Shoes are perhaps the utmost essential gear to contemplate when packing for vacation or a business trip. A decent pair of shoes might not be the most exciting consideration whilst packing, but they can make or devastate one’s day.

I have been looking for ages for travel shoes that are designed to maximise comfort without compromising style. Versatility is another important element that makes for a good pair of travel shoes. If the same shoes can effortlessly slip from shopping, to a 6-hour walking tour and on to dinner, sans blisters, then that search for the perfect travel shoes is finally over.

Ticking all the boxes, the 3.ZERØGRAND Bow Skimmer Flats from Cole Haan are the best travel shoes for refusing to sacrifice comfort or style. Super-comfy, lightweight, (i.e. packable) and versatile, the flats are stylishly designed to transition from the workplace to a night out, from well-deserved holidays to important business trips.

Flats are great multipurpose travel shoes but often the soles are too thin to support hours of walking or sightseeing. Ergonomically engineered with a highly functional design, the shoes from Cole Haan are made with their latest 3.ZERØGRAND comfort technology for a fit that moulds to the foot and cushions every step.

Grand is Cole Haan’s name for innovation, and the innovative approach that comes from marrying craft, style and engineering.

Astonishingly lightweight, there is a strong emphasis on comfort by embedding energy foam and padding into the shoes at the pressure points to both propel and ease the foot. The full rubber outsole comes with concealed Grand.ØS technology.

Timelessly elegant, the crisply pointed-toe shoes are available in a selection of styles, such as front bow detailing, and colours that include black, sand, burgundy and metallic. Ultra-flattering and smart looking, the shoes’ sleek, minimal silhouette offers incredible versatility for a range of occasions.

Supremely comfortable and expertly crafted, they are made from smooth leather and are fully lined.

Founded in 1928, Cole Haan has been long known for its quality, craftsmanship and style. By often teaming up with prominent designers, athletes and style-setters, Cole Haan has commanded a position as a leader in terms of innovation and excellence. CFDA-nominated menswear designer Todd Snyder and a trio of ballerinas from the New York City Ballet have collaborated with Cole Haan on contemporary collections.

For a polished and effortlessly stylish look, there is no going wrong with the Skimmer Flats from Cole Haan. This is a shoe that is actually made for fashionable walking as it delivers extraordinary all-day comfort with immense flair and finesse.

colehaan.com

Anyone who is travelling a fair amount knows the value of a good tote. Extremely versatile, it is the perfect carry-all for those daily essentials.

The Lodis brand is one to look out for: classic styling and high quality, it is a bag that can be used during travels as well as everyday life.

Designed to bring pleasure through everyday use, refined in style and finely crafted, Rodeo RFID Gwyneth Zip Top Tote is the perfect combination of organisation and cosmopolitan flair.

It marries form and function, with a stylish design and many thoughtful, practical details in order to accommodate the technological needs of the modern professional.

For jet-setters going from a business meeting, to a client dinner and then straight to a flight, this classy bag keeps everything in its proper place, effortlessly.

The Rodeo bag has a 2-way, top-zip closure to keep everything secure, an abundance of handy pockets to keep everything organised, a roomy and sturdy interior, and a base with protective metal feet. For added peace of mind, there is RFID protection in the interior front pocket when closed.

At 28 x 37 x 13cm, the classy tote is roomy enough to carry a lot and is ideal for work and play. Intelligent design at its best, it gets top marks in the way it keeps everything organised and easily accessible.

The exterior features a front-flap pocket with a magnet snap closure. The interior features a padded compartment for a laptop, with Velcro strap closure, as well as a mobile phone pocket, slide pocket, business card slot, zip pocket and two pen slots.

It is crafted from smooth matte Italian leather that is chrome-tanned with a slightly waxy feel that burnishes over time.

