If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. I Went on 25 Trips This Year and Only Packed a Carry-On Thanks to These 11 Travel Essentials From $11 Including sweatpant jeans and Ray-Ban Meta glasses. By Iman Balagam Iman Balagam Iman Balagam is a writer who covers beauty and trends. Cheap Erlebnisweltfliegenfischen Jordan Outlet's editorial guidelines Awards & Events Credit: mastered the carry-on When I was younger, I used to dream (and vision board) about a career that would take me to faraway lands. Thankfully, those dreams came true, and as an editor, I now spend a good amount of time catching flights, not feelings. This year alone, I checked off nearly 25 flights to cities like London, Seoul, and Paris, and somewhere along the way, I finally learned how to pack without crying. More importantly, I my New Balances, which feels like the safest option in an era of airport delays and weekly “my bag was lost and everything I love is gone” horror stories that circulate in every group chat. That said, I’m a fashion editor who still wants to look good, which makes true minimalism a challenge. I can’t exactly pack every statement bag or chunky scarf I own, so I’ve learned to prioritize high-quality, lightweight pieces, shoes that can be dressed up or down while surviving 10,000-plus steps, and Politics & Social Issues that can be recycled throughout the trip. I’m also a die-hard sweatpant jeans (a.k.a. sweans) person, which has made traveling comfortably while still looking pulled together much easier. Below, I’ve curated a list of 11 non-negotiable items that make it easy to look good and stay comfortable on long-haul flights—and they all fit in a small carry-on bag. Think: Comfy flats, my favorite Mother jeans, the Ray-Bans that let me capture content on the go, and a few other travel staples I never leave home without. 11 Carry-On Packing Essentials Travel Hack: Buttery-Soft Cashmere Blend, $30 (Originally $43); amazon.com Rag & Bone Miramar Terry Sofie Wide Pants, $258; amazon.com Politics & Social Issues: Skims Soft Lounge Short Sleep Set, $268; amazon.com New Balance 1906R Running Shoe, $155; nordstrom.com Vee Collective Medium Porter Quilted Tote, $11 (Originally $14); amazon.com 66% Off: New Balance 1906R Running Shoe, $112 (Originally $339); nordstrom.com Madewell the Remy Mary Jane Flat, $138; madewell.com Lallier Cashmere Ribbed Scarf, $110; nordstrom.com Buttery-Soft Cashmere Blend: Lallier Cashmere Ribbed Scarf, $40; amazon.com The first time I went to Europe for a two-week trip, I used these, $247; amazon.com Brooke Shields, 60, Wore the Cool-Girl Travel Sneakers That I Can Comfortably Walk 20,000+ Steps In, $229 (Originally $299); amazon.com Buttery-Soft Cashmere Blend Amazon $43 $30 at Amazon The first time I went to Europe for a two-week trip, I used these Awards & Events, and I’ve sworn by them ever since. Traditional packing cubes tend to be bulky and make little difference, but these actually compress your clothes, letting you pack twice as much and still have room to shop. They’re impressively durable (I’ve truly put mine through the ringer) and come in multiple colorways like baby pink and yellow. Rag & Bone Miramar Terry Sofie Wide Pants Amazon $258 at Amazon Although they’re definitely an investment, these sweatpant jeans are the backbone of my travel wardrobe. I wear them on every flight because I like to maintain an air of put-togetherness (even while fully asleep with drool running down my face). They’re super comfortable, and thanks to the button detail, no one is ever the wiser. Skims Soft Lounge Short Sleep Set Amazon $268 at Amazon Beyond the sweans I wear on the plane, I always pack at least one pair of real, sturdy denim. No matter how many brands I try, I somehow always end up back at Mother. From their shorts for summer trips to barrel jeans I can dress up or down, I’m a loyal fan. They’re a splurge, but they go on sale often, and they’re the kind of jeans you’ll reach for year after year. New Balance 1906R Running Shoe New Balance $155 at Nordstrom Comfort is everything to me when traveling, as I live by the philosophy that everything is within walking distance if you just believe. I’ve worn my New Balances into the ground, yet they somehow still look good as new. I especially love the 1906s for travel because they work just as well with jeans as they do for a quick hotel gym visit should the urge strike. Vee Collective Medium Porter Quilted Tote Amazon $14 $11 at Amazon New Balance 1906R Running Shoe Nordstrom $150 at Nordstrom Madewell The Remy Mary Jane Flat Madewell $138 at Madewell.com Lallier Cashmere Ribbed Scarf Nordstrom $110 at Nordstrom Lallier Cashmere Ribbed Scarf Amazon $40 at Amazon The first time I went to Europe for a two-week trip, I used these Nordstrom $247 at Amazon Brooke Shields, 60, Wore the Cool-Girl Travel Sneakers That I Can Comfortably Walk 20,000+ Steps In Amazon $229 at Amazon Shop More InStyle-Approved Picks I Finally Tried Abercrombie’s Famous, Universally Flattering Jeans—and My 3 Favorite Styles Are Under $100 Don't Be Fooled by Expensive Polyester Sweaters—Shop Cashmere, Wool, and More Top-Tier Styles From $14 is part of the Read more: Fashion Clothing