accessories to take to desert

What you should pack for a trip to a desert

I like practical things. I rarely buy something that has a purely decorative purpose and lies around the house collecting dust. I like comfortable clothes that allow me to travel without worrying about cold wind, too hot sun or getting dirty.

Adventure comes before picture-perfect looks. I like, however pretty things too. In the past, I did not pay much attention to the clothes and accessories I was taking with me on trips. They had to serve only one purpose: to be comfortable and easy to carry.

I have been traveling extensively for the last 12 years. I hiked, I stayed in luxury hotels and discovered big cities’ corners on foot. I went to the high mountains, hot white-sand beaches, deserts, rainforests, glaciers and high-altitude cities. During those years of traveling I mastered the craft of hand-luggage packing. Believe me, it took many over packed suitcases full of clothes I packed ‘just in case’ and never wore. I do not do that anymore and my light traveling allows me to see and do more instead of carrying clothes and shoes I don’t even need during my travels. Don’t get me wrong, I still like taking some pretty things with me, hence the little list today.

I would like to share with you five accessories I love taking with me on my travels that add a little touch of glamour to my adventurous and comfortable outfits. Today, instead of a full packing list (as we all know the days are extremely hot and the temperatures at night drop down) I would like to show you a few favourites I usually take on my trips to deserts that had proven to be as well as pretty, also very functional. I will omit the night-time necessities as a single thought about cold makes me cringe.

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5 favourite accessories to take on a trip to a desert

1. A hat

My relationship with has not always been perfect. I would rather call it bumpy. When I was a child I was forced to wear a hat in cold weather. And I hated it. I guess some of you know that maybe even from experience, the winter months in Poland can be very crispy and twenty below zero temperatures are nothing but unpleasant. The cold was causing my ears to almost fall off my head, but I would still refuse to wear a hat. I thought it made me look funny or boyish (and that time I really wanted to look like a pretty girl). Of course, to avoid many discussions with my parents about why I should wear a hat when it is freezing cold outside and why I do not want to do so, I was taking a hat off after the first corner away from the house.

Now I love hats, especially the ones known as Panama hats that are actually made in Ecuador. I love summer even more and this leads to a perfect combination of my love for summer hats. This cute one is my latest treasure from the trip to Ecuador. It is hand-made and pretty, so I take it anywhere it is possible. Apart from being pretty, it protects from the sun and makes my travel photos even more pleasant to look at later. That being said, it is my number one travel accessory I take to a desert.

2. Comfortable sunglasses

I wear sunglasses even on a rainy day. My eyes are so sensitive to light that I cannot imagine going anywhere without at least one pair of good and comfortable sunglasses. They should stay firmly on my face while I am hiking or enjoying all the adventures instead of worrying about things. I discovered recently those cool blue-mirrored and have already taken them on a few trips. So far, so good. No wind, no sun and no little desert sand storms managed to ruin them (or blow them way) and they look cool, don’t you think? It is so easy to accessorize with sunglasses to change any outfit. Wherever you go, they make a perfect final touch. Practical and pretty…that’s what I love.

3. A scarf

A lightweight scarf is another essential I take with me everywhere. If it’s cold outside, it makes me more comfortable. If it’s hot it protects me from the burning sun and at the beach, it makes a perfect bikini cover and a blanket to sit on. When the sun starts going down, it makes an excellent cover-up. The ideas on how to use a scarf are endless. On top of that it can quickly change the outfit.

4. A cute top

Off-shoulders tops are everywhere this year. As it happens, I love them. They are perfect for hot weather, to take to the beach, a desert walk and a night out. Apart from off-shoulder tops or dresses, shirts make a perfect desert piece of clothing that not only looks good but also is comfortable, keeps you cool and covers from the sun.

5. Jewellery

Here I won’t woo anybody, sorry. When it is hot my jewellery accessories are usually minimal. I recently got absolutely addicted to little pearl studs I got on in Edinburgh last fall. I think they complement tanned skin beautifully and are comfortable.

Nothing adventurous, you might say, and you would be right. With the desert wind and hair freely dancing around my face, anything that can get tangled into my hair is a no-no during my travel essentials.
Thank you for visiting. I would love to know what are your travel necessities and favourites. Do you keep your luggage minimal or you pack for any possible scenario?

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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I was given the sunglasses in exchange for an open and honest review, and all opinions are my own. I would never promote a product unless I found it 100% satisfying, and thought that you, my lovely readers, might like it too.