Photo credit: PursePage.com

by Renae Virata

Crossbody bags are a must for travelers!  They are easy to carry, look loosely fashionable, and can help you organize all of your travel essentials.  Whether you are on an all-day site-seeing tour; shopping for the day; or on the plane, train or in the car, it can be a great accessory that makes life a little easier.Think of today’s new neutrals: Camel, muted yellow, even a fabulous orange crossbody bag look great on anyone and with most outfits.  You can even do a great evening bag that will make it easy to dance and hang out.

Click on an item to learn more.

Fossil $58

Fossil $84

Ellington $159

B. Makowsky $104.99

Diesel $69.99

Etienne Aigner $69.99

Cole Haan $79.99

Fossil $118

Roxy $58

Whiting and Davis $70

Roxy $24

The Sak $64.99

BCBG $198

BCBG $198

Amici $28

When I used to travel for my last job or attend any number of conferences, I’d always have the highest hopes that those sexy but polished three-inch heels I was rocking would last me all day.  Big mistake!  I wasn’t about to abandon my favorite kicks to go with my favorite suit until about four hours later when I started to get that sensation of impending pain that comes with most hot heels and boots.But comfortable business travel shoes does not necessarily mean (heaven forbid!) clunky and rubber-soled.  Here are our picks for the coziest yet most stylish heels, flats, and boots to help you put your best foot forward for that next marathon business trip.

CARMA $278

Cole Haan

You can’t go wrong in a classic pair of Cole Haans.  This line of shoes was definitely made for walking without sacrificing good looks.  The supple leathers are a favorite for business travelers as well as the latent designs with comfort in mind.  The Carma Air Detailed Pump is a prime example.  In black, burnished gold, or royal purple, this shoe boasts NIKE AIR Technology “for maximum support.”  Comfort of a tennis shoe in a fabulous style?  We’re in.

GLADSTONE $69.00

Bass

Remember getting your Bass loafers for school way back when?  For years now, they’ve been offering stylish dress shoes for women but with an upgrade in styling.  Their Gladstone modified penny loafer has that Bass comfort with a memory foam padded sole but includes a modern stacked heel to keep it looking good from all angles.  It comes in black and what they call cocoa, but the fawn color (shown here) is a staple every woman should have in their business wardrobe.  And, hello! You can’t beat the price.

FOREST GROVE $90.00

Rockport

How many times have you walked by this store in the mall only to find that either hard-core walkers / hikers or older women seem to pervade the scene?  A thorough look inside the shop will reveal a number of flats and heels that cater more to the professional fashionista.  Their Forest Grove Casual Slip-On in a fabulous steel gray is one such shoe.  If you can get away with flats, this is one that will go with anything and give you an edge.  At $90, your feet stay dry from a day’s worth of sweat, the hidden rubber sole provides ultimate flexibility, and the patent leather adds a little fancy to your feet.  Imagine racing through the airport in these, too, and you have one great shoe to pack.

BENEFIT $59.99

Aerosoles

Another unlikely candidate for fashionable heels, Aerosoles has been coming up with some pretty sweet dress shoes in recent years.  No one would ever guess that the Benefit shoe, with its sleek lines and kitschy but cute striped bow styling also includes the signature Aerosoles comfort promise.  They also come in black with the striped bow or not, but we couldn’t resist this go-with-it-all rich brown color.

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!

ROWALLAN BAG TO GARMENT BAG - $149.99

by Renae Virata

C’mon, ladies, we know you have one – that carry-all into which you stuff basically every travel doc, electronic, spare sweater, and personal accessory that you will need for your trip but that mimics a black hole when you actually need to find something.  Well, here’s our mini-guide to the most stylish carry-on bags that will make life a lot easier on your next trip.What to Look for:

VERA BRADLEY - OVERNIGHTER - $75!

•   Consider your personal traveling style. Are you just fine with your purse and a magazine, or do you like to pack a made-for-a-woman baby bag to keep the stuff you think you might need on your flight?  Either way, it is important to know that when choosing a bag.  Simple passengers may only need a good purse or simple tote.  A multi-pocketed duffle or bowler may be just the thing for a woman with more accoutrements.

•   Structure and organization. Don’t you just hate looking into your bag to find crumpled papers, tangled cords, and…where IS that darned gloss?!    A structured bag can help reduce the amount of shifting in your bag by keeping things contained.  Look for those with lots of dividers and pockets on the outside to keep everything organized.

EBAGS.COM ACE GENE TRIFOLD - $249.99

•   Closure. Not the kind after you break up, but how your bag closes.  Opt for fitted flap-over bags with strong clasps or one that completely zips closed.  It will help against pickpockets of the possibility of anything accidentally slipping out.

•   Texture. More for aesthetics than anything else, bags with a tough exterior texture to the fabric will help you feel more put-together when it comes to your carry-on.  Textured bags tend to show less wear, also, as the more three-dimensional effect will hide scratches, scrapes, and worn-out areas.

•   Color. Don’t be afraid to experiment with “color” neutrals!  Black and brown are THE classics, but why not opt for a dark green number, a deep burgundy, or a pattern that says ‘you’?

•   Material. Tough but smooth leather is always a stylish option that can only look better the more you use it.  But fabrics like microfiber and thick nylon tweeds are also great choices to get you through many trips.   Plus, texture will already be built in, so you can rest assured you’ve got both areas covered.

•   Shape. Sizeable bowlers not only look great but can help you fit your necessities.  A mini-duffel of the none-gym-bag variety are also perfect to carry by hand or over your shoulder.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG ROLLING BAG - $110

•   Roll or carry? Why choose?  Sometimes it’s just easier to carry something (not to mention more comforting), but when you have a heavier load than usual, wheels can be of huge benefit.  Find both in one bag and never have to worry about how to carry your essentials around.

•   Matching not required. Don’t worry about coordinating all of your bags together and with your clothes. Unless you want to start a carry-on bag collection, a couple of reliable pieces that speak to your style and mode of travel will let you choose one to suit your mood.

More tips

•    Pack an extra flat-folding, thinner tote or mini-duffle for those possible impromptu airport shopping sprees.

EAGLE CREEK 20" PACKING FOLDER - $27.50

•    If your favorite bag lacks pockets, organize all of your items in separate cases or folders.  Make it more fun with coordinating patterns.

BAAEKGAARD MATCHING SET - $36

•    Try not to overstuff your bag.  Many are tough and roomy, but you’ll end up compromising the bag’s closure, your things, and probably your sanity, if you must dig through everything to find anything.

•   Cute luggage tags are a must! Express yourself with luggage tags from .

BOYT MACH5 MULTIPKT - $159.99

WILSON'S LEATHER - LEADERS IN LEATHER DUFFLE - $225

KORCHMAR LEATHER EXPANDABLE DUFFLE - $500

•   TSA Restrictions | What you can’t bring with you on the plane.

•   Airline Carry-On Luggage Requirements | Scroll down this page to find out general restrictions on number, size, and weight of your carry-on bags.

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!