Also in this article: The 50 Best Travel Essentials - Gadgets The 50 Best Travel Essentials - Security & Health The 50 Best Travel Essentials - Luggage The 50 Best Travel Essentials - Extras “Keep pale pates away from the sun under a classic Panama hat,” says Rebecca. “This version is slightly different to the original in that it’s ultra pliant and can be folded up and packed in even the smallest piece of hand luggage. Hand woven from natural straw, it’s an elegant piece of headgear for the discerning traveller,” she adds. Where: Magellans (020-7819 3980; www.magellans.co.uk) North Face Paramount Surplus Shorts Just right for walking in hot countries whether it be a serious trek or an amble around the old town. “These are a personal favourite of mine,” says Tom. “They have massive deep pockets secured with Velcro which go right down to the back of the legs - ideal for a camera or guidebook. Plus, they are quick-drying which is a real bonus on holiday, and they’re very durable so will last for years.”

They are available in sober asphalt grey and taupe to hide those stains when you’ve worn them a few days too many. ; 0870 444 5555) “A wet towel is heavy and smelly in your rucksack so pack one of these instead. It is so light and small and the speed in which is dries means you can use it one night and dry it in time for the next day. It has an antibacterial finish that lasts for over 30 washes, making it great for a tropical climate,” says Tom. Because it takes up so little space you can fit even more clothes in your bag. It can even be used as a throw or improvised sarong while on the beach. “Anyone who is undertaking an epic journey but wants to make sure they have an array of chic clothing options on hand should check out this ingenious frock. Made from soft black jersey, it can be tied, twisted and turned inside out to make 10 different dresses,” says Rebecca. “It’s not cheap but it is versatile, even if only a few of the styles will suit each individual.”

“Every UK airport has at least one Accessorize outlet, waiting to catch the magpie eyes of tourists with its array of sparkly stuff. nike sb hoodie schwarzIgnore the earrings and instead pick up a real holiday must-have in the form of a 100% cotton sarong,” advises Rebecca. hoodie mit hohem kragen“Wear it on the beach as a cover-up, as a scarf to pep up an outfit or wrap it around your head to protect it from the sun. gws hoodiesIt can be used as a shawl in the evening and as an impromptu towel if you’ve left yours poolside.”champion hoodies 6xl Where: Monsoon (0844 811 0069; www.monsoon. co.uk)hoodie footie pajamas tall

Apair ofSpeedos might not be the most fashionable travel essential, admits Simon, “but they are very light and practical and if you are in France it is practically illegal for a man to go swimming in anything else. dauntless hoodiesAlso, pretty much (Where:ver you go away on holiday there will be a chance to swim. hoyt hoodiesIt might be in a local pool, a river or the sea so a pair of these are a must if you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity.” Where: Speedo (0115-910 5267; www.speedo.co.uk) How much: from £5.95 “A trip to Muji is always a good bet before heading off on your travels, and not just because it stocks cheap flip-flops and myriad little plastic bottles. Those are great, but what has caught my eye this summer is the range of shrink-wrapped T-shirts now available,” enthuses Rebecca. “While a T-shirt might not take up much room in your case, I defy you to fold one up this small.”

Life Venture Clothes Line An odd thing to take on holiday, but packing one of these will save you the time and trouble of having to find someone towash your clothes for you. “Whether you are travelling for a few days or months there will always be something you’re going to want towash. And the beauty of this product is that you can use it any(Where: you want to,” says Tom. This one comes with hooks attached and is very durable. Keeping kids cool and sunburn free isn’t always easy on holiday but this great little hat does a great job at keeping the sun off their sensitive skin. “Hats like this are absolutely synonymous with going on holiday for me. They look fun, they are quick drying and they keep your kids cool by reflecting away the sun. They are a great little investment and will last years and years, or until your children loose them,” says Tom. Where: Safariquip (01433 620320; www.safariquip.co.uk) Blue Harbour Drawstring Trousers Marks and Spencer can always be relied upon for those lastminute holiday purchases and these light pure linen trousers are no exception.

Complete with drawstring, they are perfect for a stuffy summer’s evening when you want to look smart but not roast in formal trousers or jeans. Available in navy, grey and natural they go with almost any casual holiday outfit. IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing After 10,000 samples and years of working with textile manufacturer Toray, the cold combatting material HEATTECH was born. HEATTECH, a material with cutting edge technology which stores body heat deep within the air pockets of the fibres, is revolutionary. UNIQLO took this remarkable invention a step further and created insulating fabric as thin as possible. At 0.55mm thin, HEATTECH truly defines practical thermal wear to build your style around. "The collection is a firm Vogue favourite, thanks to innovative technology that retains heat in winter months despite coming in the softest, thinnest of layers to allow for extra stretch and mobility."

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