FN Blog - Seven heads are better than one!

I’ve always prided myself in packing light, which, for me, consists of bringing everything I wanna wear, everything I might wanna wear (I always end up with the 3rd outfit I put on), hair dryer, hair plancha, and my 7-pound kikay kit—all of which fit into an overnight bag when I’ll be gone for 5 days. Although I do believe in dressing for comfort, I don’t believe in porontongs and Hawaiian shirts—and I do not believe in fanny packs. Just because I’ll be booked in the backpacker’s district doesn’t mean I have to dress the the part. You are virtually your homeland’s envoy. REPRESENT. (Plus, you’ll never know what gorgeous piece of tourist ass you’re gonna meet—hence the 7-pound kikay kit.) On the flipside, however, I more so absolutely do not believe in spending on ONE outfit what I cuold spend on a roundtrip Cebu Pacific budget airfare. So here’s a starter list of clothing staples you’ll need when traveling in style ON A BUDGET. More tactics and tips to follow in Part 2!

1. BASIC TEE. When it comes to tops, number-one on your list should be a basic plain tank so you can diversify it with a gamut of accessories; people tend to remember prints. The same plain tank worn with a vest, or a long, chunky bead necklace, or a tailored coat and a scarf already yields three different outfits!

And as fashion common sense dictates, dark monos camouflage any bulge you want to remain in covert.

If you’re iffy about arm exposure or think you haven’t got a lean enough torso to sport a bulge-free snug tank, you still need a couple of these closet staples anyway. What for? We’ll get to that later. No worries, I’m not one of those freaks of nature whose skin doesn’t fold when they sit and who walk around in a size negative-8. I know whereof I speak when it comes to dressing a less-than-perfect bod, so we’re on the same side here, ayt?

2. DRESSJACKET, DRESSCOAT, OR SHIRTDRESS. You can also streamline your silhouette by topping a tank with a long, dress jacket. Zip it down and let a part of the tank peek out so you’ve got a little skin tease despite being covered everywhere else.

If you’re traveling a little north of the hemisphere, you will actually need to dress against the cold. And if you’ve got no issues looking like a quarterback who shovels snow off people’s driveways for a living, then go ahead with 7 layers of sweatshirts and a parca. Otherwise, a thermal camisole under a dress jacket in wool or cashmere can keep your tropics-born ass warm without bulking up your silhouette.

3. A TAILORED TOP. Nothing helps streamline your silhouette as much as a classic tailored top. The only downside is, they need ironing. But if you’re not so hot about your hotel’s laundry service rates, then hang your to-irons with a hanger in your shower stall as soon as you unpack (make sure the shoulder seams fall right on the hanger’s edges). Turn on the shower to the hottest setting, and voila—instant “steam iron.” After about 10 minutes, take the tops out to air-dry before putting them in your closet.

Tailored tops can also take the form of a vest…

…or a trendy dress shirt.

4. DARK DENIM. The beauty of what were originally meant to be “the people’s pants” is that in their dark, monochromatic variant, paired with a the proper elemetns, they can still be acceptable wear for Dresscode: Cocktail. Now, I’m not well-versed with what jean cut goes with body type. The only way to really determine that is still through the good old fashion way of TRYING THEM ON…

But through my history of all shapes and sizes of denim, I’ve come to realize one factor that’s more crucial than the kind of fade, the width of the leg, how high or low they hang around your hips or waist. The one thing I look for when I’m romancing a prospective pair of jeans in a fitting room is PERFECT CROTCH FIT.

It doesn’t matter if your thighs manage to look good in a pair of skinnies or if you’ve got the height to pull off the widest elephant-legs. If crotch fit is amiss—like if the jean crotch stops two inches below your actual crotch (making you look like the third Criss-Cross member) or if digs in too high up (making you look like you’ve got a camel-toe-shaped dildo strapped on), then all is for naught. It’s all in the crotch, ladies. (In more ways than one, sure, but all I meant was denim fit, my darling little pervs.)

5. SHORTS AND/OR SKIRTS. I don’t care if you don’t meet standard catwalk requirements because you don’t have gams growing out of your armpits, every girl’s got K to show some leg. It’s just a matter of choosing the right bottom. If you’re one of those lucky-borns with Lolita limbs, then whoop-de-friggin-doo for you, you can wear anything. Pair denim shorts with a loose kaftan and sandals, and you’re resort-ready; or pull on a more formal-looking tweed pair with a tailored top and your favorite heels and you’re club-ready.

A pencil or straight cut that hugs you hip to mid-thigh and stops right above your knees is perfect if you’re a thigh-shy one who doesn’t really have the waist but can bring the calves and narrow ankles.

If you’re short and generally curve-heavy, an A-line that stops about 2 inches above knee with a little heel like a wedge, or knee-high boots will work best for you.

The nice thing about traveling out of the country is that you can try on fashion statements without your fellow countrymen giving you those “Oh my God ang FEELING!” glances. The mini, popularly known as a closet staple for only the long and lithe of leg, can be worn over opaque stockings or tights and pranced in by even those of us who come up a few inches short on the leggage.

Do you answer to the name Olive Oil? A long A-line that starts from your waist and ends right above your knee gives your curve-free beanpole some grace and femininity.

6. SCARF. Sometimes, all it takes is a scarf to add significant jetset zing to an otherwise drab outfit. Wear ‘em long and plain or printed, or striped for a playful Beatnik feel. Worn short around your head as a 50s-style head band, or around the neck, with the knot positioned off-center, gets you instant doses of vintage chic.

7. COMFY BOOTS. Among everything on this list, boots are the only thing you need to save up on. Those sleek, black, leather high-heeled ones that come up to your knee go well with most leg types. But my personal fave are these suede, scrunchy boots (I got them on sale at GBX in Alabang Town Center, originally 5 grand, down to 3). When I travel and want to pack light but still be ready for any dress code, these are the only footwear I need. They’re low-heeled and comfy enough to walk the streets and go marathon-shopping in without slaughtering my feet one blister at a time. Yet they’re chich enough for me to “bring it” come evening gimiks. I wear them with skinny jeans, with short shorts, with minis, and practically anything that stops above my knee. And no, my lower limbs don’t sweat in them. If you must have your heels, though, I suggest getting a Cuban-heeld or a wedge-heeled pair. Stilletto boots are sexy, sure, but if you’ve got itchy feet like mine, you’re gonna have to pick something more forgiving.