For those looking for a stylish and fashionable bag that refuses to sacrifice utility and functionality, this is a beautiful bag that does the trick. Timeless, chic, immensely practical and versatile, here is a refined tote bag that is one of the most functional I have ever owned.

lodis.com

A versatile workhorse that keeps its good looks and shape, the well-crafted, all-purpose tote by L.L. Bean is our bag of choice for everyday, everything and everywhere.

The Boat and Tote is truly one of the most iconic American designs that is simply perfect just the way it is.

There is a reason the Boat and Tote by L.L. Bean is a beloved classic: it is stylish without sacrificing utility, durability or portability. Thanks to its superb quality and workmanship, it will last almost forever. Moreover, it is easily the best value for a tote bag that we have come across.

Introduced as Bean’s Ice Carrier almost 75 years ago, the Boat and Tote was billed as a bag made of builders’ canvas for hauling ice from car to ice chest. Today, the tote is used everywhere from grocery stores to gardens, from beaches to bedroom closets.

Still embodying timeless sensibilities, the legendary tote is perfect in just about every way. Eminently practical, the uses are endless for the sturdy tote.

Handcrafted in Maine since 1944 – one tote at a time – the bag really is built for the long haul. It is constructed from heavy-duty, 24-ounce cotton canvas that is both water-resistant and wear-resistant. The double-layer base and double-stitched overlapped seams are of nylon so they will not rot or break, giving the bag its sturdiness and durability. 

There is no risk of overloading the bag, since it has been tested to hold up to 226 kilos.

The strong and sturdy structure allows it to stand upright on its own, making it easy to pack up and access its content.

For peace of mind, there is a 100% satisfaction guaranteed warranty: Just return it within a year of purchase for a refund. After that year, L.L. Bean will consider any items for return if they are found to be defective due to materials or craftsmanship.

One can never have too many of L.L. Bean’s totes, as they are multi-tasking miracles, holding beach gear, groceries, kids’ and dog toys, gardening tools and travel gear. They also work well for organising and storing items.

The bags’ endless uses are further enhanced by the fact that there are four sizes:

• Small: It has the capability to hold all those daily essentials such as wallet, keys, sunglasses, phone, make-up bag, and even a book and water bottle. Capacity: 8 litres.
• Medium: For the on-the-go sort of person who needs a reliable tote bag, the medium Boat and Tote is ideal as an everyday carrier. It is great for errands to the market, library, gym, etc. It easily doubles as a perfect school or office bag and holds a laptop, documents and several books. Capacity: 17 litres.
• Large: Another winner is the large Boat and Tote. It is great for groceries, laundry, picnics and trips to the beach. It also doubles as a great overnight bag or for weekend travel. It can comfortably hold many items such as a change of clothes, extra pair of shoes, toiletry bag and notebook. Capacity: 35 litres.
• Extra-large: It is a great beach bag for a day in the sun with the family. It can hold all the towels, kids’ toys, books, paddleball and changes of clothes. It is also a great weekender bag for a road trip or camping. Capacity: 56 litres.

The tote comes in a natural tone, with a pop of colour from its contrasting handles and base. Colour choices include green camouflage, black, fern green, blue, red, dark green, regatta blue, olive grey, peony, bronze yellow, aqua, and alpine gold.

There is a choice of open-top and zippered top, as well as a choice of length of handles – regular or over-the-shoulder.

One may also order a custom monogram bag for that unique gift that is both personal and practical.

I do not think I have ever owned a more useful bag. It has been a constant in our home for the last couple of years. It goes everywhere with me: the beach, the grocery store, the dry cleaner, the gym, weekend trips, etc. The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote bag is, in my opinion, the ultimate carry-all.

global.llbean.com

When it comes to laptop sleeves and cases, one is spoilt for choice. But many of them are lacking in overall quality, functionality and style. 

I have searched high and low for a laptop case that marries elegant aesthetics with utilitarian functionality. The result of that search has brought me to the Noreve Griffe 2 laptop case. Timelessly stylish and endlessly practical, it exudes luxury and elegance whilst still providing outstanding protection for my laptop.

