Image Credit: thegentlemansjournal.com
I came across this smart article from Slate.com about traveling in style and want to share it. The author, J. Bryan Lowder is not haughtily insisting that people to dress in fancy clothes when they get on a plane. However, he does suggest that "when traveling by public means, each of us dress 'nicely' or 'respectably' according to our means." He goes on to offer some very practical reasons for dressing well when taking public transportation, along with this sage observation: "When we dress well for travel, we are not only making ourselves look good; we’re also signaling that we are invested in making this shared experience pleasant for everyone around us."
Bravo, Mr. Lowder!
Laurence, Gina, and me in the gardens of Giverny, France.
In this month's Coastal View News column, I describe how packing for a trip can often lead to weeding out one's wardrobe. Go here to read "Packing and Weeding", on page 21.
Pictured here is the rest of my 2-week travel wardrobe. I am planning to post photos and blog a bit during my trip, but it all depends on what kind of WiFi I encounter. On the plane I am going to wear black leggings, a gray knit tunic, black ballet flats, the pink and gray scarf pictured above, and my navy trench coat. I was tempted to bring my chic, very compact trench, but it is not waterproof. And as my friend Lisa told me, "There is nothing chic or cute about being soaking wet." A bientot!
Since I am bringing such a simple wardrobe on my trip, I'm bringing a few interesting accessories to spice it up. In addition to the belts and scarves pictured above, I am bringing some unusual costume jewelry (below). I know some people feel comfortable traveling with fine jewelry, but since 1) I don't have much fine jewelry; and 2) I don't want to fret over losing it/having it stolen, I prefer to wear fun costume jewelry on trips.
In just a few days, I depart for France. My cousin (who grew up with me in the US and now lives in Germany) and I are celebrating our 50th birthdays together in Paris, and we are super excited. I'll also spend a week visiting family in south-western France.
For weeks I have been mentally packing and unpacking my suitcase. I am bringing a wardrobe capsule in blue, black, and pink. I was going to bring a pair of black sandals, but it looks like it will be cool and rainy, so I am opting for some blue, sporty flats to wear with jeans instead.
In Croatia, regretting my decision to wear Crocs on the bike ride. I'm happy with my shorts and shirt, though!
Most of the things I packed for my month-long trip were great and a few were true champions. I wore my jeans over and over, and was happy to have my medium weight, neutral colored cardigan with me. As it has done in past trips, my little black dress made me feel feminine and chic, though I think I will update it by making it knee-length. The navy and khaki shorts I packed went with all of my tops and looked good (especially when I ironed them). I liked having a couple of printed scarves to liven up my outfits. I wore them around my neck, over my shoulders, and under my sweater on chilly evenings. The silk tunic I brought was a superstar, drying in a snap and not showing any wrinkles. I think I'd like another silk print dress to bring on my next trip. The purple rolling suitcase I bought for this trip was such a step up from the tired, black duffel bag I'd had for years. This new bag was lightweight and accommodated all of my clothing as well as the souvenirs I bought along the way. I also liked its useful inside mesh pockets.
This week I will let you know how well I packed for my European adventures this summer. Though I am known as an expert packer, and have packed for many clients successfully, I had a few failures this time around.
You may remember my Crocs angst from a previous post. In the end, I purchased a pair of them in the Mary Jane style, thinking I'd wear them on bike rides and on the rocky beaches of Croatia. These shoes did not pull through for me in either area. Of course since they are made of plastic, they became sweaty and uncomfortable on the bike ride. While they felt okay on the beaches, they were too buoyant once I hit the water. My daughter's classic swim shoes (shown above, from Ebay) were the best option (and were not so much less attractive than the Crocs).
My other failure was my choice of tote bags. I wanted one that would go with all of my outfits, that had a zipper closure, and that would accommodate my important travel papers and reading materials. The Kate Spade navy bag I purchased on Ebay was a wee bit too small to hold everything. I really had to move my items around to make them all fit. It was also made of an unyielding fabric that made it tough to cram under my seats on the plane, buses, and ferries. For my next trip, I hope to find a tote made of soft fabric, leather, or faux leather that is a big larger (like the one above, from Brass Plum at Nordstrom).
Almost every guide or article I've read regarding packing for a trip emphasizes the value of a few great accessories. I must say that a cute hat is one that works for me every time. It shields my face from the sun, looks chic, covers my "vacation" (i.e. too lazy to style hair) hairdo, and pulls an outfit together. The one pictured here has worked for me many times, in many places. I purchased it at J. Crew 5 years ago, but the store carries it every summer. I also wear a white cotton hat with black trim when I go to the beach or pool (at home and away from home). It can be folded for packing and goes with almost anything. I like hats.
I am back from my travels and have a lot of wardrobe insights to share. First I want to let you know about a humorous phrase I recently came across in a very silly book, The Love Detective, by Alexandra Potter. This phrase seemed quite appropriate for my situation during my trip. On some days, I pulled it together and wore a chic outfit and makeup. But most days I had on casual, unpressed clothes and did not feel very fashionable. You might say I had, as Potter wrote, a "total style lobotomy." I will tell you what worked and what didn't and why during my month away in future posts.
Go to page 22 in Carpinteria's Coastal View News to read this month's Wardrobe Wisdom column. You can double click on the page to enlarge it and learn about how I packed for my big trip this summer.
Photo Credit: RuthReichl.com
I love it when two of my passions--food and clothing--come together. So imagine my delight when Ruth Reichl's latest blog post appeared in my inbox this week. In case you did not know, Reichl is a former food critic for the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, the editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine (during its last years), and a brilliant writer. I've enjoyed her memoirs, such as Garlic and Saphires, and just last night was reading all about her first novel, Delicious!.
