Packing in Layers

As many people start to get packing for a cozy holiday at home I have a few tips for you to hopefully help you keep yourself in the overhead as checking at the holidays can lead to fashion disasters with lost luggage. With tens of thousands of miles under my belt in just the last 6 months I have learned a few things along the way.

The true key to packing is layers. It always feels disjointed to me when I'm putting it in the bag and a little like you're simultaneously packing too much and absolutely nothing but with the right layers it can turn a small bag into tons of outfits that feel different and cool enough for you.

This photo is taken in Scotland where it actually stays a bit cool in the summer. This is my basic color palette all year round mixed with some black and so I have developed a wardrobe of interchangeable neutral items that are drapey, just the way I like it, but also made of great materials from great brands. I then layer them in interesting ways for casual to elegant occasions (a good swipe of Tom Ford's red lipstick does wonders for a neutral outfit to take it fro day to night).

This is a sweater from 360 cashmere, a T-shirt from T by Alexander Wang and a tank by James Perse, all staple brands for me. I wore these Rick Owens leggings, that I bought in an amazing boutique sale in Amsterdam, to death on our Northern Europe Tour because they go with everything and / or under everything.

Vince makes great lightweight sweaters that are another packing staple of mine. They roll up into nothing but have just a hint of style to a basic sweater to make them cool but wearable over and over. Accessories are another way to mix up your outfits when you are packing for several weeks into a small carry on. A few colored scarves, a couple interesting pieces of statement jewelry can make a big difference. Again, this is where I advocate neutral colors and items that can be worn different ways via accessories and people don't really notice you're wearing the same sweater (well, besides your hubbie).

Another Vince sweater in Copenhagen. It gets a little chilly there even in the dead of summer but these ligtweight sweaters are nice to layer over skirts, shorts and jeans at night because of their shape and weight.

I have these exact same sweaters here with me in Paris and I'm layering them over and under a whole winter wardrobe as well. They are a bit expensive but my mileage out of them is great!

Happy Packing!
xx, SITC

Bloomers

All the cool girls in Europe were rocking these oversized denim cut-offs.

This girl went walking by in Barcelona. As with the girls in Amsterdam gladiator sandals were everywhere as were crossbody bags and effortless, light hair and make-up to beat the heat.

Sorry for the Hiatus folks!

Sorry for the hiatus dear readers! LQ and I took a little break while I travel around the world and she started a new job. But SITC is back! I am going to update with some fashion and travel tips from around the world and LQ can update you on all the fabulous finds from wantful.com!

This post isn't exactly seasonally relevant unless you're headed down-under for the holidays but I wanted to show some of the styles I saw from the globe and a few outfits I've put together. With limited space in bags and heading to the most fashionable cities on earth it has been tough to try and keep up. These are my attempts :)

The women in Amsterdam are GORGEOUS and so fashionable. They are effortless and all outfits must be bike ready. I love this girl's easy topknot, sideslung bag and sandals while her bright stripes make her ready for anything.

As I've traveled I've been much more inspired to try out colors and patterns. Not easy for a girl with a wardrobe of 99% neutrals... I'm not sure how the results worked out :)
(this top is Equipment - very light, airy and can pack into nothing)

This is in Barcelona. Keeping cool and stylish is tough for an SF girl but this lace skirt again folds to nothing and can easily go from day to night. The rest is my signature grey. The good thing about neutrals is the ability to mix and match easily using little space in a bag AND if you wear the same top twice in different ways no one really remembers.

How do you pack for a year around the world? With Seattle based Filson Luggage! American made, World traveled.

Gerona, our home away from home. A printed skirt helps add color and print to the mix while keeping it away from the face, an advantage for the print and color phobic like me. These JCrew sandals got me through my endless summer (june to november)

MUCH more to come!
xx, SITC

Sienna Miller...

We LOVE Sienna Miller's style! She always seems to look chic & cool yet effortless from day to night. From the hair to the clothes to the accessories, Sienna has got a style to steal!

