For the Love of Travel...: Traveling SistahDiva Style! Part 1

O'Hare Airport - Chicago

"There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it." - Charles Dudley Warner

I LOVE to travel, every moment of it - from deciding where you're going, to the ride home from the airport. Packing and 'getting there' are their own mini trips, particular adventures.

There's nothing more tiring and annoying than lugging a huge, packed to the gills, heavy suitcase for what seems like 5 miles through an airport. And you always only wear a third of what you packed and still don't have the things you need [oye]! There's nothing more irksome and nerve-racking then sitting in a tiny airplane seat: bored to tears and uncomfortable to boot [sigh].

Over the past 30 years I've traveled in everyway a person can: by plane, train, bus, car, sailboat and motorized yacht. I've traveled in almost every incarnation: child, college student, single, married, married with children, and married with children, an elder, and a dog! And, though it took me several attempts and failures, I've realized that: a) you don't need to bring a lot to look fabulous and be comfortable while traveling; and b) you can have a relaxing diva-luxurious in-flight experience - yes you can!

Mom, me, Coco, Sage, Never & Rory (Pete took the picture)

For the sake of length and detail, I'm dividing this post into several entries - a "Traveling SistaDiva Style" series. You know me, so you know where I'm going to start - what to wear. Believe it or not, how you dress for travel is an essential component to a positive travel experience. You need to wear something that's soft and comfortable; that has layers you can easily add, remove, and stow; wrinkles very little, and looks effortlesslly chic. Just because your schleping halfway across the world doesn't mean that you can't look and feel fantabulous while you're doing it!

Disclaimer #1:

I'm assuming that there are only two people traveling. Family travel is a whole other post.

Disclaimer #2:

I'm assuming that you're traveling somewhere where the temperature low is 40, the high 80. I don't ever go anywhere 'winter-cold' on purpose - I live in the midwest for goodness sake.

Traveling Ensemble:

You should have one outfit that you wear going and coming, but not during your actual trip. As soon as you arrive, go to the laundrymat or send it out if you're staying in a hotel (@$10-$20 - it's worth it), then hang it up and don't touch it 'til the day you leave. You won't have to worry about if you've got enough room in your suitcase. And you'll have a crisp clean gorgeous and comfortable outfit all ready and waiting = no worries ;-)

Your travel outfit should be very simple, neutral colors: black, grey, mauve, sage, khaki (the color not the clothes), brown, creme/tan; with dashes of color (a brilliantly colored scarf, some red lipstick...) - the goal is classic elegance. Travel is a wonderful experience - even if you're going to Canton, Ohio for the weekend. It's about fantasy, romance and adventure - even if you're going to a sales meeting. So why not look and feel like it?

Hankercheif Linen Pj Pants ($80) - Sandmaiden Sleepwear

Circle Wrap w/ Kilt Pin ($75) - Sandmaiden

I know, you're thinking "Pj pants in public?" To that I answer "Oh yes!" Amanda Boyd (Sandmaiden) hand makes these pants to order in a variety of beautiful colors, in several luxurious materials (linen, cotton, and light wool - all organic). She can make them drawstring or foldover top (soft and non-binding - essential comfort while in a tiny airplane seat for 3+ hours). Her cardigans are so decadent I can't find the words. Amanda's clothes are of the highest quality and there's something wonderful about having a few outfits that have literally been handmade for you. Also, they fold up very small - easy to put in your carry-on - and so pretty!

Finespun Slash V-Neck Tee ($25) - J.Crew

Get these in as many colors as you can.

J.Crew's tees are phenomenal. They're roomy enough to hide my baby-belly-paunch, yet fitted and feminine enough so that I don't look like I'm wearing one of Mr. Gorgeous' tees. They come in about a dozen colors (your flash of brilliance) and last forever

I know that a Sandmaiden/J.Crew travel ensemble is not cheap, especially if you buy a set each for fall/winter and spring/summer colors. They're an investment, that you'll wear forever, and are well worth it. Just make sure to use Woolite, the delicate cycle on the washing machine, and the delicate cycle on your dryer (or hang dry).

Still, there are less expensive, slightly lesser quality options:

Beach Linen Pant ($35) - Victoria's Secret

V-Neck Sleep Tee ($18) - Victoria's Secret

Get these in as many colors as you can.

Cotton & Cashmere Cardigan ($40) - Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret has several types of drawstring pants, yoga pants, tees, and cardigans - in several beautiful colors. The downside is that the quality is average and their items don't wear well over time - for travel. Though, if you commit to Woolite, the delicate cycle and hang-dry, you'll get a respectable amount of wear. And Victoria's Secret's clothes and shoes make up a large part of my everyday wardrobe (love their cargo pants).

J.Crew Cashmere Crewneck Tee ($145) @ Amazon.com

J.Crew's Cashmere Crewneck Tees are simply the best on the planet. They literally come in 2 dozen colors (with more colors added steadily); you can wear them alone but they easily fit over a short-sleeved tee and under a cardigan. Yeah, they're costly - they're permenently on my Christmas, Birthday, and Anniversary lists, I've got 20. And NO I didn't pay full price for all of them. J.Crew always has them on sale ($75 to $100) and you can always find them at Ebay for 50%+ off (I regularly get them there for $50). The only downside to Ebay is that you have to constantly keep and eye out and the colors are limited - still they're so worth the extra time and effort to find at a reasonable price. They're gorgeous, soft, and last forever [don't dryclean them - that can be costly, I've found that a 2-3 teaspoons of Woolite, my extra delicate cycle, and hanging them to dry (1-2 hours) works perfectly and is very cheap].

