However, sifting through your wardrobe to curate these looks can often feel daunting, especially if you’re trying not to check in your luggage. This style guide will help you streamline your packing list while looking fabulous during your getaway.

Blending Style and Comfort

Dressing appropriately for warmer climates doesn’t mean sacrificing style for comfort. Let’s begin by stripping back to basics. In warmer climates, an excellent first layer includes cotton tank tops for women. They’re versatile, comfortable, and can be mixed and matched with various bottoms. The breathable nature of cotton fabric ensures you remain cool while navigating the vibrant city streets and exploring popular landmarks. Pair your tank top with flowy, wide-legged trousers for an air of casual elegance. During the summer, transition to a colorful midi-length skirt for dinner or an oversized cardigan and jeans for the fall.

Stylish Outerwear for Changing Climates

When it comes to city breaks, it’s essential to prepare for a rapidly changing climate. A lightweight, foldable raincoat can be a game-changer when the weather turns unexpectedly. Not only does it protect you from unexpected drizzles, but it also adds an extra layer when the temperature cools down. For a more upmarket option, an oversized denim jacket will lend an air of sophistication to your outfit, perfect for city dinners or nights at a trendy cocktail bar.

Chic Footwear: Walking in Style

Walking is inevitable on city trips, so uncomfortable footwear can quickly ruin your experience. Pack comfortable yet trendy shoes like oxfords or loafers, a timeless option for a polished look that won’t compromise comfort. For women who prefer the laid-back look, stylish sneakers or flat leather sandals are perfect, ensuring ease and style. In winter, a structured knee-high, flat-heeled boot works with dresses and jeans.

Accessorize Your Outfit

Accessories are the exclamation points of any outfit, and for urban excursions, they play functional and ornamental roles. A stylish yet practical crossbody bag is a must for keeping your essentials safe, especially in crowded landmarks and the metro. A pair of trendy sunglasses will protect your eyes from harsh urban light while adding a chic factor to your look. Scarves, too, offer a dual purpose — they not only ward off unexpected chills but also add a pop of color and dimension to your outfit.

Evening Elegance: Transitioning Your Look

Seamlessly transitioning from day to night is key to packing your weekend bag. You want outfits that can quickly be elevated with a quick switch or an addition. Change out of your practical flats into a pair of refined heeled booties. Swap cotton tank tops for women for a sophisticated silk blouse or a stylish off-the-shoulder top for dinner at an upscale restaurant. Add a statement necklace and red lipstick, and you’re ready for your evening city adventures.

Urban Beauty Essentials

Just as your clothing should be functional and chic, your beauty regime should reflect the demands of the city. Choose a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with a high SPF to protect your skin. Touch up with a natural, long-lasting makeup foundation and a light tint on your lips. A small bottle of fragrance can freshen you up during the day. Carry some oil-blend blotting paper for oily spots and shine, an easy solution to stay fresh-faced and glowing.

There’s no reason your weekend city break style should be anything less than inspirational. As the saying goes: “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” So, pack your bags with these sartorial tips, and get ready to explore a new city with a sophisticated look.

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With the restrictions that airlines nowadays put on both check-in and carry-on luggage, the modern frequent traveler has turned packing light into an art form. Being able to get by on just a small trolley or bag makes life so much easier. Packing light to me means picking outfits and garments that can be combined for various social occasions. A blazer with jeans or other more casual pants, with a nice shirt and the right shoes, work perfectly for me as a business casual outfit. In comes the Bluffworks blazer. Our friend Mike had previously reviewed their pants and raved about them.  Recently, Bluffworks asked me to try out their blazer. Here are my impressions.

The Challenge

For me, being ‘tall and slim’ (6’9”) finding the right blazer can be quite a challenge. I want something a little tailored, with the right sleeve length and, since it has to endure quite some folding and stowing, made of a material that is easy to clean and preferably wrinkle free. I know, that’s a “tall” order.

Choices, choices..

Bluffworks specifically makes “versatile travel clothes designed to go anywhere and still look great”. Perfect for what I was looking for.  Their website is easy to navigate and I was grateful for a little advice on whether I should go for the Classic or Slim Fit. Again, I am tall but I definitely do not want a baggy blazer.  After communicating my measurements to their team, the advice was to go for the classic fit and that turned out to be spot on.

