Fashion Tips on What to Pack for Vacations

Find a couple of days from your busy schedule. Check.

Book a glamorous vacation. Check.

Time to pack it up!

Whether you’re travelling solo, with your better half or with your best friends, staying fashionable while on travel in on everyone’s list. That being said, packing is a tricky area and it trips up the best of us. Carrying huge and heavy luggage is just not fun and let’s not even go into the details of expenses of transporting the extra luggage. Here are some tips to help you travel light and yet, have everything you need to be on your best (or naughtiest) behavior.

First things first: The essentials

For a stunning summer vacation

Pleated maxi dresses are one of those things that you can never ever go wrong with. Versatility should be its middle name. It’s always there for you, be it an unexpected fancy dinner or just a walk-down-the-street kind of day. They are airy, light and let’s not forget, super fashionable. Summers call for a pair of shades, pick your favorite. No fuss there. For an extra oomph, pair your pleated maxi dress and shades, but we warned of all the admiration you’ll get. Tank tops and sleeveless drape blouses for those days that are just too hot to handle. A satchel bag to carry your sunscreen, make-up, and everything else cannot be avoided. A Pair of gorgeous flats you’re good to go.

For a cool winter:

Sweaters. Sweaters. Scarves. Sweaters again. The top priority during winter is keeping warm without blending into the common crowd. Pick scarves that are printed or checked and match them with white or neutral tops for a pop-up effect. Sweaters with high neck, knit tunic, neck pullovers, the list is endless; choose your top five sweaters, grab a couple of those skinny jeans, strap on knee high boots and you’d be unstoppable. In case, an occasion for a fancy dinner or romantic night out comes in, carry a boat neck dress and woolen coat. Gloves and oversized beanie’s are a must have if the weather is expected to turn worse.

P.S- You might want to check what Maria Sharapova has to say about vacations.

Video- https://vimeo.com/151578246

(Source- https://orchardmile.com/inspiration/maria-sharapova-amsterdam-walk-the-mile)

Waves, Pebbles and Sand

A summer hat that contrasts your bikini/cover-up is a simple tip to be stylish while catching some sun at a beach. If you’re in the mood for some adventure, switch out those flip-flops for some wedges and catwalk through the beach. Jumpsuits with block colors are an unexpected yet foolproof way to be comfortable and fashionable at the same time. Never back down from some bold accessories to switch up everything you carry. To optimize packing space, fill your summer hat with bikini, socks and accessories. This makes it easier to unpack and also retains the shape of the hat. Avoid packing a beach towel as it takes up a lot of valuable space. Beaches all over the world provide beach towels, chairs and umbrellas for rent, sometimes free of cost too!

*Engine Roar*

Road trips are the ultimate economic getaway for anyone. Great tunes on the radio, friends and family as backup singers and a trunk full of goodies are relaxing, fun and a bonding time. Pack a couple of your favorite clothes to enhance the feeling of love and belonging that is felt throughout road trips. Make sure that comfort is on your mind. Choose leggings, cardigans, and light blankets as essentials. Invest in tees with graphic prints and shorts that are studded just for fun. Skirts are a great option too! They are easy to wear, change and pack (One can never predict when a quick change is required). Weather could be unpredictable but packing for all kinds of weather could get bulky. For colder regions, layer your clothes to keep warm and for warm regions, layer down to manage the heat.

Dress for the job you want, not the one you have

Business trips are often testing times that require an undivided focus on socializing and networking, but that’s no excuse for not having fun. If anything, it is reason enough to switch up your looks and experiment. Lose the crisp shirts, they are hard to reuse (in case of an extended trip) and difficult to transport as well. Go for fabrics that are light in shades that are feminine yet still suitable for your work environment. Pair a dress with the classic black blazer but make sure that the cut, fit and length of the dress is appropriate. Throw in some stilettos and a bold bangle or necklace to feed your inner diva. Carefully pick your accessories, as the last thing you want is to look too gaudy at a business meeting.

