by Renae Virata

I’ve been singing the praises of a certain winter boot from Steve Madden that seems to keep its top place on many fashionistas’ boot lists each winter for the past three years.  I recently went to a Christmas party where two completely random people wore them in two different ways.  What is this amazing footwear?It’s the Steve Madden Intyce!  It comes in black, cognac, and a new stone color, but according to my two new friends and those I’ve talked to before, the tan shade is the most versatile and looks best with wear. This might be the best travel boot, too, for your money.  If you had to pack just one pair, you could wear these on the plane and for every occasion on your trip, saving space in your bag for that extra sweater or dress you were trying to squeeze into your carry-on.

Steve Madden Intyce boot, $149.95 (click for more details and to shop now)

These boots are a classic and have everything a girl needs for her winter or travel wardrobe!  Here’s the lowdown on these fabulous kicks:

• 1 inch sliver wedge (just the right amount of height and soooo comfortable)
• Leather upper (durable and looks great with wear)
• Shaft is 15.75 inches (perfect for any length calf)
• Shaft circumference is approx. 16 inches – and adjustable! (according to one of the fans, perfect for thicker calves!)

The style goes with pretty much any outfit.  Here are the two I spotted at the Christmas party:

And although the cognac is the best color, this also looks great in black, as seen on celebrity Carrie Prejean. Do you love these boots?  What do you wear them with?  Leave your comments below and send your pics to renae@wearevertheweather.com!

Photo | bridalblvdsite.com

by Sinta Jimenez

For two consecutive years, I have attended two beautiful autumn weddings — the first, my best friend Elliot’s from high school; the second, my best friend John’s from law school. The similarities are curious, pumpkins as decorations, ceremonies by a lake with a backdrop of trees and mountains, dogs in the bridal party, and of course true love. After these two weddings, I am more than prepared for another autumn nuptial, an expert for dressing the part as guest, and think perhaps the cool bite of a fall breeze is a most romantic necessity for a wedding.

For practical reasons deciding on what to wear to an autumn wedding takes a bit more thought than the easy breezy option of a spring or summer affair. Especially with so many ceremonies being held outdoors, outerwear, warm footwear and warm formal/semi-formal dresses must be considered for comfort while still upholding wedding dress code.

Sinta’s Top Tips

• Fur or faux-fur accented outerwear brings just enough formality and glamour while providing warmth.
• When picking a dress think of colors typically associated with the season such as amber, deep purple, and warm orange tones.
• The option of slip on mules are not practical for autumn chill, consider heeled booties, thick wedges and other closed toe options.

Cashmere sweater, boots, and skinny jeans for a casual meet and greet

Click to shop: Pure Collection 100% cashmere sweater (also black and gray), $284; Miss Sixty jeans, $165.96; Steve by Steve Madden Meteour boots, $229

Opaque tights, chic oxfords, blouse, cardigan, and a bell skirt for pre-wedding night out with the groom and bride.

Click to shop: Doo-Lally bow cardigan, $88.31; Mango Blouse, $59.90; Allison Parris tulip/bell skirt, $280; Better U Muscle Toning Tights, $13.96;

Comfortable and warm travel clothing to fly in and out of the wedding location if you aren’t local.

Click to shop: Esprit cardigan, $99.50; Apart long-sleeve tee, $88;  French Connection jeans, $138; Steve Madden Intyce boot, $149

Take cues from current Autumn/Winter style trends, look to runway looks for a plethora of formal and semi-formal style options.

Carven A/W 2011

Celine A/W 2011

Marni A/W 2011

It’s totally cool to dress back to school! Conservative yet sweet cuts reminiscent of school girl uniforms are now all grown up. Wool dresses and skirts with pleats and pin tucks recall a whimsy you thought you left behind long ago.