Clean design with carefully considered details create a sophisticated look where the material quality and workmanship speak for themselves. Bespoke and beautifully crafted, the exquisite craftsmanship is second-to-none. This is a laptop case that is a prime example of Noreve’s standards of excellence, evidenced by the thoughtfulness, work and effort put into each piece.

Designed to last for years, each laptop case is made from leather of exceptional quality and is entirely hand-crafted by skilled craftsmen. The leather itself is soft, supple and has a lovely tactile feel that complements the distinctive smell of genuine leather. The leather is durable and will age beautifully and gracefully.

Loaded with several practical details, the case still maintains a polished, understated professional look. Luxurious attention to detail comes through in fine touches, such as the practical clamshell design; quality wrap-around zipper; slim and padded design; reinforced padded sleeve for impact protection; 5-millimetre foam protection on each side; and tight, uniform stitching. The design is so expert that the case stays closed tightly even when the zipper is open.

The Griffe 2 line-up is available for devices with screen sizes ranging from seven inches up to 17 inches.

There are plenty of possibilities for customising the product. Select from a range of 10 leathers and a vast palette of colours. Colour options are even available for the inside leather lining, which means one can colour match or contrast as one wishes. Leather options are: Evolution (synthetic); Perpétuelle (smooth); Ambition (grained); Exception (nubuck suede-like leather); Pulsion (fluo leather); Illumination (patent leather); Horizon (special handworked leather); Tentation Tropézienne (the must in leather); Addiction (saffiano); and Patine (elegance that comes from the effects of time).

Some cases are in stock for immediate shipping whilst others can take around 14 days to be specially crafted. 

To top it off, the leather laptop case comes packaged inside a stunning black-and-red presentation box with a red dust bag for storage and protection.

Looking for that perfect leather laptop case? This one from Noreve gets the job done well and looks stunning doing it. I could not be happier with the quality and beauty of my case.

Noreve is based in Saint-Tropez, France and makes hand-crafted cases for a wide variety of smart and mobile devices as well as small leather goods. Celebrating leather goods that are pure in function and elegant in form, the products are timeless, practical and durable. The brand’s mix of quality materials, French flair and craftsmanship has understandably made it a worldwide success.

www.noreve.com

Timeless, effortless and always chic, the Panama hat has become the choice accessory of globetrotting jet-setters around the world.

A sophisticated Panama hat is a practical shortcut to glamourous holiday style, and with its classic design it is perfect for beach days and city trips alike.

The epitome of elegant sophistication, the stunning Superfine Preset Panama hat from Christys’ London makes for a serious style statement.

Adding to its intrinsic durability and beauty, the hand-made Panama hat has superfine-grade quality and distinguished flair. The iconic brimmed straw hats are created from fine strips of toquilla straw, harvested from the palm-like trees that grow along the Ecuadorian coast. The Grade 8 Brisa weave gives it a superlative quality and feel.

UNESCO has recognised the Ecuadorian art of weaving a genuine Panama hat as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, a term used to define practices, traditions, knowledge and skills that communities pass down from generation to generation as part of their cultural heritage.

An exquisite creation, this Panama hat is expertly hand-woven in Ecuador before being blocked, bound and trimmed in Christys’ Oxfordshire factory, using techniques and processes that have been perfected over its 245-year history.

Black band, cream binding and crest tab finish the smart, monochrome style. Stylish, lightweight and comfortable, it is soft, cool and breathable, yet structured enough to hold an elegant shape.

Christys’ London has been manufacturing fine hats in England since 1773. Christys’ is the only company anywhere in the world that makes high-quality top hats and bowlers in the traditional way, now combining time-tested hand manufacture with contemporary science. Each hat is a creation that carries a quality guarantee reflecting Christys’ masterful workmanship.

Imbued with all the craftsmanship, quality and pedigree one would expect from a hat manufactured by the legendary brand, Christys’ makes the perfect version of the Panama hat that is equal parts classic, stylish and chic.

www.christys-hats.com