The Travel Essentials You Need To Pack For Your Next Big Trip

I'm going home this week for the first time in 2 years!! In case you can't tell I'm a little bit excited...but, although it will be totally worth it I'm not so excited about the 17 hours of flying it's going to take to get there! Because my mind has been focussed on packing for the last week, or maybe two because I do so enjoy packing for a holiday, I wanted to share my thoughts on the essential items you should pack for your next big trip. No matter your destination keep these pieces in mind to make packing and putting together your trip outfits simple: 

Your Travel Outfit

Ok so we're starting with items you won't actually be packing but what you wear on a flight, even if it's a short one, is pretty important. I've come to learn over the years that you can pretty much guarantee your flight will be a cold one, so be sure to rug up and focus entirely on comfort. Trackpants or leggings are anything but daggy these days and are by far the most comfortable pant options to travel in. I like to also ensure I have a scarf that will double as a blanket if I need it. Wear your most bulky shoes and coat/jacket to save room in your suitcase, you can always take them off and store them in the overhead lockers once you're in the air! 

Practical Shoes

It's not the most appealing word but when it comes to travel and what you put on your feet, practicality is a necessity. Comfortable shoes for walking and being on the go all day are a must, I tend to go for sneakers or Birkenstocks. Then consider versatile footwear that you can wear dressed up or casually, think boots or sandals, to cover all bases and reduce the number of bulky items you have to pack. I like to travel in sneakers and pack two pairs of other shoes that accommodate the temps I'll be visiting.

Everyday Denim

In my opinion, wether it be in the form of jeans, shorts, skirts or jackets, denim is a must when traveling. It doesn't need to be washed frequently, it's durable and doesn't crease, plus it will match with every colour and print you decide to pack to wear with it! Vary the washes of your denim so you don't feel like you're wearing the same thing everyday and always include black denim when you're packing for the ease of dressing it up or down.   

Versatile Jackets

A jacket (or two!) that goes with all or most of your outfits will be essential on any trip. Even in warmer climates it can cool down at night and you'll need a light jacket, one you can tie around your waist is always nice and easy. Wearing one of your jackets on the plane will mean you have room for one or two more in your suitcase, remember to wear the bulkiest option! Jackets you can layer provide versatility in changeable climates, like a light jacket layered under a leather jacket or leather jacket under a coat, plus this increases your outfit options.

Swimwear

If you're going to a tropical location this is an obvious one but I like to pack one bathing suit wherever I go just in case. You never know if you'll be in a spa in cooler climates or better still visiting a day spa! 

Rely on Accessories

Don't forget jewelry and accessories, and lipstick which we'll class as an accessory in this case, as super small items to pack that can make a big difference to your outfits. Wearing the same top won't feel so dull if you have necklaces or earrings to help mix it up. And take that basic top straight to a night look with a bold lip...accessorizing is seriously the simplest way to change up your looks.

Safe travels and happy packing everyone!

Reflecting On 1 Year Of Hungry Wardrobe

Well, I can't quite believe it but It's been one year since the relaunch of Hungry Wardrobe, which is definitely cause for celebration! My initial intention was to help you find true happiness in your wardrobe and love what you wear, while shining a spotlight on consumerism and how the fashion industry affects our planet and it's people. Today my goal is unchanged and I believe that together we can all learn to love ourselves, be happy with what we have and end the cycle of non stop consumption. Basically I couldn't be more pleased with what Hungry Wardrobe has become.  

Realizing and achieving all of this in my own life continues to be a journey for me. I question and learn new things about my habits everyday, and I appreciate my heightened awareness of my actions and the impact they have. And as overwhelming as it can sometimes be I am content in knowing that every little change I make is making a difference. Each small step is a move towards a more positive me, a more positive wardrobe and a more positive future for our environment. I hope you've continued to learn and grow this past year with inspiration from the content I've created to leave your wardrobe plus your state of mind around it in a much healthier place. 

Along the way I've discovered some amazing brands that are not only affordable but changing the fashion industry norms and helping create a brighter future for the way we produce and consume clothing. One of the most unexpected things has been connecting with so many inspiring influencers all working towards a more ethical and sustainable approach to fashion. This community is so supportive and I feel so privileged to have become a part of it. These connections have also expanded my thinking past just my wardrobe and helped inspire a personal quest to live a more sustainable lifestyle. 

