Crush :: Clare Vivier Carryalls

[trip style = any]

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We love Clare Vivier handbags at Trip Styler HQ. I've toted one of her Italian leather bags around the world with me for the past two years, and multiple countries and climates later, it's still taught, structured and fabulous. {...And capable of fitting a water bottle, my MacBook Air, iPhone, pashmina, documents, magazines and a pair of flats into its seemingly exponential space!}

The LA-based purse designer's casual and cultured cases, clutches and carryalls go beyond the typical black and brown leather staples, and invite women {and men} into a kaleidoscope of color year-round with bold hues like melon, charcoal navy and lava pebble.

Her colors are cool and designs dapper, but it's the functionality we adore too. Working in French television, Vivier noticed a lack of functional yet stylish laptop cases, so she took matters into her own hands, and a few years later her bags are worn by Fancophiles and Cali gals from coast to coast. And herein lies our love for the brand, so many of her bags perform double-duty---aka a laptop case doubling as a clutch---an e-s-s-e-n-t-i-a-l for travel fashion.

Our Fave Double-Duty Bags 1/ flat clutch, 11.5" x 7, $143 2/ foldover clutch, 11.5 x 11.5", $156 3/ oversized clutch, 17" x 11.5", $191 4/ grand pochette, 5.75" x 9", $173 *Use each to store a netbook, iPad or laptop by day, and as a clutch by night.

Find Clare Vivier handbags online, at the Vivier and Bentley Store in Silver Lake, CA {a stand-alone store opening up later this month} or in Canada at Holt Renfrew.

[photos sourced online via claire vivier]

Fashionable Flashpacking

[trip style = any]

I resent the idea that flashpacking is associated with hostels, polar fleece and Crocs {which I'm not dissing, except for Crocs---not even at the campsite people!}. Flashpacking's roots rest in backpacking, romanticizing an upmarket version sans the bulky bag, clanging pots and pans, and extras. Just the essentials. The problem is, the word flashpacking doesn't really describe minimalist, tech-focused hostel-hopping---maybe it should be called technopacking?

At Trip Styler, we think flashpacking means packing fast and fashionably. Period. Who has time to plan outfits for hours and stuff 10 dresses, six pairs of pants, 15 tops, seven pairs of shoes, an ionic hairdryer, and the kitchen sink into a bag and THEN pack and repack on a trip? Not me, not you and certainly not yo momma!

Less is more on the road, and less does not equate to zero style, hence the above graphic---just think of the exponential outfit possibilities.

Fashionable Flashacking HOW-TOs - make a list: I like the Kayak app's packing list feature {which I reuse and re-interepret for every trip} - plan your outfits in advance and tackle 'em from head to toe - seek in-season outfit inspiration via your fave fashion blogs, or check our monthly Fashion Friday column - mix basics and patterns so it's easy to hide stains - always keep your travel toiletries stocked and ready to go - edit shoes down to essentials---max five for a carry-on! - use accessories like belts, scarves and jewelry to re-imagine basics

Related Fitting 50 Garments Into A Carry-On Q&A With “How To Pack Like a Rock Star” Author Packing 103 // Packing 102 // Packing 101 Size Matters Travel Essentials for Any Trip Style High Rolling :: To Roll or Lay Flat? A Summer Weekend Packing List The Art of Carry-On Travel Going Away? Packing and To Do List

[Photo by @tripstyler]

Fitting 50 Garments Into 1 Carry-On

[trip style = any]

People often ask me how I fit everything into my carry-on and still look like I've got a wardrobe's worth of clothes. Whether I travel for a weekend or a month, on trip styles ranging from glamping to cold-climate sightseeing, it's ALWAYS with a carry-on.

This Thursday, I'm boarding a flight to Thailand with only a purse and a carry-on suitcase to sustain me for a 12-day trip style = sun + beach + luxe + urban adventure. While sightseeing in Bangkok, beaching it in Hua Hin and exploring Narita, Japan, I'll use packing techniques and outfit trickery to make it seem like I've lugged around a massive suitcase, yet all I'll need will be contained in a 14 x 9 x 22" space.

To give you a sense of how many items can actually fit into a boxy, hollow space, I've documented my Thailand packing process below from outfit chaos to suitcase order. Think about the exponential outfit possibilities with 50+ garments! I dare you to take the plunge and pack less. Less is more on the road. {PS. It's possible on business trips too! My husband brings the same size carry-on with two suits, downtime-wear, etc. for five days on the road.}

Airport wear: blazer, top, jeans, belt, shoes and pashminaPacked: flip flops, sandals, wooden wedges, shorts, pants, long skirt, short skirt, sweater, blazer, 5 dresses, 8 tops, 3 tanks, yoga clothes, 2 bathing suits, belt, scarf, toiletries, costume jewelry {limit 'good stuff' while you travel}, straightener, clutch, fold-flat beach bag, fold-flat hat, sunglasses, magazines/books and tech with plugins