About the Fit

It goes without saying that my arm length is not average, and I am very sensitive about having the right sleeve length. Ideally, the sleeves on my Bluffworks blazer could have been half an inch longer, but I have not made any alterations and I feel confident with the sleeve length as is. Mind you, there is plenty of fabric to have that half an inch laid out by a tailor. Perhaps I will send it to a tailor in the future but for now I happily wear it as is.

Bluffworks Blazer on the Go…

When traveling I like to keep my possessions close, and the Bluffworks blazer features a staggering 10 (!) pockets. Cell phone, passport, business cards, wallet, plenty of space to carry them. Within a time frame of two months I was able to wear my Bluffworks blazer on three very fitting occasions: a networking barbecue at the Dutch embassy, the very fancy Virginia Gold Cup horse races and a wedding in Bavaria Germany, where temps exceeded 90F.  The blazer has the look and feel of wool yet is breathable and the fact that it’s wrinkle free made it perfect for a 2 week trip through Europe.

The Verdict

A good blazer is an investment piece. At $295, the Bluffworks blazer falls into that category. However, I guarantee you that you will get your money’s worth out of this versatile piece. Having traveled with the blazer in my garment bag several times, it’s impressive that all I have to do is shake it out and wear it. For more information about Bluffworks, click here.

Disclaimer: Bluffworks sent me the blazer at no cost, but as always, opinions are my own. 

[social_warfare]

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Editor’s note:  When Bluffworks approached me about reviewing their wrinkle-free travel pants, I immediately knew the perfect person to try them out… my good friend Michael Leung aka Gentleman Travels.  He’s probably one of the most well traveled and stylish gents I know. The story of Bluffworks caught my eye because founder Stefan Loble, brought his concept to life through Kickstarter after many years working in the corporate world.  I personally know the hard work that goes into a Kickstarter campaign and it’s amazing to see how far his company has gone in the last two years. Mike recently took his new Bluffworks pants to Chile and Easter Island.  This is what he had to say:

Bluffworks Review: Men’s Travel Pants  

As a frequent traveler, I’ve spent countless number of hours searching for the perfect pair of men’s travel pants. Introduce Bluffworks, a blend of comfort, utility and style. Thoughtfully designed with the traveler in mind, these pants are versatile and have universal appeal; whether you’re dressed for a business casual look or hiking rough terrain.

Comfort:  Lightweight and designed to be the ultimate men’s travel pants, it maintains the need to weather the elements and keeps its stylish form. I was excited about traveling in these new pants as I boarded my plane to Easter Island. The breathable and flexible material allowed me to feel comfortable and unconstricted throughout the flight. I arrived feeling relaxed and ready to go.

Function:  Functional yet stylish. Pockets and storage are critical when traveling and these pants deliver just that. The 2 inner side pockets have zippers, which are perfect for carrying loose currency change or small miscellaneous belongings (spare batteries, extra SD memory cards). The back left pocket is also outfitted with a zipper making it secure from thieving pick-pocketers. My favorite feature is the cleverly hidden right back pocket, perfectly sized for passports/boarding passes and/or cellphones, allowing for quick and easy access.  Dining Traveler Tip: I had been traveling with my iPhone 5s and recently updated my phone to the iPhone 6, to my dismay my new phone didn’t quite fit in the hidden back pocket. Upon further inspection the pocket has a stitch that can be removed for a deeper pocket!

The Hard Sell:  While traveling on Easter Island, I wore these pants on an expedition of Terevaka volcano. While hiking back down the volcano, temperamental weather of harsh rains and blustery winds quickly lead to slippery and muddy conditions. I had an unfortunate mishap and slid down a slippery wet patch. Caked in mud and losing all hope of keeping my new Bluffworks pants in pristine condition, I trekked back to the village as the skies parted and the sun shone. My entire being was wet to the core, however the pants quickly dried providing me relief. Determined to preserve these pants I hand washed them in the sink and they came back to life wrinkle free and without any notice of a stain. In fact, I was ready to wear them after a quick wash on my flight home the next morning!

