It’s always a bit of a downer when I’m getting ready for a holiday and I’ve got to lug my dad’s dusty, moss-coloured suitcase out of the attic and begin to pack – functional though I grudgingly admit that it is, I feel almost apologetic to my clothes when I zip them away into The World’s Most Depressing Luggage In The World Ever. It’s also a massive pain when you’re waiting for your luggage to come off the plane and you can’t find your bag because everyone has pretty much identical luggage to one another. I’m determined to let the moss-coloured horror stay up in the attic this year – and so begins my search for cute, eye-catching luggage a girl can be proud of at Heathrow. Not only that, but nice and useful things to put in your luggage, only if it’s just so you can show off a bit about how nice your stuff is when a man from Customs insists on going through your bag.

I know I’ve already brought up the wonderful Etsy.com once today already, but my god, the luggage you can buy there is amazing! After looking for about five minutes I discover bespoke Barbie suitcases – yes, that’s right, Barbie – that doesn’t only serve as a suitcase, but as a laptop case/general bag too. I want ten in different colours; I’m ready to channel my inner nine-year old.

If you want a more grown-up, simple style of luggage, I found a gorgeous Stella McCartney suitcase from TKMaxx at a massive mark down, in this season’s favourite colour; nude.

Or if you’re awful at travelling light, you might want to stick to the classics and try a Cath Kidston holdall for size in one of her trademark prints. There’s enough space in it to probably put all of your shoes in and it has wheels, so if you are like me and have pathetic spaghetti muscles you don’t have to haul it about. (Unless you’re going on holiday with a man. Then he can haul it about for you.)

It’s also a good idea to have a camera with you for the flight, as all the most memorable photos seem to be ones of friends pulling ugly faces and dribbling in their sleep on the plane. If you’re going to be unkind and photograph your friends in their most vulnerable state, I found a gorgeous camera the colour of pistachio ice cream on Urban Outfitters which is a fashion statement in itself. I also discovered some ultra-luxurious eye masks for getting some shut-eye on the plane, so if your friends are as mean as you are about taking photos of sleeping people, at least you’ll still look glamorous.

If you’re in it for the long haul on an international flight, it’s unavoidable that the heat will probably get the better of your makeup. I found some amazing Strawberry Cupcake Wet Wipes by Lulu’s Gifts – it’s a cut above Boots, and the packaging looks good enough to eat. Lulu’s Gifts also make some beautiful quilted, Chanel-style vanity bags that fit easily into your hand luggage, so that you’re never caught short of anything you might need on a flight.

Click the images below to see my favourite travelling necessities.