Follow me - @thesetravelclothes
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Moving to Instagram!
Hey friends. I'm sturggling with how to get more posts done on the run, so my solution - move the pics portion of the blog over to Instagram. I'll still try to get some proper posts in, but this will allow me to post on the run. And of course...to trend.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Bedroom blanket
Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. This woman has committed to sleeping. She has brought her QUEEN SIZED blanket off her bed for the flight from Charlotte to New York. I hope she gets a good night's sleep during our hour and twenty minutes in the air.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
The Winning traveling shoes
I know I haven't blogged in a while. I know I've let you all down. Here's a little snippet to tide you over.
Today, while everyone else was busy rushing the gate 20 minutes before boarding started because USAir has fear mongered people into believing there won't be room for their bag, I was entertained by these traveling shoes.
I.want.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Just when I thought I'd seen all the possible inappropriate behavior...
Monday, January 28, 2013
Travel experiment 2013 - part 4
Ok you guys. I did it. I travelled in pajamas and I hated it. Hated it so much. I was no more comfortable than my regular travelling clothes. Here is my assessment based on the scale I created previously.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable is this traveling outfit? 1 being a corset, hoop skirt and those Alexander McQueen Armidillo shoes and 10 being a fluffy terry cloth bathrobe and fuzzy slippers after a massage surrounded by kittens.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel about yourself? 1 being I just want to stay in bed, eat ice cream and watch Beaches and cry all day and 10 being I want to look the the mirror at my sheer beauty all day long, then go skipping down the street spreading my sunshine, with a parade of kittens following behind.
Hmmm. 5? I just didn't want to get on the plane. Maybe that's because I love my LA friends so much.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how are people responding to you? 1 being people are pointing, laughing at you, life is moving in slow motion, and 10 being people are asking for your picture and autograph.
5. No one spoke to me or made eye contact with me. So, that's good right?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how warm are you? 1 being standing on the street waiting for a bus in NYC on an 11 degree day or the time in college when Chapel Choir had to sing at an outdoor nativity scene, in January, in Quebec and 10 being sitting in front of a fireplace under an electric blanket, sipping hot chocolate with a kitten on your lap.
8. My feet were too hot in the fur lined slippers.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do your feet feel? 1 being stuck in this aforementioned Armidillo shoes with no end in site and 10 being barefoot, sand under your feet, gentle lapping of waves kissing your toes.
9. My feet were unencumbered with the slippers, just too warm.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you smell? 1 being the homeless car on the NYC subway (for those who don't know of that, it often happens that you see a empty car go by on an otherwise packed train and you think SCORE! I get a seat at rush hour. Then you enter the car and are faced with a smell like no other. You immediately realize why the car is empty) and 10 being, running through a field of lilacs on a warm summer afternoon with swirling ocean breezes.
5. I did not smell good...unshowered with airplane on me. Not into it at all.
In conclusion, I prefer to take the extra 10 minutes to shower, put on a full face and slip on my equally comfortable travel clothes.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable is this traveling outfit? 1 being a corset, hoop skirt and those Alexander McQueen Armidillo shoes and 10 being a fluffy terry cloth bathrobe and fuzzy slippers after a massage surrounded by kittens.
This was very very close to not wearing anything at all. I give it a 8. The leggings themselves kept slipping down, giving me an excessive crotch, so I wasn't comfortable having to continually adjust the part so the world wouldn't see me as indecent.
Hmmm. 5? I just didn't want to get on the plane. Maybe that's because I love my LA friends so much.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how are people responding to you? 1 being people are pointing, laughing at you, life is moving in slow motion, and 10 being people are asking for your picture and autograph.
5. No one spoke to me or made eye contact with me. So, that's good right?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how warm are you? 1 being standing on the street waiting for a bus in NYC on an 11 degree day or the time in college when Chapel Choir had to sing at an outdoor nativity scene, in January, in Quebec and 10 being sitting in front of a fireplace under an electric blanket, sipping hot chocolate with a kitten on your lap.
8. My feet were too hot in the fur lined slippers.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do your feet feel? 1 being stuck in this aforementioned Armidillo shoes with no end in site and 10 being barefoot, sand under your feet, gentle lapping of waves kissing your toes.
