L.L. Bean offers a pair of pants that I feel is perfect for traveling.  They are called ‘Perfect Fit Pants’, and there is a style to fit most women’s shapes as they are available in misses’ and women’s sizes.   They come in traditional pants, cropped, straight leg, boot cut, and slim.  What makes them perfect pants is that they wash and dry well, retain their shape thanks to the touch of Lycra in the jersey knit fabric, and come in four nice colors that traditionally go with everything – black, brown, grey and blue.

I own a black pair of the standard Perfect Fit Pants.  They’ve held up over time, a modest weight gain and subsequent loss, and a handful of trips out of state.  Give these pants a go.  You won’t regret it.

Photo credit: malias

Picking up all the incidentals you need for a trip can result in a rather hefty shopping tab. Fortunately, there are several items you can pick up for cheap at your local Dollar Tree. That’s right. The same store that provides uber affordable classroom and home management supplies can also offer bargain basement prices on numerous handy travel items. Here are ten of note:

• Rain ponchos. Great for those rainforest adventures or having a bad weather back up in your day pack that doesn’t take up too much room.

• Umbrellas. The ones in the stores are compact enough size to fit well in smaller pieces of luggage and aren’t a huge financial loss if they get left behind or turned inside out by a strong wind.

• Travel bottles for toiletries. They sell an entire set for a buck with tight screw on lids in smaller sizes to meet the one-quart bag requirements of the airline industry.

• Pharmaceutical items. Stock up on the cheap for things like aspirin, triple antibiotic and more. They also have a compact first aid kit with over forty items. For a buck, that’s a bargain in anyone’s book.

• Word puzzle books. Need something to keep from going crazy while waiting for your flight to take off? Pick up some of these cheapie entertainment options and a few pencils.

• Toothbrushes. They have sets of one plus miniature toothpaste tubes, or a multi pack of five with cover caps suitable for a small family.

• Sunglasses. Not exactly a designer selection, but for taking a trip on the cheap without having to worry about losing an expensive set these will get the job done.

• Tote bags. Love your small purse but wanting something bigger to use as your carry-on for a simple weekend getaway? They have a couple of different styles available that can be used as reusable shopping bags when you return.

• Mesh bags. They have several different kinds in various sizes that can be used to organize backpacks, hold dirty laundry and more.

• Toiletries and incidentals. Numerous travel sizes of personal care and other items are available. Hand sanitizers, tissues, sewing kits, safety pins and matches are just a few of them.

Know of any other cheap travel items you can pick up at Dollar Tree? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below.

Photo Credit: Broker Saunders