This is Yours Truly checking in from Albuquerque, New Mexico aptly named the Land of Enchantment! I flew here with my fiancé to visit family: a lovely way to spend the first few days of 2016.
However, while I love traveling, it presents difficulties in the packing arena. What to bring? What can I leave behind without missing it desperately?
Less luggage means quicker, easier travel. Yours Truly's packing goals usually involved bringing the minimum. Though it may not feel like it initially, packing only the basics is exceptionally freeing. I've learned a lot about packing over my years of traveling to far away lands (China, Guatemala, Italy to name a few) or around my own beautiful country. Here are my tips on packing for my curvy, pear-shaped ladies!
Just a quick definition of a curvy pear before we get started: A curvy pear is a woman whose bottom half (butt and thighs) are wider than her shoulders and chest; however, unlike a 'traditional' pear, her arms and bra size are generously proportioned. For reference, Yours Truly is a size 6 on top and a 6/8 on the bottom. My arms and shoulders are often too big to fit into tops that otherwise fit just fine -- talk about first world problems. I fit into small, medium and large-sized clothing -- discerning which of those to pick depends on the cut and brand.
Packing tip #1: Use black. As you can see from this look, I chose black as my neutral color. The coat from Forever21 and cowgirl boots set the tone for my travel wardrobe. Black is great for curvy girls because it has a lovely slimming effect, plus it's easily dressed up, giving the casual items you pack the ability to go from day to night.
Packing tip #2: Bring accessories to liven up your travel wardrobe. The other colors I brought with me were red and blue, as denoted by the scarf; the scarf served as the pulling-together element for all the looks I packed. Packing scarves, jewelry, hats, gloves, etc in different colors will boost your looks and keep you from getting bored of what you packed.
On a side note, I love the removable faux fur collar on this coat. It adds a great pop of texture that enriches every ensemble it's paired with.
Packing tip #3: Pack comfortable shoes. My old cowgirl boots from Ariat are now out to pasture because I wore the heel out from April 2015 to November 2015. I loved those boots but I did not like the hollow plastic heel; this time around, my new replacements from Justin brand have a solid, rubber heel which I hope won't wear down as fast.
Boots are my favorite accessory and shoe, period. I must own at least seven pairs and I cannot recommend packing cozy boots for a winter trip enough, especially if you foresee a lot of walking.
Even if cowgirl boots aren't your style, any form of black boots is trusty travel companion. They are flexible in the day-to-night sphere so they're useful in paring down your travel wardrobe to a minimum.
Packing tip #3: Yours Truly recommends packing tunics. They're flattering for a curvy figure, comfortable to sit in if you're flying or driving long distances, and hide bloating associated with staying in a pressurized cabin for hours on end. (Ugh.) Yours Truly packed this tunic by Color Me Red because I'm obsessed with it.
Yours Truly is unashamed to admit she wore it three times in one week! It's a stretchy blend of lyrica and spandex with fabulous wide sleeves for a 70s-inspired look. The simple black is brought to whole new level by the retro silhouette. I found that the big sleeves drew the eye away from problem areas -- plus this tunic highlights the chest and leaves the love handles un-highlighted. Perfect.
Packing tip #4: Last but not least, bring skinny jeans. You will not regret it. They dress up and they dress down, are comfortable, fashionable and a dark wash matches anything. Literally. Skinny jeans make your life so much easier while on the road! These particular skinny jeans from American Eagle Outfitters Yours Truly featured on an earlier post, How to Dress as a Curvy Pear: Winter Chic Edition. They are amazing.
Where Yours Truly Found the Look
// Oversized moto jacket {Forever21, 50% off, $35, similar here on sale} // Freshwater pearl earrings {Christmas gift from my fiancé} // Scarf {also a gift, from my wonderful Secret Santa -- shout out to Julia! Thanks hun!} // Tunic {Thrifted for $10 at The Buffalo Exchange in ABQ, online store here} // Cowgirl boots {Justin's, on sale for $90, here} //
What are your travel favorites? Let me know in the comments. Is there an item you never leave the house without? Feel free to share your wisdom and adventure tales to us all!
If you want more tips on how to dress as a curvy pear, check out this curve-huggin' dress from Lauren Conrad! My closet is not just full of drapey tunics; sometimes Yours Truly loves to show off some figure. ;) Thanks as always for reading, commenting, re-sharing, liking on Google+ and just being beautiful! Until next time:
Yours Truly,
Monica :)
P.S. Feel free to check out my Instagram account here. Yours Truly posts preview pictures for upcoming blog articles, plus lots of extra photos of behind-the-scenes in a blogger's life. ;)
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