9. My feet were unencumbered with the slippers, just too warm.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you smell? 1 being the homeless car on the NYC subway (for those who don't know of that, it often happens that you see a empty car go by on an otherwise packed train and you think SCORE! I get a seat at rush hour. Then you enter the car and are faced with a smell like no other. You immediately realize why the car is empty) and 10 being, running through a field of lilacs on a warm summer afternoon with swirling ocean breezes.
5. I did not smell good...unshowered with airplane on me. Not into it at all.
In conclusion, I prefer to take the extra 10 minutes to shower, put on a full face and slip on my equally comfortable travel clothes.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Travel experiment 2013 part 3
Ok, I'm on my way to the airport back to NYC from LA. Today's ultra comfortable traveling clothes are sweatshirt from uniqlo, tee shirt from the gap, fuzzy fleece leggings from uniqlo and fur lined moccasins from target. Unshowered, no makeup, didn't even bother to comb my hair. Taking one for the team and not at all happy about it.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Travel experiment 2013 part 2 - the scale & outfit 1
Here is the scale and my assessment of my first outfit:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable is this traveling outfit? 1 being a corset, hoop skirt and those Alexander McQueen Armidillo shoes and 10 being a fluffy terry cloth bathrobe and fuzzy slippers after a massage surrounded by kittens.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel about yourself? 1 being I just want to stay in bed, eat ice cream and watch Beaches and cry all day and 10 being I want to look the the mirror at my sheer beauty all day long, then go skipping down the street spreading my sunshine, with a parade of kittens following behind.
I felt like an 8. I felt happy and ready to travel
On a scale of 1 to 10, how are people responding to you? 1 being people are pointing, laughing at you, life is moving in slow motion, and 10 being people are asking for your picture and autograph.
9. People were fully making unsolicited conversations with me. Now, we all know I hate that, but people saw me. I was not invisible.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how warm are you? 1 being standing on the street waiting for a bus in NYC on an 11 degree day or the time in college when Chapel Choir had to sing at an outdoor nativity scene, in January, in Quebec and 10 being sitting in front of a fireplace under an electric blanket, sipping hot chocolate with a kitten on your lap.
10. I was the perfect temp the entire trip.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do your feet feel? 1 being stuck in this aforementioned Armidillo shoes with no end in site and 10 being barefoot, sand under your feet, gentle lapping of waves kissing your toes.
7. A Frye boot is amazing; however, I just don't like being in shoes for a long time regardless of what shoe they are. My feet wanted to be free about 5 hours into the journey, but I think that would happen with any shoe I choose.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you smell? 1 being the homeless car on the NYC subway (for those who don't know of that, it often happens that you see a empty car go by on an otherwise packed train and you think SCORE! I get a seat at rush hour. Then you enter the car and are faced with a smell like no other. You immediately realize why the car is empty) and 10 being, running through a field of lilacs on a warm summer afternoon with swirling ocean breezes.
8. I still detect a slight hint of my Bond 9 Nuit de Noho perfume. It is heavenly
The aforementioned Armadillo shoe
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable is this traveling outfit? 1 being a corset, hoop skirt and those Alexander McQueen Armidillo shoes and 10 being a fluffy terry cloth bathrobe and fuzzy slippers after a massage surrounded by kittens.
I give this outfit a 9 for comfort. I felt like I could move around as needed and certainly didn't have the dreaded tight pant crease line around my waist.
I felt like an 8. I felt happy and ready to travel
On a scale of 1 to 10, how are people responding to you? 1 being people are pointing, laughing at you, life is moving in slow motion, and 10 being people are asking for your picture and autograph.
9. People were fully making unsolicited conversations with me. Now, we all know I hate that, but people saw me. I was not invisible.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how warm are you? 1 being standing on the street waiting for a bus in NYC on an 11 degree day or the time in college when Chapel Choir had to sing at an outdoor nativity scene, in January, in Quebec and 10 being sitting in front of a fireplace under an electric blanket, sipping hot chocolate with a kitten on your lap.
