Travelling is challenging enough without worrying about looking fashionable while you do it.
But Kate Young, a New York-based stylist who counts actresses Margot Robbie and Michelle Williams among her clients, says it doesn’t take a lot of effort to look stylish on the road.
“Anyone can look chic while travelling, and there’s no need to spend a lot or pack a lot to do it,” Young said.
She noted that she travels often and rarely checks in a bag.
Here are her best tips for travelling light and looking good at the same time.
Pack clothes in three co-ordinating colours:
When deciding what clothes to pack, choose pieces in three matching colours so you can mix and match them to create multiple outfits for different days. Pick the colours based on where you’re going.
If you’re headed to Paris or another urban destination, for example; any combination of black, white, navy and charcoal is a good bet. For a beach holiday or outdoors excursion, consider khaki, off-white (or white) and bright hues.
Young likes white linen in particular because it’s cool in warm weather, can be worn during the day and is also nice for evenings out. And, when it comes to the actual articles of clothing to take, Young said that a pair of jeans, a pair of nice pants, a striped button-down, a blazer and a comfortable T-shirt are always good options.
Minimise the shoes:
Most women don’t need to bring more than three pairs of shoes on any trip, Young suggests. Consider taking exercise sneakers, comfortable loafers, low boots or sandals and, for evenings, heeled sandals. Men can generally get by with two pairs: sneakers and loafers. And a tip for everyone when it comes to sneakers: Many sportswear brands make lightweight pairs that fold.
Fly in exercise gear:
Exercise clothes are becoming increasingly fashionable, and for flights, especially long-haul journeys, they’re incredibly comfortable to wear. They also fold neatly and fit into virtually any bag. Young suggested that women consider compression leggings, along with a long-sleeved cotton top and coat, while men try a pair of tracksuit pants and jacket, or a hoodie.
Accessorise the right way:
A few key accessories can change the look of an entire outfit, Young said. On her travels, she always packs some costume jewellery. She also puts her makeup in a sleek pouch that doubles as an evening bag. Men or people who don’t wear jewellery should consider a few pairs of bright socks in fun patterns, just to add a little personality to otherwise simple outfits.
Bring one dressy, flexible outfit:
If you have a formal evening or event planned during your trip, don’t bother with bulky dresses and heavy full suits and jackets. Women can opt for a slip dress, high-heeled sandals and a pair of bold earrings, while men should go for a pair of slacks, a flexible, multipurpose blazer, a crisp white shirt and loafers. - New York Times