Verdict:  These pants stood up to harsh weather conditions of Easter Island and continue to hold up to the stylish standards of New York City. I’m a convert and these pants are now an integral part of my travel clothing arsenal. Looking for durable and stylish men’s travel pants? Make the investment in a pair of Bluffworks!

Bluffworks Chino Tailored Fit Pants: $125, Sizes 30-40w, 28-36L . Shop Here

Disclaimer: Men’s Travel Pants were gifted by Bluffworks.  As always, opinions are our own. 

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Travel Fashion:  MALIBU’S MOST WANTED

THE MINDSET & LIFESTYLE OF A GLOBETROTTING STILETTO

You’re a stylish jet-setter who’s committed to travel. You go because you have to. You need to see, feel, taste, touch, immerse yourself in culture, scour the globe for inspiration, treasures that exist outside the confines of your everyday life. You’re not afraid to splurge, but prefer to save. When you do splurge it’s on experiences, seldom ‘things,’ experiences matter more. You get down and dirty and enjoy adventure but you also fancy the cosmopolitan lifestyle—martinis, boating, and the finest dining. You have a wish-list of all the places you want to see, things you want to do. You value time and live in the moment because you know tomorrow is not promised… You my friend, are a Globetrotting Stiletto.

Take a step out of the Hollywood lifestyle and experience the tranquility of Malibu. The name “Malibu” originally came from the Native American word “Humaliwo” meaning “the surf sounds loudly.”  And on this Southern California beach town, the surf undoubtedly roars. Pull your significant other away from his guys for a romantic weekend complete with candle-lit dinners, long strolls on the beach, sipping Malibu’s infamous fishbowl drinks, and dancing at their laid-back nightclubs (if you’re not too inebriated to get down). We know, it’s tough to see past the Baywatch image of the place, but trust us, the town’s free-spirited approach to life is something you want in on.

Dress: Oversized Denim T-Shirt DRESS | Shoes: Y.R.U. Daydream Studded Platform Heeled Multicolor SANDALS | Bag:Watercolor PURSE | Necklace: Utopia Statement NECKLACE | Sunglasses: Wildfox Couture Lolita Deluxe SUNGLASSES |Nail Polish: Lauren B. Beauty #ImJuicing NAIL POLISH | Lipstick: NARS Audacious Fanny LIPSTICK | Fly to MALIBU

For more travel fashion tips, head over to Globetrotting Stiletto!

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Globetrotting Stiletto on Travel Blogger Fashion

Before I dish on the happenings at the third annual NY TRAV FEST, I must recognize my Globetrotting Stilettos who came out to support GTS at our very first public event. Whether we’re invested social media homies or have a personal relationship, we appreciate you. Yes, YOU! Globetrotting Stiletto, the brand, is less about me and more about the community of stylish jet-setters we serve—fresh folk who are committed to travel. The ones who go because they have to. They need to see, feel, taste, touch, immerse themselves in culture, scour the globe for inspiration, treasures that exist outside the confines of their everyday lives. They’re not afraid to splurge but prefer to save. When they do splurge, it’s on experiences, seldom ‘things,’ experiences matter more. Now that that’s off my heart, here’s what went down..

My girlfriend observed that I tend to gravitate towards the color orange for travel events. Acute observation. In no way was this intentional. The rich hue looks great on my complexion, I have a closet full of bright orange attire. I wore a perforated sunkist Vince dress to the NYT TRAVEL SHOW and rocked ZARA’S sleeveless linen waistcoat to the 2015 Travel Fest. I paired the tangerine shell with a white tank, ARMANI boyfriend jeans, a STATEMENT NECKLACE and nude SO KATE pumps. I am my brand. There was no way I was showing up to speak before travel industry professionals on a branding panel without stilettos. No way. I survived in my 5-inch Christian Louboutins far longer that I thought I would, strutting throughout the exhibition space networking with other attendees, standing before the GTS x Sydne’s Sweets table handing out cupcakes during our tasting, my dogs supported my stiletto commitment. The Kate Spade Taxi flats that I live in were on deck but I didn’t change into those until the panel and tasting wrapped. I am my brand. You are your brand. Always remember that. Appropriate travel business attire is imperative when participating in these types of events, come correct when representing yourself, people tend to take you more seriously.