10. I was the perfect temp the entire trip.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do your feet feel? 1 being stuck in this aforementioned Armidillo shoes with no end in site and 10 being barefoot, sand under your feet, gentle lapping of waves kissing your toes.
7. A Frye boot is amazing; however, I just don't like being in shoes for a long time regardless of what shoe they are. My feet wanted to be free about 5 hours into the journey, but I think that would happen with any shoe I choose.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you smell? 1 being the homeless car on the NYC subway (for those who don't know of that, it often happens that you see a empty car go by on an otherwise packed train and you think SCORE! I get a seat at rush hour. Then you enter the car and are faced with a smell like no other. You immediately realize why the car is empty) and 10 being, running through a field of lilacs on a warm summer afternoon with swirling ocean breezes.
8. I still detect a slight hint of my Bond 9 Nuit de Noho perfume. It is heavenly
The aforementioned Armadillo shoe
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Travel experiment 2013 part 1
Hello my loyal friends and readers,
It is a chilling 10 degrees in NYC right now, but guess where I'm heading? LA!!!!!!! So while you guys are bundled in 3 pairs of socks and long johns, I will be premiering flip flips.
So I thought this little cross country trip deserved a little travel experiment. Many if you have said to me, " Liz, I'm not going to change. I will never change. I don't believe you. I want to wear my pajamas on the plane. They are the only thing that could possibly be comfortable. And I don't want to brush my hair or put on makeup or do anything but just sit on the plane in my comfort." I totally respect your feeling but I just have a hard time believing that my travel experience is so much worse than yours in what you deem as "full comfort".
So here's my experiment. I am traveling to LA today in an outfit that is, to me, a perfect travel outfit. I will travel back in essentially pajamas. I am creating various 1-10 scales to rate each outfit. That'll be my next blog post, so stay tuned.
Today's travel clothes: the black magic uniqlo pants, a hot pink tee from the gap, a gray cardigan type thing with leather sleeves, silver necklace, full face, frye boot (all pictured). Not pictured: an extra warm cardigan for outdoor purposes in NYC, a brown leather jacket, a chunky ice blue infinity scarf (later to be used a my pillow on the plane) a white hat and white gloves, and over all that, a royal blue large scarf (to be used as a blanket later if cold in the flight).
Stay tuned...and please forgive my terrible attempt at taking my own picture in the mirror.
It is a chilling 10 degrees in NYC right now, but guess where I'm heading? LA!!!!!!! So while you guys are bundled in 3 pairs of socks and long johns, I will be premiering flip flips.
So I thought this little cross country trip deserved a little travel experiment. Many if you have said to me, " Liz, I'm not going to change. I will never change. I don't believe you. I want to wear my pajamas on the plane. They are the only thing that could possibly be comfortable. And I don't want to brush my hair or put on makeup or do anything but just sit on the plane in my comfort." I totally respect your feeling but I just have a hard time believing that my travel experience is so much worse than yours in what you deem as "full comfort".
So here's my experiment. I am traveling to LA today in an outfit that is, to me, a perfect travel outfit. I will travel back in essentially pajamas. I am creating various 1-10 scales to rate each outfit. That'll be my next blog post, so stay tuned.
Today's travel clothes: the black magic uniqlo pants, a hot pink tee from the gap, a gray cardigan type thing with leather sleeves, silver necklace, full face, frye boot (all pictured). Not pictured: an extra warm cardigan for outdoor purposes in NYC, a brown leather jacket, a chunky ice blue infinity scarf (later to be used a my pillow on the plane) a white hat and white gloves, and over all that, a royal blue large scarf (to be used as a blanket later if cold in the flight).
Stay tuned...and please forgive my terrible attempt at taking my own picture in the mirror.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Perfect traveling outfit.
Hello my dear readers,
I hope your holiday travel is as stress free as possible. So here's my suggestion for setting yourself up for success, making yourself comfortable whilst looking good. Here is today's traveling outfit. The magic pants from uniqlo (see previous blog) in black, one of those silk pajama inspired tops from Zara with little skulls on it, and a frye boot. I have a colorful and chunky infinity scarf to stick on top of this and I'm good to go. St. Louis here we come.
