Anyone who owned a pair of “mom jeans” in the ’90s or sported a set of “curtain bangs” in the ’70s knows this to be true: Trends always operate on a cycle. Sure, they might get a design makeover, or a fun, new name (“dad shoes,” anyone?), but most trends, modern as they might seem on the surface, often have roots that are decades old. The fun part about this cyclical nature is that we can usually foresee what’s going to be popular again in the future—and some of the most standout trends to return happen to revolve around travel.
Curious to see what travel trends are making a comeback in 2026? Keep reading. We put on our trend-forecasting hats and compiled the 10 unexpected retro trends we predict will make waves this year, from airport-friendly velour tracksuits, to Mary Jane Flats, to streamlined, in-ear headphones—starting at just $9.
Best Overall 2026 Travel Trends
Trend: Packing Accessories With Personality
Don’t get us wrong; versatility is important, especially regarding travel clothing. But somewhere along the way, we allowed that “goes with everything” attribute to deter us from choosing gear with vibrant colors and joyful patterns that speak to our souls.
In 2026, we’re reserving the matchy-matchy objective for our capsule wardrobes—and reaching for packing cubes and organizers with attitude. We love Baggu’s fun packing cube duos, which come in nine different combinations, including a Western-themed set. And Gonex offers their space-saving compression packing cubes in fun patterned sets, too. Whether you’re a fan of summery gingham or love a cheeky phrase, Amazon’s bound to have a set that suits you best.
Trend: Bag Charms
Blending in with the crowd is so last year; 2026 is all about setting yourself apart with accessories that capture your individual style the best, which might be why bag charms are once again having their moment in the spotlight. While bag charms have roots that predate record-keeping, the trend was first popularized in the 1980s, when Jane Birkin first sported her iconic, well-lived-in Hermès Birkin bag, adorned with hanging charms. Decorative purse charms rose to popularity again in the 2000s, then the 2010s, and, of course, the 2020s.
Today, there are hundreds—nay, thousands—of purse charms and keychains to choose from (like this funky gold initial charm from Fohufo). Not only is finding one that feels most ‘you’ fun, but it also serves a double purpose, in that it can help you distinguish your checked suitcase, carry-on, or personal item from others. What’s more, many bag charms are actually Apple AirTag holders in disguise, giving you a chic way to keep tabs on your luggage.
Trend: Feature-focused Luggage
Ten years ago, minimalism was the style status quo. From high-fashion runways to interior decor showrooms, the minimalism trend touched every corner of the design world, with creatives finding new ways to cut off the excess and focus on shape, quality, and bare-bones beauty.
But that was then, and this is now. Products with special features, thoughtful add-ons, and tons of details are hot again in 2026. Travelers are turning their attention toward luggage that can do more than just get their clothes from Point A to Point B. That includes carry-ons with cup holders, laptop backpacks with USB ports, and checked suitcases with built-in security measures.
Trend: Textured Mary Jane Flats
From the innovative “sneakerina” flat to 90s-inspired jelly fisherman sandals, flats of all kinds made a comeback in 2025. One retro style we expect to see more of in 2026 is the Mary Jane flat.
Chic, simple, and easy to dress up or down, this strapped ballet flat makes a stellar travel shoe, and the modern iterations are so much more comfortable than those of decades past. Check out Rothy’s reimagined version of the Mary Jane, for example—it’s constructed with a lightweight, breathable knit that stretches to fit you and is machine-washable to boot. And shoppers “cannot believe how comfortable” these metallic, square-toe Franco Sarto flats are, despite looking like they’d be a blister factory.
Trend: Infinity Scarf-inspired Pillows
The return of 2010s-era twee fashion has now crossed over into unexpected territory: travel accessories. Infinity scarves were once so popular and stylistically versatile that both Joe Jonas and Rihanna wore them on a semi-regular basis. Now, a new style of neck pillows is breathing new life into the trend.
Enter the Infinity Pillow, a looped travel pillow that looks just an infinity pillow but feels more like a fluffy duvet comforter. Besides being cuter than most neck pillows on the market (it comes in a wide variety of fun colors), this pillow allows you to customize your support and position, helping you to find your ‘sweet spot’ on the flight. Several other scarf-like neck pillows have begun popping up, including the Pono Neck Cradle Travel Pillow, $46, and the Vesta Loop Neck Pillow, $50.
Trend: Y2K-era Tracksuits
Matching sets have been en vogue for quite some time, but a more niche throwback style is making waves at the airport: the velour tracksuit. This plush, velveteen lounge set soared to popularity in the early 2000s, arguably popularized by Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in The Simple Life.
Juicy Couture and Baby Phat reigned supreme as the Y2K-era velour tracksuit brands du jour, but in 2026, the trending ‘fit is less about the label and more about the look. Amazon has several options that capture the luxe loungewear aesthetic for a fraction of the price, including this Marvmys style, $37, that five-star reviewers call comfy, warm, and “perfect for running errands or staying home and lounging around.”
Trend: Clear Luggage Covers
Depending on the type of household you grew up in, you may be familiar with vinyl couch covers. Sure, they might’ve stuck to your legs whenever you’d try to stand up, and they might’ve made obnoxiously loud squeaky, crinkly sounds any time you’d sit on them, but they did a fine job at ensuring grandma’s matching living room set would survive long enough for you to inherit it.
Jet-setters have been taking this same principle and applying it to their checked suitcases, with the help of clear PVC luggage covers. These durable, waterproof luggage sleeves fit squarely over your suitcase in order to protect its shell from scuffs, bumps, and scrapes, all while allowing the color of your luggage to show through. We expect even more of these to pop up on your baggage claim carousel in 2026.
Trend: Travel Journals
Between phrases like “touching grass” and “digital detox” picking up speed, it’s pretty clear that Gen Z is desperate for a screen break. This desire to unplug has led to a renewed public interest in junk journaling and diary keeping, and we expect this interest to carry over to travel journaling in 2026.
Travel journals allow you to stay present, helping you to capture the experiences of your trip better than a social media caption ever could. Plus, they provide a physical documentation of your adventures that you or your family can reminisce on year after year. Amazon has hundreds of beautiful options to choose from, including this hardcover style from Duncan & Stone Paper Co. that includes prompted questions and ‘Favorite Things’ lists for each destination.
Trend: Physical Photos
Much like the case of travel journals, the recent widespread yearning for physical ephemera will affect our 2026 photo-taking habits. Snapping phone pics for the ‘gram will still be a thing, of course, but we predict that instant cameras and smartphone printers will have their moment in the spotlight this year. Amazon is a hub for these, including the Fujifilm Instax Mini, which has a built-in selfie mirror, Polaroid’s smallest instant camera, the Polaroid Go Generation 2, and the Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Printer, which can print dazzling, high-quality versions of your smartphone photos via Bluetooth.
Trend: Earbuds as Accessories
Sorry, over-ear headphones—earbuds are making a comeback in 2026. Their bulkier, showier, counterparts are slowly being replaced by small, streamlined in-ear headphones, which take up less space inside a carry-on. The public’s renewed interest is also thanks in part to the introduction of earring earbuds (like this gorgeous platinum pair from Shokz), which look more like a piece of jewelry rather than an audio device. Amazon has those trending earring headphones and so many more available to shop, including the top-rated Apple AirPods 4, bright red Beats Solo Buds, and pastel-hued Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds, all on sale for $100 or less.
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