Travel Fashion Challenge: Packing for an Extended Trip

~They call me Mom~

Honestly, I could really never call myself a fashionista, but I do like to look cute, whether I am at home or on the road.  As a mom of four boys, I feel like having a bit of fashion is my last claim to any amount of femininity and dressing with some pizzazz is a way to not lose myself completely to the role of mom.  My kids scream “Mom” all the time, but there is no reason why my fashion sense has to do the same, if you know what I mean.

Getting ready to go on the road for three months, while at the same time being confined by limited space has caused me to really think about what I need in my wardrobe to feel fashionable, and how I make the most of a limited selection. 

So, here’s the challenge: my closet space in the camper is about 12 inches wide.  Everything I bring must fit in that space.  We will be traveling through multiple seasons and climates, starting with Texas in August (hot and humid), fall in New England(cool,maybe cold), and then November in Florida (warm and humid).  These clothes will take a beating.  They have to be functional enough to travel for three months, and wearable, without looking worn.  They also must be machine washable and can’t need ironing.  Oh, and I want something semi-fashionable.  Just because I’m living in a trailer with the testosterone monkeys doesn’t mean I have to look Queen of the Trailer/Jungle.

Challenge Accepted.

How to Make the Most of Your Wardrobe While you Travel

1. Choose a color palette.  When you are limited in space, you have to choose pieces that can easily be mixed and matched.  Scan your closet and choose the pieces that can easily be tied together with accessories and shoes, and build from that.

2. Choose Neutral and Solids.  Prints are fun and sassy, but it’s harder to build multiple outfits if you are working with wild and crazy prints.  Let your base pieces do the heavy lifting, and use your accessories to add the fun.

3. Add a pop of color.  Anybody feeling uninspired by that last bit of advice?  Never fear; you can still find ways to make your wardrobe fun by adding a pop of color to your neutral base.  Make it even more exciting by picking up funky souvenirs along the way that you can add to your base wardrobe.

4.Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! I always feel more fashionable and put together if I add some accessories to my wardrobe, but this final step is vital when you are traveling.  Accessories are lightweight and easy to pack, so you can afford to splurge on your favorite add-ons. 

5.Layers are your friend.  Traveling and layers go hand in hand.  Even if you are going to a warm climate, there is a good chance that you will be cold on the plane and need something to keep you warm.  If you are traveling long term, you will need your layers to keep you warm and add variety to your wardrobe.  Layers are the best way to get the most out of your basic pieces.

6.       Bring structured, stylish outerwear.  A smart blazer or tidy jacket can really spruce up a blah ensemble and add to your outfit choices.  Don’t let your outerwear be a throwaway. Make it a thoughtful part of your overall scheme.

7.       Comfortable, neutral shoes.  Shoes are a great way to spice up your wardrobe, but tons of shoes in a rainbow of colors are not practical while traveling.  They are bulky and weighty, and that just won’t do if you have limited space.  Neutral shoes designed for comfort are the workhorse of the travelers’ wardrobe.  They go with everything and can take you anywhere.  (Look at that; I should write ads or something.)

8.Take Pictures.  These aren’t for fun blog posts (although you can certainly use them for that), but essential for reference.  If you are living out of a suitcase or a 12 inch closet, it helps to have a photo reference to put together your outfits.

9.Choose pieces you can dress up or down.  Traveling can be a grind, and there is a temptation just to choose the most comfortable clothing.  You certainly don’t have to give up comfort, but choose pieces that can be dressed up with accessories and styling for the days that you want to have a little more oomph.

10.   Only pack things you love.  With only 12 inches of closet space, there is just no room for a piece that has the “meh” factor.  Each piece and outfit has to be function and have the “twirl factor”*

*Twirl Factor: The feeling you get when you look in the mirror and you feel so pretty that you want to twirl.  Yeah, you know you want to.  Singing “I Feel Pretty” is totally optional.

*Notes about the photos:

1) I can’t tell you how silly I feel posing for these pictures, but it’s the way that everyone is doing it so call me a lemming and tell Mr. DeMille I am ready for my close-up.

2) Please ignore my hair.  I wasn’t going out when I took these pictures, so I was sporting the “my hair is still wet and that proves I took a shower today ‘do”

3) My kids totally took these pictures.  I didn’t even have to pay them.  If the quality looks a little squidgy to you; remember it was done by a kid.  If the quality looks pretty great to you; that was MY  kids who took those pictures, and they learned everything from me.

~Today I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Create Hope Inspire,  Love and Loyally, JMG,