Spring & Summer Interview Attire

The weather is heating up and many of us are soon to be graduates with (hopefully) a lot of interviews on the horizon. I have recently been asked about how to dress nicely for interviews with the warmer spring weather. This can be challenging since a classic black pantsuit won't feel so great in hot weather, yet there needs to be a balance between professional attire that keeps you cool and comfortable.

Classic Sheath Dress: 

Classic grey sheath dress & matching jacket
from The Limited Suiting Collection 

• My biggest tip is to swap your winter pantsuit for a tailored sleeveless sheath and coordinating jacket. It’s a very classic and professional alternative that allows for you to remove your jacket until right before the interview, so you’ll stay cooler. The Limited now carries tailored sheath dresses as part of their suiting collection in black, navy, khaki or light grey. Check out this collection at http://www.thelimited.com/womens-clothing/dresses/dresses-sheath-dress. For this time of year, I would suggest the khaki or light grey color. Glamour recommends sticking with a neutral color, unless the company you’re interviewing at is more creative, then it would be appropriate to choose a chic design. The Limited has a few colorblock pattern options in black, brown and coral that are still very professional, but a little more fun than the classic solids. If you want to play it safe and stick with black (which is totally ok), then add a neutral accessory such as a skinny belt. If the position is less corporate, you may want to mix separates, such as a solid sheath dress with a tailored jacket in a brighter color or pattern, suggests fashion writer Nina Myers. Lastly, make sure to wear nylons or nude tights to keep the look modest. 

Crop khaki pants & a black jacket
is both stylish and conservative

If Your Not the Dress Type: 

•  Maybe you're not the dress type and want to stick with tailored pants or a pencil skirt. “A more classic skirt or pants suit paired with a pretty printed silk blouse is also a lovely combination,” states Myers. Go with a sleeveless or short sleeve blouse so you won’t be too hot. Some great spring colors to try are yellow, peach, light blue, mint green and violet. Any of these colors would look great with a khaki or grey suit. Crop or pencil pants are a great alternative to bootcut dress pants and have a slim, tailored silhouette, hitting right at the ankle. These look very sharp with a great pair of pumps.

Colors to Wear (and Not Wear):

• Don’t wear white. Myers says, “White is the least serious color and looks too casual. The lightest you should go is cream.” This is great advice to follow because with color it’s always better to play it safe. I mentioned some great spring colors above and all are pastels or neutrals. Stick with subdued colors for attire and then if you want to add a pop of color you can do so with an accessory piece or shoes.

How to Accessorize: 

Interview jewelry options 

•  Belt: A skinny belt would look great with any classic sheath to create some shape and add contrast. For a grey dress, I would suggest a white or black skinny belt and for khaki, I would do black. However, to stand out Glamour suggests a super skinny belt in a vibrant hue. 
• Shoes: Classic nude pumps are always great, especially if you need to keep it conservative. However, if you want to look a little more stylish, a pair of menswear inspired lace-ups or neutral pumps with interesting details like a trendy wood heel or summery white trim are great options that Glamour recommends. 
• Jewelry: You want to set yourself apart from the competition and jewelry is a good way to do this. Pearls are great for interviews because they’re classy without being too flashy. You want to be simple and not too trendy, so a nice gold, silver or pearl chain works well. For a black, grey or navy suit, wear silver jewelry and for a khaki or brown suit, wear gold. Pearls will work with any color.
• Handbag: A classic, elegant leather handbag in black or tan is the best way to go. Myers says to avoid “it” bags, especially if they’re made of exotic skin or covered in hardware. Your bag should be big enough to carry all of the necessities, such as your portfolio with a copy of your resume, cover letter and any work samples.

Consider this advice and wear what will make you feel most confident. It will all, of course, depend upon the position you are interviewing for. Research the company well to find out their dress policy or ask people who have worked there or somewhere similar. You want your attire to make you look like you’d be a good fit for the company, but it’s also appropriate to look dressier than everyone else if they have a casual dress code. Look serious; look confident and let your outfit enhance your chance of landing the job!

