Light packing tips for a functional and stylish travel wardrobe

Whether you're looking to pack light for the sheer ease of it or packing light to shop your way through a trip, you don't want to start your vacation with a heavy luggage full of clothes and shoes. Packing for a multi-country vacation with varying temperatures can be tough, but all you need are a few key layering pieces to make it through.

Travelling through Paris, Rome, and Barcelona in two weeks, I was bracing for rain, chilliness, heat, and general touring around. Here are key items that I packed in my medium-sized suitcase (with room to spare):

1. Outerwear: Leather jacket, blazer
A leather jacket is always great because it keeps you dry, warm, and trendy. but for those days where it was warmer or I wanted to be dressier, a boyfriend blazer goes with anything and acts as a great layering piece under or over other items.

2. Shoes: Ankle boots, canvas sneakers
Ankle boots are really the best because they can be worn in rain, dressed down, and dressed up. Touring around with soggy feet isn't fun for anyone. And there's really no question that you'll be doing a lot of walking, so be prepared for it. I packed a pair of lightweight canvas sneakers that easily fit into my luggage and don't bog me down while I walk.

3. Bottoms: Jeans, tights/leggings, skirt
I opted for boyfriend jeans because I wanted to eat my way through Europe with maximum comfort. I also packed a pair of dark jeans for a more polished casual look. Leggings also allow for comfort while touring around and go great with a tunic and those ankle boots mentioned above. Also, have a skirt on hand in case you want to go extra dressy or if you run into an unseasonably warm day.

4. Tops: Lightweight sweater, heavy sweater, t-shirt, blouse
Bearing in mind that I was travelling during the autumn when weather can be rather unpredictable, I wanted good layering pieces for a cozy chic look. As I mentioned with the other pieces, a dressier item is always great to pack, especially because it can always be dressed down if you're not going anywhere fancy.

5. Accessories: Scarves, hat
Leave your wide-brimmed floppy hat at home if you don't want it to lose shape in your suitcase. I'm talking about a cozy beanie here that you can smush into a corner of your suitcase if it isn't necessary. Scarves are always super trendy, so I brought a silk one for style and a knit one for warmth. Both pair effortlessly with the other items that I brought.

Pack light without looking like a tourist. And buy everything else along the way. Happy travels!

Follow on:

facebook | twitter | bloglovin'

What to pack on a winter getaway

It's winter. We can't keep saying that we're in fall or autumn anymore because it's just too darn cold! The red cups have gone into Starbucks store, and the heavy winter coat is well and truly out. As great as wintertime can be, there's something truly special about a sunshine getaway when you're cold. Just the thought of lying on a sun-soaked beach, listening to the waves crashing makes me feel a bit warmer. They do say you have to think warm to feel warmer! If the thought of it just isn't enough for you, it could be time for you to escape to warmer climates. A winter holiday can really help remove the darkness that winter sometimes encourages. Having a break to look forward to can just lift you up and give you life! With the shops full to the brim with warm winter coats and sweaters, it's important you start shopping smart for your winter sun break...

Choose shoes wisely

Shoes are one of the heaviest things that you can pack into a suitcase. If you are only going on vacation for a week you don't need to take every pair of shoes you own with you. Think about it logically. You're going to need some nice sandals to wear with dresses in the evening. You'll need flip flops for lounging by the poor and a pair of sneakers to travel in. You honestly don't need more than that. You certainly won't need your favorite black boots!

Look for versatility

When you go on holiday bikinis are an essential part of your daily wardrobe. It's essentially ALL you're going to be wearing throughout the daytime! Pick a bikini that can be worn with other styles. Long gone are the days of only wearing matchy-matchy styles. These days you can mix and match your bikinis as much as you like! Just have fun with the look.

Day-to-night dresses

These are a lifesaver on holiday! A long and floaty maxi dress can easily be thrown over a cute bikini to act as a beach cover-up. Alternatively, it can also be worn at night. A floaty maxi dress is such a luxurious item to wear on holiday and it can be accessories with fun bags and pretty sandals. Gold jewelry will also compliment skin-kissed skin.

Protect yourself

It's a really good idea to keep yourself completely out of the sun's direct rays when you're on holiday. Of course, you're probably going to want to lay out and get that glow, though. Make sure you build up a tan slowly by wearing a high sun factor. No one wants to burn their skin! As well wearing sunscreen you should protect your eyes with safety approved sunglasses and wear a hat or sun visor when possible. You won't regret it when you're showing no sign of wrinkles and sun damage!

Follow on:

facebook | twitter | bloglovin'