in your carry-on. The key is finding great pieces that are at once high performance, high style, and high quality—items that pull multi-duty as you go from airport to adventure to dinner. Pieces like these.
Lululemon On the Fly Pant ($98)
As comfortable as a pair of sweatpants and as classy as a pair of chinos, these 7/8-length, breathable pants are made from the company’s Full-On Luxtreme fabric, a four-way stretch material that keeps you cool and wicks sweat yet has a smooth, crisp look that’s far from your average athletic wear. A media pocket allows you to stash your cell on the go, and a wide drawstring waistband is super-comfortable even on the longest flights.
Athleta Elemental Rain Jacket ($186)
This waterproof-breathable jacket functions as a raincoat but has a modern, feminine cut, plus a matte polyester outer that allows it to double as a sleek travel or city coat. The cinched drawstring waist means you can wear it fitted or over layers.
Duckworth Vapor Tee ($50)
The price may seem steep for a T-shirt, but this soft, lightweight top is made from Montana-grown wool blended with polyester and modal. The fabric’s unique conductive revaporation quality allows for multiple wears without acquiring a stink. This is a classic, American-made basic that can be worn with and for just about anything.
Aether Noir Full-Zip Fleece ($195)
The four-way-stretch water-resistant outer, soft lining, stylish high collar, and great fit make this fleece an ideal cool-weather piece for comfortable, classy travel. Bonus: It’s guaranteed for life.
Adidas Flashback Primeknit ($120)
I have yet to wear these functional, mustard-color retro wonders without receiving a compliment. The stretchy mesh uppers hug your feet like a pair of favorite socks, while the leather heel loops make them incredibly easy to slip on and off in the security line. Plus, they’re perfectly capable of enduring some light hiking and long days exploring a new city.
L.L.Bean Signature Leather Duffel ($299)
Want one piece that can up your travel style tenfold? Get a high-quality leather duffel. An iconic silhouette made of sturdy, oiled cowhide leather and lined with 16-ounce cotton canvas, this 23-inch-long bag is small enough to be carried on. With sturdy leather handles and shoulder strap, reinforced seams, and brushed-metal components, it’s built to last.
Patagonia Women’s Micro Puff Jacket ($249)
Stuffed with exceptionally warm PlumaFill synthetic down and surrounded by a breathable, water-resistant ripstop outer that works in most weather conditions, this is the ultimate ultralightweight travel puffy. The best part: It packs into a pocket that doubles as a brick-sized stuffsack and easily fits in your carry-on for backup warmth on cold flights.
The North Face Slacker Poncho ($99)
It may feel like your favorite oversized sweatshirt, but this poncho, with its funnel neck and flattering drop-tail cut, is stylish enough to be worn day and night. The midweight cotton-polyester blend makes it easy to layer, while the kangaroo pocket’s hidden phone sleeve adds functionality.