What advice do you have for dressing for a Spring or Summer interview? 

Sources: 
-Nina Myers,  “Summer Career Networking Style: It’s in the Details. http://www.career-line.com/job-search/interview-tips-wear-the-right-clothes-for-summer-interviews/
-http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/dressed/2010/06/what-to-wear-to-a-summer-job-i.html

Tips From a Thrift Shopping Diva

Holly says 60% of her wardrobe is from thrift stores!

“I spent $80 at Goodwill!” Holly proclaims as she rushes through the door with a huge bag of clothing.” Holly has just come back from Spring break and is quick to explain that she is referring to her FIRST Goodwill trip made that week. She made 2 succeeding trips as well as a trip to Salvation Army.

Since we were young, Holly has always been the thrifty one and into her college years she has continued to thrive off thrift store finds. In October, Holly acquired a summer internship with a large consulting firm where the dress code is business professional. Rather than buying a whole new expensive suiting wardrobe, she has found several suits for amazing deals at thrift stores in the area. I’m always in awe of the quality suits Holly finds for ridiculously cheap prices and thought you all would be interested in learning how to find amazing deals, as well! Thrift shopping isn’t easy and there is definitely a lot of digging involved, but Holly has it mastered and I’m excited to bring you advice from my recent interview with her. 

Suit from My Best Friend's Closet for $13

Me: How long have you been thrift shopping and what spawned your interest?

Holly: I started garage sailing with my mom when I was really young. In the summers, Saturday morning garage sailing was our thing and I would find Abercrombie tops and Silver jeans that all my friends were paying full price for! Another thing was that we lived far away from any shopping malls and garage sailing was one of the only shopping experiences I had. When I did have a chance to go to shopping malls and live near them, I realized how expensive everything was and wanted to continue my thrifty shopping. 

Me: What thrift stores do you shop at?

Holly: I shop between the local places and chain stores. Goodwill and Salvation Army are chains you can find everywhere, but local places are great for finding unique items. Here in the Fargo/Moorhead area, I like to shop at the Moorhead Antique Mall (South Moorhead) for unique vintage finds, Clothes Mentor and My Best Friend's Closet for professional clothes and also Goodwill and Salvation Army. 

Pantsuit from Salvation Army for $6

Me: Is there anything in particular you look for when stepping into a thrift store?

Holly: I go in with a completely open mind, which I think is the best thing to do. There are some things that may take you by surprise that can look weird on the hanger, but then look great on. There are many things that have potential, you just have to be willing to put in the time and be open-minded.

Me: What are some amazing items you have found?

Holly: I find full designer suits to Miss Me jeans that are practically unworn. I have also found a vintage fur coat for $8.

Me: What tips do you have for people who may have never tried thrift shopping and don’t know where to start?

Holly: Go into a thrift store and try on anything and everything that looks like it will fit you because things that don't look great on a hanger might look great on you. Don't pay attention to the size on the tag. I'm a size 2, but I've found size 12 suits that fit me. A lot of sizes are unproportional so look at it visually. It takes a lot of time to try on things but it's all about trial and error. It's definitely harder than regular shopping, which can detract people. 

Holly also finds great vintage accessories!

My last question for Holly was if she would still go thrift shopping if she suddenly had 1 million dollars to spend on clothes and she exclaimed excitedly, “Oh, yeah!” I would probably spend the whole million on thrift store clothes!”

What else do you want to know about thrift shopping? Have you found anything amazing at thrift stores?  

Sources:
Holly Sullivan, personal communication (March 25, 2014). 

The Hot Color Trends for Spring

"Colors make us feel a wide spectrum of emotions and convey to us all sorts of messages. Everyone has the desire to communicate when we are moved by a color and want to convey that color and its image to others, or when we want to express thoughts that come to us and emotional nuances," states the book Colorscape, an all around-the-world guide to color.

A couple weeks ago, I informed you on what trends are going to be in for Spring, but wouldn't you like to know what colors are going to be all the rage? After all, color sets a mood and is a huge indicator of what theme a designer is trying to convey. Pantone, a global authority on color, surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and passed on their trend analysis of this season's most prominent hues.

