My recent travels have made me realize that what I wear flying across time zones is just as important as what's in my suitcase. My outfit needs to be comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, wearable throughout the trip (or at least elements of it!). When I went to Tulum earlier this month, I wore this breezy , which fared well on the flight down and then later basked on the beach (see below). I usually sport stretchy jeans (one of my favorites is by and they're on sale!) or wide-leg pants--nothing constricting and never, ever workout leggings!--a basic lightweight sweater that can be used for layering, like or , and a versatile, unfussy blazer (such as or ) that goes with everything from shorts to dresses. The right-sized carry-on is also key. When it's too big I tend to stuff it with even more (non-essential) stuff. Along with my laptop, book, and magazines, my carry-on should be able to accommodate a few indispensables such as a bathing suit and sandals in case my luggage gets lost! Ideally, it also doubles as my handbag for the trip, suitable for sightseeing new cities and beelining to the beach. The , above, fits the bill, as does , and .

Photos: Life with Emily, Coliena Rentmeester