streamline your travel

Case In Point

By Ingrid Schmidt

Eliminate time spent trying to I.D. your suitcase in a sea of black, ho-hum bags. This standout case comes with a pack of stickers in 21 colors, so you can create your own, highly recognizable custom design.

SHOP NOW: Dot Drops Cabin Trolley, $250

Bag Tag

Adorning your bag with a bold, colorful tag is another way to stand out at the luggage carousal. Make your claim blatant with a "That's Mine" fabric tag that reverses to "Not Yours."

SHOP NOW: Jonathan Adler "Bon Voyage" Tags, $6 and Terrence Kelleman for Dynomighty Design tag, $10

Weighing In

Avoid any surprise overweight baggage fees (that tend to be, um, hefty) with this compact digital scale. Simply hook it around your suitcase handle, lift the bag up and it will quickly weigh in as to whether you've got stiletto overload.

SHOP NOW: Balanzza Luggage Scale at L.L. Bean, $25

Space Saver

Travel expert Sally Horchow swears by Eagle Creek's Pack-It Folders to compress her clothes. "And I'm a long-time believer in rolling, rather than folding," she says. Horchow also tosses in one-quart Ziploc bags, labeled with a Sharpie, to stash electronics, laundry and souvenirs.

SHOP NOW: Eagle Creek Pack-It Folders, from $24

Glam Getaway

"I'm also addicted to Stephanie Johnson cosmetic bags," says Horchow. "She has thought of everything in terms of compartments — I often pop out the mesh pouches and use them separately. Plus, her patterns are adorable!"

SHOP NOW: Stephanie Johnson ML Traveler Case in La Paz, $80

Extra, Extra!

Travel light with a jeans-and-tee combo on the road (and a bag filled with interchangeable, neutral separates). Toss in a fabulous scarf or two to ward off in-flight drafts and instantly add a pop of color and sparkle to basics (pretty embellishment eliminates the need for jewelry.)

SHOP NOW: Echo Design's Studded Scarf With Fringe, $98

Double-Duty Dressing

And what should junior jet-setters wear on the go? Fashion meets function in this plush terry dress that does triple-duty as cozy sleepwear or a sweet beach cover-up.

SHOP NOW: Crewcuts Striped Terry Drawstring Dress, $40

First-Class Accessories

Pull it all together in style with these luxe faux croc accessories that hold everything from your passport to your pearls. We love the matching measuring tape (to zero in on those shopping specs).

SHOP NOW: Z Gallerie's Passport Case, $9, Tape Measure, $5, Jewelry Box, $16 and Travel Wallet, $25.

Concierge On Call

Whether your destination is Chicago or Cairo, these insider travel guides do all the research for you — from restaurants and hotels to shops, architecture and sights. Now available in app format, to lighten your load that much more.

SHOP NOW: Wallpaper City Guides, $10 and iPhone/iPod Apps, $4 each

(Not) Lost In Translation

No comprendo? If you're traveling to a non-English-speaking country, don't waste precious time in translation. This pocket-sized whiz offers phrases and translations in 20 languages (plus a currency converter, world time clock and calculator).

SHOP NOW: Lingo Global Traveler 20 Translator, $70