Oh and I welcome all holiday travel clothes submissions.
I hope your holiday travel is as stress free as possible. So here's my suggestion for setting yourself up for success, making yourself comfortable whilst looking good. Here is today's traveling outfit. The magic pants from uniqlo (see previous blog) in black, one of those silk pajama inspired tops from Zara with little skulls on it, and a frye boot. I have a colorful and chunky infinity scarf to stick on top of this and I'm good to go. St. Louis here we come.
Oh and I welcome all holiday travel clothes submissions.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Reasons to reconsider just rolling out of bed and heading the the airport...
This girl. And this guy. They just ran into each other in the airport. They know each other. They are both attractive people and clearly are attracted to each other. She is in a lazy bunchy pajama pant, hoodie, top knot and fuzzy uggs.
Now, of course I am not saying that physical beauty or what you wear will make a guy love you. We all know that thought makes me supremely angry. I met my husband on an NYC bus, no makeup, hair in a pony (but not wearing pajamas). What I am saying is that you are not anonymous in the airport or anywhere you go. This is a small world. You will know some one in the airport, waking down the street, on the subway. Even if you don't know that person now, you will know him/her someday. We are all connected. I just want you to take care of yourself. To be the best you can be at all times. Stop telling the world that you are hiding, that you want to blend in, that you want to still be in bed, that you want to be anonymous. Dare to be noticed.
Now, of course I am not saying that physical beauty or what you wear will make a guy love you. We all know that thought makes me supremely angry. I met my husband on an NYC bus, no makeup, hair in a pony (but not wearing pajamas). What I am saying is that you are not anonymous in the airport or anywhere you go. This is a small world. You will know some one in the airport, waking down the street, on the subway. Even if you don't know that person now, you will know him/her someday. We are all connected. I just want you to take care of yourself. To be the best you can be at all times. Stop telling the world that you are hiding, that you want to blend in, that you want to still be in bed, that you want to be anonymous. Dare to be noticed.
Magic cardigan
Hey you guys. I wrote this post back in December and somehow forgot to post it. I'm going to LA this week and have a grand travel experiment planned for you. Get excited! Here's a little post to tide you over...
So I'm heading back to NYC after a short, pre-Christmas trip home to NC. I vowed to try a little experiment on this trip. There was a period of time that I was constantly asked, or demanded actually, to remove my "sweater" to go through security. No matter what article of clothing I wore, I was always referred to as a sweater. This ranged from actual sweater, cardigan, to see through top with a camisole underneath. When asked to remove said see through top, I said, "you want me to take my shirt off?". The security guy responded "well ma'am, we just can't tell what you ladies have under your shirts". So there's that. Of course my husband made it through with a tee shirt, button down and sweater...but whatever.
So I made the conscious choice to leave this cardigan on both leaving LGA and leaving CLT. Shockingly, no one yelled. No one berated. No one accused me of being a sneaky lady hiding things in my unmentionables. If you have ever seen me in real life, you have seen me in this cardigan. I wear it way too often for my own good. You might recognize the pic below from when I was traveling back from LA in said cardigan, desperately searching for an outlet for phone charging.
Why was I allowed to keep it on? I think it was all about attitude. I said to myself., " I will not remove my cardigan". So we'll say that's the ticket.
I charge you to try this. Your mantra is...I will not remove my cardigan. Practice. Let me know if it works.
So I'm heading back to NYC after a short, pre-Christmas trip home to NC. I vowed to try a little experiment on this trip. There was a period of time that I was constantly asked, or demanded actually, to remove my "sweater" to go through security. No matter what article of clothing I wore, I was always referred to as a sweater. This ranged from actual sweater, cardigan, to see through top with a camisole underneath. When asked to remove said see through top, I said, "you want me to take my shirt off?". The security guy responded "well ma'am, we just can't tell what you ladies have under your shirts". So there's that. Of course my husband made it through with a tee shirt, button down and sweater...but whatever.
