Local Winter Getaway Guide 2023: 7 Must-Have Items for Your Packing List

The latest travel tech, fashion and skincare to make prepping for your next trip a breeze.

1. Still Bejewelled

Keep your necklaces, bracelets and earrings unbothered and untangled using Edmonton-based Poppy Barley’s sleek trifold jewellery case. This compact, travel-friendly case is a collaboration with Kelowna brand Fraîche Living, and comes complete with necklace snaps, ring pillow, earring card and bracelet cushion. $165, poppybarley.com

2. Pretty Little Luggage

Viral luggage brand Béis (founded by Vancouver celeb Shay Mitchell, whom you probably know from Pretty Little Liars and You) has ditched its all-beige-and-black aesthetic for some wild new colours: now, the internet-famous Weekender bag comes in bright orange and neon green. Yes, that’s a zip-off bottom pouch just for shoes. $145, beistravel.com

3. Hot Wheels

Vancouver-designed Monos is cornering the sexy-luggage market, and their entire lineup is monochrome (olive green, rosy pink and a deep ocean blue are three of their pretty hues). Except, that is, for the brand’s new limited-edition terrazzo-printed polycarbonate shell suitcases. You’ll be laughing at all those grey-luggaged folks desperately searching for their bags: this one stands out like a work of art. From $325, monos.com

 

4. In the Pods

If travelling with expensive beauty products in fragile (and heavy) glass bottles stresses you out, here’s a solution: RoC Skincare offers a selection of anti-aging serums in a perfectly portable capsule format. Just throw enough pre-measured 10-ml doses into your toiletries bag (don’t worry, they’re biodegradable) and you’re ready for takeoff. From $33, rocskincare.com

5. Tough Traveller

Given the design-forward nature of Vancouver-based Herschel’s backpacks and duffles, it’s no surprise that their new heritage hardshell luggage looks slick, too (hey, ash rose!). But it’s more than just a pretty case: made of polycarbonate that’s 70-percent recycled road barricade material, the line has been performance-tested with weighted drop and tumble trials, zipper cycle trials and more—plus, the silent 360-degree Hinomoto wheels are a joy to roll through the airport. From $275, herschel.ca

 

6. Just Plane Hydrating

Travel during the colder months often means chapped lips, and this Kw’as Cocomint lip balm from Indigenous-owned Skwálwen Botanicals can help: ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa seed butter and sweet almond oil keep your kisser comfy. $9, skwalwen.com

7. Sublime Suit

Business class, meet your match: Smash and Tess’s recently launched colourway (called “red violet”… but let’s face it, this is Barbie pink) of the Harper blazer and Harper wide-leg pant is perfect for travelling in style. The Vancouver-based brand is known for rompers, and this pink suit embraces all that pyjama-like comfort in work-appropriate fashion. Blazer $170, pant $130; smashtess.com

 

This story was originally published in the November 2023 issue of Vancouver Magazine.