With summer weather comes summer travel, and it's never too early to get started on your packing list. Whether we're flying or road-tripping, we're all about having the right gear on hand to make the journey to our favorite destinations as smooth as possible.
For our Shop This List series, beauty and lifestyle expert Bahar Takhtehchian stopped by TODAY with a list of travel upgrades for the season — all of which are available at Target. Want to pack light? Takhtehchian shares a two-in-one garment iron that doubles as a hair straightener, so you can pack one less tool. Searching for a stylish yet comfortable travel outfit? She's got you covered with a $20 shirtdress and an anti-theft crossbody. And if you’ll be traveling by car this summer, consider investing in a dash cam to record your surroundings (and for added safety features).
Shop along below! You can add everything to your cart in one click.
More summer travel gear | How we chose | Meet the expert
Open Story Anti-Theft Vertical Crossbody Bag
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Anti-Theft Vertical Crossbody Bag
$29.99
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Hard Shell Luggage Set
$112.99
$189.99
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Hard Shell Luggage Set
$99.99
$149.99
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Short Sleeve Midi Shirtdress
$20.00
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2-in-1 Styling & Garment Iron
$39.99
6 of 12
Stretch Straw Belt
$20.00
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V1 FHD Single Channel 1080p Full HD Dash Cam
$49.99
$69.99
8 of 12
Apple AirTag (Set of 4)
$72.99
$99.00
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Keychains for Apple AirTag (Set of 4)
$5.99
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Cotton Bag Charm for AirPods
$15.00
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All-in-One Adapter with USB A & C Ports
$24.99
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Flex Woven Mid-Rise Cargo Joggers
$32.00
Crossbody bags are great for travel because they keep your phone, cards, identification and other important belongings within reach. This vertical one has some added security features, including RFID-blocking technology and slash-proof, water-repellant fabric, per the brand. Plus, Takhtehchian says its pretty roomy, granting you extra space for summer essentials like sunglasses and lip balm. If you’re looking to maximize your peace of mind during your next vacation, this bag is sure to help.
ModernLuxe Hard Shell Luggage Set
Editor’s Note: This pick is now out of stock, but we found a similar item you might like below.
As Takhtehchian says, this luggage set is the ultimate travel hack. Better yet: Right now it’s 40% off! Not your average carry-on and personal item, the hard shell suitcase opens in the front for easy laptop and electronics storage — there’s even a built-in USB port for charging your devices on the go! A cup holder in the back lets you store your water bottle or coffee cup, and a hook on the side makes it easy to snap on any other essentials. As for the personal bag, it’s soft and flexible, expanding as needed. According to the brand, both are durable and long-lasting, which is exactly what you’ll want during all of this summer’s adventures.
TravelArim Hard Shell Luggage Set
This TravelArim set is another luggage option with a USB port. It also has a handy front pocket, which has genius interior features including a cooler pocket, iPad pocket, laptop pocket and power bank pocket. Plus, it boasts 360 degree rotational wheels and a TSA-approved combination lock.
A New Day Short Sleeve Midi Shirtdress
It's crucial to pack versatile clothing while traveling, says Takhtehchian. This shirtdress from Target's A New Day brand can take you from brunch to dinner while still allowing you to comfortably hit up every tourist spot on your way! The cap sleeve detail is fashion-forward, yet the fabric is stretchy and soft, making it easy to wear over a long stretch of time. Pair it with sneakers for a laid-back daytime look, then add strappy sandals or heels for a night out. It's available in four colors and in sizes small to 4X.
Travel Smart 2-in-1 Styling & Garment Iron
If you're worried about how you're going to fit all of your hot tools into your carry-on, Takhtehchian's got you — this two-in-one iron works on your hair and clothes! But it's not just great for its dual purpose nature; the heating plate is wider than your average hair iron, so if you've been using your straightener to press out wrinkles in your clothes, you'll be glad to hear that this one has more surface area and can get the job done quicker! The iron's ceramic technology is gentle on hair and clothing, and it's compact, lightweight and dual voltage, meaning you can use it outside of the United States, according to the brand. Whether you need to smooth your hair and dress for a formal event, or you just like to keep your basics pressed, this tool will keep you polished from head to toe.
A New Day Stretch Straw Belt
Next up, accessorizing! If you’re into a cinched waist, Takhtehchian suggests adding this stretchy straw belt to the dress above (and other summer looks). Boasting a gold-toned buckle, the belt has an elevated vibe, yet remains comfortable thanks to an elastic strap that stretches around your waist, per the brand. Plus, it’s another space-saving pick for packing — it’s not as stiff as leather, and you can wear it with jeans, trousers and skirts, too.
Rexing V1 FHD Single Channel 1080p Full HD Dash Cam
Summer road trip on the books? You'll want to get your hands on this dash cam from Rexing, says Takhtehchian. Whether you're making your way through a national park, cruising along a coast or climbing mountains, this camera will capture all of the beautiful scenery and wildlife. The device records high quality videos and has an ultra wide camera angle, allowing you to capture more of your surroundings, according to the brand. With a low profile design, it blends seamlessly into your vehicle's interior. Plus, it features a built-in sensor that automatically detects sudden movements or potential collisions, working double duty as a safety gadget.
More summer travel gear
Apple AirTag (Set of 4)
If you’re a fan of Apple’s “Find My” tool, which helps to locate friends and other Apple tools like the iPad and Macbook, an AirTag will take your search-and-find abilities to the next level. By keeping one on your keys, wallet and more, you can easily use the Find My app to locate them. You can even play a song on the tag’s built-in speaker or ask Siri to help!
Dealworthy Keychains for Apple AirTag (Set of 4)
Once you have your AirTags, snag a set of keychains to securely clip them onto all of your essentials. For less than $10, this set of four will secure your AirTags with ease while traveling.
Vera Bradley Cotton Bag Charm for AirPods
Always losing your AirPods in the bottom of your bag? This Vera Bradley bag charm can help. It snaps onto the outside of your purse, personal item or carry-on, so you never have to go without your favorite tunes and podcasts again.
Travel Smart All-in-One Adapter with USB A & C Ports
No matter where you're going, this adapter will keep your devices charged. Featuring a Type A, C, I and G universal socket and surge protection, you can use it to charge dual-voltage tech devices in over 150 countries. And with two USB-A and two USB-C ports, you can charge up to five devices at the same time!
All in Motion FLex Woven Mid-Rise Cargo Joggers
If you have a long commute ahead of you, a pair of comfortable yet tailored joggers are just the thing to get you through. This bestselling All in Motion pair comes in three muted shades and is available in sizes XS to 4X.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
For sponsored content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses, tries and reviews products to recommend that are sold by the advertiser. The advertiser does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the expert
- Bahar Takhtehchian is an on-air beauty and lifestyle expert based in New York, NY. In addition to appearing on TODAY, she has previously been featured on E!, Good Morning America and BBC, among others. Previously, she spent over three years as SHAPE magazine's editor-at-large and has nearly two decades of experience in journalism.