Executive Director of Pantone, Leatrice Eiseman, notes that this year designers took a modern twist on traditional spring colors by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a color equilibrium. "Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom."

The palette above shows pastels and neutrals in the first row and these are common colors we see in nature's background, such as the blue or grey sky, a sandy beach and blossoming flowers.The second row of colors are vibrant hues that will create a balanced look when paired with the pastels. However, all of these colors stand very well on their own in addition to being mixed. Find out more on Eiseman's take on each color and my perspective on how to wear them in a stylish way that could also enhance your mood:

Kendra wears violet tulip colored Ashton
Blouse paired with a paloma blazer
from The Limited

• Placid Blue - When we see placid blue we think of the sky and this color brings tranquillity and calmness. Therefore, it's a background color and could be considered a neutral. It pairs well with any other color on the spectrum. For a day when you're feeling anxious or stressed, wear this color to bring you some peace.
• Violet Tulip - This is a vintage color with a wistful feel that can also evoke romance. It can be combined with other colors or stand alone. This color makes for a beautiful blouse, as you can see Kendra modeling on the right. She is wearing an Ashton Blouse from The Limited and they come in many other colors at http://www.thelimited.com/womens-clothing/blouse-shirts. 
• Hemlock Green - This minty green color makes a beautiful background color and can be used as a neutral. Eiseman describes it as evoking a sense of foliage and that it is an ornamental green and works well as an accent to other colors. Therefore, it would look great in accessory items or choose a cardigan in this color. I have a cardigan in this color from last Spring and it can be worn over practically any of my other spring and summer outfits. 
• Paloma - Interesting name, huh? Paloma is another word for dove and is a soft, neutral color that would make a great base for any outfit. Wear this color to feel comfortable yet confident. It makes a great suiting color as you can see in the photo above.
• Sand - This color is exactly what it sounds like with Eiseman using the words, "toasty, beach and carefree" to illustrate it. This is a great color to combine with a mix of colors to create balance. Pair a sand colored belt and/or shoes with a floral or print dress. 
• Freesia - This color is floral inspired and the spot of sunshine within the palette. This color is great by itself but can also be used to enhance a neutral or pastel based outfit. 
• Cayenne - This color evokes a "high pitched, spicy energy" and is great to "bounce off neutrals and light tones," says Eiseman. Make a fiery statement with a pair of cayenne pants or to really go bold, wear a spring jacket in this color. 
• Celosia Orange - This color is lovely, spontaneous and optimistic. Its fun, yet adds a bit of sophistication. Eiseman suggests pairing this color with violet tulip for a captivating look, like that of the setting summer sun. If you don't want to go too bold, get a piece of jewelry in this color, it will brighten any outfit. 
• Radiant Orchid - This purple is a bold counterpart to its violet tulip and according to Eiseman stands great alone because there is a certain sense of drama attached to it. This would be a beautiful color for a dress, skirt or skinny jeans. You can have fun with this color without being afraid to stand out too much because it's not quite as vivid as a red or orange. 
• Dazzling Blue - This blue has a little sparkle to it and is the polar opposite of placid blue because it conveys excitement, whereas placid blue conveys quietness. This electric blue looks great on shorts and would be an appealing swimsuit color.

I hope this color trend information gives you some inspiration when deciding on Spring attire to wear. Of course, don't think you have to follow these color trends exactly. Be yourself and wear the colors that make you feel your best. I do encourage you to go out of your comfort zone and try a color you may say doesn't look good on you, because I bet you actually look fabulous.

"Color is essentially a personal matter and changes with place and over time. This makes it all the more important for us, who will carry our conceptions of color in the future, to try and become more sensitive to the voices of a wider range of colors," Kuno states in Colorscape.