So I made the conscious choice to leave this cardigan on both leaving LGA and leaving CLT. Shockingly, no one yelled. No one berated. No one accused me of being a sneaky lady hiding things in my unmentionables. If you have ever seen me in real life, you have seen me in this cardigan. I wear it way too often for my own good. You might recognize the pic below from when I was traveling back from LA in said cardigan, desperately searching for an outlet for phone charging.
Why was I allowed to keep it on? I think it was all about attitude. I said to myself., " I will not remove my cardigan". So we'll say that's the ticket.
I charge you to try this. Your mantra is...I will not remove my cardigan. Practice. Let me know if it works.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Football fashion
Happy thanksgiving to all. We've been traveling all around NC the past few days doing everything from horseback riding, shopping for dulcimers, and eating. Today, we made our way to Winston-Salem for the Wake Forest football game. Now, it was cold. Certainly colder than I anticipated for NC. I was just interested in keeping warm so fashion was not high on my priority list. I know you are concerned that I might have been ill-attired so will let you know what I wore: jeans, button down with skulls on it, green light sweater, burgundy wrap sweater, a little lululemon jacket, light green infinity scarf and frye boots.
Obviously I have something to say about the trends I witnessed. These are man trends.
#1 - SHORTS! What the what? 43 degrees outside and you're going to wear shorts? This was a phenomenon mainly noted in 20-30 year old obese men and floppy haired teemaged boys. I do not understand. Cover your legs. It is cold.
#2 - camouflage - specifically full body onesie camo gear. We are at a football game, not hunting, so I'm guessing this is for warmth, not so they blend into their seats and are thus unseen by the opponent.
I am female; therefore, I have no Liz Asti tested and approved solution for these men. I can just say that I don't like these choices. I say, put on long pants and save the camo for the duck blind and the onsie for the babies.
Obviously I have something to say about the trends I witnessed. These are man trends.
#1 - SHORTS! What the what? 43 degrees outside and you're going to wear shorts? This was a phenomenon mainly noted in 20-30 year old obese men and floppy haired teemaged boys. I do not understand. Cover your legs. It is cold.
#2 - camouflage - specifically full body onesie camo gear. We are at a football game, not hunting, so I'm guessing this is for warmth, not so they blend into their seats and are thus unseen by the opponent.
I am female; therefore, I have no Liz Asti tested and approved solution for these men. I can just say that I don't like these choices. I say, put on long pants and save the camo for the duck blind and the onsie for the babies.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Traveling hair
Ok you guys. It's 7:50am. I'm sleepy. I showered but I didn't wash my hair. A little baby powder or dry shampoo and I'm good to go. Don't worry, I did take the time to apply a full face. I was excited to see what solutions my fellow travelers have for "it's early an I don't want I wash my hair" syndrome. There is an overwhelming trend at LGA this morning: the top knot. The jury's out for me and
the top knot. I find it too close to my workout hair. Plus my hair, while it is long and luxurious, doesn't feel quite long enough to make the top knot look awesome. The two pics below are best top knot candidate and my worst top knot candidate. I think I'm responding to the look as a whole. I don't mind the top knot when you have dressed well. And placed it no higher than the crown of your head. This whole "I'm in sweats and can't be bothered to do anything with my hair but tie it up high on my head" thing doesn't work me. What are your go to early morning hairdos?
Oh, and we totally just saw Phylicia Rashad at security.
the top knot. I find it too close to my workout hair. Plus my hair, while it is long and luxurious, doesn't feel quite long enough to make the top knot look awesome. The two pics below are best top knot candidate and my worst top knot candidate. I think I'm responding to the look as a whole. I don't mind the top knot when you have dressed well. And placed it no higher than the crown of your head. This whole "I'm in sweats and can't be bothered to do anything with my hair but tie it up high on my head" thing doesn't work me. What are your go to early morning hairdos?
