The Best Custom Monogrammed Gifts According to Travel Editors — Starting at $17

In a world where trends come and go faster than you can make a transatlantic flight, it’s becoming increasingly important to ditch the trend cycle and invest in quality clothes and travel gear that are timeless and last years to come. That’s why I’m a big advocate for personalized and monogrammed travel gear. By nature, customized accessories are personal treasures, designed just for you and meant to be used for life. More than just durable, they can also prevent your travel items from being lost or mistaken for another. And trust me, my accidental luggage swap in Paris is proof that unadorned, plain luggage is a big travel mistake. 

These monogrammed travel accessories make amazing gifts. Know a solo traveler who likes to be unique? Or a large family of travelers who tend to get their gear mixed up? Can’t think of a gift for the newly married couple who just merged their last initials? Monogrammed accessories might be the answer.

So if you’re looking to upgrade your travel kit, consider a personalized piece of gear that you can call yours for the rest of your travels. Our editors agree that these travel essentials are some of their favorites. Scroll to see which monogrammed gift has your name on it — and for as little as $17.

Mark & Graham Mini Travel Jewelry Case

Ideal for a short weekend trip or the traveler who keeps their jewelry minimalistic, Associate Editor Anna Popp recommends this case, saying, “It’s perfect storage for the few rings, earrings, and bracelets that I wear consistently.” The monogram adds a special touch, she said, and it makes a great gift: “I got all the gals in my family one for the holidays this year!”

Leatherology Slim Card Case

If you often switch around using different purses and bags, this slim card case could be a useful tool. Senior Editor Emily Belfiore says she’s one of those people: “I’m always switching out my bags, and I’ve found carrying a card case versus a bulky wallet is an easy way to make sure I have everything I’ll need for an excursion.” She adds that it makes a great gift for a traveler and feels luxurious thanks to the gold embossed monogram. 

Away Large Tech Case

This tech case isn’t the only thing you can monogram at Away, but it’s Belfiore’s favorite. “A tech organizer is a game-changer when you travel with multiple devices and their corresponding cables and accessories,” she says. “Monogramming this traveler-loved version from Away adds a fun pop to the solid-hued exterior.”

Viva Workshop Genuine Leather Monogrammed Journal

This made-in-the-USA leather journal is refillable, so you can reuse the custom monogrammed leather cover for many trips to come. Available in four leather stains, it’d make a great gift for the budding author or travel writer.

L.L. Bean Tote

L.L. Bean has over 150 monogram-able items, but the canvas tote is classic. For me, an L.L. Bean tote will always remind me of trips to the beach, where we took our family monogrammed tote because of its durable canvas exterior. Get the zip-top version so you can turn it on its side and slide it under the seat in front of you on the plane without your belongings falling out. 

July Luggage Tag

Luggage tags are the original custom travel accessories, and they’re not to be overlooked in their utility. A great luggage tag can help differentiate your bag in a swift current of similar roll-aways at the luggage carousel. Belfiore said she received this monogrammed luggage tag as a gift and always gets complimented on it, recounting a surprising moment in airport security, “There was one time a TSA agent stopped me mid-security line to ask where I got it.”

Rifle Paper Co. Monogram Key Ring

Never underestimate the power of a key ring to keep your keys easy to find and grab in a hurry. Many purses have a metal ring woven inside the bag explicitly for attaching to a quick-latch key ring like this. I find it handy so my keys don’t swim around at the bottom of my bag. 

Cuyana Travel Jewelry Case

Jewelry is one of the hardest things to travel with. Necklaces get tangled. Earrings inevitably drop to the bottom of bags. But Associate Editorial Director Morgan Ashley Parker tested this case in T+L’s labs, naming it the best overall case, and loved it so much she ordered a monogrammed one for herself after the test. “Deceptively spacious inside,” she says “It has designated spots for earrings and rings with pockets to keep smaller items sorted on each side.” Get it customized with three large initials or eight small letters.

