Genius Packing Advice From The Smartest Traveler We Know: Our Own EIC
I don't care what anyone says, packing properly is harder than actually planning and booking a vacation. Anyone can throw everything they own into a rolly bag, but it takes real skill to thoughtfully plan just the right mix of essentials to bring along for the ideal travel wardrobe. Given I am on a plane several times a month, I have made packing my absolute obsession. And after a lot of trial and error (and way too many dresses that have gone unworn!), here's what I've learned:
1. Weather check. Yes, it's more fun to wing it, but so NOT fun when you're preparing for a dinner on a gorgeous 75-degree evening and all you have is a heavy wool dress. Boo! Take the time to check the weather and make sure that everything you do bring is climate appropriate.
2. Edit, edit, edit! Lay everything you really want to bring out on your bed, and then, piece by piece, take away half of what's there, leaving you with only the pieces you truly love wearing that you will feel good in. Traveling is never a time to "road-test" something you haven't worn before. If you haven't worn it on your home turf, you sure won't wear it somewhere else.
3. Extra accessories equal extra options. I absolutely never check luggage (such a time drain!), and I make sure the clothes-to-accessories ratio in my bag is always 1:2. Choose a few key pieces that create a bunch of flexible outfits, and then double the number of accessories you bring. One pair of flats, one pair of evening heels, a chic clutch, oversized earrings, matching cuffs, a statement necklace (or two!), and a few cocktail rings can make even your most basic outfit feel special and unique. And they take up the least amount of room in your bag.
4. The bag matters. That old overnight bag you inherited from your mom or your last boyfriend? Toss it. Immediately! Never, ever, ever think your travel bag doesn't matter. It may be "luggage" but it actually defines your travel look, and when it's great-looking and functional, it actually makes it more fun to travel with and pack.
Reserve Tip: Speaking of bags that matter, want to score the ultimate city-girl-friendly suitcase? The gorg and lightweight Lipault foldable carry-on above is now available on Reserve in four R29-approved colors.
The Perfect (Easy!) Halloween Costume Fix For All You Lazies
We understand if not everyone is as into Halloween as we are. Well, actually we don't understand, but if you need a no-hassle costume, we can help you out. Downtown shop Screaming Mimi's, typically known for its insane selection of by-the-decade vintage, is also home to some beautiful masks that anyone can pull off, come the, uhhh, witching hour. From eye-patch to full on Venetian masquerade, the pieces are all designed to flatter the face, while keeping some (always needed) mystery. Plus, check out the half-face mask that's kind of Phantom of the Opera, kind of Lady Gaga. And sure, they'll set you back $60 to $188, but these things are so timeless and so well made, they're bound to last you for a few more All Hallow's Eves to come. Click through to peep the looks and choose which you'd wear to wow your friends without any effort.
Screaming Mimi's, 382 Lafayette Street (between Great Jones and 4th streets); 212-677-6464
Photos: Courtesy of Matchbook
Screaming Mimi's, 382 Lafayette Street (between Great Jones and 4th streets); 212-677-6464
Photos: Courtesy of Matchbook
1 Piece, 3 Ways: How To Revive Your Trusty Striped Tee
As far as basics go, stripes are as necessary a wardrobe piece as a great pair of sunnies or dark blue skinnies. And not only are we seeing them everywhere this fall, but they're popping up right here in our own office. We're well aware that the Breton striped shirt has been a fashion staple since Sonia Rykiel was a little girl, and we suggest you follow our lead: Don't go without one. For some specific inspiration, we styled rag & bone sales associate Kimberly Frank in three perfect (different) striped looks using the same $29.90 Uniqlo top—super-easy, super-versatile, super-cheap. Done, done, and way done.
Click through to see how to pair it with cardis, jackets, shawls. It's an easy way to add a surprising bit of sophistication. Let's just cross our fingers that we don't all wear this awesome piece on the same day! .
Click through to see how to pair it with cardis, jackets, shawls. It's an easy way to add a surprising bit of sophistication. Let's just cross our fingers that we don't all wear this awesome piece on the same day! .
Socks, Cuff, And Roll: How To Cuff Your Pants Like A Pro
In the office, our editorial team consists of a bunch of right-brainers: creative but not very organized, stylish but somewhat thrown together, and even if we can be left-brained sometimes, we do tend to be scatter-brained more often than not. But what we might lack in detail orientation, we try to make up for in dress orientation and now, thanks to Bonobos and Richer Poorer's Tame The Roll tutorials, we can hone both our focus on the little things and our overall fashion. The under-30-second videos show how to cuff your pants like a pro, and even we can pay attention for that long! Whether you prefer the classic greaser vibe, something a bit messier, or a simple yet classic roll, the sock-and-cuff combos cover the basics and will leave you looking FTD (fresh to death) in under a minute flat. Click through the slideshow for a sneak peek at the fab feet and check out the videos here.
