Day Look from Closetology

So here’s a short summary of the standouts and the lessons –

Style isn’t buying a pre-made outfit. It is about adding different pieces to create a look or a mood, not just a “set.” The sales assistant having style is wonderful, but you need to create you own fashion identity by blending items from your own closet. Laney showed us this with taking the LBB and changing the look for day or night.

Unexpected pairings can have a big impact. When you stick to the anticpated, there isn’t much interest. Having something a little off balance grabs your attention. We loved the pairing of pearls with the biker-studded clutch on Shoe Slut’s night look.

Night Look from Closetology

Takes some risks. One of Closetology’s standouts was pairing textured cream tights with an open-toed shoe. It goes against the standard “rules” but looks fantastic. Also, she didn’t play it safe when choosing to match the tuxedo blazer with the oxford shoes. An easy option would have been to add a pair of pumps and say “Voila, evening.” She opted to go with the very fashion forward shoe instead and create the evening look through feminine details.

All of the winning looks had something in common: the masculine/feminine balance or the tough/soft balance. Overly feminine seems sugary sweet while too much masculine just seems rough. Today’s best looks strike a balance between the two.

Developing individual style takes time. But creating your own looks will give you confidence to go into your closet even when rushed and come out looking (and feeling) spectacular. Keep Styling!

I do a lot of international traveling for work. I also dedicate a lot of my free time to traveling for pleasure. I pride myself on always looking presentable and blending with the city. Since I often jump on flights at the last minute, I can’t check a suitcase (too risky that it may get lost). So over the years I’ve learned exactly what I need with me and what just takes up space, so here goes:

My rule is that if you will be gone 5 days or fewer, there is no reason that 1 roll aboard and 1 large tote shouldn’t be adequate.

MICHAEL - Michael Kors New Brookville Large Tote

Best jeans (you’ll use these for 2 days, 1 night)
Jacket
Blazer
Carry a large tote – This will be your day bag. Keep your makeup and jewelry in it during the flight.

In the suitcase:

Wrap Knit Sheath Dress - Banana Republic

1. Black dress – This should be good for 2 nights. Black can dress up or down. People over-pack because they pack for “what ifs.” Black covers them. If it’s casual and you wear black, you can dress it down with casual accessories. If it’s more formal and you wear black, you can dress it up with accessories. There is a reason black is called basic.
2. Black skirt – can pair this with sweater, t-shirt, or blouse depending on the situation. Wear once.
3. Jeans – 1 pair, your go-to pair that you always feel good in. Like the black dress, you can dress it up or down with accessories. These are good for 2 days.
4. Leggings and/or tights – 3 pairs. Here’s where you add colors to play off that black dress. They will change the dress so you don’t look like you are wearing the same thing twice.
5. Cashmere sweater – Bring the cashmere not the wool. Temperature forecasts are wrong and cashmere has you covered. Cashmere is warm when you need it, not too hot when you don’t. Also cashmere being thinner than wool takes up less suitcase space. You’ll wear twice.
6. 2 t-shirts – to wear under sweater, to wear alone or with blazer. You may leave those in your bag and never trot them out. But if for some reason your crazy aunt drags you to a bowling alley, you are ready.
7. 2 feminine shirts – these are for evening (wear with jeans or black skirt).
8. Scarf – If you are just wearing jeans and the t-shirt because weather is mild, use the scarf to give you a pop.
9. Evening bag – you might want to skip this, but don’t. It will dress up the jeans if you want to wear them at night.
10. Shoes – 2 pairs of shoes for trip, 1 you wear on airplane, one you pack.
a. Heels – pumps or fantastic boots, but have a great pair with you.

b. Comfortable shoes – duh.

11. Jewelry – lots of it. Jewelry will immediately change whatever you have on. If you have jeans, heels, and a sweater, you look plain. Throw on some jewels and you are ready for the surprise dinner date. I take as many necklaces as days I’ll be gone.

And if I have extra space (even a tiny bit), I’ll jam one more pair of shoes in there for good measure.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’ll be in Paris at the Salon des Vignerons Indépendants. See you next week!

- Sometimes you have to check a bag at the last minute because the overhead bins are full. But if it’s checked at the airplane door, it is very unlikely that your bag won’t make it to your destination.

Rent the Runway is a new company created to bring high end fashion to…your doorstep. Allowing you to actually wear that perfect dress you always admired but immediately pushed from your mind because it was outrageously expensive. Seems like this new business model would be perfect for all of us fashion lovers on a budget.

Herve Leger at BCBG.com

There are a few snags (no pun intended) that one would imagine could occur, i.e. wrong size, late delivery, stains etc., but the ladies of Rent the Runway seem to have it under control even though the task of sharing and actually bringing high end couture fashion to the masses is no easy task.

There will always be the little black dress that you will wear over and over again…. that’s an investment for sure and most definitely some other staples are worth purchasing. But I know very few people that wear cocktail dresses and ball gowns enough to warrant the extreme prices.

It’s as simple as going online and signing up for a membership, reserving your dress, wearing it and looking fantastic and returning it. If you aren’t quite sure what styles, colors or dress would look best on you ask about it on Trend Talk or send a picture via Send The Trend and everyone can give you personalized input to help you look your best!

Sign up for a membership at renttherunway.com