One of my clients is taking a two week vacation to Australia...lucky her! She asked me what she should pack...the trip is mostly casual although there may few nice dinners mixed in. Temps should be in the 60's and there will be a ton of walking.

Here are a few suggestions...

First of all, before you start to pack, PLAN your outfits! Make a list of what you will need for each  day and night of the trip and then decide on a color scheme. The simpler your color scheme, the easier it will be to pack and put outfits together.

Feet first. Comfortable shoes are  MUST for sightseeing. There's nothing worse than walking on blisters!  I suggest investing in a fun pair of sneakers that are super supportive and comfortable. Look for a something a bit stylish like these animal print or metallic sneakers. Cole Haan makes some really fun and comfy versions.
Also bring a pair of comfy flats

And some heels for dancing.






Denim, denim, denim.  Jeans are the most practical bottoms you can take on vacation because you can dress them up or down. I talk about the slim-cut ankle jeans a lot because it's the most versatile style. Roll them up with sneakers for day and dress up with a little heel for dinner. Bring different washes and colors for variety. I suggest a light wash, dark wash and black or gray jeans.


Layer it up.  Pack lightweight layers such as tanks, tees, sweaters, jackets and/or cardigans. Weather can be unpredictable so it's best to have options!


because of the way it easily folds up. Plus it's so sturdy and can hold a ton of gear.







Bring a neutral cross-body bag for sightseeing.


And a clutch for at night.



Easy peasy dress.  Dresses are easy to wear and give so many outfit options. A jersey shift dress can bring you from day to night with simple accessory and shoe change ups.

Thank you to my Facebook friends for coming up with blog topics. A few people mentioned that they can't seem to figure out "what goes with what" and how to mix up their wardrobe. As a result, they feel like they're wearing the same outfits over and over again. Sound familiar? I doubt this stems from not having enough clothes, but rather not have the RIGHT clothes. I find that so many of my clients have a lot of "fluff" in their wardrobe...pieces that don't seem to match or go with anything else. You know those "orphans"...the top that is too long to go with anything, the dress with the weird neckline that doesn't look right with a jacket, or that print top that doesn't match any of your pants. What's lacking here are  the basics --clothes that work together as a team and are the foundation of a great wardrobe.

Here's my advice:

1.  Purge your closet often.  Why keep clothes you don't love?  Closet real estate is valuable space and should hold only the pieces that make you look and feel great. Honestly, it's so much easier to put outfits together when you know everything works and your closet is easy to navigate!
2. Get down to basics.  Invest in quality, great fitting basic pieces such as jeans, trousers, cashmere sweaters, pencil skirts, silk blouses, etc. As we get older, cheap clothes don't always work as well as they used to. I look for great cuts, quality fabrics, and structure. No more thin clingy materials for me. At 53 I'm going for fit and flatter. I'd rather have less clothes, but better quality.
3. Bottoms up.  Without the right bottoms, putting an outfit together can be frustrating. Try an ankle length slim cut trouser that will look fabulous with heels, flats or booties. I also love ankle length jeans because of their versatility. Bootcut and wider leg pants just aren't as easy to work with.
Again, invest in bottoms that flatter your shape...you may have to pay a little more but it's worth it.
4. Plain Jane.  70% of your tops should be solids...30% prints.  Solids are so much easier to accessorize and change up than prints. Also, we tend to get sick of prints over time.
5. Invest.  I am a huge fan of the vest.  I own 2 black (one fitted, one more casual), a denim and a white. A faux fur vest is also a fun addition to your winter wardrobe. I love how they can change up any look from a dress or skirt to jeans and a tee. Instant polish!
6. Perfect blazer.  Have a few amazing blazers in your wardrobe. Again, like the vest it will pull your outfit together.
7. Little black dress.  An LBD that can easily be dressed up or down is a wardrobe essential.  Look for one that is tailored and has a scoop neckline for easily layering and accessorizing.
9. Shoes are a girl's best friend. Honestly, it's true. Shoes can make or break your outfit. Your wardrobe should include fabulous flats, fun sneakers and heels that you can actually walk in.
10. Accessorize me.  Last, have a lots of fun accessories including scarves, bags and jewelry to switch up all those solids!

Bonus:  Every day wear at least one outstanding piece whether it be an amazing ring, fabulous bag, or killer shoes.  Oh and keep reading my blog for lots of outfit inspiration!

Click on photos for details.