About Sinta

Sinta Jimenez’s previous incarnations: rolling stone, financial analyst, law student, herbal specialist, waitress, model, wild child, ballet dancer, student, surfer, world traveller. Current incarnation: mother, lotus amidst fierce flames. From birth to death: artist, writer, poet. A lifelong student of the arts, she received her Masters in Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design in 2010. Born in Manila,  she was raised and lives in DC. Check out her fabulous blog Hail to the Chic. Photo taken in Los Angeles.

Read Sinta’s posts.

Shop Linea Pelle Belts!

Wrap waist belt $165

Hip belt with angled connectors $210

Vintage perforated and studded belt $150

Woven medallion waist belt $190

Photo | Spiegel

It may still be hot wherever you are, but it’s never too early to get a head start on your fall wardrobe!  One of the coolest things that we found while scouring our database is this fleece cape from Spiegel.  For only $29 (originally $79), you can look chic no matter where you go this fall and winter with this go-everywhere cover-up.

The beauty of a cape is its inherent drama.  While it’s practical as a coat, it adds panache to any outfit, wherever you go: from the office to an evening out to a weekend in jeans and boots.  Long leather gloves create an even more chic look with some retro flair.  This cape also comes in black or scarlet to complement this season’s fabulous palette.

WIN IT!

You can win this cape in camel through August 31, 2011.  Just sign up for our newsletter (on the right) for your chance to win.  One lucky winner will be drawn amongst all newsletter subscribers and notified September 1st via email.  We’d love to hear what you would wear with this cape this fall/winter and where – leave your comments below.  Good luck!!!

by Renae Virata

I was fortunate to find Ellie at the Indianapolis International Airport when I landed at midnight from Phoenix.  For such a late night, she was super cute in her totally together travel get-up. What makes Ellie’s look work is her artful way of putting things together and accessorizing.  The easy cotton shorts in a stand-out olive color, cuffed ankle boots, summer fedora and pendant necklace totally work with her rolled-up denim button-down. It was no surprise that Ellie works at the fashion-forward Broad Ripple boutique Niche owned by the equally stylish Erica.

Shorts and boots of all heights and styles have taken center stage this season despite the heat.  From the dry heat of Phoenix to the humidity of Indy, the preferred footwear for the stylish traveler this summer is a cool pair of boots to wear with a variety of shorts.

by Renae Virata

It’s hard to dress light for the hot Phoenix weather while dressing comfortably for a flight, too, but these two Travelistas made it happen.

Sarah, on her way from Minneapolis, donned a super light and super cute bright floral romper and espadrilles.  Extra “cool” points for the fabulous open back.  Her belt added just the right extra to “tie” it all together.

White jeans are back this summer but to do it light, try a thin, striated pair like Donna’s.  The texture in her jeans in addition to the open-weave cardi and adorable animal-print kitten-heeled slides add just the right amount of detail to make this simple outfit more put together and chic. (If you are ever in Boise, Idaho, be sure to visit Donna at her yoga studio Sumits Yoga.)

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

by Renae Virata

Boots aren’t just for the Rodeo according to these savvy Travelistas.  When asked why they preferred boots as part of their traveling ensembles?  “They’re just more comfortable and add more flair to any of my outfits,” said Corey.  “Plus, they’re tough enough for almost any weather.” (Which we at WeareverTheWeather.com, of course, love!)

Kimberley, on the other hand, was making her way via IAH from Costa Rica, where she lives, to Aspen, Colorado.  Her boots were as perfect for her in the tropics as they were in the Rockies – and in between.

So, there you have it – next time you take a trip, don’t disregard those cowboy boots as part of your traveling outfit – or your vacation wardrobe.

Corey. Easy casual look "kicked" up a notch with kickers.

Kimberley. These boots were made for walking...all over the world.

by Renae Virata

This travelista was leaving for a trip to Miami when we spotted her in the Freeport, Bahamas, airport.  I couldn’t help noticing how more formally dressed she was compared to all the other airport goers clad in borderline beachwear (me: guilty!). And love her neutral but bright light gray polish.