Run, Jump, Fly

Adventure holidays mandatorily require light luggage and basic clothing. Comfort is the motive. Loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that are made of easy to wash fabrics are preferred. More often than not, sports use safety gears that take the life out of your clothes but keep you alive. Throw out those old, faded sweats for some crazy designs and strong prints to add to the theme of your travel. Fashionista’s move towards nail art and light accessories to keep looking as fabulous as always since clothing is a restricted area. Pick a few colors that you love and carry a light nail art kit to match your outfits. There is absolutely no harm in looking cute during an adrenaline rush.

Reasons are overrated

If you’re travelling to explore the place and learn about a new culture, don’t stress about your wardrobe at all. Just pack essentials based on the weather of the place (take tips from above!) and let your destination choose your style for you. Try the local attires, styles and accessories. Make a new local friend and let him/her give you a makeover. Who knows what the next turn might bring? It could inspire you into adding those to your permanent wardrobe back home. Carry bold accessories and your favorite makeup to make sure that you can carry off any trend from any part of the world.

Cassie, this week’s #BCW subject was in attendance at the All Def Movie Awards sporting a Michael Costello Nude Chiffon Deep V-Neck Double Shoulder Strap Thigh High Split Gown: 

The beauty was simply bronzed to silky skin perfection. 

Her dress features a double shoulder strap which accentuates a delicate décolletage and a saucy thigh slit for a sliver of leg.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

What do you think?

Hot! Or Hmm…: Cassie’s All Def Movie Awards Michael Costello Nude Chiffon Deep V-Neck Double Shoulder Strap Thigh High Split Gown

Hot! She better come through!

Hmm… I’ve seen better.

 

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Midget Giraffe’s Amaka Dress is the perfect twist to the traditional party dress!

The flirty length shows the perfect amount of leg and would look great paired with a metallic strappy heel.

Priced at $125, this dress is a great option for any upcoming Spring weddings or just to celebrate the warmer weather in style.

Purchase it here. Where would you wear this popping piece?

 

Where did the week go, ya’ll? Nonetheless, I’m happy it’s Friday! Today for our Fashion Bombshell, we’ve got Amber from New York City:

She told us, “My name is Amber and I’m located in New York City.”

“My style is classic yet on trend and a great mixture of high and low fashion items.”

“On my blog, I don’t just talk about my outfits.”

“I also give my readers tips and tricks how to maximize their wardrobe with existing pieces, different ways to style those pieces year-round, and how to dress for your body type.”

“I’m a huge fan of FBD and read it daily.”

 “It would truly be an honor to be featured on your blog. Thank you for your consideration.”

Yaaaas! As someone who suffered that New York cold while there for NYFW, I gotta give you props for looking so chic outside! Personally I like all your looks, as they are polished and versatile. Keep a look out for Amber’s looks on IG: @cocoabutterdiaries. Let us know in the comments, what do you think of her style?

What do you think of Amber from NYC?

Yaaaaaassssss, she’s a bombshell.

She’s pretty great.

She’s alright.

She’s just okay…

She’s not a Bombshell. Try again!

 

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Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

The name Sonique Saturday may not ring a bell at first, but trust us when we say you’ve seen her work before. Saturday, a celebrity stylist, is the conceptualist behind the now-famous ‘You Fake Like This Birkin’ bag that comes under her BellaDonna collection. Over the years, the humorous bags have garnered the attention of celebrities, who have rocked the bags as satirical commentary to the idea of designer purses.

Although she was spotted sporting her bag during NYFW a few seasons back, it would be her client, Amber Rose, that would bring the bag to notoriety and make it a huge trend to the conversation of  controversial fashion statements.The main goal of Saturday’s message is to encourage others not to find self-worth through materialism. Therefore, it is understandable that she has recently taken to Instagram to rant her rage over Gucci’s new Fall 2016 handbag, which strangely markets a bag with a similar design aesthetic:
After seeing what Gucci, whose highly sought-after collection showed on Wednesday, Saturday and her fans took to social media to highlight the interesting similarities between her own work and that on a black tote bag from look 19 of the show: the word ‘real’ spray painted over the official Gucci logo. In an Instagram post, that has since been deleted, the stylist noted “too bad I’m not getting that check for @Gucci stealing my creation” expressing that she was proud to see her work on the runway but unhappy with the lack of acknowledgement that it was her bag that drove the inspiration.