Sources:

-Naomi Kuno and Forms Inc./Color Intelligence Institute. (1999). Colorscape.
-http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?pid=3&season=spring&year=2014

Get the Right Stylish Workout Clothes

Have you ever arrived at the gym to realize your workout attire is so not making you want to run 3 miles or go to that class full of people? Maybe you realized you wore a cotton shirt that's going to show a lot of sweat, your worried you're butt looks weird in the tight spandex, or worse- you have pantsgate (yeah I didn't know what it was either..read on to find out)? Whatever it is, you should go to the gym in an outfit that is going to get you pumped, excited and feeling cute! With all the exercise attire out there, it should be easy to have a whole wardrobe full of workout wear. However, if you're like me you've realized nice workout clothing can be pricey and you want to make sure you're getting the best attire for your body that will enhance your workout, not hinder it. 

Molly just about to teach a cycling class wearing
Victoria's Secret Sport workout attire

To obtain a better understanding of the importance of getting the right workout wear, I interviewed Molly Keading, a Group Fitness Instructor at the YMCA and Core Fitness in Fargo, ND. Molly is graduating in May with a degree in Exercise Science with a Coaching minor and plans on working as a Personal Trainer. She always has the cutest workout clothes and along with her advice and further research, I have addressed some important factors to help you find the right workout attire! 

Where to Shop
Molly gets her workout apparel from a variety of stores, however, she's very particular about where she gets what. "I go to all different places. For buttons, I like Lululemon because they have tight compression pants which I need." For sports bra's and tops, she suggests Victorias Secret Sport, "all of their athletic clothes are really nice," she notes. I agree with Molly that Victoria's Secret has really nice workout clothes and they are also very stylish! She also likes Under Amour tank tops and Target sports bras. "Forever 21 has some workout clothes too, but I haven't tried there's because they may not be the best quality," said Molly. However, I have a pair of workout leggings from Forever 21 and they have worked well for me so far. If you're on a budget and looking for a variety of cute options, Forever 21 and Target might be the places for you. However, if you're willing to spend a little more for quality, then Victoria's Secret and Lululemon are great options. All these places offer many styles and colors, and I suggest mixing and matching for fun, sporty looks! 

Get the Right Material 
When I asked Molly what features she looks for in workout clothes, she immediately replied, "the material, I always feel it... they need to have stretch but also be tight." If you know you're going to sweat a lot during a workout, it's important to choose breathable, synthetic fabrics that wick the sweat from your skin. Rodriguez says the best fabrics for this contain polypropylene, such as COOLMAX® and SUPPLEX® because, "they allow the sweat to be evaporated from the skin but do not soak clothing and leave you feeling sweaty and uncomfortable." Cotton, on the other hand, does not evaporate sweat from the skin and can soak clothing, making you feel icky after a workout. Another thing to look for in material is the thickness. When my boyfriend mentioned he could see through my Champion brand (from Target) workout pants at the gym one day, I freaked and haven't worn them since. However, I discovered other women have been unknowing victims of this occurrence, called pantsgate, too. In addition be being see-through, too thin of fabrics will not provide good support or be long lasting. To ensure the fabric is thick enough, do a check by bending over in the fitting room and making sure you're completely covered, it's definitely not worth risking the embarrassment. 

The Right Attire for Your Activity 
According to American Fitness Couture, "The first factor to consider when choosing workout clothes is the type of exercise you’ll be doing." Along with that, Rodriguez emphasizes that your clothing shouldn't get into the way of your activity. You wouldn't want to wear wide-leg pants for running or biking in case they got tangled in the pedals or your feet. For pilates or yoga, comfortable crops or pants with some spandex for easy stretching usually work best. Along with activity type, your body type should also factor in. Molly suggests long pants for cardio if you are more bottom-heavy so you won't experience rashing. However, shorts work well for weight-training. In addition, she advises tank tops for doing cardio to stay cool and tighter fit tops for weight-training. 

It all Starts with Your Feet

Molly likes to wear Nike shoes when teaching classes

"Shoes are the most important thing for a workout," states Molly. Molly likes Brooks for running and Nikes for teaching classes. Therefore, brand of shoe should also factor into your activity as running shoes offer support in different areas than basketball or cross-training shoes. Since the type of athletic shoe you choose can make a significant difference in your workout performance, do your research on what's out there for your specific needs. Molly realizes workout shoes can be expensive but notes, "No matter what you do you have to use your feet and you need good support or else you'll get injured...It's worth the cost for a good pair of shoes." 