Carry-On Secrets {Outfit Trickery}

• Bring a bag that's nearing the airline's maximum allowable carry-on size.
• Invest in a rolling suitcase that's black, tall and slim with wheels that don't protrude too much {short and wide bags in bright colors are ALWAYS targeted by nitpicky airlines}.
• Bring a purse, murse {man bag} or laptop bag for extra items you'll need in-flight and store this under your seat {people who put double bags in the overhead bin on full flights are cheaters}.
• If you're packing two shirts that are similar, go with one. Edit. Edit. Edit.
• Don't worry about wearing the same garment twice, it's mission critical to carry-on survival and accessories will help distract from--gasp--wearing the same top as yesterday.
• Opt for a higher amount of tops over bottoms.
• Limit bulky jackets and blazers and wear these on the plane to save space in your bag. You can always take them off as soon as you board.
• Pack in general color groups. For example, I haven't brought only blacks and whites, but rather a few color themes that will allow me to mix and match. Beyond this, have a little fun-- for example, my clutch is a subdued leopard print.
• If needed, wash small garments while there {for 2-week+ trips, send garments out to be cleaned or find a laundromat}.

[photos by @tripstyler]

NYC Restau-Style

[trip style = urban]

{Editor's Note: Today is a hybrid of our destination Spotlight{s} and Fashion Friday columns mix-mastered into one! Enjoy.}

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May I take a minute of your time for a New York minute?

I recently wrote an article for the travel section of The Daily Meal {an NYC-based foodie site} about what to pack for food-loving adventures, one of which was restaurant tasting in NYC.

The Trip In late November my sister {Trip Styler's Fashion Friday columnist} and I took a literal bite out of the Big Apple. Not wanting to waste any time during our 3-night/4-day stay, she made a foodie itinerary---based on the army of lifestyle bloggers she follows---that took us to corner bistros and alley-cat restaurants. See my top 3 picks below.

The Garb Trying to fit a restaurant and shopping checklist the size of the Chrysler building into one trip style = extended weekend, we were constantly on the go, meaning many of the fancier get-ups we brought for dinner didn't get worn. Ideally, it's always fun to get dressed up for a night out, but practically, it doesn't always happen that way when you've been out and about ALL day and need nourishment at.that.moment---hence the above day-to-night NYC restaurant'ing packing/style guide. - Women // Start with colored jeans, jean shirt, leather jacket and a Kate Spade messenger bag. End with the same bottoms, plus a black tank and leopard blazer to finish the look. - Men // Start with dark-wash jeans, button-up shirt and blazer. End by adding a pocket square and scarf to finish the look.

The Restaurants 1/ Breakfast // Freemans - Walking down a narrow alley, you reach a tall brick building with a small, nondescript door. Inside, the people and cuisine are the art in the old, canvas-like space. Freemans is an urban tavern experience with food that pulls from American traditions.

2/ Lunch // Cafe Cluny - This petite, cream-colored corner bistro is where conversation and contemplation happen---a place you could just as easily chat with friends or sit solo and read a novel. Servers wear striped Breton shirts, which I'm quite sure makes the French food taste that much better.

3/ Dinner // August - A small and simple interior meant to highlight the Mediterranean meals opens up into a glass-enclosed terrace with glowing lights, overhanging flowers and banquette seating reminiscent of massive church pews. Warning: the restaurant might have to kick you out, because you'll want to stay all night.

*See additional Trip Styler NYC suggestions here: eat, do & stay.

[photos and images via @tripstyler, cafe cluny & august]

A Summer Weekend Packing List

[trip style = weekend + packing light]

It's beach and cabin season!  When the clock strikes five on Friday, will you be ready to pack light and pack right for your flight or car journey out yonder?  With the summer weekend packing list tips and tricks below, you'll become an expert - and fashionable - escape artist.

Reformed Overpacker In my prior life - ok, 2 years ago - I still was a ridiculous overpacker, but last year I took the packing-light plunge on a 6-day trip to San Fran and Napa, and I've never looked back.  In fact, I'm so keen to pare down that I'm attempting to only bring a carry-on for my two-week Eastern Canada trip next month, as well as my four-week Australia jaunt this fall! Back to packing light...let's master it for a summer weekend away, with the help of Lucky Magazine.

Lucky Magazine's Summer Weekend Packing List

Summer Weekend Packing List [not including what you wear enroute]

• Plane-to-Pool Bag: use the same bag for packing & beach/lake tote
• Undergarments
• 1-2 Bathing Suits [check out this season's hottest bathers & accessories on HeatherLovesIt]
• Shoes
  • flip flops
  • cute sandals
• Bottoms
  • shorts
  • pants or a skirt
• Tops
  • tank top
  • t-shirt
  • flowy top
  • sweater-y shirt or cardy
• Dresses
  • day-to-night dress
  • dressier dress
• Accessories
  • belt
  • scarf
  • hat

*for a men's packing list, just eliminate the dresses - or substitute them with kilts :)

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Related Content Go-To Carry-On Toiletries Choosing the Best Type of Carry-On Travel iPhone Apps :: PackingPro The Art of Carry-On Travel Going Away? Packing and To Do List

[photo by the tahoe guy]