Summer is quickly approaching and that means beach trips and music festivals. It also means a complete 180 in what you should pack. No longer do you need to worry about bundling up in layers and trying to fit those ski boots in your carry-on luggage. Instead, make room for the swimsuits and flirty dresses! Here are my go-to items when thinking about summer travel.

Destination and length of time is a huge factor for me when considering which luggage to use. For those longer trips, I normally stick with my trusty hard-sided carry-on suitcase. Away Luggage makes the perfect suitcase that can withstand the abuse of travel and even make life easier with its battery back-up.

If you're traveling somewhere that it might be hard to tote around a rolling suitcase, I would highly recommend the Tom Binh Aeronaut bag. The Aeronaut 30 meets all airline restrictions for carry-on luggage and will even pass for a personal item on the budget airlines. I can easily fit a week's worth of clothes and multiple shoes in here. Plus, the comfortable shoulder straps make it ideal for gallivanting through multiple cities.

Having comfortable shoes that were also cute seemed almost impossible until I found Tieks. These are the best shoes for traveling as they can fold up into themselves for when you're packing and the cushiony bottom provides ample support for all-day tours through new cities. Plus these come in a rainbow of color options.

Okay, so not an actual gang, but definitely a cult-like following within my family. Dang Shades are stylish and durable. Plus they are only a fraction of the cost when compared to other major sunglass retailers-ideal for those people who occasionally lose their sunglasses in the ocean.

As much as I love going to the beach, I hate getting everything so sandy. The Grand Truck parasheet is the perfect accessory. Just lay out the large sheet, fill the pockets on the bottom with sand to keep the blanket in place and spend your day laying in the sun without the mess. Plus the parachute material is light and allows the entire blanket to fold within itself into its own carrying case.

As a minimalist packer, I am constantly looking for items that can do double duty. The towels from Tesalate do just that. Not only do they come in stylish designs and colors, but you can use them as more than just a towel. Tesalate boasts that their towels are fast-drying, very absorbent and sand-free-meaning no gritty dry-off. But these lightweight towels can do so much more-style them as a sarong or use it on the plane to keep warm on those cold flights.

Having all your important cards and documents organized is important for any trip, so why not keep them protected from skimming as well? There are tons of designs available for passport holders, just make sure that the one you choose will also protect your documents from electronic pickpocketing too. Even if you aren't traveling abroad, it's still a packing essential for safety.

With so many electronic gadgets, it's important to make sure you can also power them when you're on the go. Whether you prefer a solar-powered external battery, external battery built into your carry-on luggage or just a separate battery back-up, this is one item that always makes my packing list. Just make sure it's fully charged before you leave.

Another must for any trip is my trusty pair of headphones. I finally made the leap and invested in a nice pair, and it really has made a difference. I'm not a true audiophile though, so there are probably other pairs with better audio quality and technical specs. But personally, I prefer the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless headphones. They fit great, music comes through clear and I don't have to worry about messing with a chord constantly.

Everyone wants to look stylish, especially on vacation, but it's important to be comfortable too. Sur La Cote easily combines fashionable looks with the most comfortable materials. The Marrakech Pants are my personal favorite and are great for looking your best for a night out after a long plane ride.

Summertime is the perfect time to accessorize, but you don't want to weigh yourself down with tons of jewelry. Lavish Leathers has beautifully made products that will take up virtually no room in your bag. I love their metallic and textured leather earrings that are fun to pair with any outfit.

Sunscreen is essential, but what about having a fun sunscreen that protects your skin and gives it even more of a shine? Sunshine and Glitter offers an array of products that keep your skin protected but also help you stand out. Use their Beach Gypsy for a day of lounging by the ocean or partying at a music festival. Keep the shine going into the night with the cooling relief of Day is Done-a nourishing aloe that helps restore nutrients to your skin after a day in the sun.

Nic D'Andrea makes beautiful bracelets that add that little bit extra to summer outfits. Whether you're going to a music festival, backpacking through Europe or just chilling on South Beach, these bracelets go with any outfit.

Summertime is the perfect time to catch up on your reading list. Whether you're sitting on the deck of a cruise ship, soaking in the rays on the beach, trying to pass the time on an international flight or just finding some quiet time camping in the woods, books are the perfect addition to any packing list.

If you're looking for a recommendation, my recent favorites are The Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling), Without a Country by Ayse Kulin, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea by Masaji Ishikawa. My all-time favorites are any of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.