Sézane Embroidered Tomboy Shirt

This Paris-based fashion brand carries timeless wardrobe staples that embody that simple but chic French style. Think: oversized button-down shirts, caramelly leather bags, and soft everyday tees. Better still, you can add your own touch to some of these simple staples. Its leather handbags can be personalized with gold-embossed initials, like this Jane Birkin-esque bucket bag. But it’s the custom embroidery on their oversized Tomboy Shirt and Marinier Tee that I love. Find these two in my shopping cart, embroidered with my favorite words and destinations.

Papier Travel Journal

There’s nothing better than a fresh journal to start a new trip. This Papier travel journal has pages with trip ideas, travel plans, and trip planning details to help keep you organized. But it’s the customizable exterior that makes it special. Get your destination embossed on the front, or your favorite travel quote or phrase that keeps you inspired.

Paravel Cabana Tote

Like the L.L. Bean canvas tote, this Paravel Cabana Tote is similarly versatile and durable. This one gets the endorsement of Parker. “I adore this tote because the medium size is not only perfect for my favorite warm-weather vacations, it comes with a zippered top so I can use it as a plane personal item as well..” She brings it to the beach of course, but says it can double as an attractive purse too, saying “[jt]t looks cute enough to come shopping and out to dinner with me at other times.”

Paravel Aviator Grand

Jasmine Grant , Travel + Leisure Senior Editor, says this is their first monogrammed suitcase and raves, “I’m absolutely obsessed.” Choose custom-colored letters that stand out against your bag’s exterior, she suggests. Grant chose gold to pop against a black exterior, noting “The monogram is truly helpful since it can be tricky to spot neutral colored bags in a carousel.”  Pick up a few Paravel monogrammed packing cubes to keep the contents of this luggage nice and tidy.

19 Degree Aluminum Minaudiere

With its hardshell exterior and sturdy strap, this crossbody bag is “one of those things I never knew I needed until I got it,” says Parker. “I use this stunning aluminum minaudière to hold my larger, delicate jewelry and other precious items so they don’t get damaged in transit,” she says. It can double as both a clutch and a crossbody if you wear it out. But it’s the monogram patch that makes it unique, and Parker’s initials (MAP) that coincidentally speak to the travel lifestyle.

Satechi Passport Cover With Find My

Do you obsessively check your pocket for your passport while you travel? Or misplace your ID around the house only to panic when it’s time to go. Honestly, same. No matter how many times I confirm my passport is in my bag, there’s always a nagging feeling it might’ve slipped out. I recently tried this passport case from Satechi which integrates with my personal Find My app, so I can monitor my Airtags, Apple products, and now my passport, all from one place. If I lose my passport, I can play a ringing sound to find it. I consider this the “smart” version of a monogram since it links to my personal tech. But if you’re looking for exterior customization too, just add one of Monos’ alphabet stickers to give it your own touch.

Lily & Bean Travel Vanity Case

Get up to 10 letters embossed on this luxurious travel vanity kit. Parker says of the train-case style case, “I can shove all sorts of things inside, but it comes with two little pouches when I need to keep smaller items separated.” Built with a stand-on-its-own structure, she adds “It easily fits in a carry-on and the solid leather shape means items won’t get smushed in transit either.” If you want to upgrade your entire setup to a chic Lily & Bean setup, take a look at this matching three-piece luggage set.

Korchmar Leather Dopp Kit

This American leather dopp kit could easily become an heirloom as it only ages better with time. Nickel hardware and high-quality leatherworking craftmanship make this a long-lasting toiletry bag that will hold up well over the course of a lifetime. Get your monogram embossed on the leather’s surface for yourself or someone special. Peruse their leather weekenders and travel bags which are also available to be monogrammed.

Eberjey Pajama Set

I didn’t think much about the pajamas I wear on my travels until Belfiore said this monogrammed matching set is the first thing she packs. “These cozy pajamas are always number one on my packing list and getting them monogrammed makes them feel extra special to unpack when I’m at my destination,” she says. I’m already thinking that these would make an excellent gift, but can’t help eyeing them for myself. The monogram includes up to five characters, so I could get my full name embroidered on these PJs.

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