Fashion Friday :: Surfer Style

[trip style = beach]

Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion and lifestyle blogger Heather.

Puka shell necklaces are back, y'all! Just kidding---thank goodness---but surfer style is alive and well and living on Oahu. Last month, I took my first trip to Hawaii, where I rediscovered my high school love for all things surf. Once you get past the Tommy Bahama shirts and the wear-it-30-different-ways sarongs of Waikiki, there's a whole island of beach style to embrace---lest you look like a Haole.

Now What To Pack? Women (clockwise from top left) Reef creamy leather sandals, Quiksilver lamrocks butler shorts, Quiksilver stavi hat, Spell cambodian tribal bag, Free People big dipper oversized tee, Billabong only good vibes blanket towel, Billabong sunset ryder hat, Free People sunkissed flora racerback tank

Men (clockwise from middle right) Quiksilver railed long sleeve shirt, Quiksilver malone sweatshirt, Reef warrior stripe, Reef suicides chino, Reef kitchi kah mi win shoes

More Fashion Friday Life's a Beach Romantic Caribbean Cabin Fever

[top photos via reef.com, collage by @heatherlovesit]

Fashion Friday :: Made for Walkin'

[trip style = urban]

Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather.

Is anything more important than comfortable shoes when you're traveling? I can't tell you how many times I've regretted the shoes I packed when I valued style over comfort. Even though it is a great excuse to buy a new pair on the road...

I recently bought a pair of John Fluevog Hannah boots (shown at top left) and I've barely taken them off. They're the most comfortable boots I've ever owned and definitely Trip Styler approved! These booties are perfect for quick escapes to New York and Portland, and I know I'll be wearing them on the cobblestone streets of Europe next year. Style and comfort together in the same shoe---it's possible!

Trip Styler Tip: If you tend to pack shoes for style over comfort like I sometimes do, remember to bring a stick of Band-Aid Friction Block to avoid blisters {also available in generic form at your favorite drug store}.

Fluevogs are designed in Vancouver, BC in a studio overlooking their flagship store in one of the most striking retail spaces in the city. They're known for their durability, customer service and unique styles. They've been making some killer contemporary shoes lately and I suspect I'll become one of their many loyal customers. And since I live in Vancouver, it's great to know that I'm buying local.

{Editor's Note :: I spent some time with John Fluevog and his lovely wife in Africa four years ago while at a wedding in Nairobi. He is an extraordinarily gracious, well traveled (and well dressed, obviously) gent in case you're interested in the face behind the shoe!}

Now What To Choose?
Women (clockwise from top left)
Hannah, Astern, Malcolm, Impel, Cha Cha, Paglia, Boogie Woogie, Ard, Wizard

Men (descending from top right)
Wynn, Soros, Kashmir

More Fashion Friday
Life's a Beach
Falling for Portland
Runway Style

[shoes via John Fluevog]

Fashion Friday :: Life's a Beach

[trip style = sun + beach]

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather.}

My Instagram feed has been filled with images of first snow this week from friends across the country. I imagine after a few mornings scraping their windshields, the novelty has worn off and those friends are already online bookmarking tropical destinations, hoping to swap their parkas for pareos and their boots for bikinis.

Even on the rainy West Coast, I'm dreaming of trading my umbrella for a tiny drink umbrella, preferably in a coconut, at a swim up bar, surrounded by surfers who speak very little English. Before I get carried away with an Ally McBeal-style daydream, I must remind you that the perfect styles for your sunny getaway are on sale now. And it makes sense that if you buy the perfect sandals or swim trunks now, you'll just have to find somewhere to wear them soon...right?!

Now What To Buy? Women (clockwise from top left) Rodebjer petite swimsuit {sale!}, We Are Handsome dutch frilled swimsuit {sale!}, Heidi Merrick carp tunic {sale!}, Osborn sandalia black sandal {sale!}, Miu Miu plunge-front swimsuit, Topshop chunky oversize sunglasses, Target braided hat, Madewell toe-strap boardwalk sandal, Zimmermann frill rash guard {sale!}, Lemlem bella patio dress

Men (clockwise from middle) Warriors of Radness coastal trunk {sale!}, Wings + Horns shorts {sale!}, Filippa K t-shirt {sale!}, Warriors of Radness renegade pullover {sale!}

More Fashion Friday Romantic Caribbean Resort Wear Falling for Portland Runway Style

Fashion Friday :: Runway Style

[trip style = any]

Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather.

September is huge in the fashion world with the Spring 2013 runway shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris. But honestly, how am I supposed to keep up with next season's trends when I'm still trying to make a dent in my 916-page September Vogue? It's much easier to focus on what's hot on the other runway for Fall 2012 travel style.

Printed Jeans
Forever 21 tie-dye denim :: Current/Elliott leopard print jeans

Grey Sweatshirt
Gap terry pull over :: Kate Spade garance dore studio pull over

White Blazer
Boundary & Co oona blazer :: Madewell tuxedo blazer

Slouchy Denim
Diesel fayza boyfriend jeans :: Current/Elliott slouchy stiletto jeans

Shawl-Collar Cardigan
Rag & Bone calistoga shawl cardigan :: J.Crew cotton shawl-collar cardigan

Like what you see? Don't forget to check out our airport and travel style boards on Pinterest.

More Fashion Friday
Like a Virgin
Celeb Travel Must-Haves
Airport Style

[photos via retailers, people.com, glamour.co.uk, justjared.com]

Fashion Friday :: Like a Virgin

[trip style = any]

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather.}

I think my favorite expression is "Bananas!" I blame Rachel Zoe and Gwen Stefani. Speaking of bananas, did you hear the big news in travel fashion this month? {Sadly no, a law banning pyjama pants in airports has not been passed, despite my letters to international airport authorities.} Banana Republic has redesigned the uniforms of Virgin America's flight attendants and pilots. Virgin, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

In order to drum up excitement for the redesign, Banana Republic put its designers in teams for a design challenge à la Project Runway, with Virgin execs choosing the winning looks and Virgin teammates weighing in. The final looks, described as "utility chic", mirror the airline's branding and cabin aesthetic.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdI-XBgJLqE&w=500] {Can't see the video? Click here.}

The new uniforms take flight next month, just in time for the airline's fifth anniversary. But wait! There's more! Like what you see on your crew? For a limited time, variations of some items will be available in Banana Republic stores and on Virgin America flights. It might not be high fashion, but it's definitely 35,000-ft-high fashion.

PS. Virgin isn't the only airline marrying fashion with function; Toronto-based Porter Airlines flight crew sport uniforms designed by Pink Tartan, while Korean Air flight attendants sport Gianfranco Ferre.

Trip Styler Tip: Flying through San Francisco? Be sure to fly out of SFO's Terminal 2, home to Virgin America and American Airlines. It not only has a yoga room and a Kiehl's, but also hip and healthy food choices like The Plant Cafe Organic, Pinkberry, and Cat Cora, where on my last trip a Virgin pilot serenaded travelers on a baby grand piano. It also has a wine bar if that's your version of yoga...

More Fashion Friday
Celeb Travel Must-Haves
Airport Style
Summer Style With Heidi Merrick
Oh Mr. Sun

[collage by @heatherlovesit & photos via virgin america]