Tips on how to smarten up your business trip

Travelling for work can be a stressful experience, trips to the airport, meetings, schedules etc. can take their toll. But perhaps the hardest part of the whole trip is the wardrobe choices. Odds are on your trip you need to meet with people, attend events, dinners and other meets and greet, therefore you constantly need to look the part. However, you don’t want to be carrying a lot of luggage with you, so you need to find the balance and bring a small number of key pieces that will get you through any eventuality.

Here are a few tips to make your packing (at least!) stress free!

First, figure out exactly what you need to take…if you have a dinner event, consider bringing an outfit that can go from day to night with just a few adjustments. Therefore, you are packing less clothes, instead you are using one item and wearing it two different ways. For example, taking several ties of different patterns and colors to match your shirt is a good choice. For business women, you can also try to cover your day dress with an eye catching coat. Which is quite risqué, but in a good way!

And the look becomes a stylish day time one!

Then, when you are going out for dinner or drinks that evening, remove your coat, flash your elegant dress(or your nice silk shirt), better add in a pop of color with matching shoes or a dressy silk scarf.

Eh voila, one look, two ways! Saves a bit of space in your bag!

Don’t forget about down time when you are away also. If you are a gym bunny, then a good idea is to pack some work out gear or perhaps a swimsuit. Easy to fit in as they take up very little space and may be a welcome addition to your trip if the work part gets a bit too much. Working out is the best stress reliever after all.

Gorgeous, and while conservative enough for a work trip, still says that you’ve got personality, plus, on trend!

For traveling, I would recommend a jumpsuit. Now, don’t be afraid, jumpsuits have come a long way since Charlies Angels and are now a comfortable and accessible piece of clothing, no matter what your style or shape. They are a great one-piece item to pack in, as they take up very little space and look amazing. Great for the trip there and back because you look both smart and professional but also you can move around easily and feel relaxed.

Wear with a pair of flats to give your feet and easy time too! You never want wear your leather shoes or height heels from morning till night, right?

Nearly there, the final point is don’t forget the handbag. If you pick the right one, then one is all you will need, trick is…go for a neutral color which will match whatever you wear…light tan is a winner.

I know, right? Amazing, and screams…I am a strong, confident businessman/woman with style AND substance.

Happy Travels!

Oh…nearly forgot, top tip! When packing, roll up your clothes: this double edged sword means you will fit more in your bag and remove the risk of creased clothes….you’re welcome!!

Met Gala 2018: Best-Dressed

This years Met Gala theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”

A-list celebrities from Rihanna and Blake Lively to Bradley Cooper and Michael B. Jordan were in attendance.

Below are the best-dressed guests on this year’s red carpet.

Rihanna

Jennifer Lopez

Sarah Jessica Parker & Andy Cohen

Blake Lively

Chadwick Boseman

Gigi Hadid

Tom Brady and Gisele Büdchen

Jared Leto

By Catherine Cunningham

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Masculine and Feminine: Balance in Style

The position of women in the society has been changing significantly over the years, and nowadays we see many successful women. Some of whom hold the highest positions in world-famous companies. In the same vein, their style has been evolving and elevating as well. As it is currently the latest fashion trend is all about adapting a masculine look, or more precisely, about striking a balance between feminine and masculine elements. Here are some interesting and stylish ideas to consider when putting together an outfit.

Pinstripe suit

Nothing beats the classics, and the pinstripe suit is a classic symbol of masculinity. However, following the entrance of women into the formerly masculine world of work and business  (the empowerment of women hyperlink seem to lead to a dead end), the boundaries between Men, Women, and their business wear have started to fade away gradually. Just out on the street women can often be seen in chic pinstripe suits, which are a perfect choice if you want to visually convey that you are a decisive, and professional woman.

Finally, once you’ve found your dream suit, think about the many ways you can individualize your look by adding touches of femininity to it, and thus hit whatever balance works for you. For example, an elegant pair of high heels will always do the trick, and make you look absolutely stunning.

Baggy is the new sexy

The days when only skinny jeans and body-hugging tops were considered sexy are long gone. Consequently, it seems that choosing to leave a little to the imagination with baggy clothes has become a true craze among women all around the world. So, don’t hesitate to give an oversized sweater a try, since we’re sure that you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how it can accentuate your body shape, and look absolutely polished. Especially when paired with an elegant accessory piece.

