Jewellery That Travels Well
Holiday jewellery you’ll actually wear
When you’re living out of just one bag, your clothes are doing double (or triple) duty—and so should your accessories.
Jewellery is the easiest way to make the same three outfits look intentional instead of just repetitive. A simple chain. A pair of hoops. One standout piece that looks good, even when you’re running late for your flight.
The best jewellery for travel is the kind you actually wear. Not the “just in case” pieces, not the high-maintenance ones that require their own velvet pouch. I’m talking about workhorses: pieces that look good, travel well, and make wearing the same clothes on repeat feel surprisingly easy.
A few well-chosen pieces can stretch your outfits further, add polish, and make you feel more like yourself—even when you're living out of a carry-on. But not all jewellery travels well. Delicate chains tangle. Heavy pieces take up space. And anything remotely sentimental will haunt you for the rest of the trip if it goes missing.
If you’re wondering how to pack everything you need into a carry-on—without sacrificing your style—I can help. There’s a full travel capsule wardrobe guide right here.
This one’s about jewellery though—the part of the packing list that often gets overlooked, or thrown in at the last minute. But accessories might be the most useful things you bring. When your travel wardrobe is stripped back to the basics, it’s the extras that pull your outfits together.
So if you’re putting together a travel capsule (or just trying to pack smarter), here’s what to know about choosing jewellery that’s low-fuss, high-impact and actually makes your holiday outfits better.
Travel-Ready Jewellery Staples
You wouldn’t pack six pairs of shoes for a weekend trip (I hope), so the same logic should apply to your accessories. Jewellery takes up hardly any space but can do a surprising amount of heavy lifting. A few well-chosen pieces can do more than a suitcase full of clothes you might wear.
They add personality, make boring basics feel styled, and stop your outfits from feeling too repetitive, which is kind of the whole point of holiday dressing.
Here’s what I recommend packing: jewellery that can keep up with a full day of sightseeing, dinner dates, museum strolls, and everything in-between.
A Simple Chain Necklace
A gold or silver chain is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a basic outfit without making it feel overdone. It adds polish, layers well, and pulls everything together without even trying. It's the kind of piece you wear on repeat and still get compliments on.
I usually wear mine while travelling because it avoids tangles and makes me feel marginally more put-together at the airport. If you’re packing more than one necklace, start with something like a satellite chain or snake chain. They look good on their own but look even better stacked.
Stud Earrings (or Hoops)
Studs are the ideal travel companion: they look good, go with everything, and don’t stab you if you fall asleep in them. Small hoops work just as well — comfortable, low-effort, and they make every single outfit look intentional.
I usually bring one classic pair (like knot studs) and one with a bit more personality — something subtle but playful, like beaded hoops or a charm stud that does the styling work for you.
Stacking Rings
If you’re packing light, rings are the easiest way to add detail without taking up any space at all. A few slim, stackable bands are ideal for travel: they add just enough interest and can make your hands feel styled without being flashy.
I don’t really take my rings off, which is partly laziness and partly because they go with everything. I have a mix of textured finishes and mixed metals so they look interesting solo and stacked, whichever way they're styled.
One Statement Piece
In addition to your everyday staples, it’s worth bringing one piece with a bit more personality. A bold charm pendant, a personalised necklace, or something with colour, like a gemstone, that gives your travel wardrobe a little edge.
I usually go for a birthstone necklace (I choose the one that fits my colour palette), or something like the hexagon pendant. Layer it over a simple chain and suddenly that plain outfit looks styled on purpose.
Deciding What To Pack
Don’t bring anything you’d be devastated to lose. That includes engagement rings, wedding bags, or that sentimental ring your grandmother gave you. It might feel weird to leave them at home but it’s way worse to lose them forever and never wear them again.
Avoid wearing jewellery in the sea, pool, or anywhere you’ll be sweating and swatting insects. (That said, the jewellery I make can handle a beating—trust me, I’ve tested them myself.) If you do forget to take something off before a dip or a sweaty hike, just give your jewellery a quick wipe afterwards.
Edit your jewellery like your travel capsule wardrobe: if it doesn’t work with at least three outfits, it’s not coming. I always choose jewellery based on my destination and my outfit colour palette—matching the mood of the place and my style.
Need help travelling light without losing your style? My packing tips and travel capsules make simplifying your suitcase easy so you always look good and feel comfortable, no matter where you’re headed.
I love taking a statement piece with me, not only does it add that final touch to an outfit, it also challenges me to style in different ways that maybe I wouldn’t have if I had access to my whole jewelery collection!