Fash-Packing :: The Sarong

[trip style = beach]

Trip Styler Beach Tip :: Don't forget to pack a sarong!

Sarongs; the beach vacation staple that comes in and out of fashion, most recently peaking in the '90s {<---David Beckam in a sarong} and early '00s. At the time, I had about 10. After years of closet cleanouts, two remain.

Long forgotten in the shadow of resort wear cover-ups, the sarong sailed away to fashion oblivion while every designer {and their dog} came out with vacation collections, spotlighting the cover-up as the star attraction.

However, I was just gifted with a wrap at the Lava Lava Beach Club  {all guests get their own personal sarongs to keep} during my recent trip to Hawaii, and I reconnected with the sarong side of life! Sure, I brought a pirate's bounty of fancy cover-ups---the kind that are so nice I'd only wear them BEFORE {not after} slathering my skin with sunscreen---however, Hawaii's beach-is-life culture called for a more casual get-up: flip flops, a bathing suit and a sarong (worn in a gazillion configurations, of course; see below). From sunrise to starlight, it was all I needed.

The sarong is to beach life what the pashmina is to travel: a must. Best part of all is it's easily washable and dries in less than 30 mins.

In case you're out of sarong practice---I know I was---they can be used as a: - dress or skirt - bathing suit cover-up - makeshift beach towel - scarf if the wind picks up

Find more Fash-Packing tips here, or check out our regular Fashion Friday column here.

[photos, in order of appearance, via: style passport, @tripstyler and style passport]

Fash-Packing :: THE Winter-to-Spring T-Shirt

[trip style = any]

"The right tee can make every outfit cooler and every trend more manageable." - Emily Current & Meritt Elliott // via the perfect t-shirt tutorial on WhoWhatWear

I have a t-shirt crush. Why is this topic Trip Styler-y? Because this tee has somehow transcended my trip styles making it into my suitcase on every trip {read: 6} I've taken since January 1st. For this tried and tested reason, I thought you might be interested in the versatile tee. Sporting an on-trend tulip silhouette, the design, flowy jersey and loose fit take it from plane to pool, and hotel room to restaurant.

One Shirt 10 Ways Because I'm all for packing pieces with punch (read: that double or triple my travel wardrobe), here's a few of the ways I've been wearing it: - with skinny jeans, ripped jeans, patterned jeans or waxy jeans - with a fitted leather skirt, or short flowy skirt - tucked in, or half-tucked in the front (left out at the back) - under a demi-blazer or a motorcycle-style leather jacket - as a pool cover-up For examples of all these styles, visit Trip Styler's travel style board on Pinterest or see Travel Staple: The White Shirt.

Find It The Wilfred Capucine T-Shirt is available at Aritzia for $50.

PS - If you're really into double duty travel wear, check out these reversible camo/green jeans I just got from Target.

Want more travel style? See our regular Fashion Friday column.

[graphic by @tripstyler, shirt shots via aritzia]

Fash-Packing :: Suitcase Style

[trip style = any]

Sometimes you find a trusty travel companion that "moves like Jagger." I give you the EO Travel Collection by Incase.

Right before I left for Dubai in December, I was gifted this techie-stylish suitcase set I'd been eyeing to test on the road. Based on my research, I was 99% sure I was going to love it---and you would too---but I had to use it {on multiple flight segments from the West Coast to the Middle East} to believe it.

After transporting the luggage set between YVR, SEA, DXB, PSP and LAX, I'm all in, and give it Trip Styler approval. Why? See the details below, but the long and short of it is the bags are at once functional and stylish, speaking to the tech-savvy traveler---perhaps a computer programmer by day and a fashion blogger by night? Note, there are VERY FEW suitcases that turn my propeller, so here's why the EO Travel Collection is sending me to cloud nine:

Fashion The set's coal-black palette is sleek, while the splashes of neon green amp the carry-ons' X-factor without being showy. My fave bag is the hardshell roller {20.7" × 13.8" × 8.7", from $299.95} integrating a hint of black patent {technically it's a durable polycarbonate masquerading as patent}; think business meets pleasure. Transcending the humdrum carry-on, the EO travel rollers take an understated approach to differentiating themselves and maintain my theory that darker-hued carry-ons are much less apt to be weighed and measured by airline employees because they stand out less than a bright red rolley.