What brand and type of workout clothes do you prefer? 


Sources: 
-Diana Rodriguez. (2009). http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/choosing-workout-clothes.aspx
-http://americanfitnesscouture.com/how-to-choose-the-best-fitness-fabric-for-workout-clothing/
-Molly Keading, personal communication (March 18, 2014). 

How to Amp Up Your Guy's Style

My stylish boyfriend wearing an outfit from Forever 21 Men.
 I bought him the wool peacoat for Christmas!

Ok girls, here is the blog post you have been waiting for! First of all, you DON'T need to have boyfriend to read this. This information can apply to any guy you know- from a guy friend to your brother or even your dad! I know the last might sound silly, but I love giving my dad fashion advice and he is always happy to take it. In fact, there have been times when I helped my dad choose all his outfits for an important work trip. That being said, if there is any guy in your life you can think of who needs a little help in the style department this is a MUST READ. Plus, from my experience the best part about giving guys fashion advice is that they always take it! Girls, on the other hand, not always so much. So, use your powers and get him to start amping up his attire!

Ok, let's get started...

• How to Approach Him: First of all, you don't want to dis your guy's style, but you will need a way to nudge him into realizing he could use a little help to enhance his wardrobe and personal style. 
• Make him realize the importance of dressing well: Zias states, "Unless your boyfriend has a very particular style, chances are, he just doesn’t care or know any better." Let him know that you he could really improve his confidence and attitude with a more polished appearance. 
• Go shopping together: This is a great way to help him! Suggest a shopping trip to get something he's been needing, such as dress pants (all guys need a great pair). Turn the shopping trip into a search for other things he could use. You've already gotten him out the door, so take advantage of this shopping time. 
• Buy clothes for him you'll both love: This is the perfect way to get a guy to dress how you want. I started off buying my boyfriend clothes within our first year dating and he now has a well established wardrobe and great style. Look at his closet and think about what he needs. Maybe it's a nice pair of black jeans, woven dress shirts, basic cotton tees or a good pair of shoes. Clothes he can use and get excited about make perfect birthday and Christmas gifts. 

Great men's outfit ideas

• Fit is Key: This is probably the most significant tip and should be highly stressed to him. Make sure his clothes fit. It should seem simple, but a lot of guys wear clothes that are too big for them, which then makes them look sloppy and not put together. Guys dress for comfort, which is totally ok, but that means he may gear towards baggier clothing. However, assure him he can find clothes that are still comfortable, yet stylish and well-fitted. When shopping, have him try a variety of sizes and show you all of them. Pants should slightly skim the floor without shoes on if bootcut and hit just past the ankle on slim fit or skinnies. Have him cuff the bottoms if wearing lace ups or boots for a more stylish look.

• Accessorize the Right Way: Like.com advices that shoes and belt should match if made of leather. Black with black, brown with brown. However, if you're working with grey or khaki colored accessories, it would work best to match grey with black and khaki with brown. This will give more balance to the outfit and add a touch of uniqueness. 

• Cardigans and Sweaters Over Hoodies and... Plain Tees Over Screens: Replacing a sweatshirt for a button-up cardigan can do wonders for a guy. Button-up cardigans say, "put-together," whereas sweatshirts say, "don't care." Assure him he can still wear that comfortable t-shirt underneath. V-necks or scoop neck tee's in solid colors are excellent. If he's still wearing sports team or screen print t-shirts of any kind on a daily basis you need to put an end to this! In addition to cardigans, well fit sweaters can really class a guy up. Like.com advices getting one in cashmere or soft wool in a basic color like navy or grey to start. 

• Crisp Cotton White Button-Up Shirt: This is a staple item and will give any ensemble a clean and polished look. For a casual look, he can tuck it into jeans and for a night out, a pair of black pants or trousers. A simple, easy to pair with essential. Need I say more?