However, let the record also show that this year’s collection was in collaboration with artist and musician Trevor Andrew, who has many images of his hand-painted designs in a similar spray-paint effect as those that walked the catwalk on his Instagram.

In an interview with WWD about the underground artist who would be collaborating on the collection, Gucci creative director Allesandro Michele did say he was a fan of the artist’s work, despite his particular usage of the brand logo. “I saw the way Trevor was using the symbol of the company and I thought it was quite genius,” Michele said, “It’s completely different than the idea of copying. It’s the idea that you try to [take to] the street, through language like graffiti, the symbols of the company.”

Although we can’t argue either to or for the appropriation of Saturday’s ideas, Michele’s explanation of Trevor’s inspiration could explain where the idea for the bag came from. However, perhaps the question is where did Trevor receive his inspiration…

This is definitely an open-ended debate. What do you guys think? Did Gucci steal Saturday’s designs? Are all designs free to the world unless copyrighted, or was this an instance of similar ideas that happen to resemble each other?

Friday’s are my favorite time of the week, because we get the weekend AND we get a Bomber! Today we’ve got Rahiem from Philly:

He says, “My style can be defined as simplicity at its best.”

“Elegantly and stylishly fashionable.”

“Simple, creatively casual but chic at the same time.” 

Check out more photos he sent along:

Okay Rahiem! I love your outerwear choices and that plaid men’s suit. Stay up to date with Rahiem on IG: RadioRahiem0319. But let us know! What do you think of his style?

What do you think of Rahiem from Philly?

He’s a Bomber!

Yeah, great menswear.

Eh, it was okay…

I wasn’t impressed…

Ugh, not at all.

 

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Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

“When black women are together, a sacred space can be conjured. Let the conjuring begin!” ~Oprah

Yesterday, I was blessed to attend yet another ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon! I’m a member of Colgate Optic White’s Designer Smile Squad, and as a sponsor of the event, they flew Pierre and I to LA to werk the carpet and talk celeb style with a few of our favorites.

Kelly Rowland stopped and smiled bright in mustard and cream separates.

Zendaya blew kisses in Thakoon.

Letoya Luckett pledged her allegiance to FBD in a slamming white jumpsuit.

Shaniece H is SO gorgeous! She divulged she was wearing a Mugler dress.

Lastly, Lala was red carpet host and looked bomb in a Victoria Beckham dress. She is killing it!

As for me, I wore a blazer dress I scored in Lagos by a brand called Things Nigerians Love or TNL Designs, topped off by pink Versace sandals.
Pierre wasn’t allowed inside the actual luncheon, but let me tell you: it was powerful! Actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer and Award recipient Debbie Allen gave a rousing speech about encountering closed doors, brick ceilings, and white only establishments when she first expressed interest in art and dance.

Though she felt she was unwanted at certain dance studios, she went anyway. Her mother instilled in her pride, intelligence, and the ability to dream. Debbie credits her longstanding success to working for a purpose greater than herself.

Hopefully Essence has a transcript because she brought the house DOWN.

Though I was sitting maybe…1 foot away from Oprah, I wasn’t nimble enough to get a picture with her this year.
There’s always next year!
I love Essence Black Women in Hollywood because it always leaves me feeling encouraged, powerful, and unstoppable. I hope you feel that way as well.
See the full red carpet here.
What do you think?
Images: Karl Pierre/Getty
*Many thanks to Teresa and Rondel for this wonderful opportunity!

Jennifer Lopez gave ballerina’s a run for their money last night on American Idol in a bodysuit and $4,500 tulle skirt by Valentino. She accessorized with $845 Giuseppe Zanotti Triple Strap sandals.

Her top and skirt were modeled in Valentino’s Spring 2015 collection.

Her triple strap sandals are rendered in blush patent leather.