“Come correct when representing yourself, people tend to take you more seriously.”  I could not say it better!  My look is more button downs paired with patterns for meetings and I live in DVF wrap dresses for events. One of things I’ve learned is that your brand has to meet your niche, especially when you’re meeting with potential clients. What are your travel blogger fashion tips?  What is the look of your brand?

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Globetrotting In Style: Havana, Cuba 

Big up to Solange for  giving us the go ahead to unabashedly print clash. For my take on the popular summer trend, I styled a high-waist leaf-print pencil skirt with a complimentary croptop. As I was putting this ‘fit together, I felt a festive vibe so I pulled for my Panama hat, metallic Pierre Hardy sandals, and MAC’s fluorescent Morange lipstick. I have a slew of meetings around the City today and this look is sure to leave a lasting impression. I know I won’t survive in these heels for long so I’m walking with my highlighter yellow Matiko t-strap sandals (last seen HERE).

I accent my Havana-inspired look with a Panama hat, metallic Pierre Hardy sandals, a vintage chain purse, beaded bangles, gold hoops and MAC’s fluorescent Morange lipstick. 

TOPSHOP Printed Crop Top With Exposed BACK ZIP  TOPSHOP Bright Leaf Print PENCIL SKIRT   PIERRE HARDY METALLIC SANDALS (last seen HERE)   VINTAGE  Gold and Silver Leather Patchwork Tassel Chain Purse (last seen HERE)    PANAMA HAT Genuine Hand Woven STRAW HAT (last seen HERE)   MIXED Beaded Gold Bracelets   BY BOE Gold Plate Wave RING (last seenHERE)   BY BOE  Gold Plate Square HOOP EARRINGS (last seen HERE)   M.A.C. COSMETICS Lipstick in MORANGE

In honor of traveling to Havana (legally) finally being a possibility, I figured I give you some style incentive to book a ticket and go! Happy Travels!

For more fashion inspiration, follow Globetrotting Stiletto on Instagram!

Photos by BERNARD SMALLS exclusively for Globetrotting Stiletto Inc.

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This post is the start of a deliciously stylish collaboration with one of my faves, the beautiful Metanoya Webb of Globetrotting Stiletto. She’s the best dressed travel blogger out there, I met her at TBEX Cancun in all her glory, rocking a gorgeous maxi dress. I will be exchanging my dining tips on her blog and she will be sharing her globetrotting style with us.  She recently beat the NYC cold and headed to the Florida Keys for some sunshine. All about what she wore and how she packed it:

MY TOP 3 GLOBETROTTING FASHION TIPS

Elegant dining? Once that’s solid, lay out and categorize looks so you can visually see what you’re working with.

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Redundancies:  One of the risks of flying long haul, especially with stops, is the risk of missing luggage.  I actually had that happen on my spring trip to Barcelona. Thankfully, I always carry a spare shirt, socks, and underwear in my carry-on in case I have to spend the night somewhere without my bag.

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A few weeks ago, I had photos for my media kit taken by the amazing Julien from the style blog, It’s Julien.  When choosing looks for the shoot, I decided to go with one of my favorite travel uniforms: muumuu (loose dress), tote, and flats.  One of my favorite dresses is a DVF short loose dress (find one similar on sale here) I picked up at Saks years ago but never gets old.  I can wear it with tights in the winter and sandals or flats in warm weather.  It also dresses down for sightseeing and up with heels for dinner.  It’s easy to pack and the light material makes it easy to fit in a carry-on or even a weekend bag. 

Another big part of my travel uniform are flats. Can’t get enough of Tod’s.  They are expensive but I still walk around with a pair I purchased in 2007 with no need for resoling.  Travel Tip: if you find yourself in Europe for the sales season (June or January), you can get them up to 50% off plus your VAT (tax refund).  I own them in conservative colors such as brown but also have pairs in red and turquoise. Definitely an investment piece. As for a tote, I never leave home with my LouisVuitton “Never Full” bag.  Despite the name, I have stuffed it with many of my travel goodies: my Nikon SLR camera, a scarf in case the plane gets cold, face mask, magazines, and plenty of beauty products. 

Now I am off to pack for my TBEX Travel Blogger conference in Cancun. Of course, all three of these items will be boarding with me! 

All photos taken by Julien Garman, learn more about her blog here. Photos taken at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden. 

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