Furthermore, feel free to play with proportions a bit, maybe try to combine a voluminous top and a fashionable mini skirt. Take time to pamper yourself with some shopping, and look at brands that have a wide offering of both feminine clothes, as well as some more masculine pieces like the amazing wide leg pants. We guarantee you that your new look will sweep everybody off their feet.

Sporty look

The sporty look is another popular trend this year, and women are just as interested in sporting it as men. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should take your boyfriend’s jersey and combine it with sneakers when going out for a drink with your friends. Instead, you should try to use one of these getups as a way to bring a fresh twist to your evening look, and thus attract everyone’s attention.

and you’ll magazine covers For example, did you know that a ski jacket can go perfectly with a sparkly evening dress? Surprised? Well, you don’t have to take our word for it – just take a look at this year’s realise what we’re talking about, as well as discover many other athletic-inspired combinations that will make you look absolutely modern and simply irresistible.

Glam rock accessories

Another choice is to take the opposite approach, and start by choosing some feminine clothing pieces to center your look around. For example, you can go for an elegant gown, and combine it with a pair of sophisticated stilettos. However, even though this may seem like a perfect combination for a formal occasion, we advise you to shatter the monotony of a traditional look, and rock some glam rock accessories which will add that alluring touch of strength to your appearance.

This mixture of style is particularly great for heading to the club after a formal event, since it can pass off as a less formal outfit as well. Don’t hesitate to experiment! Find some new ways of blending different trends until you discover what suits you the most, after all this needs to be your look.

As you can see, hitting the right balance between a feminine and masculine look is just as rewarding as it is easy. You just need to try out various combinations, and be open to the fast changes in the fashion world. However, this doesn’t mean that you should wear something only because it has been promoted on the covers of world-famous magazines. Instead, try to create your own personal style and keep in mind that it’s most important that you like what you see in the mirror.

By Sophia Smith

Edited By Connor Sherman

5 Menswear Fashion Must-Haves for Winter

If you haven’t done it yet, it’s time to take all the summer and autumn clothes out of your closet and make room for cosier and thicker clothes in order to adjust to the cold and windy weather that’s approaching. Winter is here, and while we might be longing for the summer again, at least the season in which we can wear our favourite sweaters, jackets and socks while drinking hot chocolate or eggnog is here. So, with this in mind, what are the essentials for your winter wardrobe?

Tee simplicity

Forget about all the floral and colourful t-shirts (and shirts) you were rocking until now. Winter dictates simple and monochromatic t-shirts and shirts, without any patterns or eccentric prints. Why? Since you will likely be dressing in many layers, the best way to combine different t-shirts with pants and sweaters is if you had only minimalistic t-shirts. That way, you will be able to wear the same t-shirt more times this winter, without looking like you have nothing else to wear. Moreover, the minimalistic approach is very trendy now, so start your car and go get yourself simple tees in beige, brown, black or white.

Footloose

Many make the mistake of wearing sneakers and summer footwear during winter. It doesn’t matter if it’s not raining or not very cold, summer footwear is called that for a reason. Since many people say that shoes make the first impression on them, having leather shoes will definitely enhance how people perceive you. Choose brown shoes – you won’t be in the wrong. If you want to add a nice, urban twist to your wardrobe, try ankle boots as they are very trendy nowadays. Not only does this design look good on you, but this height will keep you warm and protect you from the cold weather. However, if the weather is dry, you could perhaps pull off sneakers – but make sure they are white, simple, and not flannel.

Sweater weather

As The Neighborhood says, “let me hold both your hands in the holes of my sweater”. And if you want to do this, then you’ll need very beautiful and comfortable sweaters, right? As it is the case with t-shirts, the best sweaters you could have are monochromatic, due to the fact that you could easily match them to the rest of your outfit. However, winter is the only season of sweaters, so it’s advisable to have patterned ones since those also look amazing. Get yourself an “ugly” Christmas sweater and rock it only during December and around the Xmas tree (the word “only” cannot be emphasized enough). The worst thing you could do is wear the Xmas sweater after Xmas – save the patterned ones for then. If you pair a colourful sweater with plain pants and nice leather shoes, you’ll have yourself an excellent winter outfit.

