I still believe in dressing nice for travel. No workout clothes or old school sweats for me on a plane. Guess I’m old-fashioned and believe travel is a luxury and worth dressing nice for. But, that does not mean being uncomfortable! These days it’s easy to be stylish and comfy while traveling.
My travel “uniform” is simple. It’s a pair of pull on pants, boots or slip on shoes, simple t-shirt or light sweater, cardigan duster or wrap, scarf, and jewelry. If I’m on return trip home, a cool hat I found during my travels is probably topping off the outfit. I’m a hat girl and from Provence to Dubrovnik to Flagstaff to Beaver Creek I have found some great ones over the past year.
Here’s the breakdown of my usual uniform:
Pants – Metro High Waisted Leggings from Athleta. I have two pairs and there’s always at least one pair with me while traveling. Usually I’m wearing one pair and the other pair is packed in my carry-on roller. The pants simply rock. They’re yoga pants comfy, yet flattering and can go from light workout to cruising the city to night out on the town. The pants have back pockets which is perfect for slipping my phone into so I have quick access when its time to pull up my electronic boarding pass.
Top – Retreat Sweater from Athleta or T-shirt from Vintage Wash Crewneck Tee from Gap
Depending on where I’m going, it’s either a light sweater or t-shirt. The tee was a steal since I paid about $10 for it. It’s proof travel clothes don’t have to be expensive. If you look put together, it will look expensive. The sweater is a recent purchase I have fallen in love with. It’s already gone on trips from Napa, California, to Greenville, South Carolina. It’s lightweight enough for layering too. The key is keeping your top simple. You can jazz it up easily with jewelry and a scarf. Plus, basic pieces are key to a travel wardrobe.
Cardigan Duster – Soleil Cardigan from Joah Brown or Cashmere Wrap from Bear Clawing Trading Company
I found this cardigan duster in a boutique in Galveston, Texas about a year ago. Little did I know then how much I would wear it! It’s gone from Mexico to five countries in Europe to Cambodia and many trips across the United States. I should probably go ahead and buy a second one to have if something happens to mine! It’s thin so perfect for layering and great for the hot and cold you encounter in different airports and on planes.
If I’m heading to a cold destination, the cashmere wrap I found in Bear Claw Trading Company in Breckenridge, Colorado. I also have the Pistil hat featured in the Instagram picture and have traveled with it multiple times since purchasing both in early January. I’ve been thankful to have it when returning to snowy Denver with temperatures in the teens and 20s recently!
Shoes – Odilia Boots from Aquatalia or Melanie Slip Ons from Frye
For boots, hands down my favorite pair for travel (and everyday where for that matter!) is my pair of Odilia Boots from Aquatalia. Check out blog “These Boots are Made for Traveling.” My friend Christy and I happened to find them WAY on sale in Colorado Footwear in Beaver Creek, Colorado last summer. They’re waterproof and don’t set off security when going through pre-check. Plus you can roll them up in your bag if you don’t want to wear them on a travel day.
On that same shoe shopping excursion, both of us bought the Melanie Slip-Ons by Frye. Christy owns Corporate Travel Planners and Rennert Travel in San Antonio and is always traveling. Both of us wear these flats a ton! I’m not a fan of wearing flip flops or open toe sandals on a plane so these cover me for warmer weather travel. I have a high instep so flats can be tough for me to find. Since I got my first pair in black, I’ve bought them in two other colors they are that comfortable.
Scarf – Leopard Print Oversized Scarf by Sole Society
I got my at Nordstrom last year but they are sold out. However, I found it available online at Sole Society. It’s under $30 and an accessory that will never go out of style. I’ve gotten a ton of compliments while traveling, I think because of the scarf. In my book you cannot go wrong with an animal print scarf!
Jewelry – Bloom Jewelry and Be Hippy
I found Bloom Jewelry through one of my cousins several years ago. I love this Denver based jewelry line! The first two sets of earrings and necklace have either been on me or been in my travel bag on every trip since I got them. The first set is the Pyrite Tassel Necklace and Antique Savannah Hoops (earrings are available on website but you’ll have to special order necklace). The second set is the Signature Toggle Necklace in Gunmetal and Stardust Hoops. I love the Signature Toggle Necklace because it can be worn short or long. Lately I’ve been wearing it short then layering it with other longer necklaces.
Guess I’m a little superstitious but I wear turquoise bracelets when travel for luck. Plus I just love layering them! My favorites are from Be Hippy. I have the Turquoise Be and Navajo Sterling Silver Bead bracelets. You may notice on social media that I also wear Be Hippy hats often. I’m an ambassador for this Boulder based company. Use code JENNIFER to get 10% off your order. Lately I’ve been wearing a set of three bracelets – 2 from Be Hippy and 1 is prayer beads from one of my cousins during our Cambodia trip in December. When I landed back at Denver International Airport today, I stopped by the Be Hippy kiosk near gate B30 and snagged a turquoise and grey pearl bracelet to add to my collection.
Other jewelry favs: Bejewel by Carroll Dorsey Walker (out of San Antonio and has done my TV jewelry since 2001); Virgins, Saints and Angels (VSA); and Stella & Dot – I almost always have at least one set from each of these in my jewelry travel pouch. I also find a lot of my jewelry finds in boutiques while traveling. A couple of my favorites are Valley Girl in Breckenridge, Fringe in Beaver Creek, Chocolate and Cashmere in Santa Fe, Style and Soul Boutique in St. Helena, and Allison (in wine country) in St. Helena.
Luggage – Getaway Bag by Stella & Dot and Departure III Roller by Nike
I’m a carry-on kind of gal and these two bags have served me well. I used my first ones so much that I had to order new ones of each! The Getaway Bag by Stella & Dot is perfect for going under the seat. Yes, I’ve packed it to the max (without expanding) and it still fits. I love the black and cream striped design I have now. I love it so much I put it in my 2017 Gift Guide. Next on my wish list from Stella & Dot is the Crush It Bag in Camo for shorter trips.
I absolutely love my Nike roller. I found it on sale on Amazon (in link). I got my first (and second) as part of Christy’s Hope Gala and Golf Tournament for battered women and children. It is hands down by favorite carry-on roller I’ve ever used. I’ve traveled for a weekend up to two weeks in Europe in it. It pretty much goes wherever I go. Happy Travels!
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