Jetset Style :: Scandinavia-Inspired Jackets

[trip style = any]

I recently returned from Scandinavia, and always with an eye on trends, I came home declaring that our Nordic neighbors are wearing three styles of jackets right now: the long and flowing duster coat, the bomber jacket and the classic leather biker jacket {see my street style snaps above}. It's no surprise that they're on point with fashion; Sweden and Denmark are home to Acne, Hope, Won Hundred, Filippa K, Henrik Vibskov and the H&M group of companies, to name a few. I was so charmed by their sense of style that I announced to all my friends back home that I had found my people, and they are Scandinavian. 

Duster/Lightweight Trench Coat
This season's answer to the kimono is the duster coat. I first spotted this trend on the ladies of Copenhagen, whizzing past me on bicycles with their jackets flowing in the wind. This style is the perfect layering piece for fall.

From left: Zara flowy gathered coat with belt, Urban Outfitters drapey trench coat, Zara destructured trench, Monki duster coat

Bomber/Flight Jacket
It's possible that there are a lot of pilots in Scandinavia, but I'm betting that bomber jackets are just THE jacket of the season. Spotted on both men and women, these jackets are a passport to cool. Gentlemen: buy one in navy for an extra splash of Swedish style.

Clockwise from left: Acne Studios lightweight bomber jacket, ASOS bomber jacket with zip, H&M satin pilot jacket, Won Hundred anthracite melange leroy jacket, Aritzia salvatore jacket, Minimarket hapy navy blue jacket, Hope flight jacket

Leather Moto/Biker Jacket
If there's one thing that history proves, it's that leather motorcycle jackets never go out of style. They're the jackets I noticed most frequently in Stockholm, in both cropped and boxy fits, and on men and women. Throw a leather jacket on top of a basic tee and ripped jeans or Annie Hall-style trousers and you'll channel the women of Södermalm, Stockholm's coolest neighborhood.

From left: Allsaints papin leather biker jacket, Acne Studios mock leather moto jacket, Karen Millen leather jacket with silver zip sleeves

Stay tuned for more Scandinavia coverage this fall, including Spotlights on Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm!

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[street style photos taken by @heatherlovesit & @graceyvr and graphics assembled by @heatherlovesit]

Jetset Style :: Shape Up and Ship Out

[trip style = any]

Sporty clothes are having a moment. Sneakers, ball caps, windbreakers, stylish sweats—items that were once activity dependent are now mainstream thanks to modern cuts and fabrics. This is great news for avid travelers on the hunt for stylish and comfortable pieces that go the extra mile...literally.

The fashion buzzword for the trend—"athleisure"—perfectly and ridiculously describes the intersection of athletic and leisure clothing. We want attractive workout wear that doubles in the program as perfect plane, train and automobile wear. We want items appropriate for cycling through Copenhagen while also popping into chic boutiques. We want to make 10 pieces stretch into 20 outfits when we're packing carry-on luggage.

Fashion and function haven't always agreed, but brands and retailers have started paying attention to the growing athleisure market. What started with Stella McCartney for Adidas and Heidi Klum for New Balance has grown to even include director David Lynch for Live The Process. Aritzia, Free People, Urban Outfitters, Loft, Lululemon Lab and Net-a-Porter have thrown their {moisture-wicking} hats into the ring.

We've rounded up the latest and greatest workout wear that will keep you looking good on a run and the runway.

Women
{top row} Live The Process floral print stretch jersey sports bra, Ballet Beautiful belle wrap top, Covee quilted hat, Nike roshe run print shoe {second row} Zoe Karssen jersey track pants, K-Way x Maje mabelle oversized parka, Zimmerman perforated crepe top and stretch sports bra set, Aritzia community rasa bra {third row} Adidas by Stella McCartney florisuga ballerina flats, Adidas by Stella McCartney women's run printed crop jacket, Nike leg-a-see leopard print leggings

Men
{bottom row} Nike roshe run mesh sneakers, Reigning Champ ss tee, Nike x Undercover gyakusou dri-fit hooded running jacket, J.Crew the un-sweatpant, Levi's Vintage Clothing 1950s cotton fleece crew neck sweatshirt

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[graphic assembled by @heatherlovesit]

The Savvy Traveler :: [SEBELL]

[trip style = urban, food + wine, luxe]

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

It’s hard to feel at home when you’re bouncing nomadically between Nashville, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver and B.C.’s Interior, but recording artist Sebell is content to call home wherever his suitcase lands. The multi-award winning musician, whose infectious Top 20 hit single Till the Sun Burns Out is playing on radio now, has an EP releasing with Universal Music in the fall. I sat down with him over coffee on a brief stopover in Vancouver to talk travel and bond over our shared affection for Instagram, Scandinavian design and the American South.

