Charleston

Four Days in Charleston – a wardrobe capsule

I’ve got a few unexpected travel adventures happening this fall, with a planned trip to Charleston first on the list. My “must-do” activities include eating lots of fresh seafood, admiring the beautiful architecture, browsing top-tier stores, learning about Revolutionary and Civil War history, and spending time exploring the surrounding islands.

There are a lot of places in the U.S. I’ve been to, but Charleston isn’t one of them. You would think I might have squeezed in a visit or two during the years I spent living in the south, but no—this will be my first time visiting the Holy City, and I cannot wait.

I decided I wanted my wardrobe to match the locale. For me, that means evoking a Southern vibe with lightweight fabrics, opulent florals, and straw hats while spending leisurely afternoons poolside sipping a Planter’s Punch or two, followed by dressing up for some fine dining and dancing with my sweetie.

I took a look in my closet and realized I did NOT have the clothing to match that vision, so I did a little pre-trip shopping. Pinks, greens, florals, and a few new accessories later, I think I’m ready. I’ll be wearing some new duds to complement my visit to a new city, and I love the serendipity of discovering a new place while stepping out in a few new things, too.

*Carolina in the Morning – Dean Martin

The angels wanna wear my red shoes…

Red [Mary Janes], white and blue

One of this fall’s hot fashion trends is the Mary Jane shoe (preferably in red) which works out well for me since I’ve always had a thing for red shoes.  I selected three pairs on my ‘things to buy’ wish list and then went virtual shopping for some clothing to compliment each.

For some reason, red Mary Jane’s led me to search for wide leg pants, plaid skirts, tennis sweaters and varsity jackets, all used to build the 1-2-3 wardrobe pictured above.  What is a 1-2-3 wardrobe?  It’s all about getting creative with your fashion choices, and making less do more (see past versions of 1-2-3 dressing here and here). A few pairs of shoes and/or boots, 2-3 bottoms, 3-4 tops, 1 dress, 1 killer coat and some accessories allow you to create endless combinations you can wear for work or play. Wanna go casual? Pair the pants, red sweater, scarf, bag, and round toe flats for a day out with your friends. Looking for something for a night out? Pair the dress, pointy toe flats, and varsity jacket for dinner, a concert, or dancing at a club! With a 1-2-3 wardrobe your outfit possibilities are endless.

*The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes – Elvis Costello & the Attractions