PACKING FOR A WEEKEND GETAWAY...TRAVEL IN STYLE GENTLEMEN

No matter where you are traveling to, your next getaway requires a few essential items to make sure you are styling and ready for any adventure.  Whether going golfing, surfing, snowboarding, to the wine country or a B&B with your lady, these items will have you traveling in style. 

Tip #1 Pack short sleeve shirt and button downs that you can wear separately and intermix together for different looks.

Tip #2 Pack 1-2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of khaki's or chino's, 1-2 pairs of shorts.  Interchange the pants and shorts with different shirts to create new options.

Weekend bag- depending on the length of your trip will depend on the size of your bag.  This bag by Land's End is perfect for a long weekend.  The front zippered compartment and pockets for cell phone, etc. and shoulder strap make it easy to carry and organize your things.

Land's End Canvas 1963 Trip Bag , $140

Coach Transatlantic Carry All, $698

Dark Denim- is a great to wear for a night out, daytime with a t-shirt or button down, and can be dressed up for dinner or drinks.  Bring a stylish belt to compliment this.

John Varvatos Straight Leg Denim, $198

 

Blazer- Nothing looks better than a crisp blazer.  This is great for a night on the town, dinner, drinks, or weekend brunch.  White is a great option for spring/summer and I love slate gray for fall/winter.

Kenneth Cole Two Button Blazer, $99.98 30% off

Fitted Slim Fit T-Shirts- great option to wear with shorts, with denim and a belt or underneath of a button down.  Pairs well with cargo shorts/pants, chino's, linen pants, or jeans.  Must Have!

Macy's INC T-Shirt, $14.98 (range of colors available)

Button Down Shirts- linen for lighter temperatures, rolled cuff button down, or long sleeve button down shirts are a must.  Dress up for dinner in this, or roll the cuffs for a trendier or more casual look.

Macy's INC Long Sleeve Strip Shirt, $15.99

Shoes- Keep your shoes to a minimum as this takes up a lot of space.  I would recommend leather flip flops, boat shoes and/or slip on's, and a nicer pair of loafers or dress shoes.  

Cole Haan Air Grant Driving Moccasin, $99.95-$148 (range in colors)

Sunglasses- Shades are a must have no matter where you are traveling.  Bring a pair of aviators that go with everything.  Ray Ban has great options as does Prada.

Carrera Aviator Sunglasses, $120

Beach Trips/Resorts: Make a few adjustments to this by exchanging dark denim for white denim.  Change the pants to linen pants.  Add swim trunks.  And change your button down shirts for vintage t-shirts, and dressier short sleeve tops such as polo's and two pocket on chest shirts.

Citizen's of Humanity, $170

PLEATED DRESSES IN NEW WAYS

The Pleat trend is back.  The accordian folds fall nicely to give a draping and design to an otherwise plain top or dress.  Be bold and try the pleats in a large pattern or start simply with a monotone color.  Pleated dresses and tops are great to add a topper, such as a cardigan, to give different textures and dimensions to your look.  Pleated dresses, skirts, and tops are available at all price points, but be cautionary when buying a less expensive piece as it is important that the pleats lay down correctly or it can add bulk.  Try pleats all over or some dresses just have pleats on the top portion and are straight on the bottom giving you a slimmer fit.

Style Tip:  If wearing a one-color dress such as those shown below, add a pop of color in your shoes, belt, clutch or accessories.  A chunky gold necklace with colored sandals looks great.  Your accessories shouldn't match or be all in the same color family (example blue shoes, with blue jewelry and clutch).  Mix it up to add dimension to your look.

Macy's Miss Sixty Sleeveless One Shoulder Dress, $138

   

BCBGeneration Strapless A Line Assymetrical (in black, red, or purple), $99.99 Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstroms

 

Halston Heritage Pleated Chiffon Dress, $109.20

Marchesa Bateau Dress with Pleated Cape, $1,980

Colorblocking is also a trend to try.  Try it with two-three colors to start or a more simple pattern and add on as you get more daring.

This dress is great to go casual during the day with flat jeweled sandals, then cinch the waist with a big belt and add heels and a long necklace to dress it up for night.