As for what the future holds for Hungry Wardrobe, well I have lots of ideas, but for now I will continue to shine a spotlight on inspiring brands and influencers and share personal styling and conscious consumption tips. Full disclosure, I am slowly starting to take on sponsored posts but please know I only ever promote a brand or product that I believe in and think you should all know about. I will also ensure to make it clear that it is a sponsored post in order to remain transparent. You can also find me over on The Green Hub, an amazing sustainable lifestyle website, where as the resident personal stylist I'll be talking all things fashion and style. 

If there's anything you'd love to see on Hungry Wardrobe or any questions you want answered about your wardrobe or styling then I'd love to hear from you, you can get in touch via the contact page on my website. Thank you for being part of Hungry Wardrobe and coming on this journey with me, you should be proud of yourself for the difference you are making!

Tackle Your Seasonal Wardrobe Swap in 3 Simple Steps

This time of transition creeps up on us twice a year, it can mean a daunting task ahead or maybe an exciting one depending on which of the two times we're talking about. Of course I'm referring to the seasonal wardrobe change over! Wether you're making the move into the warmer months or transitioning to Winter like I am (boo!), this time can be a challenge and is likely to evoke feelings of wanting to buy a whole new wardrobe. That's why I've got your back with 3 simple steps to help make your wardrobe swap simple and avoid the need for a major shopping trip.

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1. Review The Past Season

Before you tuck this seasons now unneeded items to the back of the wardrobe take stock of what you wore most this season and those items you maybe didn't wear at all. Which coats were on high rotation or were there any Summer dresses that didn't make it into the sun. When packing away or storing these pieces elsewhere, first separate them out by most and least worn to review again when the season rolls back around in 6 months time. You might find you're newly inspired by certain pieces next year or the break will confirm that you in fact don't need particular garments or they don't make you feel amazing. Reselling items is easier and more lucrative in the season they relate to so it's best to wait another few months for that clear out if you can.  

2. Refresh For This Season

Try on the items you haven't seen for 6 months and check for any alterations or dry-cleaning that might be necessary. Create new outfits, remember your most loved looks from last year and work in any favourite pieces from this season to make them relevant for the next if you can. It's a great idea to take snaps of these combinations to keep a documentation of your favourite looks and make getting dressed easy all season long. Leave any transitional pieces in your wardrobe for now, the ones that still have a few weeks of relevance before the weather truly changes, and wear them as much as you can! Categorize and sort your wardrobe for the new season, taking stock of what you're excited to wear again and what you may be missing that will help get you through the next 6 months and compliment your existing pieces.

3. Make A List And Start Researching  

Are there any gaps in your wardrobe? Review any trends or new styles you want to try and see if you can create them with pieces you already have or by altering an existing item. Get that alterations and dry cleaning pile tended to, the longer you leave it the longer you miss out on wearing these items. And lastly, make a list of your must haves, create a budget and start researching to find the style that absolutely fits what you're looking for. Remember to discover new brands and use second hand stores and websites to help with finding your must haves ethically and sustainably.

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Most importantly, enjoy! Let go of any pressure to have the most current trends in your wardrobe and be true to your personal style. Reconnecting with your season specific clothing should be fun and spending time working on your wardrobe is what creates value...and we all know that the value of our clothing is much more than what was on the price tag.  

How To Style Your Outfit Using The 5 Elements of Design

Understand the five elements of design and how they connect to and influence your body shape and style personality so you can achieve your wardrobe goals and always feel great in what you wear. So, what are they and how do they relate to you?!

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Outside Lines

What are outside lines? The outside silhouette or shape of a garment. 

How do you use outside lines? Outside lines that echo the shape of your body are generally the most flattering and visually pleasing.

Hourglass - styles that draw in at the waist like fit and flare or wrap shapes to highlight curves.

Rectangle - fluid and straighter shapes that flow from top to bottom, skimming over waistline.

Oval - sleek shapes that are loose in the middle.

Inverted Triangle - strong shoulder lines and body shapes that skim over hips. 

Triangle - shapes with volume at the bottom to skim over hips with volume at shoulders to create balance.

Get to Know Your Body HERE

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Inside Lines

What are inside lines? Design details that the eye follows such as seams, buttons, trims, pleats and lapels. 

How do you use inside lines? Inside lines can be strategically used to draw attention to areas you wish to highlight. 

Horizontal lines - widen the areas they are placed and can shorten a silhouette.

Vertical lines - lengthen and narrow an area or entire silhouette.

Curved lines - add softness and depending on their direction have the same effect of vertical or horizontal lines.

Diagonal lines - camouflage by leading the eye across and down the body and can also lengthen a silhouette.

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Colour

What is colour? Placement of colour on your body and colour connections between pieces in an outfit.

