9 Travel Accessories That You Really, REALLY Don't Need

Sure, it's hard to resist cool travel stuff but these are nine things you really don't need weighing down your bag.

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Trust me, you don't need a dozen scarves and safari shirts in order to travel. In fact, you'll probably be happier without them. I wore this combination exactly once in my life!

Within my travel-loving soul, there lies a contradiction.

I love packing light. Like, I really, really love it. You know that joke "How do you know if someone travels carryon? They'll tell you!"? It was written about me. I not only love packing light. I equally love being insufferable about it. Oh, you just took one suitcase for your resort vacation? Well I used one backpack for a six week round the world trip and half the space was taken up with camping gear.

Like I said, I'm insufferable.

But I also love, and I mean LOVE, specialty travel gear. The more task and trip specific, the better. I am obsessed with travel supply catalogues and I haven't met a packing cube that I don't love. But the truth of the matter is that much of this stuff is, well, how do I put this? It's garbage. It's poorly constructed mass produced stuff that preys on our fears of being unprepared,  the uncertain nature of the open road, and the shame that comes when you don't keep pace with fast fashion. All of this stuff has weighed down my bag at one point or another and I am here to tell you that you don't need it. Any of it.

You don't need these things in your pack.

A scarf AND a vest with a zillion pockets, none of which I've ever used.

I don't need half this stuff in all likelihood.

Scarf!

More scarves!

And yet another scarf!

Endless Scarves

Unless you wear them all the time at home, you need one scarf when you travel. Two at most. I travel a lot. I love wearing scarves. I have a huge amount of them, as you can see from the photos above. And how many do I wear on any given trip? Maybe one. Usually none.

While we're on the topic of scarves... Why are people told to bring a sparkly scarf to liven up their black shirt at a cruise dinner when they could just bring a sparkly top for the same amount of luggage space? The things which are often described as adding versatility to your travel wardrobe usually just rob you of space for actual versatile things, like a shirt.

Travel Blankets

Yes, some people get cold on planes. And yes, airplane blankets are the scratchiest things around. I can see how people get sucked into buying special travel blankets. But you know what else keeps you warm on the airplane? An extra sweater! And unlike the travel blanket, you can use that sweater for all kinds of travel activities, like every single thing you might do on your trip.

Sarongs

Yes, you can wrap them a thousand ways. Yes, if you’re in the remote corners of the earth, you can use it as a skirt, towel, sheet, shower curtain, or beach blanket. I’ve done so myself many times. But here’s the truth. 99% of the time, you will use it as a basic scarf or a beach cover-up. And your scarf can do that!

All-In-One Fabric Loops

You'll see them for sale everywhere from beachside Hawaiian resorts to Thai market stalls frequented by backpackers. I don't even know what to call them but they're giant loops of fabric, sometimes with a strategic slits and occasionally with an accompanying pack of little elastics meant to secure the corners. There's always a poster nearby showcasing the eight thousand ways you can wear it. Is it a sarong? Is it a scarf? Who can say!? I am here to tell you that you will never use those loops purported to be ever-so-fashionable and versatile as anything other than a scarf or beach wrap. And say it with me: You already have a scarf for that!

Yes, I know your cousin once managed to fashion hers into a tube dress or harem pants, but you will not successfully do this on the road. Please believe me. 

Costume Jewellery

Flip through any travel guidebook for sensible ladies, and you’ll see this nugget of advice: Don’t bring your valuable gems on the road. Pack sparkly costume jewellery instead! Use chunky necklaces and colourful earrings to liven up your outfits instead! 

Ugh. 

True, you should think twice before you pack anything of tremendous financial or emotional value. You should not backpack the world or take a European river cruise while wearing huge ruby rings. But unless you are someone who already loves playing around with costume jewellery, this is another piece of total nonsense advice. You will never reach for those chunky faux sapphires unless they’re a sub-in for your chunky real sapphires at home. (And in case this IS you, let me pause to extend a warm welcome to the gemstone-owning community. I’m so glad you’ve found TurnipseedTravel!)

Pewter is your best travel friend. It’s pretty and silvery but isn’t flashy or worthy of a thief’s attention. It’s affordable, so even if you lose it, you can replace it. I like these sand dollar earrings that are big enough to finish off fancy outfits but small enough to keep things low-key.

Costume Jewellery Organizers

Nope, you don’t need this. Because you are not bringing along any costume jewellery. (Unless you use it and love it, and even then, you can skip the case. This is what Ziploc bags are for!)

Shoe Accessories

These clips and decals are nothing more than costume jewellery for your feet. They purport to transform one pair of shoes into several fashionable ensembles. Don’t do it. No one will be looking at your feet except you, as you'll be trying to figure out the best way to pop a blister. Spend your money on a higher quality pair of walking shoes instead.

Notice a trend about all these things? They all target travellers in the same way. They’re all focused on the absolute HORROR that you won't have enough clothing options, that it is absolutely disgraceful to wear the same sweater or shoes twice. Heaven forbid that you, a person with enough disposable income to travel, might show up in photos wearing the same thing twice, like a peasant. 

Bra Cases

Believe you me, I know just how expensive and awkwardly shaped bras are. They don’t cooperate with anything in your suitcase. They are a packing nightmare.

You know what’s an even worse destroyer of suitcase space and your disposable income? Bra-carrying cases that claim that they protect your bras. From what, exactly? A rampaging antelope? Your bras are not in danger. Wrap them in a sweater, save money, and save space.

Anything with Fancy Pockets

Okay, okay: I often use the secret passport pockets which are a standard feature in most travel gear these days. But I have never used the compartments for iPads, headphones, pens, keys, or pocket knives built into vests, safari shirts, and cargo pants. I bet you never will, either. I suspect 90% of the special pockets on travel-specific vests, trousers, and shirts are never used.  And they make these items more expensive and cumbersome. Why can't we take some of these useless excess pockets from travel gear and magically port them over to non-travel clothing which is always tragically pocket free?

Ditch these drags on your suitcase and may you next trip be light and bright!


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