1/ Pick your top three trip styles
Trip style = urban, food + wine, luxe
My job tends to keep me in major cities, so for that reason urban is my main trip style. I’m a firm believer in “working vacations” and making even a weekend work trip memorable. That usually means trying out a new restaurant I’ve been following in my Instagram feed or checking out an espresso bar that my serious coffee connoisseur friends are raving about.

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some pretty luxurious hotels in my travels and that’s something that never gets old. I feel a little like Kevin in Home Alone 2. One time I had a cold and without even a conversation about it, the concierge noticed and sent an assortment of fresh lemon slices and hot teas to my room with a handwritten get-well note. Another time guest services arranged for a hair stylist from a local salon to give me a trim after hours when I couldn’t get a booking in the city and had a televised event the next night. You don’t get that kind of service at a Motel 6.

2/ I can't travel without...
Must-have items
Eye mask {yeah, I’m one of those}, Killspencer Daypack, Aesop Deodorant Spray {a.k.a. the red eye refresher}, Colgate Wisps, D.L. Eyewear Sunglasses, Saturdays NYC trunks {you never know when you’ll find a great pool}, KIND Almond & Coconut Bars and magazines like Inventory, Monocle, GQ, Entrepreneur and Inc.

Apps
UBER, Evernote {it’s where I keep all my frequent flier numbers}, Instagram, VSCO Cam, Hotel Tonight, Mini Piano {it looks useless, but it's an essential if you’re a singer or keyboard player on the road} and Full Fitness {great for keeping up a workout routine}

3/ Memorable travel story?
I was in Nashville one summer a few years back, in town playing a couple shows and getting to know the city. A friend randomly invited me to drive down to Florence, Alabama for a special show with The Civil Wars. It ended up being at designer Billy Reid’s flagship store. The band was on the cusp of breaking and Billy had just won GQ’s “Men’s Designer of the Year” Award. We sat in his studio, surrounded by his mood boards and sketches, everyone was drinking wine out of mason jars, the place was flooded in candlelight and we sat cross-legged on the floor listening to Joy and John Paul perform one of the best acoustic shows I’ve ever witnessed. One of my favorite music – and travel – experiences ever.

4/ Favorite spots in...
Nashville
– Pinewood Social: For the fantastic vibe, coffee, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks and bowling. Yes bowling. You could literally hang here all day. 
– Patterson House: For a relaxing evening cocktail with friends
– Imogene + Willie: For some handmade Nashville raw denim

Los Angeles
– Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese: For the best sandwich on a fresh baguette you’ll ever eat
– Mohawk General Store: For a great selection of men’s and women’s clothing, housewares and magazines
– Baxter Finley Barber & Shop: For a fresh fade and beard trim {and to stock up on Baxter of California products}

Vancouver
– Revolver: For fantastic coffee
– Old Faithful Shop: For Paine’s Cedar Incense, Hot Cakes Cold-Smoked Chocolate Chips and everything else that is good in life
– Ask for Luigi: For weekend brunch {believe the hype}

Toronto
– Pilot Coffee Roasters Tasting Bar: For the “Trust the Barista” special. A little hard to find, but worth it.
– Electric Mud BBQ: For a fresh take on BBQ. You’ll feel like you’re eating at a roadside shack in Texas–a hip roadside shack.
– The Drake General Store: For great wares and fun things you can’t find everywhere else. While you’re at it, check out the Drake Hotel next door and the Drake Underground for great live shows.

5/ You recently did a cross-Canada tour promoting “Till the Sun Burns Out”. What are some of your favorite stops in Canada?
Vancouver, Montreal and the Alberta Rockies. Any chance I get to stay in Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper, I’m in. It’s the Canadian Promiseland as far as I’m concerned.

