Jet-Set Fashion
Your top ten travel essentials.
It’s easy to over pack when prepping for a trip. To maintain a balance between having a sufficient amount of clothing and a stylish wardrobe, you need clothes that you can easily wash and reuse. It is also best to maintain a classic look with most of your garb to easily go from casual sightseer to chic fashionista out on the town. The following are ten items to include in your suitcases for happy travels.
1. Black, white and nude bras. You won’t need any other bra for 99 percent of your outfits. If you plan to wear a strapless or halter top, consider buying a flesh-colored bra with interchangeable straps.
2. Solid-colored tops. Solids are great because you can wear them multiple times. Also, what’s trendy in your hometown might not be in your travel destination. But classic solids tops work anywhere. To create versatility among your blouses, consider packing a scoop neck, a V-neck, a polo and a long-sleeve blouse in case the weather is cold. Don’t forget a hip top for the possible social event where you’ll want to impress. And try to avoid wrinkly blouses in case there is no access to an iron or steamer.
3. Black pants and dark wash jeans. You can’t go wrong with crisp, well-fitted black pants or dark wash jeans. They are suitable for sightseeing, a nice dinner and a night out. Don’t bring more than two pairs of jeans because they take a long time to dry and are relatively heavy garments. If you do bring the second pair, pack a lighter wash, which is more appropriate to wear during the day.
4. Black heels. Black heels spice up a nice dress or jeans and a blouse. If you buy a new pair of shoes for your trip, remember to break them in before you leave. Nothing is worse than sightseeing with blisters and foot pain. Consider buying gel or foam foot pads to make walking a pleasurable experience.
5. Two dresses. Dresses are great garments to pack as they’re light and multi-functional. A sundress is perfect for sightseeing during the day. (Refrain from bringing a super-short dress. Also, if you intend to visit religious places, be mindful that they usually want visitors to cover their shoulders and not expose much leg.) A cocktail dress is perfect for going to fashionable restaurants and seeing evening shows. When choosing which dress to bring along, the key is to strike a balance between style and comfort. Also, give priority to jersey and cotton fabrics that pack well and resist wrinkles.
6. Hoisery. If you plan to wear tights with your dress, consider buying microfiber tights, a type worn by dancers. They are extra durable and do not run or get holes easily. Also, tights are extremely easy to wash and they dry fast.
7. Sunglasses. This accessory makes any outfit look in vogue. And if you are up all night long, shades hide dark, puffy eyes.
8. Scarves and shawls. A scarf adds panache to a casual outfit and is useful after dusk when the temperature drops. Shawls cover the shoulders when wearing strapless dresses to make the outfit more conservative or to add a splash of color to a solid dress.
9. A large and zippered handbag. When traveling, one needs many things, including a passport, credit card, cell phone, money, guidebook, list of telephone numbers and keys. It is not the time to carry a cute wristlet. Ensure the bag sits comfortably on your shoulder and is zippered for security. You may want to bring a smaller bag for the evening. And extras you may want to keep in either bag are sunglasses, a small umbrella, makeup and a camera.
10. Tide-to-Go Pen. This product is a lifesaver. Stained clothing is a fashion no-no. But with this handy pen, you can literally erase stains by drawing over them.
Clarissa Marzán is a freelance writer.