.jpeg)
Scandinavian Travel Fashion Diary
The following is a style look-book from my trip to Scandinavia this past autumn. If there is one piece of advice that I have when it comes to travelling and not compromising your unique style- or even if you are not travelling but just want to curate a unique style, I have found that the following four elements have helped in my decision-making capacity on what to wear, how to wear it and also how to pack it efficiently.
1. Layering
One thing you will notice about all of the outfits I have posted is that they are all stringed together by a layering element. In the autumn it gets pretty chilly, but the weather can also be kind of bi-polar. I did quite a bit of cycling in Denmark, so I would be weary that I would get a bit sweaty but to also account for the windshield. This is where layering comes into play. Even if you do not have the warmest coat, if you properly layer your clothing, I think you can get away with some pretty gnarley temperature drops when doing various outdoor activities.
This is also something to keep in mind when packing whilst traveling. For instance, it is going to be a struggle to pack 5 wooly sweaters in a carry-on, so its important to ensure that you have a good variety of pieces you can layer on top of one another if need be. It is okay to be a repeat [OUTFIT] offender. Repeat after me " IT IS OKAY TO BE A REPEAT OUTFIT OFFENDER". Good, now that we have that established.. moving on.
For organizational purposes, I like to use the rolling method as opposed to folding while packing- as I find it super efficient at granting me more space in my carry-on. Depending on the material of your garments, you can benefit by rolling your pieces as opposed to strictly folding. Medium-weight fabrics like cotton and polyester tend to benefit most from the rolling method, whereas lighter-weight fabrics like silk and rayon that wrinkle easily are probably best folded. It also helps to have packing cubes (though not necessary) but I find it extremely handy when organizing my belongings. I may or may not have a problem with hoarding an irrational amount of packing cubes where it almost entirely defeats the purpose of packing light. More on that later.
2. Find Unique Accessories (tailored to your style)
I own a lot of neutral colours and monochromatic pieces. The reason for that is because I know I will wear those colours everyday and can be rest-assured that they will match with other pieces, almost effortlessly. However just on their own, they can tend to look quite dull and boring, especially if you are wearing head-to-toe black. This is where unique accessories can really elevate an outfit.
I love hats- I think we all know that by now. I like experimenting with various types of hats because I think it amps up an outfit without having to do much (you are literally just placing an inanimate object on your head). Or if you're really fancy it can be an animate object on your head. I also love earrings because I think they add a graceful element to any outfit, and you can get pretty creative too. That's just my preference though. If you like scarves, belts, watches, purses, sunglasses or if shoes are your thing - than all the power to you! Just find what works for you and what you feel most confident wearing.
3. Keep it Simple!
One thing that has saved me while styling my outfits is by repeating the mantra "keep it simple Chantal" when either purchasing, styling or finding something to wear last minute. It's easy to fall into all of the latest trends and wanting to keep up, but when you keep it simple by gravitating towards pieces that you know in actuality that you will wear (despite if they fall into the category of the latest and greatest) you already have a mental image of how to style it. It is also nice to be able to curate a style that is different without having to worry about keeping up with the fast fashion world.
There had been so many items I hoarded in my closet and rationalized it by saying "Oh I am going to keep this nice dress for a holiday" or store it for "when I have a fancy event to attend"- when the likelihood of that actually happening is slim to none. I am not saying you need to wear jeans and a T-shirt everyday, but by opting for items that are simple and classic makes it easier to layer, mix and match and if you're lucky, not too hard to pack.
*My idea of [simple] is if it fits the following criteria:
It suits my body shape and I know I won't feel uncomfortable in it (even if I were to eat one too many Oreo cookies). This is also true of shoes, I will not pack shoes that I find extremely uncomfortable because I know I will not wear them. Although statistically, the strength of the correlation between me eating one too many oreo cookies and my shoes fitting is quite weak (r= 0.01 at best). Just as a rule of thumb, just don't buy stuff that is uncomfortable to begin with. It will save you a whole lot of agony in the long run.
