Style Buzz: Packing for a Summer Road Trip

Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Get your kicks on Route 66!"

Keeping it short this week as I'm finally doing something that's been on my bucket list for, well, forever: driving Route 66! We're going from Santa Monica as far as Oklahoma, so not quite the whole thing, but seeing part of the country I'm not too familiar with. I've always wanted to drive those long, stunning stretches of road, and now, over the 4th of July holiday when it's the country's Semiquincentennial, Route 66's 100th anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of the Cars movie, it's the perfect time to go and get my kicks!

 xxx rachel

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PACKING FOR A ROAD TRIP

It's going to be how hot??

There were a lot of factors to consider when packing for a road trip: weather, comfort, activities, festivities, and length of the trip.

The biggest factor of all of those is the weather. It'll be a glorious 71 in Santa Monica, but in the upper 90's and low 100's for the rest of it. I wanted to pack clothes that were lightweight and cool, that could withstand sweat and climbing around grubby places like the Cadillac Ranch but also be appropriate when stopping for lunch. Critical, too, is to be comfortable in the car as we'll* be driving about 4,000 miles.

I also wanted to be mindful that we're staying in a different hotel every night so lugging a big and heavy suitcase in and out of 10 hotel rooms sounds very unpleasant.

*Who am I kidding? I'm not letting anyone else touch that steering wheel!

My Method

I pulled out my portable rack and started with the lower half, choosing shorts over skirts because I don't know how windy it might be! A palette of black, white, and denim will provide enough variety, and each will pair nicely with any color top.

I'm taking 13 tops for a 10 day trip, which is overpacking, I realize. However, I'm expecting to be road-grimey in the evenings and will want something fresh to change into for seeing the sights and grabbing dinner. Plus, the summer fabrics mean they're really lightweight and don't take up much room at all and I don't feel at all guilty overpacking (for once!).

The pallet for the tops is a lot more varied that I'd usually take because I really want to wear red, white, and blue for the July 4th holiday! Typically I'd take blues, blacks, and whites - all mix and match with the shorts - but I've thrown two red shirts in there. So my usual navy cardigan won't do, and I've selected a cream one, instead. This means I now need to pay attention to my accessory colors.

Shoes, Hats & Jewelry

The navy sandals are a given. They're very comfortable, great in hot weather, and easy to drive in. I needed another pair of sandals to alternate with and while black sandals would be an easy choice, black is a little harsh against the reds and doesn't go with the navy tops. I selected instead some pewter sandals that are great for wandering around towns and attractions, day or night, and will go with everything. There's a chance of some rain, meaning I don't want soggy toes and have thrown in my leather Frye slip-ons as a back up.

Knowing my shoe colors, I threw in a navy bucket hat and a neutral wide-brimmed hat, both of which roll up for easy packing, plus a newsboy light blue cap for variety. The two scarves are just gorgeous and since they take up no room, I'm taking them as alternates to the hats, keeping my hair contained but I don't have to take them off and on when getting in and out of the car.

I'm keeping my jewelry simple, with just a few pairs of silver earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Nothing that can get snagged and fall out easily, nothing I'd be heartbroken to lose as a offering to the Route.

All I need to add in is a bathing suit and my running gear, and I'm set for a 10-day, 8 state road trip. I know I'll be comfortable, stylish, and ready for all the adventures the road has for us!

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ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT

This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.

One of the considerations for the trip to was that we'll be crossing New Mexico on the 4th of July, going from Gallup, through Albuquerque, and ending in a small town near the Texas border just in time for their parade and fireworks display. It's going to be a festive day everywhere we stop and I wanted to pack an outfit that looked patriotic and was comfortable for driving and hot weather but that I'd also wear again. I decided on a hibiscus-colored poplin cotton sleeveless blouse, denim shorts, navy sandals and hat (interestingly, I got the hat in Albuquerque the last time I was there, so I'm definitely detouring to the hat shop again on this trip!), plus a little bit of white with the jewelry. It doesn't scream "AMERICAN FLAG" but it's appropriate for the day and I'll wear each piece many times in the future.

Top: C&C California

Shorts: Loro Piana

Shoes: Aerosoles

Hat: Kooringal

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