Fashion Forum

by Renae Virata

Going somewhere fun and last minute this weekend?  Who doesn’t love a little spontaneity?  Keep your bag just as light and breezy with these hints for a great fall weekender wardrobe.

•   Versatility. Take a light-weight, layerable, belted top that can double as a dress with tights and boots or a chic pair of heels.  For more warmth or a more casual look, layer under a long-sleeve tee, add a fabulous vest or scarf on top, or do it all!

•   Pack a great statement piece. The easiest way to glam up a tee or sweater for a night on the town or to jazz up a Sunday brunch ensemble is a statement necklace.  Bib necklaces drenched in stones, gems, and luxe fabrics look expensive and can pull everything together.  Or layer your favorite necklaces together, match up select bangles and cuff bracelets, or don that eye-catching pair of earrings.  Scarves and vests (can’t get enough of them) in more interesting textures and silhouettes (fur to knit, long to cropped, slouchy to super-tailored) can easily be thrown on to accomplish the same thing.

•   Stick to a color palette. No one will likely see you more than once except the people you are traveling with (and they love you no matter how often you wear that same pair of jeans this weekend).  Check out our piece on how to make packing easier with a color theme in mind.

Express Elbow-sleeve Flyaway Cardigan.

•   One great jacket or cardigan. Depending on what you are doing, there are a number of great styles out there that can take you from the road trip to lunch to an afternoon museum visit.  For a more crisp, preppy look, choose a well-fitted, neutral-colored tweed jacket that will look good with jeans as well as over a dress.  Or try a banded-collar, stretchy, medium-weight number that will layer well over the most casual of outfits with tennis shoes but also act as a great cover-up for a night out.  Cotton velveteen or wool gabardinel are great, structured but versatile options.  A well-made knit cardigan with a wrap feel in a deep blue, purple, or gray, for example, can also perform the same function and be your go-to to keep warm and covered.

•   Two bottom pieces. Unless you’d like to stick to your favorite stand-by jeans, opt for a fresher casual pant that you can wear anywhere, dress up, or dress down.  There are a number of options to choose from.  If you like skirts or shorts, packing a good pair to show off your gams, to wear with the number of awesome hosiery options, and to just vary it up a bit will give you another bottom for the weeked.  A cotton sateen a-line mini; an adorable knee-length corduroy in a fine wale (softer) and fun color; or a cozy sweater-like knit in black, gray, or brown are all great options.

•   One flat, one heel rule. Whether it’s your favorite street shoes and a round-toe pump or a great open-toe flat and wedge ankle boots, having one pair on your feet and one in your bag that takes care of all potential activities you will be doing on your weekend will keep the load light and your options from being too daunting.  Choose materials that will help you be prepared for unexpected rain (check the weather before you go!) and that will help your feet breathe.  Have more fun with the color and texture.  Muted metallics go with a lot as will the new grays.

•   The Everything bag. Having a great, medium-sized bag in a more fun “new neutral” color like mustard yellow, slate gray, or a deep, deep berry red will complement most of your outfits and hold all your essentials.  A more chic texture like crocodile will add an extra to your casual outfits but look just right for a dressier affair.  One that you can easily wear just under your underarm and that you can also carry daintily in your hand is best.

Consider your activities for the weekend and don’t be afraid to wear anything twice.  If you anticipate ever having to get away quickly in the near future, prepare a list of what you would bring ahead of time so you can just pull them together and throw them in your bag.  Then check out the My Stylist feature on our site.  Who knows?  It just may inspire you to take that trip sooner!

Kate Hudson.

Accessories make a huge difference with a versatile dress.

Simple pieces layered together create a solid look.

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!