Function The usability of the rolling carry-ons, specifically the hardshell, takes me higher. The features I like are: a/ the faux fur-lined tech pocket for a laptop and iPad {with slips for cameras and cords} that zips open flat on the security belt so you don't have to remove all your digi-paraphernalia (!). b/ the internal compartments. For those who crave organization, the interior has multiple layers and compartments so everything has a place, like a closet. c/ the expandability---to the tune of 35%. In my opinion, if you're going to be a carry-on traveler {with a tendency toward shopping, like moi}, having expandability is a MUST. In fact, I'd never travel with a carry-on without room to grow.

Video {Can't see the video? Click here.}

PS - most of the carry-on suitcases in the set say they are suited for three days of travel. I beg to differ. If your trip style is singular {vs a combo}, and you're carry-on obsessed like me, you can use these bags for up to two weeks {see How To Fit 50 Garments Into One Carry-On}. 

[For fashion and function I LOVE the hardshell roller, just take good care of the front end's polycarbonate finish, as it can get ever so slightly scuffed after multiple uses---baby it like you would your black patent shoes and you'll be fine. If you want something that can stand up to multiple bumps and bruises over a five-year period, and maintain its brand new look, consider the roller with a triple-coated weather-resistant front panel.]

[photos by @goincase and @tripstyler]

Fash-Packing: 5 Rules For Polished Packing

[trip style = any]

When my mind isn't massaging words or longing after Laos, I escape into the world of fashion blogs, and often think "this post is PERFECT packing inspiration for jetsetters." Recently NET-A-PORTER published a five-page spread of fall/winter, trip style = urban rules for casual yet crisp outfit mastery. Many of the principles are applicable to both gals and guys.

Migrating between my closet and suitcase at least every two weeks, I abide by packing lists and fashion rules---infused by such reading---based on seasons, classics and trends; so, when I find sage advice, I feel I MUST share it. From NET-A-PORTER to Trip Styler to you:

1/ add a hint of color 2/ go monochrome {ps - white pants are OK for winter} 3/ day-to-soiree - mix skinnies with a dapper blazer and fancy shoes 4/ play with proportion - tight pants call for a loose top 5/ think ’70s

More Fash-Packing Dos and Don'ts of Airport Wear {Airport} Runway Style Travel Staple :: The White Shirt NOT Packing For An Overnight-cation Celeb Travel Must-Haves

[photos and fashion fix via NET-A-PORTER]

The $2 Beach Bag

[trip style = sun + beach + all-inclusive + cruise]

Bagging the right beach bag is key to traveling light and in style. It took me over a year to find the perfect one: my fold-flat navy and white striped Baggu, but recently I found a close second that rung up as $2 at the till.

I didn't mean to be disloyal to my tried-and-tested Baggu, but in a moment of last-minute packing desperation {at 11pm before a 3.45am wake-up for a recent flight to Maui}, the cute, already-in-my-purse and virtually weightless $2 bag shown above and below won. It helps that it matches my favoured beach cover-up. After highly successful debut in Maui, the $2 bag came with me to Puerto Vallarta last weekend as well.

Will I give up my trusty Baggu for the cheap and weightless thrill that is my newest travel obsession? Not a chance, but when space is limited and cutting down on even the slightest bulk is helpful, the cheapie bag will be my travel BFF.

Buying A $2 Beach Bag I purchased my bag{s} at Daiso, the two-storey Japanese you-didn't-know-you-even-needed-that store that sells everything from water dumbbells to fako iPhone cords to collapsible dog bowls. Located in Richmond, BC {near the Vancouver Airport}, plan to spend an afternoon because 10 minutes won't cut it. You have to uncover its weird and wonderful wares in hefty time chunks, and while you're at it, grab a bubble tea. {I wish this pic showed more of the bags, but there were some cool prints. I got the upper and mid left red and blue bags. No Daiso or like stores in your area? A) you'll have to visit Vancouver, or B) bag a bag online.

Mah-jor Disclaimer Though the bags are lightweight and have the general-ish shape {NOT PATTERN} of a grocery tote, I'm not suggesting you interpret my advice as "I'm just going to bring my President's Choice or Trader Joe's grocery sack on vacation." No grocery bags allowed for travel!!! Finding the right beach/plane-to-pool bag takes time, so I'm just giving you a variety of options and ideas along the way.

Related How To Bag A Beach Bag Fashion Friday :: Life's A Beach

[photos by @tripstyler]