I’ve Lived Out of a Carry-on for 3 Years, and This Piece of Clothing Is My No. 1 Essential

Trends come and go at the speed of light these days, and when you’re a nomad living out of a carry-on suitcase, you don’t have time or space to participate in any of them, really. That circumstance has drastically limited my wardrobe for the last three years, and though I wasn’t a trend-chaser prior to traveling full-time, it’s certainly given me a deep appreciation for timeless, versatile pieces. And hands-down, the hardest working piece in my suitcase is the epitome of that idea: It’s a classic white button-down shirt. 

I’ve been wearing a relaxed cotton one from Vineyard Vines on repeat for the last two years, and it’s proven itself to be an absolute MVP during trips through 23 different countries and all different climates. I’ve layered it under sweaters during zero-degree days in Copenhagen, worn it in lieu of a spring jacket to grab dinner in Mexico City, and tied it around my waist to walk the narrow streets of Naples, Italy. It can hang in a city, but it also really shines as a lightweight cover-up, perfect for hours on a boat in Hawk’s Cay in the Florida Keys or to shield my shoulders during sunny scooter rides around Tulum. 

When you’re a nomad, everything has to match with everything else, and be useful in as many climates as possible, and a white button-down is simple — you might say boring, even — but it does exactly that.

Vineyard Vines Oversized Poplin Button-down

The exact Vineyard Vines shirt I travel with is no longer for sale, but nearly any white button-down should do the trick in serving as a versatile travel piece. I love that mine is 100 percent cotton, so it’s soft, easily washable, and can be used to stay warm or keep cool. Because it’s oversized, I can also tie it into a crop top, layer it over tank tops or dresses, and wear it off my shoulders. The beauty of a button-down is that you can also constantly adjust how much airflow you want or how much skin you’d like to show, and there are infinite ways to style it so your outfits feel fresh and can match any occasion. 

White is a tricky color to travel with, but I’ve found that, with the right laundry products (and a Tide Pen), I can get this shirt clean and bright again and again. And dealing with laundering a white shirt is totally worth it, in my opinion, because it goes with every single other piece of clothing in my bag — something that’s not just ideal when you’re living out of a carry-on suitcase, but necessary.

Still, after more than two years of travel and countless wears, I’m getting close to retiring my Vineyard Vines button-down. I’m thinking of snagging one in linen for summer, or one that’s a bit more structured to help me look more put-together during an upcoming trip to Tokyo. There are so many good styles on the market right now, it’s pretty hard to choose. Here are six I have my eye on to serve as the next workhouse in my travel wardrobe.

Madewell The Oversized Straight Hem Shirt in Signature Poplin 

Madewell’s whole schtick is offering pieces that are classic and timeless, and they were the first brand I thought of when I started considering replacing my well-loved white shirt. I love the oversized, boxy look of this one, especially for city travel. It’s 100-percent cotton, so guaranteed to be breezy even in the summer heat. Reviewers love it for its “true oversize look.” 

Everlane The Linen Relaxed Shirt

Linen is the best choice for summer, thanks to its super breathable nature. This one has a relaxed-but-classic cut, making it great as a beachy cover-up or dressier dinner shirt. Reviewers say it falls perfectly between oversized and fitted — and gets softer with every wash.

Uniqlo Premium Linen Long Sleeve Shirt

Linen can be pricey, but this Uniqlo pick is perfect for travelers on a budget (and, really, who isn’t trying to save money so they can go on more trips?). At just $40, I might need to get this one in multiple colors. Customers have given it a rating of 4.7 stars out of five overall, saying the only downside is that it wrinkles easily — but that’s true with most linen clothes. 

Breezy Lane Button-down Shirt

For a looser fit and more affordable price point, there’s this shirt from Breezy Lane on Amazon. Customers say it’s great as a beach coverup since the fabric is pretty thin and, well, breezy. 

Big Dart Oversized Button-down Shirt

Other travel writers swear by this affordable white button-down from Amazon, so I’m inclined to give it a try. “I used this for travel,” shared one reviewer who noted that the fabric is lightweight and the shirt has more of a “boyfriend fit.” They continued: “Love the color [and I] was able to pair [it] with so many of my outfits.” 

Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic Fit Long Sleeve Button-down Poplin Shirt

More than 17,000 shoppers have given this Amazon Essentials button-down an overall rating of 4.2 stars out of five — not bad for a shirt under $30. It’s 100-percent cotton and a classic cut that reviewers love for layering. “This shirt is awesome! Bought it to travel in and it packed beautifully, no wrinkles,” wrote one customer. “Washed [it] and [the] size stayed the same and did not need ironing! Will buy more in different colors.”

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