Travelling Anywhere 9-Midnight Wardrobe

this is a reprise of a post I did in March 2013,

I looked, and decided it was still the same wardrobe I would use today,

or recommend using.

& just last week for our monthly

By Invitation Only post we

talked about the TOP 10 things we would take with us on a cruise.

now, we talking about real life

& if you have time to real all this you will be amazed at how

little you need to be beautifully attired all the time.

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but, just one thing more...an important one thing:
Audrey Friedman 


of "My American French Life" here
is a member of BY INVITATION ONLY and somehow she missed
being linked in with us last week.
she travels often, and has a great post up which we all need to see,
practical & witty.  
please stop in & say hi.

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when I worked in the Fashion Office of  Sak's 5th Avenue we were often asked to
create a travel warbrobe for certain clients, which meant knowing what they already owned
& adding new pieces so they would be completely updated.
 using Polyvore I have pulled together the pieces below which should
suffice for any woman who could be attending any function anywhere. 

once you look through

the pieces I'll explain below why I think they work together,

and why I don't think you need to pack other pieces.

well, if you're attending a ball perhaps you do need a couple of other things :)'s

BLACK & WHITE with RED or TURQUOISE


CLOTHING
1 fabulous blazer/jacket (non wrinkle, lint repelling)
3 tee shirt tops (wash by hand, hang up)
2 dressier tops
1 pair longer shorts like Bermudas
2 pants
1 casual long skirt
1 dressier long skirt
1 cardigan (if you need one)

total  

12 PIECES of apparel
= multitudes of outfits,
the scarves make even basic black look spiffy & fashionable

bunches of underwear, socks if you wear them, hosiery if you wear
(roll all of it, put inside other items)

3 Handbags

huge one for the plane, car, etc.
2 small, black & red

5 SHOES
OK, let's face it...we gotta be comfortable
1 tennies (I love the high tops)
1 sandal
1 flats
1 low-heeled bootie
1 high heels
notice the colors of the shoes, black with red/turquoise/white


2 (or more) long scarves
the long ones can do double duty by tying around your head
on a bad hair day, or draping your shoulders in a cool restaurant,
or just adding spice hanging around your neck, along with your long necklaces
red/black, turquoise/black
1 pashmina (black/white circles)

1 silk flower lapel pin

if you don't want the flower, feel it's too frou-frou,
add a big brooch, or a couple of brooches, to the lapel or top.

seriously, no one is going to think you're over-the-top if they don't know you!
JEWELRY
this is where you can shine.
  jewelry can make any outfit important.

3-4 Bracelets

 cause they are hugely important now

wrap bracelets are such a big rage now, put several one at the same time.
coordinating earrings, of your choice
a couple of necklaces, fashionable ones
1 necklace to wear all the time, a darling, dainty one.

RINGS

truly, I cannot be without jewelry, it makes
the simplest outfit seem important



ENSEMBLES
now, let's see

1. the sequined top, with the long split skirt, blazer, silk flower,
high-heeled booties, fabulous earrings...
go to dinner at the finest restaurant,
even Anna Wintour would approve.

2.  the beautiful tie-front blouse left outside, the other long skirt, or the black dressy pant,
add the striped cardigan or the blazer if you need a bit of cover,
the stripes go with the dots on the pashmina too.

3.  the cardigan & the long sleeved striped tee will look excellent together,
worn with the white Bermudas or a pair of slacks, you're totally happening fashion-wise.
& think how cute you'll be with the black/white ballerina shoes.

4. wear the tie front blouse open over one of the plain tees,
add the long dangling necklaces & you're dressed for whatever comes up,
but yet you're casual too.
the turquoise sandals would work here.

5.  I am a true believer in high-top shoes, I think they rock, they certainly
don't look "old" and they're comfortable.

6.  even if you're travelling with a group you won't be wearing the same thing
every other day. there are enough pieces to mix it up.

7. try to pack everything completely flat, put plastic bags between items
(like those from the dry cleaner)
totally eliminates wrinkling and they weigh nothing.
if you don't have a fold-over bag lay all the clothing out, on top of
a big plastic bag, then layer everything, roll it all up and put into
a duffle or carryon.  believe me, this works and saves so much time later on.

8. use every square inch of empty space to pack small items,
like jewelry inside shoes, etc. + they don't rattle around when packed this way.
I roll up underwear & stuff into shoes, cause I CANNOT skimp on panties.

9. I don't travel with jeans.  ever.
there are so many beautiful things available I don't want to wear jeans.


final word:   the fabulous pashmina 
never go anywhere without one,
if it's in the way, tie it around your bag. 




other women have said it...
don't take too much.
there are no Sherpas.
unless you have a driver who picks you up at each
airport immediately after you retrieve your luggage,
you will be schlepping quite a lot on your own.
I absolutely did not like learning this new fact of life.




the main thing is to have a wonderful time !

now, tell me...what is the ONE item of clothing you always take with you?