• Shoes Make the Man: Make sure he's putting his best foot forward with a great pair of shoes. Have him kick off that pair of sneakers, skateboard shoes or whatever athletic style shoe your guy's into for a great pair of dress oxfords or really any nice lace ups. "If you choose a pair of shoes made with real leather, sturdy stitching and solid soles, they will outlast almost all other items in your closet. You’ll be able to have them repaired over time at a fraction of the original purchase price, so spend as much as you reasonably can for a pair of shoes," says Lubarski at Askmen.com. However, shoes don't have to cost a fortune and a lot of times you can find great styles on sale. Check out DSW's selection: http://www.dsw.com/mens-shoes/collection/oxfords+.and.+lace-ups/dsw12cat1970002/page-1/

And lastly! 

• Compliment Him: "When your guy finally makes the move and wears something you picked out you need to encourage, encourage and encourage!" states Zias. If you want his great looks to be repeated, comment on the outfits that catch your eye. Guys love compliments on their style, and he'll be even more encouraged to maintain that great look. 

Give your guy time to let his style develop. "Good style doesn't occur overnight. A new wardrobe may take time to build and grow accustomed to," says Likes.com. Lucky for me, my boyfriend has great style. However, I believe I have had an impact on that over the last 5 years we have been together. Being a positive influence on his wardrobe can help a lot! So, go out there and get your boyfriend, friend, brother or dad to start classing up his dress and help him out along the way! 
Final thoughts: "It’s not that you love your boyfriend any less because of how he dresses, or that he’s less of a person in your eyes, but sometimes guys just need a little help to reach their full fashion potential," states Zias. 

How have you improved your guy's style? Any other suggestions to add to this list? 


Sources: 
https://likes.com/shopping/how-to-improve-your-boyfriends-style
http://thoughtcatalog.com/kristina-zias/2014/01/5-ways-to-get-your-boyfriend-to-dress-better/
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_400/442b_shoes-make-the-man.html

S/S 14 Fashion Trends: What's in For Spring?

As the weather warms up, I'm sure we're all getting excited to toss some of our winter layers aside and enjoy a season of crops, shorts, skirts, t-shirts and dresses. However, are you wondering what is "in" for Spring? Lucky for you, I am going to inform you on how to rock the Spring trends while showcasing your own unique style!

Here are the 3 key trends for Spring according to the world's trend forecaster, WGSN, and my commentary on how to wear them:

Modern Romance~

This trend encompasses soft pastels in shades of seafoam, lemon, blush and dusted blue with pleating, frills, ruffles and peplums reinforcing the romantic mood. Key items include fitted and flare dresses, circle and flare skirts, cropped knits, luxe sweatshirts, button-down shirts and soft shorts.

There are several ways you can wear this trend. Think soft, feminine and girly and go with what you already have in your closet. Pair a pastel cardigan over a cute dress or a lace peplum top with soft fabric shorts. Add on accessories with lace, bows, ribbon or other girly details to a comfy heather grey sweater or button-down denim shirt. For a more edgy look, add girly touches to a biker jacket or skater skirt.

Monochrome Simplicity~

This trend is all about simple, streamlined and boxy silhouettes with 1990s inspired key items being crop tops, wrap skirts, harem pants and waterfall-front jackets. Color blocking in black and white is a huge aspect of this trend.

Show off your classy, urban side with a pair of black skinny pants with a crop top or crop jacket in either black or white. Or, throw on a color blocked shift dress or comfortable harem pants. This look is great to feature in career wear, as it emphasizes basic tailoring and modern elegance. A simple fitted black blazer and skinny leg trousers with red pumps and you will look fiercely professional yet trendy at your lunch meeting.

90s Grunge~

Whoever thinks grunge is strictly for the homeless, doesn't know fashion. This trend is about layering jersey tees and denim. The commercial checked shirt is a key item, along with denim shorts and maxi skirts. Long, loose silhouettes are also in and popular prints and colors include florals, recolored animal skins, black, white, grey, blue and forest green.