Oh, and we totally just saw Phylicia Rashad at security.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Magical Ostrich Pillow
I saw this on one of the blogs I read. This puts the pillowig to shame. This is for a serious napper. So what would you choose? Between the little neck pillow, the proper pillow from the bed or this guy? I think I would go with this guy for novelty sake. I love my sleep, but I don't know that I have ever been so undaunted to think something like this is necessary. Although, I might have been very useful in college in the library or cafe where I would often find myself napping, nay, sleeping. So who does this appeal to? the Midwestern undaunted sleepy traveler, the bi-coastal actor facing the red eye? I need some one to buy it and report back.
 |
| Amazon.com, $49.99 |
Monday, October 1, 2012
Traveling Pants
You Guys! I have made an amazing discovery. This little thing will make your traveling so wonderful. I just purchased several new pairs of pants that I now deem my "traveling pants" (sorry, not the pants from the movie). I am now teaching a lot of Music Together classes, which basically consists of me sitting on my knees or cross legged on the floor, with a baby or two crawling on me, whilst singing and/or dancing. Needless to say, jeans or a dress aren't really great ideas for this kind of work, and while I love a yoga pant, I still can't bring myself to "work" in them. So, I was on the hunt for a comfortable pant, that has some stretch, that has a back pocket so I can slip my pitch pipe in there, that looks like a proper pant but feels like a pajama. And guess what? Uniqlo has them! Not only does Uniqlo have them, but they have them for $20. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go buy these pants. I bought a black pair, a pink pair (see below) a purple pair, a navy corduroy and a red corduroy. And as a bonus, I can already tell that they are going to be heavenly to travel in. They don't look fantastic up close - you know like that line in "Clueless" - "She's a full-on Monet. From far away, it's ok, but up close, it's a big old mess." Yeah that's definitely these pants. You definitely need to obscure the elastic waistband with a longer shirt, and for the love of God, please hide the fake pockets in the front. But, there is no zipper and they fit like leggings but are seriously pant. Get some traveling done in these pants immediately!
 |
| Uniqlo Easy Leggings Pants - $19.90. www.uniqlo.com |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Nouveau-hoop: a submission from Jen
You guys. This submission baffles me. I need to know more about this hoop. Is it flexible? After multiple productions of "A Christmas Carol" as well as simply being Southern, I can inform you that a hoop skirt is not and will never be an ideal travel garment. And do I need remind you of the episode of 90210 where Donna wore a big hoop dress to the dance that Steve begrudgingly took her to (not the "Donna Martin graduates" mermaid prom dress with crucifix). Steve was pissed off the whole night, possibly because of the inconvenience of the hoop but also possibly because Kelly asked Brandon to the dance and it was his birthday, everyone forgot and he was adopted. But the hoop didn't help.
Please explain how one would sit for travel in this. She is clearly in Port Authority, thus getting ready to ensure bus travel. I think the leggings are a key piece of this puzzle. I'm betting she pulls the hoop to waist height and then tilts it, so it's high in the back and resting over her knees int the front this necessitating leggings --- please don't flash us.
Please explain how one would sit for travel in this. She is clearly in Port Authority, thus getting ready to ensure bus travel. I think the leggings are a key piece of this puzzle. I'm betting she pulls the hoop to waist height and then tilts it, so it's high in the back and resting over her knees int the front this necessitating leggings --- please don't flash us.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
They have only called zone 1.
...and people are already rushing the gate because the flight attendants have threatened us with the whole "we are definitely going to run out of overhead space" shtick.
Stay tuned for the traveling bag blog.
Stay tuned for the traveling bag blog.
Traveling bag
Let's face it. You overpack. Everyone overpacks, thus causing a rush on the gate because the flight attendants have announced that all the bags won't fit in the overhead bin and you are panicking because you might just have to check your bag. So I have a novel idea. Don't overpack. Just be mindful of your clothing choices/options.
But Liz, you are criticizing me. Are you going to provide a solution? I'm glad you asked. Of course.
Here's what I think you should take pretty much anywhere you go.
1. 1 pair of jeans. You should have a pair that's day to night appropriate.
2. Another pair of pants if necessary. Example, when heading to a tropical clime, you can bring shorts or a light khaki. Sometimes dress pants are necessary. You just don't need 4 pairs of pants.
3. A top/shirt/blouse for each day of your journey...and one to grow on. I also suggest 1 layering tank top and 1 cardigan type thing.