Anyway, in this post Reichl let readers in on how she packed for her current book tour. I like how she stuck with a color scheme and that we have the same Uniqlo puffer jacket! Now "savvy packer" can be added to her long list of skills. If you have the opportunity to hear Reichl speak on this book tour, GO! I saw her give a talk at UCSB a few years ago and she was terrific--a real, charming storyteller.
The word is out, and I am not too proud to say I am quite pleased with my purchase. As I stated in a previous post, I needed a pair of shoes that I could both ride a bike in and wear comfortably on a rocky beach this summer. Having resigned myself to wearing not-so-attractive, Tevas, I was disappointed to come up empty handed after failing to find an inexpensive pair.
I turned then to Ebay and to Croc. I know. . . I know. . . I have ridiculed Crocs ever since they came on the scene, having found them hideous. My fashionable co-worker gave me a lot of grief for even considering Crocs. But I persevered, and found a pair that suit my needs: They are not atrocious in appearance; they are comfortable and lightweight; they will serve the dual purpose I need them for; and they were only $20.
Laugh at me all you want. I am content with my new shoes though I don't think they will make it into my suitcase upon my return to Santa Barbara in July.
Image Credit: havianas.com
My family is taking a month-long trip this summer which means I have been mentally packing a suitcase for some time. As I have stated previously on my blog, I tend to be a light packer, and I never bring my favorite things or new clothes. This time around, I am 99% mentally packed, but when I picture myself during the trip, what I see does not please me.
For starters, a big chunk of our vacation will be spent on bikes. Since I am vain, I do not want to cruise around the picturesque towns en route in Lycra biking shorts. I do have some (not-so-fetching) padded underwear, and imagine I will wear them with my Bermuda shorts or a knit dress. So far, not so bad.
It's the shoes that are distressing me. The beaches we will visit are pebbly, and we've been advised to wear "swim shoes." Since I need to go light on shoe packing, I am taking my friend up on her offer to borrow her water and hiking friendly Teva sandals. They might as well be Crocs, for how much I loath their appearance. My teen daughters are refusing to wear such sandals; they will sport the flip flops pictured above at the beach, and plan to bike in their Converse sneakers.
When I think of myself on a bike in Croatia, I am wearing a gray knit dress, Tevas, and a bike helmet. Ugh. No one will know me as Lori of Wardrobe Wisdom, but I cannot help thinking I will feel extremely unattractive. And please don't try to tell me there are good-looking Tevas out there; I have searched tirelessly for such shoes.
In the end, I plan to evolve into feeling grateful for the opportunity to travel, realize that most people couldn't care less about my attire, and know that comfort trumps looking chic in this instance. Yes, I need to get over myself! And I think I need to wear some pretty jewelry and lipstick, too!
Image Credit: kanatyler.com
This summer my family is going on a long vacation abroad. We are all incredibly excited, but I seem to be the only one packing my suitcase in my head. Here is why: I like to know I have everything I need for my trip, including comfortable shoes, long before the plane takes off. I already know what I do not already own and would like to pack, and I am shopping accordingly. Of course I will encourage my husband and two daughters to do the same, but they don't always heed my Wardrobe Wisdom. Sigh.
When friends and clients ask me for packing advice, I first ask where they are going and then tell them I would be happy to pack for as well as accompany them. I love to travel but know a lot of people become stressed and vexed when faced with an empty suitcase. Here is a past Wardrobe Wisdom blog post regarding packing. And go here to read some great packing tips from Melange for Women. I have helped clients pack for trips to weeks in India, Europe, Africa, and Egypt and more. Let me know if I can help you get a handle on packing for your summer travels.
My daughters and I in Paris, 2010
I leave for Paris in 6 days and cannot wait! For a week I will visit my cousins there, and a good friend from Greece will join me. For the second week, my super fun cousin Gina will join me, along with her close French friend. For the past few months, I have dreamt of little else.
Of course I have given a great deal of thought about packing. I tend to be a light packer and this trip is no exception. For the most part, I will be walking a lot, sightseeing, going out to eat, and shopping. Therefore, my outfits need to be practical and comfortable but also chic since it is Paris after all. On the plane I am wearing leggings, a long sleeve knit top with a silk tunic over it, ballet flats, and my trench coat.
In my suitcase will be jeans, a black silk top and a white one (they will dry in a snap), two black knit tops, two gray knit tops, a long sleeve navy blouse and a long sleeve navy and white blouse (silk again). I am also packing a simple black knit dress, a black skirt, dark brown sandals, gray comfy flats, a gray cardigan, a silver belt, a dark brown cinch belt, a magenta pashmina, and a magenta printed silk scarf. I may bring a simple black jacket , too. All the separates coordinate well. There should be plenty of room left in my bag for any purchases I will be obliged to make in the name of Wardrobe Wisdom research.
I am hoping to check in on my blog and my Wardrobe Wisdom Facebook page during my trip. I hope you check in with me, too!
My husband and I spent last weekend in LA, taking long walks and eating terrific food. Of course one of my favorite pastimes is people-watching, and I saw some jaw-dropping outfits. My favorite is the one above, taken at Union Station. This woman clearly cares about her appearance, likes clothing and accessorizing, and proves that dressing up is an ageless occupation. Her cowboy boots made me smile.
The other day a supremely chic woman came into Renaissance Fine Consignment, where I now work part-time. She was clearly a clothes-lover, trying on interesting garments and exclaiming with glee when she saw something she liked. I commented on her sandals, since she said she travels around the world and brings only two pairs. This led to her giving them a rave review. I checked them out and think they would be just right for times you know you will be on your feet and/or doing a lot of walking. San Miguel shoes are good-looking (overall) and comfortable. I know because this customer let me try hers on. I just had to know!
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