How do you use colour? Light and bright colours will attract attention while darker more subdued colors diminish an area. 

Light and bright colours - use to highlight an area or create balance when another design detail draws attention to an area you'd rather camouflage. 

Dark and subdued colours - use to diminish and detract attention away from an area. 

Color breaks - wearing a solid colour elongates while the area where a colour break is created in your outfit will draw attention.

Discover Your Colors HERE

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Texture

What is texture? Through fabrication and placement on the body texture is similar to colour in it's effects.

How do you use texture? Highly textured fabrics add visual bulk while smooth surfaces minimize, and shiny or metallic textures enlarge while matte surfaces diminish.

To enhance - use textured fabrications such as tweeds or thick knits to add dimension to an area you wish to draw attention to or create balance with. Shiny fabrications will also add to an area you wish to highlight by reflecting light and increasing body size.

To diminish - go for matte and one dimensional surfaces in areas you wish to camouflage, they absorb light and minimize body size. Steer away from textured fabrications close to the face if you are concerned with highlighting any texture in your skin. 

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Proportion

What is proportion? The dimensions of your outfit created by colour breaks, hem lines and seams.

How do you use proportion? Unbalanced proportions on your body are more visually pleasing than an equal split.

The Golden Ratio 1/3 to 2/3  

Create outfits that achieve this balance by making use of:

• colour breaks, which can be adjusted through tucking or the use of accessories. Black tights will appear as an extension of a black skirt. 
• the positioning of hem, waist and neck lines. A high neck covers a larger portion of your body than a crew or v-neck. 
• any seam detailing which creates inside lines. These will be more prevalent in single colour outfits or dresses. 

How To Style For Your Face Shape

We talk about body shape a lot when it comes to flattering styles and the clothes that make you feel great, but what about your face shape? Did you know that your face shape also links back to the clothes you wear and how they accentuate or camouflage certain features? As usual, there are no hard and fast rules and you should always wear what you feel amazing in. Knowing your face shape will help you understand how styling will play up or play down your facial shape and features...discover yours now!

How to determine your face shape:

First decide if your facial features are round or angular? This will correlate directly to the face shape images above when deciding which best fits you. 

Where is your face the widest? Mentally divide your face into 3 sections, top (forehead), middle (eyes/cheekbones) and bottom (chin/jawline). Is the widest point of your face, when viewed from the front, at the top, middle or bottom section of your face or are all three sections an equal width? Use the guidelines below to figure out which shape best fits your face based on its widest point/s and features.

Wider Forehead =  Heart  

Wider Cheekbones/Eyes = Oval / Circle / Diamond

Wider Jawline = Triangle

Equal Width = Square / Oblong

As with body shapes you may be a combination of more than one of the face shapes. What's most important is that you get to know and understand your facial features and how design elements will accentuate or balance these features. 

How your clothing choices relate to your face shape:

Accentuate/Camouflage - 

• Wearing necklines that follow the shape of your jawline will accentuate its shape. For example, a v-neck with a diamond or heart shaped face or a scoop neck with an oval face shape will make the shape of your jawline more prominent. Creating contrast by wearing opposing necklines, for example a v-neck with a round face shape, will help camouflage a particularly pointed or round jawline. 
• The width of your neckline links to the width of your face and wearing a neckline that is wider than your face will make it appear wider than it is. Face shapes with a wider jawline or single width face shapes, like triangle or oblong, may want to avoid this while oval and diamond shapes may want to use this to balance a longer face.
• This is also true when it comes to the depth of your neckline and how it relates to the length of your face. Lower necklines accentuate length while high necklines camouflage length. For example, a low v-neck will elongate your face while a high crew neck will shorten it.
• Clothing features, like necklines and pattern,  that reflect the features of your face, round or angular, will work harmoniously with your look. Wearing opposing shapes to your facial features will create contrast for a more statement making look.

Accessories

• Creating a focal point with your accessories is key as this is where attention will be drawn. Wearing a crew neck top with a v-shaped necklace means the necklace will be the link to your face shape, while a v-neck top with a neck scarf actually creates a rounded link to your face shape.  
• Accessory shapes and proportions link back to not only your body but also your face shape...especially jewellery which is worn close to your face. A necklace with rounded features will compliment a round face shape while wearing long earrings with an oval face shape will accentuate it's length. It's all about what you want to play up...or not!

Obviously hair styles and eyebrow shapes also link hugely to your face shape but I am no expert in this area! It's definitely worth getting advice from your hairstylist and/or beautician if you're looking to accentuate or camouflage certain facial features or your face shape further.