Dansko Clogs, Fall/Winter @ $100 at Amazon.com

Dansko Clog-Sandals, Spring/Summer- @ $100 at Amazon.com

They look great with a pair of socks (in matching colors of course)

Perhaps the most important part of your travel wardrobe is your everyday shoe. You're going to be schlepping through airports (there and back); and walk several miles a day. Leave the impractical shoes at home and go for comfort. Believe me, there's nothing worse than going into hour 2 of your 4 hour walk with sore feet! I bought my first pair of Dansko clogs 15 years ago and just bought my second pair 2 months ago. These amazing shoes easily tread over any and all street surfaces and come in a dizzying array of colors, patterns, and finishes. Don't let the photos fool you, these look fabulous on and are so comfortable.

Sidebar: American travelers PLEASE don't wear gym shoes! Everyone who sees you will laugh at you and talk about you behind your back. They are NEVER stylish - EVER! Dansko clogs come in men's sizes and man-sandals are always cool and timeless. See - manly, comfortable and stylish too.

Still, a gir'ls gotta bring a super diva shoe

Cork Wedge Sandals @ Boston Proper - 4" with a 1" platform

Of course you'll need a dress-up/evening shoe while on your travels. But who wants to walk over cobblestoned streets, gravel, etc. in the dark, eat and drink plenty, then shake their booty on a dance floor in stiletto heels? Ouch! Boston Proper has the perfect diva-high-heeled-travel-shoes. They have a modest but multi-hued array of cork wedge sandals perfect for travel. The secret to diva-comfort is that they're wedges - it's like wearing high-heeled Danskos. Plus the 1" of the 4" is a platform, so you're actually wearing 3". I've tip-toed over cobblestoned Paris streets at 2 in the morning in these, in total comfort, and lived to tell the tale. But these are for Spring/Summer...

Colin Stuart, Platform Bootie ($90) @ Victoria's Secret

For Fall/Winter, got for a high-heeled Oxford or Ankle Bootie. Almost all of mine are Colin Stuart. His shoes are comfortable and gorgeous. But get a stacked heel (sorry, I couldn't find a photo). Victoria's Secret has a huge selection of comfortable, affordable shoes and wedge sandals. Who knew? Now you do.

There are two more essential travel pieces:

Sweater Coat from Etsy.com

Sweater coats are awesome! They're essential - cashmere tees and cardigans easily fit beneath it and they're small enough to fit in an overhead bin. Again, they come in all colors, materials and patterns. I get all of mine on Etsy.com and Ebay - from Boho Chic to Stella McCartney, at all price points. Go take a look, you'll fall in love with them too.

Serenity Wrap ($75-$100) @ Overstock.com

Wraps/Shawls are my most favorite wardrobe item - period. They come in a-gazillion colors, patterns and materials and they are always so chic and elegant - effortless style. They're easy and light to pack (even the winter weight ones). Pair with a cashmere tee and/or a cardigan and you're toasty warm in most cold weather. And they also make great blankets and pillows - when you miss your connecting flight and have to stretch out on a few chairs to nap; they're lifesavers when the weather turns unexpectedly cold (I've also used them as stroller blankets, an emergency diaper changing station, and a Coco pillow - but that's for another post). You can find them everywhere but my favorite, reliably reasonably priced places are: Target, Overstock.com, Smartbargins.com, Ebay.com and Amazon.com. They're a must have - you won't be sorry.

What to Pack (not inc. your travel outfit)

Over the years, I've put together a travel wardrobe - my specific go to pieces whenever/where ever I travel. Of course you'll wear this stuff in your everday/home life. The idea is to not have to scramble or spend a lot of wardrobe money on a specific trip; to be able to grab your suitcase, pack quickly and efficiently and go.

There's enough here to last 1 week to 10 days. The idea is to choose the amount from your 'essential' travel wardrobe; according to the season and the duration of your trip. The trick is to get your pieces in neutral colors that easily mix and match.

* 3 pairs of Pj pants

* 5 v-neck short sleeve tees

*2 cardigans

*3-4 Cashmere Tees

*2 pair capris - NOT shorts (spring/summer:1 Black, 1 Beige)

*1 pair of sandals or ankle boots for evening (spring/summer or fall/winter, as needed)

*1-2 sweater coats

*1-3 wraps (you can never have enough of these)

*Robe & 2 nighties (something sexy girls!)

*2 pairs of jeans (we american girls can't live without them!)

Gap's Sexy Boot Jeans ($60 are the best!).

Wear a dark stained pair for evening (i.e. with a tee & cardigan)

*2-3 maxi dresses (spring/summer)

Tiny Pink Dresses has to most amazing maxi dresses ($40) in a dozen colors, half a dozen patterns, 4 different styles and you can take them to your local cleaners to have a few of them shortened - timeless, effortless, easily packable chic. Pair it with your sandals and a wrap - so fabulous! From a museum tour straight to dinner.

I'm sure that I've forgotten a few things, but my focus is essential travel staples. As for jewelry, keep it simple and inexpensive and make sure to put it all in your carry-on. Besides - you know that while you're wandering around your final destination you'll do a little shopping (okay a lot of shopping). What better memento of your trip than a little bling? Of course a girl should bring a little bling with her wherever, whenever. Might I suggest one of my bracelets paired with earrings?