This trend can be worn through either skate-inspired styling or grunge and biker styling. If you're more into the skater look, go for plaid and checkered button- downs paired with denim. T-shirts with text or floral patterns will look great with light wash denim jeans cuffed at the bottom along with black bootie heels or converse. To show off your edgy side, go for a long black maxi skirt paired with a sheer green blouse or throw on that badass biker jacket you've wanted to bust out.

Which trend are you going to try? 

Sources:

WGSN: Fashion Trend Forecast

S/S 14 IT Group womenswear: trend analysis, By Erica Ng, 05 March 2014, 

http://www.wgsn.com.proxy.library.ndsu.edu/content/report/Buying_and_Sourcing/Retail_Collection_Review/Spring_Summer_2014/ss14_hk_it_womens.html

Womenswear: S/S 14 spring deliveries, By Clare Scullion, 11 March 2014, http://www.wgsn.com.proxy.library.ndsu.edu/content/report/Whats_in_Store/Analysis_by_delivery/2014/February/womenswear--s-s-14-spring-deliveries.html

How to Live Out of a Suitcase in Style

I think we've all struggled with having to live out of a suitcase for some period of our lives. Whether it is a week away at grandma's, a family vacation, study abroad, or Spring Break visiting your boyfriend in Montana. The last is my current situation and I always find it frustrating, yet liberating to live with a small portion of my belongings. We may think we have to sacrifice style when on the road, but I refuse to find this the case and have 5 solutions on how to remain true to your style while away from your beloved closet.

1. Pack pieces that make you feel happy, relaxed and "you." This will simply improve your overall time away, which I think we most all can agree is exhilarating and beneficial for our mental health. Travel blogger, Gigi's goal is, "to feel beautiful, sexy, and confident while on the road. Which means packing things that make me feel good." Therefore, it is important to love each item you pack. I aim to treasure each and every article of clothing I take along, because I know it will make me feel happy and comfortable. Comfortable can still be stylish. Go ahead and pack lounge clothes, but aim for black leggings and long cardigans over sweats. You'll feel more confident yet cozy cute.

2. Pack layers so you're ready for all weather types. Sometimes we can't rely on the weather forecast, especially if you're traveling in areas that have inconsistent conditions. For this reason, you'll maximize space by packing layers so you can strip down in sunny conditions and bundle up in the snow. Travel writer Caroline says, "How can you really pack a parka and a dress for the same trip? If you learn how to layer what you already have, you won’t have to pack nearly as much."                             

3. Stick with a few key accessories and jewelry items that will coordinate with most outfits. Between silver, gold, and bronze, what will match your ensembles best? Go with the metal that is going to match your coloring as well as clothing choices best, which in my case is gold. Or in Gigi's case, pack one of each so you're ready for all occasions. Either way, this should limit your jewelry to just a few items. Pick a neutral colored purse so that it will coordinate will all your ensembles. If you're traveling in winter, pack 3 scarfs, any more and they can add a lot of space, especially if made from bulky fabrics. Go for a neutral or black one, a colorful printed one and a solid one in a current seasonal color. 

4. Don't pack more than 3 pairs of shoes. You should only need two to three pairs of shoes depending on where you're going. If it's an arctic wonderland, stick with 2 pairs of boots, heeled and flat. If you're headed to Cancun-like weather, go with a pair of beach sandals, going out heels, and comfy flats for shopping. Glamour editors suggest taking versatile shoes. Therefore, take cute sandals that could triple in use as beachwear, afternoon souvenir shopping and beach club dancing.  

5. Try to stick to one suitcase. Trust me, one large suitcase is better than two smaller ones. Think about when you're rolling your suitcase across the airport; having to keep an eye on one big item makes more sense. 

For more tips on packing check out Travel Fashion Girl's different packing lists according to your travel situation at http://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/. Enjoy your travels and be stylin on the go! 

Sources:

http://gigigriffis.com/how-to-stay-stylish-while-living-out-of-a-bag-part-i/
http://herpackinglist.com/2012/08/staying-stylish-while-traveling/

http://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/