Travel Goods, Gadgets & Gear: Accessorizing Your Travels

By Kathy Witt

Makeup bags, go-to bags you can pack inside a bigger bag, a handy accessories bag that goes “under cover” and spare shoes that take up virtually no space in your case – these are just a few of the accessories that made their debut at the 2010 Travel Goods Show or thereafter, and they all bring a sigh of relief to the vagaries of traveling, not to mention style and an element of chic. 

Spare Soles® (MSRP $17.50-$29) are a revolutionary, compact, hygienic and fashionable solution to sore feet from uncomfortable footwear. Spare Soles step in to eliminate the issues of walking barefoot or being in excruciating pain from high heels. These fashion-forward ballet flats, foldable flats and flip flops come in their own matching wristlet and in a full palette of colors, including black, gold, ivory, chocolate brown, silver and pink, plus leopard and zebra patterns.

Designed by Andrea Padilla, Spare Soles provide a solution for today’s woman who wants to wear high heels yet suffers in doing so. Take them along to the office, to weddings and dance clubs and on your travels. Pamper your peds at the airport while waiting in long lines, at the hotel when you need footwear but not necessarily high heels and during an evening out – you can still look dressy sans the heels while being completely comfortable. They are big style that take up very little room.

cinda b’s new Vertical Cosmetic Bag (MSRP $59) takes its job of toting makeup seriously. The bag has two clear pockets that are perfectly sized for accessories and two tall pockets to hold hair brushes and tall toiletries. A single large privacy pocket tucks those unmentionables out of sight but within easy reach and a large, flat bottom holds full-size lotions and hair products – and even a full-size blow dryer. Like all cinda b products, the cosmetic bag is made in the U.S., is fully machine washable and water- and stain-resistant – not to mention chic, pretty and eminently practical. Measuring 9-3/4” x 3” x 11, the bag will also be available in Bella Fiore Cocoa.

The patent-pending SPIBelt (MSRP $19.95) is sleek, expandable and secure. Sized to fit waists from 24” to 40” plus, it does not bounce, shift or ride up the waist when you’re sightseeing, shopping, running, canoeing, horseback riding, catching a theatre production – or pursuing any other activity. Available in more than two dozen colors, including goes-with-everything black and today’s trendy turquoise, hot pink and lime, SPIBelt holds your travel necessities, including credit/debit card, hotel or B&B key, lip gloss and other small essentials, in style and comfort, and eliminating the need for a bulky handbag. SPIBelt is offering a special promo code for readers of this column who would like to order one: Just type in “Travel10” when you place your order and you’ll get 10% off any SPIBelt order.

There’s only one word for the Cross Body Bag (MSRP $178) by Tusk Fine Leather Bags & Accessories from its Donington Gold Collection: luscious. From Tusk’s Fall 2010 collection, this sophisticated little number with modern aesthetic is so sleekly designed, from its polished Italian vegetable-dyed calfskin with natural Napa interiors to its signature gold zippers and hardware, it is destined to become a seasonless essential. Utility comes by way of two outside pockets, one open, one zipped, and an interior outfitted with card slots and a zipped wall pocket, but the bag never falters on the elegance front. This bag can go from business meeting to business dinner without missing a beat and can be tucked inside a bigger bag to grab and go – great for packing in your carry-on or tote for a business trip. Shown in red, the Donington Cross Body Bag is also available in black, camel and white.

Speaking of totes, the new reisenthel® loopshopper L (MSRP $39.99) grabs the spotlight with an illustrious Color Dots rainbow color scheme adding lots of pop. This is a tote with plenty of panache: Measuring a well-proportioned 18” x 13.6” x 10”, the collapsible and re-usable loopshopper L is a scene-stealer in black, red, kiwi and carrot. It is also made to hold up to some heavy toting – books, shopping spree booty, groceries, more – up  to 26 pounds, in fact. Featuring tear-proof polyester fabric, a sturdy aluminum frame, rigid bottom and a striking rounded (and padded) aluminum handle that can be held in the hand or on the shoulder, this tote not only has style to spare, but earns applause for functionality with one inner pocket with zip fastening and two storage pockets outside.