4. Bras, panties, socks etc...obviously.
5. No more than 2 pairs of shoes. Stop. Don't bring shoes for every outfit. I love shoes more than you do. I promise. I'm here to tell you you don't need them. But Liz, I am so sporty and I must workout while I'm away. Do sneakers count? Yes and no. Would your life be over if you worked out for a week in your Chucks? I guarantee you that it is possible to workout without Sketchers Shape Ups. Giant shoes do not make for a better workout. If you don't believe me, come workout with us at Mark Fisher Fitness. I used to do that entire workout in Chucks. Now I'm a fan of the New Balance Minimus. The 5 finger shoes are still a bit hardcore for me but I applaud those who make that work. And imagine how little space those take up. So 2 pairs of shoes even if you're working out: Chucks and sandals. Chucks and Toms. Chucks and wedges. Chucks and Frye boot. Or heel and sandal. Heel and heel. Whatever two pairs you need. And of course, wear the chunkier shoe on the flight to save space. Oh and flip flops don't count. They can practically fit in your purse.
6. A dress. These days I am a fan of the maxi dress clearly. Use your judgement here but please don't bring a dress that you feel must be on a hanger. Jersey is a great packing material just please for the love of god wear proper undergarments with a jersey dress. You might like awesome from the front but you don't look awesome from the back and you look even less awesome when you are walking. Just be vigilant.
That's the skeleton of any packing job. Of course things are made difficult by winter weather or an excessively long stay somewhere or the need to bring ones dog and/or instrument or 2. But just try this method and see if it works.
Liz, why are you thinking about this today? Glad you asked. 2 things. I am indeed at the airport right now. Sadly, the new fancy Delta terminal isn't laid out well for picture taking and I havent been able to capture any offenders. 2. I finally left my job of almost 8 yeas yesterday and one of the Doctors I've worked for presented me with this nearly perfect traveling bag below.
Let's talk about this new obsession of mine. It is so NYC ready. I love the material they use to make LeSportsacs. You can just wipe subway grime off with a damp cloth. It's waterproof for the occasional monsoon. I always have a soaking wet bag in the rain. My bags are so big that they can't fit under my umbrella and I'm not going to be that asshole who carries around a golf umbrella in the city and hits people like me in the face with the spiky edges just so my bag doesn't get wet. I am well aware that my body would be much happier if I carried a backpack or a wheely suitcase on a day to day basis. I don't think I'm going to be able to do that. Something just feels wrong about it. But this adorable bag might encourage me to be a little kinder to my shoulders and back. There are backpack straps and a wheely handle thing. It has umbrella and water bottle pockets and a deep pocket in the front. I have room leftover when packing for this 4 day weekend. But then again, I'm going to Florida and bikinis don't take up much room.
So this bag could possibly be the solution to all bag dilemmas, plus, you can't overpack if you use it. The good choices start with the bag. Don't tempt yourself with a gigantic impractical bag.
But Liz, you are criticizing me. Are you going to provide a solution? I'm glad you asked. Of course.
Here's what I think you should take pretty much anywhere you go.
1. 1 pair of jeans. You should have a pair that's day to night appropriate.
2. Another pair of pants if necessary. Example, when heading to a tropical clime, you can bring shorts or a light khaki. Sometimes dress pants are necessary. You just don't need 4 pairs of pants.
3. A top/shirt/blouse for each day of your journey...and one to grow on. I also suggest 1 layering tank top and 1 cardigan type thing.
4. Bras, panties, socks etc...obviously.
5. No more than 2 pairs of shoes. Stop. Don't bring shoes for every outfit. I love shoes more than you do. I promise. I'm here to tell you you don't need them. But Liz, I am so sporty and I must workout while I'm away. Do sneakers count? Yes and no. Would your life be over if you worked out for a week in your Chucks? I guarantee you that it is possible to workout without Sketchers Shape Ups. Giant shoes do not make for a better workout. If you don't believe me, come workout with us at Mark Fisher Fitness. I used to do that entire workout in Chucks. Now I'm a fan of the New Balance Minimus. The 5 finger shoes are still a bit hardcore for me but I applaud those who make that work. And imagine how little space those take up. So 2 pairs of shoes even if you're working out: Chucks and sandals. Chucks and Toms. Chucks and wedges. Chucks and Frye boot. Or heel and sandal. Heel and heel. Whatever two pairs you need. And of course, wear the chunkier shoe on the flight to save space. Oh and flip flops don't count. They can practically fit in your purse.