Photos: Via Tame The Roll
Photos: Via Tame The Roll
1 Piece, 3 Ways: How To Style Your White Button-Down This Fall
You probably won't get very far in life without a few solid-white shirts in your closet. But why settle for your boyfriend's Oxford button-down or an overwrought, bunchy blouse when there are so many different white-shirt options for fall? In fact, this season, Soho mainstay Uniqlo offers this stylish variation from +J by Jil Sander—with a fetching Mandarin collar—for a mere $49.90? Add some extra style mileage to this wardrobe staple and take some tips from J.Crew web talent and Lewis designer, Alison Lewis. She's showing us how to have a fun little three-way: Pairing it with a fashion-forward sweater, boy blazer, and a very sexy leather skirt. Get inspired and see how versatile and essential this piece truly is.
Your Questions For Stylist Kate Young Answered!
Move over, Kate Moss. Stylist Kate Young is becoming the Kate-to-know in the fashion industry, styling everything from runway shows and editorials, to the most magical red carpet moments. In celebration of her new, 100% merino wool line for Cardigan, we held a little digital Q&A with the star stylist. From Facebook, we had you ask Kate your burning questions about her job, her look, and what it takes to be a stylist.
R29 Giveaway: Of course, we've got more than just advice. Leave a comment with your favorite fashion moment involving Kate Young, and a random winner will receive a cardigan from her new line!
6 Styling Tricks To Switch Up Your Winter Look
Winter seems to be lasting forever and we've got to say—we are more than a little bored of everything in our wardrobe. With brisk weather seemingly never-ending, the outfits we thought were so fresh back in December are feeling more like drab uniforms now that February's almost over. The whole classic black tights, dress with sweater over it, booties and coat (usually mostly in good ol' black, right?) thing is feeling as overused as the snooze button on our alarm clocks. To switch up our cold-weather look right, we've put our heads together to come up with the six best tips for sprucing up those winter duds to last you until you can tear off the hats and scarves and celebrate a little sunshine. Soon please?
Click through to see all our tips on change up your boring routine—it's easier than you think!
The Perfect Outfit: Printed Pants Look Great Off The Runway, Too
We're all for printed pants on the runway, but they can be tricky to pull off in real life. Luckily, we snapped this cute girl outside the Steven Alan fashion show this week, and her stylin' patterned trousers outfit has us inspired to try it ourselves. To recreate this eye-catching look, pair your pants with a neutral-toned knit and layer with a camel trench to keep the frost at bay. Slip on some eye-popping red shoes to up the ante and finish with a cozy faux-fur bag, and you're done! Check out these five pieces to get this super-cool look
Above, clockwise from left: Topshop Retro Flick Hem Trousers, $80, available at Topshop ; Vince Favorite Tank, $48, available at Barneys; Vero Moda Gathered Shoulder Belted Trench $116.55, available at ASOS; Jeffrey Campbell Copen, $119.95, available at Solestruck; Lovers + Friends Small Leopard Fur Bag, $48, available at Revolve.
Style Tips From 6 Top Street Peepers
Street style—yes, it's kind of a big thing now. And the ones who are best versed in the art of how to get snapped are the street peepers who are style connoisseurs themselves. They've traveled the world following sartorially adept ladies and gents, and they've picked up a few handy tips along the way. From unexpectedly glamorous styling tricks to the pieces you really should be investing in, our—and your!—favorite street peepers and style photographers divulged what they're looking for when pounding the pavement.
Check out more street fashion from around the globe!
Check out more street fashion from around the globe!
How To Dress For Fashion Week
Depending on who you ask, Fashion Week can be seen as a competition—who gets priority seating, who makes it to the bar fastest, who spots the first model falling on the runway... But if those are races, than the biggest event of them all is who makes the biggest impact, style-wise. Luckily, the ladies who are constantly in the lenses of the best
street style
photographers' cameras were wiling to divulge their secrets to success (even if that means ditching your winter tights in the name of style!). From secret weapons to combination strategies, here's what Fashion Week's biggest style stars have to say about playing the game right.
5 Spring Dresses To Wear Right Now
If we tell you that we've lately found ourselves forlornly standing in front of our closets running our fingers through all the silk, linen, and cotton spring dresses just begging for warm weather...would you judge? Seriously, we've cracked under seasonal jealousy, and we have a feeling you all want to start wearing those spring dresses, too. So, we've happily rounded up five of our favorite warmer-weather frocks, and paired them with easy pieces to winterize 'em. Here are the five spring dresses, and how to wear them right now!
A Blizzard-Approved Outfit That Won't Leave You Soaked
For some of us, the current weather (according to weather.com) is "Wintry Mix", but we think it's more like "Inside A Slushie Machine". Our walk home yesterday left us digging inches of snow off our knit hats, hanging our soaked-through mittens by our radiators to drip dry, and bemoaning the state of our wool coats. No more, we say. Next time, we'll be prepared with waterproof, snowproof, lame-proof blizzard gear that looks good enough for your commute, but can withstand the impromptu snowball fight or sledding sesh. Here are some picks that'll keep you toasty from door to door.
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