dear fashion advisor: traveling handbag...

Q...I'm getting ready for summertime travel and am wondering what is my best choice for a handbag that will take me through airport security, shopping and sightseeing?

a...all three of the activities you mention definitely are easier when you are 'hands-free'...and have we got just the bag for you...

the crossbody bag is very popular right now...and you can find it in a wide variety of colors and prices...your hands will be free to snap your photos or sort through great buys on your travels...and you won't have to worry about the security of your purse...
eric javits 'lark - squishee®' crossbody bag
nordstrom

if you have a fashion question...please feel free to ask via formspring...or email me...

dear fashion advisor: those heavy sneakers...

Q. I like to keep up with my workouts when I'm traveling, but my sneakers take up SO much room. I don't want to substitute my hot heels for my sneakers, so what's my solution?

a. i hear you!! this becomes even more of a problem if you're taking only a carry-on on your travels...the solution is to choose a lightweight...packable shoe that can do double-duty - at the gym and for casual wear...

merrell has some great options...like the barefoot pure glove shown below...it's only 4.4 ounces...so it won't add weight to your suitcase...which is another consideration these days since airlines are charging not only for checked baggage...but even more for overweight bags...

i'm always looking for a good looking casual shoe for travel and these suit the bill...merrell has a wide range of styles to choose from...so you should find something that works for you...

merrell's barefoot pure glove

travel = shopping...

for the most part...i shop wherever i travel...i see it as an essential part of any trip...and although i did my fill of shopping this last weekend in houston, texas...it was all for a client...i'm talking about shopping for myself...and i couldn't believe that i ended up having no time for that...i would have liked to have found some vintage shops...or boutique shops...but alas...it was not meant to be...

which made me think of a conversation i had with some of my girlfriends a few weeks back...same subject...shopping while traveling...i was surprised that it didn't seem to be the "norm"...at least in this group...

now when i would travel out of the country...it was always a given that i would get something to bring back with me as a remembrance of my trip...when i told them the story of my trip to australia...where i brought back not one...but two pairs of the most incredible stiletto's...and i still have them today...while most (i guess) would be picking up something that was specific to australia...i opted for shoes...which seems like such a normal thing to do...

i think one of the reasons i love to shop while traveling...is the ability to find unique items...but much more than that...it's finding the things you never knew you needed...maybe that is a stretch for some...but while some grab snow globes...or shot glasses...i'll continue to opt for a new pair of shoes...perhaps a blouse...whatever that item will be that is oh so perfect for me...

do you make shopping a part of your travels?

photo source

instant travel...

your suitcase is your closet when you travel...and at times...i must admit...i have packed like i truly did bring my whole closet...only to bring it all back home unworn...add to that an achy back...when i started traveling for business in my corporate america days...i literally was on the road three weeks out of the month...and being that i had my suitcase to contend with...and all my "work" stuff...ie: laptop, brochures etc...i learned to be creative with my packing...

so here are a few things to think about when choosing clothes to pack...
- how much room does it take up?

- does it match with other pieces you're bringing?

- will it go day and evening?

- can you wear it more than once?

- does it wrinkle easily?

for example...my corporate america days...i pretty much lived in suits...i usually looked for suit fabric that was seasonless...like a lightweight wool...that made it possible for the suit to work both warm and cool climates...a dark suit with matching pants and skirt could be deconstructed to create a variety of looks with few accessories...i would pack a top that could stand on its own without the suit jacket...i would also pack a dressier pant and fun chic shoes to pair with my suit jacket out for a nite on the town... business dinner with clients...

all in all this works with casual wear as well...pair a few tops with that flouncy skirt...etc...

ideal travel fabrics bounce back after being crushed...who wants to spend time ironing clothes when you get to your destination? or worse yet...looking like a crumpled mess...if you so choose not to iron =)

do you have some great travel tips to share? please do...

photo source

what fabric is that?

fabric...in the beginning, there were animal skins tossed over cro-magnon shoulders...or maybe an insouciant fig leaf tied just so...now we have fibers whose names sound more like the contents of a test tube than something you'd want against your skin...

fabric is important...

fabric determines the warmth, comfort, cut, and, along with workmanship, the price of a garment...more than color or style...fabric can tell you what time of day a piece of clothing is to be worn...or in what season...or even what activity you will be engaged in while wearing it...

we use fabrics to send signals...

a worsted wool suit, with its strong, crisp lines...says you're in control...a soft angora sweater telegraphs a more sensual message...

fabrics is also one of the main factors in determining whether your clothes will travel as well as you do...when wearing a wrinkle-resistant wool or synthetic in a jersey or crepe, you'll disembark from the plane looking pressed and ready...in delicate silk or linen, you may end up looking like a pile of laundry...and with a seasonless fabric...a tropical wool or matte jersey...you can travel around the world...