6. A dress. These days I am a fan of the maxi dress clearly. Use your judgement here but please don't bring a dress that you feel must be on a hanger. Jersey is a great packing material just please for the love of god wear proper undergarments with a jersey dress. You might like awesome from the front but you don't look awesome from the back and you look even less awesome when you are walking. Just be vigilant.
That's the skeleton of any packing job. Of course things are made difficult by winter weather or an excessively long stay somewhere or the need to bring ones dog and/or instrument or 2. But just try this method and see if it works.
Liz, why are you thinking about this today? Glad you asked. 2 things. I am indeed at the airport right now. Sadly, the new fancy Delta terminal isn't laid out well for picture taking and I havent been able to capture any offenders. 2. I finally left my job of almost 8 yeas yesterday and one of the Doctors I've worked for presented me with this nearly perfect traveling bag below.
Let's talk about this new obsession of mine. It is so NYC ready. I love the material they use to make LeSportsacs. You can just wipe subway grime off with a damp cloth. It's waterproof for the occasional monsoon. I always have a soaking wet bag in the rain. My bags are so big that they can't fit under my umbrella and I'm not going to be that asshole who carries around a golf umbrella in the city and hits people like me in the face with the spiky edges just so my bag doesn't get wet. I am well aware that my body would be much happier if I carried a backpack or a wheely suitcase on a day to day basis. I don't think I'm going to be able to do that. Something just feels wrong about it. But this adorable bag might encourage me to be a little kinder to my shoulders and back. There are backpack straps and a wheely handle thing. It has umbrella and water bottle pockets and a deep pocket in the front. I have room leftover when packing for this 4 day weekend. But then again, I'm going to Florida and bikinis don't take up much room.
So this bag could possibly be the solution to all bag dilemmas, plus, you can't overpack if you use it. The good choices start with the bag. Don't tempt yourself with a gigantic impractical bag.
Monday, August 27, 2012
submission from Turner
Yes Turner, you made the cut...
I love traveling in France because it requires looking good. They will straight up throw you off the train for wearing sweatpants. Not a pillow in sight, not even for babies. In fact, I think I saw more designer labels and heels on trains than I did on the ground. Like you, Liz, there's not much I like better than traveling and looking good. The two together? Sublime.
I was glad to have brought my seersucker with me this summer. It's as light as khaki in terms of weight and temperature, but the lines in the fabric disguise the inevitable (for me) "chocolate crumb melting on the seat" situation, or speck of pasta sauce dropped in the lap. Even better than khakis, from a packing perspective, is that you can go from travel comfort to upscale garden party just by throwing on a jacket - neither of which are you required to iron. WINNING!
My outfit for CDG-ATL added some French vocabulary to my otherwise Southern accent. A fashion tee I picked up at a boutique fits well enough, with an interesting enough design, that it kept me both classy and cool. I mean, c'mon, anything with French writing on it is immediately classier. And remember, ain't no A/C in all of Europe, so you want a tee when you're hauling luggage and sitting in a crowd of 400 people for 9 hours.
The hat, which I brought for the purposes of sunbathing while blonde, had to come with so as not to get squashed in my luggage, and had to go on my head so as not to get squashed in the overhead bin. Except for intense scrutiny at US Customs, it was met with general cheer. I look so anglo, there's no way I could ever pass for French, so why bother trying not to look like a tourist? Which this hat admittedly screams.
Finally, you can't go wrong with old school adidas. No matter what you think or how you feel about them or the Puma war, they say casual, but serious about it. And I am.
Then I went to the airport and stood behind this: An entire FAMILY of fannypacks. In fairness, they were leaving France, and not just arriving.
Note from Liz: I disagree about the Adidas. I am not a fan of the Adidas. This would have been made perfect with a loafer or driving moccasin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)