Dressing With Style for a Barbecue

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

How does one put herself together with style when going to a casual outdoor event like the barbecue?

The typical American BBQ is usually a busy, active, and messy outdoor event.

When getting ready, you should keep a few things in mind:

Dress Comfortably for ease and movement: You want to be relaxed and have freedom to move around.  A look with too many extras and constricting pieces may get in your way.  (We love knits and stretch for these types of casual events.)

Ralph Lauren

For the creative personality, think leggings with a flowing tunic dress; or for a sportier look, try leggings with a light sweater set.  A more traditional style can pair a sweater set with cotton twill crop pants.

Choose colors for the outdoors:

Remember the word messy when dressing for a BBQ.  You may get food on you, and possibly a little of the outdoors as well.  So white is probably not the best choice, but have fun with color!

A cool jean look is perfect for a BBQ.

For a dressier appearance, try an easy jersey dress with a pop of color.

A sleeveless blouse with a pretty detail matched with a colorful short is a simple feminine look.

Dress appropriately for the weather:

If it’s going to be hot, light fabrics are best, but you also want to guard against sun damage to your skin, so think about hats and possibly a covering to protect your arms and shoulders.  For day-to-evening BBQ parties, the temperature could drop, so it’s a good idea to dress in layers!

Mix and match a tunic with a cardigan and cool cargos.

Tie colors together with a fun hat.

A short-sleeve sweater set with Bermuda shorts is an elegant, put-together look.

A printed dress can be very cool in hot weather and make a dramatic statement.

Be thoughtful about your shoes and other accessories.  Don’t go with the easy option of athletic wear.  Your selections need to be easy, comfortable, and casual, but with something special— that’s what makes it chic.  Remember that your accessories can really make a simple outfit pop!

Try interesting ballet flats, or flat sandals.  Low to medium wedges are also a good choice.

Hats can be a very functional item at an outdoor BBQ, and what a terific way to ramp up your look and turn casual into casual-chic.

Scarves can get in the way at a BBQ, but fun and unusual belts add a nice touch to complete an informal outfit.

Jewelry should be simple:  one focus piece without a lot of ornaments to compete against it.  Again, this is a casual affair, so go for playful costume jewelry such as a pendant necklace or a beaded cuff bracelet.

What is the best outfit you’ve ever seen or worn yourself at a barbecue?  What made the outfit your favorite?

How to Pack Light and Chic for a 2 week Vacation

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

Going on a Vacation?  Don’t Know What to Pack?  Here is Some Help!

• What is your itinerary?
• Where are you going?
• How long will you be there?
• What will you be doing?
• How long will you stay in one place?
• What will the weather be like?

Basic Guidelines

You want to have a suitcase filled with comfortable, stylish but functional outfits that are easy to pack. For the entire travel wardrobe keep the color pallet simple-three neutral colors that you can mix and match. The most common neutrals are black, khaki/tan, denim, brown, navy and white. You can add character with color using tops and accessories. Make sure the garments you bring are easy care and durable.

A Sample Wardrobe

Here are 15 garments that can easily create up to 20 outfits. Select classic items with simple lines avoiding dramatic patterns and details.  Personalize your travel wardrobe by choosing colors, necklines, sleeve lengths, and hem lines that work best for you.  Leave the glitz and drama for your accessories.  This will give you versatility so you can wear the garment casually, dressy or layered.

The photos below are an example of a travel wardrobe in neutral colors that would work well for a summer trip. The individual pieces are dependent on your individual taste and style.

• 4 knit tops that can be worn alone or under other pieces.  You can bring in color here.
  
• 1 top that can be dressed-up or you could substitute a good travel dress instead. A dress in a knit fabric around knee length will be most versatile.
  
• 3 long sleeved tops that can be worn alone or over another piece and used as a light weight jacket.
  
• 3 bottoms, low maintenance, comfortable.
  

• 1 pant or skirt that can be dressed up but versatile enough to work casually. A Print skirt would add some dimension to your travel wardrobe.
  

  Dress Pants or a Skirt

Additional Garments

• 1 rain jacket, light and packable. North face has a terrific selection, Nordstrom’s also carry’s “mypac “ rain wear for women which not only keeps you dry, but also dresses you up.
  
• 1 light jacket for warmth and to throw on over everything.  I suggest a fleece-type material; these can be very sporty and functional and warm.
  

• A vest with pockets that securely close is an added travel piece that can come in handy with unpredictable weather for layering; it can be worn inside or outside of fleece

Shoes

• 4 Pairs of shoes
• 1 pair of “easy wear” shoes: slip-ons, flip-flops, clogs.  If the weather is unpredictable, closed toes may be more desirable then a sandal.
  

  Mules or Sandals

• 1 pair of comfortable, walk all day in shoes; athletic shoes like sneakers, hiking boots, etc.
  

  Comfortable Walking Shoes

• 1 pair of flats: dressy enough for a nice dinner but reasonably comfortable (a simple, metallic or skin toned shoe is most versatile)
  

  a supportive simple flat with a rubber sole works well

• 1 pair of dress shoes: a small heel in patent leather or metallic are great neutrals bronze or silver kitten heels will be very versatile
  

Necessities and Considerations

• Modest sleepwear that you can be seen by others in and made of packable fabric
• Workout clothes or swim wear?
• 1 pair of underwear per day plus 2 extra
• Other undergarments: 3 bras (shape wear & panty hose if necessary)

Accessories add Color and Personality.

Bring a wrap for warmth during the cool summer evenings and a brimmed hat or visor to protect your skin from the sun.    Keep Jewelry choices down to one or two items such as one or two necklaces, two pairs of earrings and possibly a cuff bracelet.  Add a belt if you want to accentuate your small waist -otherwise forget it.

Your Travel Outfit

Dress in layers for traveling since you can’t always predict or control the temperatures.  Choose the most comfortable pants, a long knit s shirt, a vest if you are bringing one, and a jacket.

Select shoes that will be comfortable while on the plane and that won’t fall off your feet when you are going through the airports.  Generally it is wiser to wear the bulkier shoes while traveling and pack the shoes that take up less room.

Suggestions on How to Pack Efficiently

In Your checked suitcase

Put bulky things at the bottom and around edges of your suitcase

Neatly fold or roll garments in center.  You can use airtight bags to compartmentalize garments.  This is a great system to keep your clothes neat and organized while traveling. Don’t forget your toiletries. If you have extra room in your suitcase you could add two more tops and another bottom.  Of course it is better to leave extra room in case you decide to buy something and bring it home.

In your carry-on

Make sure you pack the required amount of toiletries in your carryon bag in case your luggage gets lost for a couple of days.

These are considerations to bring,  I-pods, Lab-Top, books, phones, games, cameras, journals, ECT.

Suggested Resources

Travel Stores. Outdoor stores like REI and Any Mountain.

Also try American Apparel, Zappos.com, Talbot’s, Chico’s, Banana Republic, The Gap and J. Crew for Chic knits and casual items.

Nordstrom and Macy’s have sections where you can find easy maintaince clothing and accessories for your trip.

Athletic stores like Lucy, Lulu Lemon, and Athleta are also great recourses for low maintenance, comfortable and flattering garments.

Do You Have Any Secret Packing Tips that You Want to Share?