There is a particular kind of woman who travels — and lives — with a handful of pieces so considered and so versatile that they require no rethinking from one context to the next. The same bag that crosses a departure terminal on Monday is at the farmers market on Saturday and folded into a carry-on for the return trip by Sunday, and none of these transitions require a second thought because the piece was chosen well enough the first time to belong everywhere.
This is the accessories edit — not exhaustive, not trend-dependent and not expensive for its own sake. These accessories create a foundation for always being prepared and feeling put-together in the most practical way. Investing in considered travel and everyday accessories takes the scrambling-to-find out of the equation.
The Scarf or Wrap
Of everything that belongs in a well-edited wardrobe, a beautiful scarf or pashmina wrap is the piece that works hardest with the least effort. On a long haul flight it is a blanket when the cabin drops, a pillow against a window and a layer over whatever you are wearing when the air conditioning is relentless — and off the plane it is a covering, a sarong, a headscarf, a picnic blanket, a beach cover-up and of course a source of warmth in cold climates. A pashmina scarf is one of those rare purchases where the quality is immediately visible and the versatility is effectively limitless.
Our Avenue Quarter script scarf is a lighter weight option — lightweight and reversible, it’s a gorgeous piece worth wearing — scrunches up into your bag taking next to no room, and it stays wrinkle free, so it’s brilliant for travel or keeping in the car for the moments you need it. Our AQ logo scarf is the find worth bookmarking.
The Cap
A good cap does something that almost nothing else in a wardrobe does — it makes you look like you meant to be wherever you are, whether that is a coastal walk, a long travel day, a morning at the markets or a flight where sleep did not quite happen or a bad hair day – a quality cap does some heavy lifting.
The AQ monogram cap is the considered version — heritage styling, minimal, clean and the kind of piece that works with almost everything — and the personalised monogram cap is for those who wants their own name or initials, rather than the AQ mark. Both styles are unisex and both ship from the Avenue Quarter Etsy shop.
The Tote
The question is not whether a tote is essential — it is which one, a universally essential item needed for every occasion. I always keep one or two in the car and ALWAYS keep a spare folded up in my cabin bag.
The AQ monogram tote in heavy canvas is the one for every day — structured enough to hold its shape, sturdy enough to carry more than it looks like it should and considered enough to feel like a choice rather than a default. The lightweight version folds flat and travels beautifully, which makes it the one to pack for the return journey when the markets have been generous and the checked allowance is looking interesting.
For the occasions where a larger size with a zip is needed— when you need a decent size carry bag for spare clothes and medications or you are travelling with your children and have a collection of ipads/snacks/colouring books/pencils/headphones etc (and need a Mary Poppins bag) — this roomy zip tote from Amazon is the one. I call it the “It Girl” bag because it reminds me of the tote bag Carolyn Bessette Kennedy used to take for weekends with JFK Jnr in Hyannisport. It folds flat in your carry-on, yet opens to a generous main compartment and handles everything from sports days to overnight bags to the full chaos of a family flight without losing its composure. The kind of bag that earns its place by being genuinely useful rather than merely pretty. I love this bag.
The Journal
There is something about a beautiful journal that makes even writing lists enjoyable — it captures your inspiration- the morning pages, the travel notes, the reminders that capture moments in time.
The AQ blush monogram journal is a perfect solution to write all your notes and feel as organised and as considered as everything else in your routine. It’s a perfect size – big enough to write without your hand cramping and compact enough to slip into your handbag and not weigh it down – the number of times a journal like this has saved our kids from boredom waiting for a flight, or take off when no devices are allowed.. noughts and crosses, hangman.. I’m never without a notebook or journal when I travel!
The Travel Pouch
The piece that solves the particular problem of every bag — the beautiful exterior and the chaotic interior — is a well-designed travel pouch, and the AQ travel and makeup pouch is the Avenue Quarter version. Use these for first aid bits and pieces, makeup, tech cables, for the collection of small things that migrate to the bottom of every bag without one — when travelling, I keep mints/ silk eye mask/Airpods/ individual gel under eye patches/socks/ lip balm altogether for the flight.
The full AvenueQuarter collection is in the Etsy shop — considered pieces for everyday luxury, for travel days and every other kind.
