10 tips for traveling in style

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http://womencentral.msn.com/beautyst.../aj_travel.asp


Avoid the tourist trap
10 tips for traveling in style

By Anna Johnson

I have a girlfriend who is perpetually packed. Her closet contains three get-away kits: one for Europe, one for the Caribbean and one (more realistically) for the Hamptons. Color coordinated and gorgeously accessorized, her capsule wardrobes are made possible by two factors -- a chopstick slim figure that never bloats and obsessively costly shopping rituals that keep her constantly stocked.

For the rest of humanity going on holiday means a frenzied trip to Gap for knickers and chinos and weird feelings at the airport when we wind up looking more like an extra from “National Lampoon’s Vacation” than Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday."

Why is so difficult to get the travel look right? Panic makes us overpack, dragging leather jackets and strange boots to the tropics. Nerves make us underpack, thinking we’ll shop when we get there. I arrived in Italy this year with exactly that rationale only to be greeted by boutiques full of cheesecloth peasant blouses and form- fitting, acid-wash jeans. Disillusioned, I wore the same black slip dress for 10 days. Forced to improvise, I adapted the look with small inexpensive touches of glamour. A set of earrings here, a crocheted shawl there led me to the magic mix: a dress that let me eat all night and walk for miles through museums teamed with accessories that didn’t scream TOURIST.

Getting your chic together for travel is about basic pieces that cover your butt (literally) and esoteric touches that heighten your sense of adventure. Know this and you can pack for Kansas City or Katmandu in no time.

1. Know thy gut
The body bloats during air travel so dressing loose for flight is best. Avoid panty hose, heels and tight jeans. Indulge in a cashmere tracksuit but whip them off before touchdown. Only Britney wears VIP sweats. Expect an imperfect line upon arrival. Fake tan, fresh tank tops, loose skirts, strappy kitten heels all help de-frump your jet lag look.

2. Avoid tourist traps
Running shoes, JP Tod car shoes, Teva sandals and white shoes of any kind scream “affluent American.” If you want to blend in a bit more try Ballet flats, Moroccan slipper espadrilles (worn at least 10 times), vintage cowboy boots or elegant sandals.

Sportswear, pastel colors and glaring amounts of white and khaki only look good in catalogue pages, in natural light they make a woman look like she has "lost her group". Experiment with pale colors in sheer textures, a well-worn man’s shirt or a white dress for evening instead of day. That’s when the tan kicks in anyhow.

3. Don’t theme dress
Striped gondolier shirts in Venice, a Hawaiian shirt in Waikiki, corn row beaded plaits ala Bo Derek in Bali, a beige trench and black turtleneck in Paris, France. Oh la la!

4. Head out carefully
The last-minute purchase of headgear in an airport lounge or brassy café will often result in the wearing of a baseball cap, golf hat or strangely stiff straw sun bonnet. If you don’t play ball or go to church in Georgia, stop right there. Sunscreen will do fine.

5. Dress up
You never know when you might get bumped up to business class so wear something nice as well as comfortable on the plane. A pashmina wrap covers a multitude of sins and large sunglasses are divine rescue upon arrival.

6. Stretch to fit
A Diane Von Furstenburg wrap-dress lets you really ciao down in Italy. Linen palazzo pants permit PMS in Prague. Think about the nastiest thing your body can do and pack accordingly. Long French fashion essentials

7. Pack the black
All black is a miserable travel idea. But three black pieces: pants, a cardigan and a dress are smart moves. From here you can add costume jewels, neat little scarves, exotic bangles or something hopelessly trendy (D&G denim) and still feel like yourself.

8. Fix your hair
You wear a scrunchy all year running after the kids and slaving over the domestic rut but your hair needs a vacation too! Skip the museums for a morning and seek out a stylish salon. I deviated into highlights and a poker straight Donatella Versace blow-out in Florence and got better tables, longer glances and sweeter cocktails.

9. Shed your skin
Travel can be the impetus for radical change -- giving you the courage to part with clothes or style habits that have become a shroud over your natural grace. Empty your suitcase and try reducing its contents halfway through your journey. Ask yourself what is personal style and what is just a security blanket from home.

10. Split your personality
If you are on an adventure holiday, a long backpacking journey or even an archaeological dig, there is always room for some element of fantasy. Pack practical for day, but allow some indulgence for night: a flacon of perfume, a backless dress, some skinny heels, a beaded choker and earrings. Adventure is not always found in hiking boots.