I love it! It’s whimsical, yet still gives J. Lo’s signature sass.
What do you think?

Hot! or Hmm…: Jennifer Lopez’s American Idol Valentino Spring 2015 Blush Pink Bodysuit and Tulle Maxi Skirt, and Giuseppe Zanotti Triple Strap Sandals

Hot! I love it!

Hmm..not her best look

 

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Designers are usually lauded or harshly criticized for the collections they produce.  And if they’re hired as creative directors for major fashion houses, the scrutiny can be even more palpable.  If anyone can attest to that, it’s Massimo Giorgetti.  His premiere collection for Pucci since Peter Dundas’s departure, though creative and inspired by the wonders of the ocean, wasn’t widely well-received.  Criticized for being too literal in his interpretation for his spring collection and not exuding enough of the Pucci essence, Giorgetti went back to the drawing board and took cues from recently inaugurated creative directors of other houses by consulting the archives.

For fall, Giorgetti was committed to deliver an assortment that delivered on his research, notwithstanding the engagement of his own inspiration in this season’s assemblage.  Think The Himalayas meets it-girl trends with an abundance of vintage, deliciously vibrant Pucci prints thrown into this kaleidoscope of high voltage, wintry gear.

Giorgetti spared no expense when artistically palavering with the color wheel.  Greens ran amuck on coats and skirts.  Blues and reds streamed through vivid color blocked sweater dresses and bodysuits.  The overcoats were, for lack of better words, to die for.  Emblazoned with snowcapped mountains, swirling patterns, and even elongated, padded bomber jackets, this season teemed with some very eye-catching garb.  Satin sweaters with exaggerated shoulders had the house’s namesake (PUCCI in all caps) cheekily ornamented across the chest, which are sure to get into the hands of every trendy fashionista.  I’m waiting with baited breath to see J. Lo and Beyonce give us a little fever in a few of these skirts.

This season seemed a lot more athletic than spring, given the stronger, more defined silhouettes, but that could just mean Giorgetti wanted this season’s woman to command lots of attention, but still exercise practicality given the forceful, frigid winter experienced by many today.  All-in-all, his efforts in utilizing his creativity and investigating the root of Emilio’s aesthetic did Giorgetti all sorts of justice.  It seems like he found his way at the top of the mountains he placed on a few of his pieces.  A clever middle finger to the naysayers of yesteryear, if you ask me.

 
What do you think?
Photos: Vogue.com

Floral print, lace, fanciful embroidery, princess-perfect tulle: these elements lie at the foundation of the Alberta Ferretti brand. Her looks consistently make the red carpet a prettier place and inject an unforgettable delicacy and charm into any affair where they’re worn. Her trademarks were all on display for Fall.

Lace, bedroom-ready pajamas, and fur were thrown in the mix right out of the gate: anchored with embellished takes on the slipper. Suiting was easy and functional, yet polished, while slip gowns were often paired with a cozy coat for a sample of real-time wear.

Florals—even for Fall—are no longer groundbreaking, but they were executed perfectly here on billowing shirt dresses with pink lace collars and roomy belted jumpsuits. Landscape patterns were also present on sheer watercolor-inspired button front shirts and trousers and pleated skirt gowns that unfortunately erred on the side of dowdiness.

Embroidery was on display in the form of petals scattered on charming sheaths and flare dresses, a romantic coat, and retro-inspired skirt suit—in larger form as well on glossy gowns.

For the modern fashionista with a cleaner take on style, there were some pared-down ensembles that purified the collection’s extravagant and poetic palette. Simple dresses, suiting, bias-cut numbers, and the aforementioned one-piece in neutrals were all uncomplicated and in a way seemed to represent wardrobe staples alongside the assemblage’s more whimsical designs.

A beautiful collection for sure that challenged Ferretti’s go-tos at times—a fur-detailed dress for instance—but ultimately went back to her old and fine faithfuls. After all, if it isn’t broken, then why fix it?

Thoughts on the latest from Alberta Ferretti?

Images: VOGUE.com