Romeo & Juliet Couture Colorblock Pleated Maxi Dress, $98

Vince Camuto Pleat Front Blouson Dress, $128

Macy's Dress 

Bold Prints-great way to stand out in a crowd.  Pair with simple accessories and heels so your dress makes the statement.

Alfani Dress, $99

Tops-try pleats in a top for a new look.  A slimming tank top with pleats straight down or in two layers, or a pleated bell sleeve are great options.

Alice + Olivia Blair Bell Sleeve Top, $264

Victoria's Secret Pleated Top

MOMMY LOOKS....CASUAL CHIC

Ladies bodies change after they've had a baby and they no longer can fit in to what they used to, or your life is now so busy with child activities that your old wardrobe just doesn't work.  The idea behind looking and feeling fabulous as a mom is to have a few quick easy pieces to pull on that make you look like you spent a long time getting ready.  I've also added how you change the outfit from daytime with the kids to a night out...and always be casual chic.

The first look is a long tunic top or sweater and leggings.  Very easy to pull on in the morning when you are rushing.  The idea is that the top has interesting design or color to draw others attention.  This also hides any markings from your children.  Macy's Alfani Long Sleeve Patterned Sequin Tunic on sale for $51.75.  Shown in the berry color.  Or get two tops and choose another Alfani Sequin Tunic in a Grey Color Block pattern, which is very on trend for $51.99 from Macy's.  Pair this with a great pair of black leggings, and some flat black riding boots or a fun pair of flats.  Change the top and the shoes to have different looks.  This great pair of Cole Haan boots is leather in the front and stretchy ultra suede in the back with adjustable straps to make skinnier or enlargen as needed for your leg shape.  Cole Haan Air Whitley Buckle Strap boot, available at Nordstrom's for $229.90.  Add a fun black flat.  I chose one by Giuseppe Zanotti for $595.  Anything with a little design or interest makes the shoe more fun.  

         

Another option is to do a dolman sleeved long top with skinny pants or leggings as seen below.  I like this look as mom's on the go won't get dirty with a dark colored top, but you are moving away from the jeans or black leggings look.  You can wear this at home without the boots and add them if you are going out for the day with the kids.  To make it sexier for when your husband or significant other comes home, or to change it to a date night outfit, add high heel suede boots or black stiletto's and a long necklace.  This is the INC International Concepts Ponte Seamed Skinny Pull On Pants for $49.50 and the INC International Concepts Dolman Sleeve Boat Neck Tunic for $49.50 both available at Macy's. 

      

For an edgier mom look, try real or faux leather leggings.  Or change out of your regular leggings and throw a pair of these on when going out for a date night or night on the town with friends.  These are Faux Leather Leggings by International Concepts from Macy's for $49.50.

 

Another look to try is a sweater and cropped or ankle length jeans.  Shown is a metallic tunic sweater by INC International Concepts for $69.50 and cropped skinny pull on pants in white for $59.50.  I know you are thinking...white?  That is crazy.  If you aren't comfortable try it with navy.  Wear with silver flats during the day or flip flops once it is warm enough.  If going out at night, add silver high heels or nude color and silver bangles and big silver earrings and a cocktail ring.

Add a cute flat by Chloe for the daytime excursions such as park visits and field trips.  Chloe 'Zoe' ballet flat, $520, at Nordstrom's.

The last look will be a layered look.  This is a pair of nice dark denim jeans (no mom jeans ladies...see my blog about denim if you need ideas), a short or long-sleeve t-shirt top, and a cardigan with flats or boots.  The point of this outfit is that you can wear just the shirt with the jeans if home painting and running around, but add the cardigan when leaving the house or for dinner when your significant other comes home.  Shown below is a MICHAEL Michael Kors Open Front Cardigan for $69.50.  The pop of color from the t-shirt is what brings this alive.  I would also add a chunky necklace to jazz up the outfit.

Halogen, Tahari, Michael Kors, Pure Amici are just a few of the designers who make great sweaters or cardigans for this option.

I can't wait to see all you casual chic mom's out around town!