The holiday season is now in full swing with Christmas just over three weeks away. While I tend to dress as a typical outdoor enthusiast during the day, from time to time I like to get out of my fleece and step into something a bit more fashionable and urban inspired, especially when traveling. If you have an outdoor loving fashionista or super traveler on your list, you can’t go wrong with one of the following pieces — my favorites of the season.
Buff Knit Neck Warmer ($39): I have been wearing this fleece lined neck warmer ever since I got it last month. I think I wore it 24 hours a day when visiting chilly London over Thanksgiving. If you want to be extra fashionable, you can add the matching pom pom hat.
White + Warren Sweater ($319): You can’t really go wrong with a cashmere sweater. This one is extra cozy with a flattering fit that ditches the bulk.
Combat Flip Flops Shemagh ($14.99): Regularly worn by Afghans to shade themselves from the sun and sand, the classic shemagh serves as a trendy scarf for us in the West. For each shemagh sold, Combat Flip Flops, a veteran owned business, donates funds to put an Afghan woman in secondary school for one day.
Nau Succinct Trench ($275 – pictured top): A graceful spin on the classic trench, this lightweight, two-layer protective shell combines waterproof/breathable, recycled poly fabric with key design details: two-way zipper, removable hood and reflective adjustable waist belt.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cubes ($39.95): These lightweight zippered cubes help you organize all your clothes, accessories, and toiletries into a controllable and easily identifiable pile — they come in a variety of colors and sizes. During your trip, the cubes can be used to contain all your dirty clothes to keep them separate from the rest of your wardrobe.
Sorel Major Low Bootie ($150): These great looking suede and leather boots have walked the streets of Seattle, San Francisco, Reykjavik, Paris, London, Munich, and Lima to name a few. I can’t get enough of them. And the chunky rubber sole gives you good grip on even the slickest of sidewalks.
Timbuk2 Bourbon Tote ($198): Built for life and work in the city, the Bourbon Tote works with whatever you’re wearing. Rugged waxed canvas and chunky zippers are softened by leather details to make for a tough but sophisticated tote. Fill it to the top for use as a carry on, then pare down to just the essentials for sightseeing around town.
Osprey Ozone 36L ($200): Sized to easily fit in any overhead bin, this super lightweight wheeled luggage packs in way more than you think. And all Osprey products, whether backpacks or luggage, will last you for years to come. The Ozone comes in two larger sizes for those longer getaways.
Kaenon Driver ($329): It’s hard to beat a classic aviator. Theses sunglasses from Kaenon offer polarized lenses that are mirrored for that old school chic. Think Kelly McGillis in Top Gun.
Prana Kara Jeans ($89): Made from soft stretch denim, these jeans won’t feel restrictive even when you are shoved in an economy middle seat for 10 hours. They come in a variety of fun colors (even purple!) but I find black is the most versatile for big city travel. The tiny bit of spandex not only adds stretch, but means they won’t get dumpy when worn for a few days in a row.