It happens to the most seasoned of travelers.  You start with the basic essentials—toothbrush, underwear, sensible shoes—and yet somehow, by the time you load up the car or board your flight, you’ve convinced yourself that eight changes of footwear and an evening gown will be good to have around just in case.

Kudos to you for your natural instinct to always be prepared, but let’s face it, you probably didn’t need a just in case Nordic sweater on your last trip to Barbados.  Airline companies are becoming hip to the average fashionista’s jive—checked baggage fees alone will take a bite out of your travel budget before you’ve even cleared passport control.  Fortunately, taking your noteworthy style on the road doesn’t have to mean schlepping along all your stuff.

At the end of June, I’ll be taking off for an eight-day jaunt to Egypt, bringing with me an assortment of American-made goodies for my dear friend and hostess, Nazly.  And I’ll be doing it all without a single checked bag.  Think it’s impossible?  Think again.  Aside from gifts, the following are the only ten items I’ll be packing:

1.)    Low-cut lace thong, Hanky Panky.  You don’t build a quality home without a solid foundation, and you certainly don’t board an eight-hour flight without the most comfortable underpinnings a girl can find.  Hanky Panky offers a range of styles and cuts, but I’m a fan of the low-cut lace thong for its versatility.  Take a few more pairs than you think you need—Mom would be proud.

Keep it classy ladies- 7" chino shorts from J. Crew

2.)    White v-neck short-sleeved tee, PureBody by Gap.  I’d swear by these even if I never left the greater Boston area.  As a closet staple, they’re irreplaceable.  As a travel go-to, they’re unbeatable.  Soft, durable, and cut to flatter the weary jet-setter—I’m bringing two.

3.)    7” Classic chino shorts in khaki, J. Crew.  Because I work at an exceptionally laid-back web startup, these are already part of my casual workday repertoire.   Keep ‘em classy with a diaphanous print blouse and you can skip the pre-dinner wardrobe change back at your hotel—or in my case, back at my friend Nazly’s apartment.

Watch by Sasha Rhett

4.)    Silver double-wrap watch, Sasha Rhett.  Watches from Sasha Rhett come with interchangeable bands, but for this trip I plan on taking just one.  At home, I wear mine as a fashion accessory more than for the purpose of keeping time, but there’s something inexplicably satisfying about adjusting the hour when you land in a foreign time zone.

5.)    Maxi skirt, Bordeaux Los Angeles.  Disclaimer:  I am not a Skirt Person.  I am in fact a Wear Jean Shorts And Flip Flops person.  But this skirt, which found a home in my closet in late April, is by far one of my favorite new acquisitions for summer.  Modest enough for the Middle East but still cool enough for the 100°F temperatures in Cairo, this skirt combines everything I love about sweatpants (whisper-soft, comfy, low-maintenance) with everything I admire about Audrey Hepburn (fun, elegant, graceful).  Shorter ladies might need to do some hem adjusting, but as a tall gal, I’m thrilled to have found a maxi skirt that actually looks….maxi.

6.)    Tocca SPF 30 Sunscreen, 3Floz.com.  Necessary in part because of my paper-white skin, these handy travel-size bottles keep porcelain and bronze goddesses alike safe from harsh solar rays.  The moderate protection factor means I’ll still come back with a healthy glow, and the airport-friendly size gives those lovely TSA people one less reason to frisk me.

7.)    Zong Ecotread sandals by Chaco, Zappos.com.  Like the flip-flops I’ve been wearing as long as I can remember, only more grown up.  These sturdy sandals have tougher treads, more arch support, and adjustable straps for a snug fit.  They still look brand new, but these puppies have accompanied me on a monthlong traipse through South Africa and daily treks to and from work.

8.)    Charming dress in ivory by Lolë, from REI.  Comfy enough for travel but classic enough for year-round wear (paired with leggings in cooler months).  The invisible side zip pocket is great for stashing a passport or currency.  Bonus points for a perfectly above-the-knee-but-still-conservative length and sporty wicking fabric.

So versatile, it's worth its weight in gold.

9.)    Pashmina, Bijoux Bijoux (airports nationwide).  I pride myself on a fairly minimalist closet, but I’ll cop to owning at least four of these in a rainbow of colors.  It’s hard to beat the versatility of an item that alternately serves as a slightly boho scarf, a wrap for evening, protection against icy trans-Atlantic flights, or a headcover during freak rainstorms.  And at about $10 apiece, owning four is actually quite cost-effective.

10.)  Xertube Resistance Band, Amazon.com.  I’ve come a long way since my days as a D-I athlete, so I no longer need to fret about working cardio, weight routines, or stretches into my vacation schedule.   That said, I’m a friendlier, more endorphin-loaded person when I get my blood pumping.  These bands come in a range of resistance levels and can serve as an ultra-compact gym for health nuts on the go.  Consider them an alternative to bulking up by hauling multiple suitcases through the airport.

Dreamer. Hustler. Americana Tropicana. Former athlete, lifelong geek. Guilty of small acts of mischief, Johnny Appleseed of discord. Occasional appearances by alter-ego, The Indelible Woman. Reckless, but always on the prowl for a new adventure. Cheers for the underdog, named for the aviatrix who couldn’t be tamed.  From Pittsburgh, With Love.