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

by Renae Virata

If you’re the adventurous type, the best way to cross over the hundreds of grachten (canals) in Amsterdam is to hop on a bicycle.  Everywhere you go, you’ll see rows and rows if not whole clumps of bikes parked next to storefronts or chained to bridge rails.  Be prepared with an outfit that will make those vacation pics worth sharing yet comfortable while you pedal your way through this historic and enchanting city.

Cyclists in Amsterdam ride their bikes like we drive our cars here in the States, so you’ll want to be as comfortable as possible to worry more about defensively cycling than what you are wearing.  Consider safety your primary focus, then, when planning your ensemble!  It’s definitely no fun to tumble over your bike because of a rogue piece of loose fabric or loose sandals.   Unfortunately, no one wears a helmet there, so it’s up to you to decide how important your noggin is.

Me in Amsterdam. Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

Now on to the fun stuff!  Since the bicycle is such a commonplace form of transportation in Amsterdam, you will see some of the most fashionably dressed people in the world on two wheels there.  During the fall, I witnessed a number of women ready to go to work or meet up with friends in full chic attire: knee-high boots, skinny jeans, mid-length coat, artfully-tied scarf and cozy hat.  During the summer, the style is much like the rest of Europe but less formal, so you can wear a fabulous casual shirtdress and flats or strappy sandals or skinny jeans and a cute knit pullover with a scarf and light jacket.

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What else should you wear for your trip to Amsterdam? Fill out our My Stylist form to find out!

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What to Wear and How to Wear It

Here is a list of more specific fashion tips that will help you look your best on your ride.

• Pants. Try cute banded styles in cropped or ankle lengths.  They will keep you from dragging your pants on the gears.  Luckily, skinny jeans, leggings and flared minis are staples in the typical Amsterdammer closet.
• Skirts. Try a circle or paneled skirt.  Avoid binding styles such as pencils or too-revealing minis.
• Shorts. With so many great styles this summer, you are sure to find one that will suit your style and be perfect for the road.  Try culottes (yes, I said CULOTTES), bermudas, or simple chino shorts.  The safest and most flattering style to wear should at least reach your just above your fingertips.
• Sunglasses. A must, as much for the sun as for protection against UFOs (I’m talking rogue projectiles from cars or trees), dust, and bugs.
• Hat. Make sure it is one that can be secured to your head or hair.  Better yet, try a side French-braid or just pull your hair back in a pretty scarf to keep your hair out of your face (for safety’s sake, of course!).
• Jacket. You never know when it will rain in Amsterdam, even during the summer, so don a lightweight, at least water-repellant jacket with a hood.  Make sure it gives enough room in the underarm area, too, for sufficient mobility.
• Shoes. Cute flats or sneakers are obviously your best bet, but during my last visit to Amsterdam, I definitely saw some heels.  As a beginning cyclist, make sure your shoes are securely strapped to your feet. Sandals are fine if they are  If need be, carry foldable flats (Dr. Scholls offers some that you can find at places like Target) and bring your change of shoes.
• Scarf. Absolutely!  What European vacation would be complete without the ubiquitous fashionable scarf?  Make sure yours is wrapped well so as not to slide down into your wheels and cause a vacation memory you wish had never happened.
• Bags. Cross-body bags are a champ in this scenario as are mini-backpacks (yay, they’re back in!).  Other options may leave you doing a balancing act so, if possible, rent a bicycle with a built in basket to carry your stuff.  (When was the last time you had a basket on your bike?  How picturesque!)

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Don’t leave for your trip without Access America Travel Insurance. From travel delay coverage to missed connection coverage, they’ve got you covered!

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]]> http://blog.wearevertheweather.com/2011/05/what-to-wear-in-amsterdam-cycling/feed/ 0 http://blog.wearevertheweather.com/2011/04/best-multi-use-makeup-for-travelling/ http://blog.wearevertheweather.com/2011/04/best-multi-use-makeup-for-travelling/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:02:32 +0000 Renae Virata http://blog.wearevertheweather.com/?p=4070 by Renae Virata