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I Traveled for an Entire Month with Just a Carry-On — These 10 Smart Essentials Saved Space, and They're All Under $50

Including packing cubes, wrinkle-free pants, and more

Credit: Amazon (3); Away

Maybe it’s the shopping editor in me, but as soon as I make travel plans, I start thinking about what I’m going to pack. 

When I planned a month-long trip abroad with my family, the type-A side of my brain kicked into high gear, because I stubbornly refused to check a bag. A month-long trip with just carry-on luggage would be my tour de force, and I’m proud to say I passed with flying colors.

I managed to pack comfy walking shoes (yes, more than one pair), wrinkle-free travel clothes, versatile accessories, a portable charger, and more in just one carry-on suitcase — with room left thanks to some genius compression packing cubes. See below for some of my favorite packing essentials, all for under $50.

Best International Travel Packing Essentials Under $50

  • Pack-Smarter Cubes: Away The Insider Compression Packing Cubes, $48; Away Travel
  • Never Low-Battery Charger: Iniu Portable Charger, $22 (orig. $27); Amazon
  • Easy Layer: Suuksess Ribbed Turtleneck, $19; Amazon
  • Radiant Coverage: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer, $48; Nordstrom
  • Comfy Travel Shoes: Cushionaire Barbi Memory Foam Kitten Heel Bootie, $50 (orig. $70); Amazon
  • Wrinkle-Resistant: Lillusory Wide-Leg Trousers, $20 (orig. $40); Amazon
  • Slim and Simple: Zipulis Customized Leather Card Holder, $15; Amazon
  • Wind Down: Elix Yin Time, $34 (orig. $38); Elix Healing
  • Classic Button-Down: Amazon Essentials Button-Down Shirt, $16; Amazon
  • Beauty On-the-Go: Sol de Janeiro Jet Set Kit, $34; Amazon

Related: 10 Comfy and Put-Together Matching Sets That Won’t Wrinkle in Your Suitcase This Summer — from $14 on Amazon

Away The Insider Compression Packing Cubes

Credit: Away
Credit: Away

These packing cubes differ from others I’ve owned because they have a compression feature and are machine washable. The differing sizes are perfect for keeping my tops, bottoms, undergarments, and accessories organized. I packed five thick sweaters into one packing cube, and it flattened to a super tiny size with the easy-to-use compression zipper.

Iniu Portable Charger

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

$27 

This portable charger is a great addition to my international trips because I never know what kind of outlets I’ll have to deal with on flights or layovers. Thanks to this device, I’ve been able to watch my favorite pre-downloaded Netflix shows on long-haul trips in lieu of the in-flight movie offerings. It’s really slim and easily slips into my pockets on the go while sightseeing, too.

Suuksess Ribbed Turtleneck

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

If you haven’t heard of Suuksess, it’s an affordable brand that makes buttery soft basics that, in my opinion, mimic the exact feel of Skims’ beloved essentials. I own six items from the brand, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I wore this turtleneck almost four times a week on my month-long trip abroad. It’s just so darn comfortable, and it goes just as easily with some leggings for a casual travel day as it does with a mini skirt and knee-high boots for a dinner out.

Related: I Love Impromptu Overnight Trips — My Easy-to-Follow Packing List Gets Me Out the Door in 30 Minutes

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer

Credit: Nordstrom
Credit: Nordstrom

This concealer (from a brand that Martha Stewart and Anne Hathaway are fans of) is the most recent addition to my travel makeup kit, and I don’t plan on leaving it behind any time soon thanks to its small size and ease of use. I don’t like to wear much makeup while I travel, but this concealer provides just enough coverage to mask my dark circles and cover any spots I may have while still feeling totally lightweight. 

Walk right past baggage claim on all your future trips with these versatile and smart packing essentials. Keep scrolling to shop more beauty, style, and tech items I always pack — all under $50.

Cushionaire Barbi Memory Foam Kitten Heel Bootie

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

$70 

Lillusory Wide-Leg Trousers

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

$40 

Zipulis Customized Leather Card Holder

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Elix Yin Time

Credit: Elix
Credit: Elix

$38 

Amazon Essentials Button-Down Shirt

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Sol de Janeiro Jet Set Kit

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

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