6/ Destinations on your radar?
– Japan for the architecture and the fashion scene
– Sweden for the culture, design, fashion and music scene
– Palm Springs because it's always a good idea

More Savvy Travelers
Leighann, Work & Play
Jesse, I'm With The Band
Shaun, Packing Like A Rock Star

{If you know anyone who should be featured in our Savvy Traveler series, drop us a line!}

[photo by @chuckdwillis c/o @sebellmusic]

Beach Reads

[trip style = beach + sun + weekend getaway]

When I wasn't busy biking to the corner store for 5-cent candies, running under sprinklers, or choreographing dances to Ace of Base's "The Sign" and Boyz II Men's "Motown Philly", I spent my childhood summers checking out books to earn as many stickers as possible from the public library's annual summer reading club. Fast forward 20 years and I'm still spending my summers wading through stacks of unread books.

Since nothing complements a beach trip like a page-turner, here are three hilarious memoirs you'll want to pack in your beach bag this summer. They're funny, not too serious, entertaining, self deprecating and witty. Everything I want in a summer relationship—with reading. Just don't forget to pack some extra SPF because these books will have you sobbing through your sunscreen with tears of laughter.

Uganda Be Kidding Me
Chelsea Handler's comical collection of travel stories is by far and wide the most irreverent and belly-busting memoir I've ever read. While reading it, I may have peed my pants from the pressure of heaving laughter, skipped the gym because my abs got such a workout, and drawn way too much attention to myself when I burst out crying from sustained giggling because of scenes like Chelsea's sudden urge to deal with a bout of post-Africa constipation in a kayak in the Bahamas. To give you an idea of how much I loved this book, I ordered every single one of her books from Amazon before I'd even finished this one.  –Recommended by Trish

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
Mindy Kaling kicks off her book with a list of alternate titles that include: So You've Just Finished Chelsea Handler's Book, Now What? and Harry Potter Secret Book #8. I was either the best or worst beach buddy while reading this book, depending on whether you liked to be interrupted and read to whenever I came across something hilarious I had to share, which was basically all the time. Whether it was her stories about growing up as a "timid chubster" in Massachusetts or her thoughts on best friend rights and responsibilities, she had me laughing the whole time and wishing she was my best friend, even if that means getting punched in the nose. Read the book to find out how that happens—and how it involves Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. –Recommended by Heather

Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar
If you've never heard of Kelly Oxford, you're probably not on Twitter, where she reigns as queen with her irreverent, observational tweets. Once a Calgary stay-at-home mother of three, she's now moved her family to Los Angeles, where she hangs out with her celebrity best friends and works as a screenwriter. No topics are off limits in her first memoir, where she shares her most embarrassing stories about mall modeling, teenage drinking, flying to LA to make Leonardo DiCaprio her boyfriend, and cancelling on brunch with David Copperfield in Vegas after a crazy night at the Hustler Club. I think Lena Dunham describes Kelly best on the book jacket: "Kelly Oxford is like your cool babysitter who teaches you about sex and sarcasm in an un-creepy way." –Recommended by Heather

I'm next in line for Uganda Be Kidding Me after Mr. Trip Styler finishes it, and after lending it to at least three people, I finally plan on reading Tina Fey's Bossy Pants next month or whenever I make it to the beach.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[collage by @heatherlovesit, beach basket by jadetribe]

Hola España :: Catalonia on Film

In May 2014, the Catalan Tourism Board invited five video artists to Catalonia for seven days to travel the region and document their experiences in their own styles. Touching all four provinces and stretching from Girona to Tarragona, these short travel films satisfy the armchair traveller in all of us—and may even inspire you to hop a plane for Barcelona, arriving just in time for tapas and cava. Who am I kidding? It's always time for tapas and cava in Catalonia! 

Barcelona GO! :: A hyperlapse film by Rob Whitworth (UK)

Barcelona Province :: A lifestyle film by Trevor S. Hawkins (USA)

Girona :: A tiltshift film by Pau Garcia Laita (Spain)

Our Own South :: An aerial film by AeroShots (Spain)

Lleida :: A timelapse film by Alexandr Kravtsov (Belarus)

I'm dying to explore Catalonia outside of Barcelona. Stay tuned for a full post on Barcelona, but until then, here are three picks for the perfect day in Barcelona:

1. Start at Park Güell, Antoni Gaudí's garden masterpiece, for a mix of modernism and million-dollar views of the city {park detail shown above}.
    
2. Navigate the narrow streets of El Born and drink cava at El Xampanyet {across from the Picasso Museum} or La Xampanyeria {closer to La Barceloneta}.
    
3. Cap off the day with a late dinner at Luzia, in an alley off Las Ramblas, with tomato salad, potatoes bravas and cava sangria.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

[photos of cadaques and park guell via catalunya.com]