Suit up

November and December are months in which you will probably have at least one formal event. Not to mention Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when it’s a must to look the best you can. For these occasions, it would be best if you had a nice, elegant suit. Make sure, though, to have a suit that’s designed for winter – meaning no ankle chinos, but rather regular trousers. You can find many great men’s suits in Melbourne that you could invest in for the upcoming holidays, so book a fitting and wait for all eyes to be on you this season.

The coating

Winter is also the time of coats and jackets. If you want to add some flair to your style– a good coat is the key. Coats are excellent since they look very classy, and you can pair them with literally everything – jeans, sweaters, even sneakers. A coat is not only used as a layer of warmth, but of style as well. The best option is to get a coat the same colour as the shoes you’re wearing the most during winter. If they are brown – get a brown coat. Shoes (not talking about sneakers) of different colour than the coat might seriously clash. However, white footwear pairs well with any colour coat. So, to sum up – get yourself a coat this winter, and leave the jackets for some other time.

These five items are definitely must-haves for this season. If you follow these tips and really get into the winter weather, you’ll surely look top notch this winter.

By Peter Minkoff

Fall Fashion Essentials for Men

By Peter Minkoff

As summer is coming to an end, it’s about time you started thinking about your fall wardrobe staples and ways to combine them in order to come up with some flawless clothing combos. However, if you still aren’t sure about what the fall fashion essentials are, just be sure to stay with us and keep on reading. Here are five of them you simply have to have this season! Stridewise is where I nurture a maniacal obsession with footwear and share my findings.

Quality wool trousers

As soon as fall arrives, you should definitely turn to a bit thicker fabrics like wool and corduroy. These are the best ones for crisp weather and lower temperatures typical for this season. Cotton can also be a great choice, even though it isn’t as comfortable and warm as wool. When picking appropriate trousers, one of the most important things is their cut. Slim cut is always a good idea, just make sure that your trousers aren’t too tight. As for the color, black, navy and grey are an amazing idea, as well as all shades of brown. Burgundy and deep green will work, too!

Shawl collar cardigan

This timeless item is pretty much everything a fashion-forward man needs to own, so make sure to get a shawl collar cardigan for an upcoming season. As its name suggests, the high shawl collar is what characterizes this piece and makes it what it is – a staple for cold weather. Such cardigan will definitely help you feel warm and cozy. Apart from that, it’s trendy, stylish and just a little bit nerdy, and you know what? Girls really dig that, so don’t skip it this fall!

A rain jacket

The season we’re about to enter is well-known for its unpredictable weather, so don’t let it fool you and be prepared no matter what. Getting a rain jacket is an absolute must, so be sure to pick one that perfectly combines function with a fine design. Such piece will help you stay dry on a rainy day without looking like a tourist lost in space, which is exactly why you should look for brands that provide both protection from the rain and stylish designs. Make sure that the jacket you’re about to get is 100 percent waterproof, and you won’t make a mistake with it!

Fashionable accessories

No outfit is complete without proper accessories, and that’s the case with fall clothing combos, too. A trendy umbrella is always a good idea, especially when matched with the rest of your outfit. However, we can all agree that it maybe isn’t even necessary if you decide to get a rain jacket. Ties made from wool blends are a fantastic choice if formal attire is your everyday choice, as well as patterned pocket squares. Apart from these, you can never go wrong with a statement wrist watch. These simply scream class, so get some quality watches online ASAP!

Smart boots

If there’s something that can keep you safe from the rain, apart from a rain jacket (obviously), it’s a pair of smart boots. Quality footwear will keep you warm and protected from rain and snow later on, so be sure to get the best boots you can find. Apart from providing more coverage than an average pair of shoes, these are also highly versatile – you can wear them both in casual and in formal occasions, and even in combination with suits! Matte leather is one of the most convenient choices when it comes to fall, whereas black, gray and chocolate brown are fantastic in terms of color selection.

As you can see, each of these four pieces, alongside with appropriate accessories, is absolutely essential when it comes to this season. These will allow you to stay warm and cozy while being really fashionable at the same time, so get them as soon as possible and rock your fall outfits like a pro!