XO,

SITC

Spring Beauty Must Haves

We've been blogging quite a bit lately about new spring wardrobes but getting ready for spring requires more than just a quick shopping trip. Hopefully we've all kept up with our New Years Resolutions and taken off those extra holiday lbs and we're ready to emerge renewed and gorgeous! This week SITC gives you a few must have beauty items to get you ready!

We've blogged about Garden Head before so head to Etsy and buy yourself a new floral headband for summer concerts and to get a new spring outlook on life. It's a great way to liven up even the most basic outfit. The best part is they look great on short hair (as seen on company founder Sabreen above) and on long hair for a boho chic look.

Chantecaille Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 is a can't live without product. It gives you coverage, moisture and SPF all in one product and it instantly gives skin both a glow and a perfect complexion. Use every morning under make-up and you'll be wowed with the results.

When Tom Ford launched his lipstick women in the industry swooned for the amazing colors and the chic packaging. Try it for yourself to fall in love with the perfect texture and long lasting color. We love the shades of red for spring because with no other make-up you look fresh and ready for anything.

The long winter months have probably dried out your skin. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of Sunday Riley's JUNO OIL now and start using nightly for "porcelin skin" by spring care of both Patented Native American Botanicals and Labratory Science.



Finally, there is nothing like Chanel polish. Each bottle is an absolute collectors item (and limited editions sell out FAST). We love the blue color above inspired by San Tropez!




It's almost spring!
xo, SITC

Tan Time....

There is something about spring that makes us want to add tan/khaki/mauve etc. to our wardrobe....whether it be a blouse, blazer, maxi skirt or an amazing accessory.

XO,

SITC

Guest Contributors

Stylists in the City is excited to annouce that we are guest contributing to the fabulous Dallas Shaw's blog - Dilly Dallas!

Check it out:

http://dillydallas.blogspot.com/

Layering of Lace

While the last time your may have worn lace was as a childhood Easter dress (thanks mom), try it now as LACE is everywhere this spring!

xo, SITC

Effortless Style Continued...

In January we gave you a few tips to build a wardrobe of must have items in order to create the most sought after quality... effortless style! (the list : striped tee, trench & leather jacket)

This week we're adding another "must buy" to your list. LANVIN FLATS!

Like many wardrobe building staples this week's suggestion is an investment piece, but it will add instant chic in an effortless and comfortable (!) way to your closet.

Classic black will never go out of style and goes with everything. Here Kate Moss adds the flats to variety of outfits from skinny jeans to a black dress.

Printed versions, like the above leopard print, can add easy style to an all black ensemble.

Follow Niki Hilton's lead and pair a bright red pair that can add a little fun to every outfit.

Save up!
xo, SITC

p.s. can't possibly cough up the cash? Grab a pair of Gap's city flats and stick them in your purse for when your heels are too much!

Brights!

With spring right around the corner we're getting excited for one of SPRING / SUMMER 2011's biggest trends - BRIGHTS!

This bright colors were everywhere on the runways. This Jil Sander bag is a perfect brightener to rainy spring days.

Shoes are a great way to test a trend and these Lanvin flats are perfectly colored while being comfortable too!

If the Jil Sander price tag is a bit tough to swallow, try this bright blue Marc by Marc Jacobs hobo style.




Love the trend? Not afraid of color? Go head to toe in Michael Kors. This will a great buy now for all those summer weddings!



Happy Shopping!


xo, SITC

New Lengths

When you think of maxi skirts you probably either think of a) Little House on the Praire or b) The Summer of Love. This spring, however, designers were showing the combo in a fresh new way. Jil Sander specifically showed us how to incorporate 2 of springs freshest ideas 1) neon and 2) maxi lengths. The best part of this trend is it can relate to day wear OR to evening wear with the simple addition of LQ's favorite fashion piece - the white t.