Welcome to The Upgrade, By The Way’s series on travel hacks and hot takes. See how to submit here.
I have spent nearly a decade traveling twice and sometimes three or four times a year to Europe for work, which entails watching extravagant clothes appear in fashion shows for weeks at a time.
This sounds like an absolute dream, and it is, except for one thing: you have to look amazing every single day. The usual packing pragmatism — layering on the plane, cramming loose cotton separates into compression bags and sticking to a small wardrobe of basics — for the sake of getting it all into a carry-on is basically impossible.
You have not felt the true sting of inadequacy until you are sitting in your second-row seat wearing your little vintage 1980s dress (that felt very Sloane Ranger when you were leaving your hotel!) when a fashion editor walks in wearing something effortlessly awesome. Suddenly, you feel like Diana beholding Camilla. There’s a stylist in an outrageous vinyl dress held together with metal rings, paired with Birkenstock sandals. Or an editor in just the most perfectly crisp black blazer and white trousers with beat-up driving moccasins. Or a writer in a floor-length rainbow striped coat that makes staying warm look like an act of decadence.
It is not the celebrities that make you feel insecure — it’s the other people who are there to work. These are not people sitting in front of hair and makeup chairs, with stylists greasing them into designer duds. They have, to paraphrase the ol’ quote about Beyoncé's productivity, just as many hours in the day as you, and just as many emails to write and deadlines to deliver on.
Besides, refusing to play the game even just a little bit makes you look like a snob. Clothes are supposed to be fun! So a few years ago, I developed a hack for chic: black and navy. It works in a context that demands style because, well, it breaks one of the primary rules of fashion, which is that black and navy are not to be seen together.
But all black was too much for me; color lifts your mood, after all, even if it’s a color (blue) that shares its name with the saddest music genre. And I liked the idea that what felt like ease to me could also read like a daring choice.
Most importantly, it allowed me to boil down my suitcase to a formula, rather than something that felt like the small, terrifying type that appears in the corners of fashion magazine spreads, mostly to inform you that you cannot afford what appears to be a plain white T-shirt. I have a lot of nifty things in my wardrobe, sure, but who wants to cart three suitcases (and hat boxes) around Europe for three weeks just to prove how many Dries Van Noten coats they have? The goal of packing stylishly is to feel like yourself, well-presented.
The first few times I did this, I would pull a navy or black item out of the closet, look the other items assembled thus far, and ensure that it went with at least three of the other pieces. But I quickly realized that even a slightly quirky pairing looked cool. So I work from a recipe of, roughly:
- Two skirts: something that flows and something that hugs.
- Three jackets: a classic blazer, something weird and an open front wool jacket (like this by House of Dagmar, which can be belted and layered into myriad shapes, from 1950s couture to German techno DJ).
- One pair of trousers.
- One black dress.
- Three T-shirts (I like Uniqlo’s AIRism shirts, which breathe nicely and have a boxy shape that, again, look and feel like a real “style choice”).
- Black shoes, because shiny black adds texture that helps your rule breaking combination look very intentional. I bring a low heel, a brogue without a heel and a fancy shoe, because just swapping a casual shoe for a dress shoe changes the direction of your whole thing.
Then you add your small bag of tricks. Scarves of all different colors, tights with polka dot or lace prints, and, the piece de resistance, splashes of red, like crimson cotton dress socks or something with a bit of cashmere. People will notice your cute little red gloves, thus forgetting that you wore that jacket yesterday and that skirt the day before. Because this is true in fashion as much as it is anywhere else: no one is paying as much attention to what you’re wearing as you.
FAQs
Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics that are comfortable, breathable, and easy to care for. Opt for basics like stretchy jeans, leggings or travel-friendly trousers as a foundation. Pair them with blouses, tops, or sweaters in neutral tones, allowing you to effortlessly create stylish ensembles.
What does a fashion writer do? ›
Overall, fashion journalists, or fashion writers, develop stories and materials, such as articles, advertisem*nts, and product descriptions, for books, magazines, newspapers, and online websites and blogs.
How to dress like a male writer? ›
Artistic writer
Look like you've 'just thrown something on. ' Wear things like .. blazers, long scarves, enormous dark sunglasses, dark denim, gray and navy, baggy tops with wide belts, striped things, the whole romantic-gothic look works. Make sure it's flattering.
What are the best colors for travel clothes? ›
Ditch the bright colors and pack neutral—brown, black and khaki—especially for pants, shorts and skirts. These colors coordinate well with everything, so you can pack less. Wrinkle resistance: Look for garments touted as wrinkle-resistant.
What is the perfect clothing for traveling? ›
Generally soft, stretchy, and loose-fitting clothing is best for travel, as it'll keep you comfy and won't feel restrictive on long flights or drives. Some people may also opt for compressive clothing, like leggings or compression socks, which helps promote circulation on long travel days.
How much does Vogue pay its writers? ›
Get feedback on your pay or offer
The estimated total pay range for a Senior Fashion Writer at Vogue is $97K–$159K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Senior Fashion Writer base salary at Vogue is $124K per year.
Who is the highest paid clothing designer? ›
Giorgio Armani currently holds the title of the world's wealthiest fashion designer. The Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur founded the Armani company, starting with a small shop in 1965 called Arma.
How can I improve my fashion writing? ›
Work on improving your grammar, vocabulary, and overall writing style. Practice writing regularly, whether it's through blogging, journaling, or taking writing courses. The more you write, the better you'll become at expressing your ideas and captivating your readers.
Do you need a degree to be a Fashion Writer? ›
Employers prefer to hire people who have a communications, English, or journalism degree. Fashion writers and editors must be knowledgeable about their subject, so classes—or even degrees—in fashion design and marketing are also strongly recommended.
What skills does a fashion journalist need? ›
Fashion journalism is an extremely competitive industry. To be successful, you do not only need excellent writing skills, but you need to be personable and have a comprehensive knowledge of fashion. The role can be extremely varied depending on the type of story you are covering.
A tight black dress is a sexy staple for anyone's wardrobe.
Even though the dress should mostly be black, it might grab his attention more if it has a small pattern or embellishments like sequins on it to make you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
What is the dress code for authors? ›
There is no set rules for putting together an artist outfit, but writers need to dress in a way that makes them feel comfortable sitting at a desk for hours, or huddling over a notebook while they scribble. There's just something that can happen to a writer's brain when they feel they look the part.
What is the fashion writing style? ›
Fashion writing is more than simply writing about new trends and fads. It incorporates other aspects of the fashion world such as fashion critics and reporters, fashion media, and other fashion journalists and writers. Fashion articles or advertisem*nts can be found in a wide variety of platforms.
What does it mean to travel in style? ›
Traveling in style offers tourists the ability to visit new places without the worry of having to stress about dealing with unexpected setbacks that may occur in camping. Although when thinking about “traveling in style,” the idea that it can only mean living a lavish lifestyle on vacation may come to mind.
How to look stylish when flying? ›
Wear layers to be Stylish and Comfortable when Flying
It's a good idea to wear a jacket and/or sweater that can be easily taken off and put back on. You may want to wear a t-shirt or dress, with a cozy cardigan that you can remove as needed, and the right jacket will make your travel experience so much more enjoyable.
How do you travel in style and comfort? ›
Clothing Materials for Comfort While Choosing Travel Outfits
The best clothing materials are those that breathe well and don't hold moisture. They should also be soft, lightweight, and easy to wash. Cotton is a good choice because it's breathable and absorbs sweat from your skin.