Easy enough to layer over or under other garments -I can either wear it under a wooly sweater, or wear a vest on top or a potential jacket.
Not too high maintenance in the steaming/ironing department. The last thing I want to pack whilst traveling are items that are going to get super wrinkled. Sometimes this is impossible to avoid. For instance, if you have to attend a special event or need to pack more formal attire, I suggest investing in a handheld steamer- this has been a lifesaver. Do people even iron anymore anyways?..if so, its time to get with the times people!
The fabric is not too delicate so if I were to sweat or get it wet, it won't be ruined. I am guilty of owning items that are very delicate and hard to care for (the same could be said for intimate relationships... bad joke) but the garment after all, is so beautifully made. I still wear these pieces, but when it comes to traveling, I opt for less high-maintenance garments. Save those bell sleeves for another day!
4. Opt for items that are good quality (refer to post on how to shop sustainably). I remember when I was younger I always thought the more items I had, the more versatility I had when choosing what to wear. Although you may have more choices when getting dressed, it can also lead to something called "decision fatigue". I think most of us are guilty of looking at a wardrobe filled with clothes and then proceeding to state that we have nothing to wear. In decision making and psychology, decision fatigue refers to "the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision-making". We already have so many decisions to make on a daily basis, so why contribute to the clutter in both your physical and mental space? By opting for items that are made of high quality fabrics, you can ensure that you don't need a closet full of replacements and you will find it easier to choose the items you need when packing.
HOW TO STYLE 6 (SEMI)-DIFFERENT OUTFITS USING THE SAME PIECES
Copenhagen, København (Downtown)
Hat #1 - H&M purchased ages ago ($3)
Sweater - Anne Klein (purchased from Value Village $4)
Jeans - American Eagle (purchased from Value Village $7)
Sneakers- Converse (purchased from Nordstrom a few years ago for $30).
*TIP: If you have small feet, when you go shoe-shopping be sure to check out the kids section and see if they carry an equivalent size. I saved $30 for buying these in the kids section as opposed to the women's section* Though you might get some weird looks from the sales clerk, but yolo.
*The face of Chantal when she is hangry*
Copenhagen, Denmark : Circle Bridge
Hat #2: Vintage Holt Renfrew (purchased from Value Village $10)
Sweater- Sears (purchased from Value Village $5)
Trousers- Anne Klein (purchased from Value Village $8)
Vest- Aaron's (purchased from J-Crew outlet store).
Belt- Club Monaco (purchased from Value Village $7)
Boots- Alfred Sung (purchased from Mark's Works Warehouse $50)
Aviator sunglasses- H&M ages ago (I can't remember the exact price but it couldn't have been more than $10).
*Circle bridge, taken with Aaron's drone.
Helsingor, Denmark
Hat #3 - Banana Republic from years ago (got it on sale in the Men's section for under $20). This is literally my most worn item in my closet, asides from my undergarments... there is a visual for ya.
Button-down blouse - Salvation Army ($3)
Cashmere Sweater - Value Village ($9)
Jeans (same as first photo) - Value Village ($7)
Patent old man shoes- Zara (purchased from Kind Exchange for $25).
Necklace - Topshop ($7)
Earrings - Independent charity shop I am blanking on the name ($5)
Purse - Fossil ($75)
Black trenchcoat - Club Monaco (purchased ages ago on sale for $200)
*Forever a derp.
*Right before I pulled a rabbit out of my hat*
*My go-to outfit for when I pretend to be a progressive élite and sit in literary cafés in Paris, exchanging philosophical ideas with big shots. It also doubles as a priest costume. Both have absolutely no utility in my life.
*Same outfit as before but I switched my shoes to chucks.
Scarf- UNIQLO ($20)
Humlebæk, Denmark
(Louisiana Museum of Modern Art)
Dress - Zara (purchased years ago on sale)
Knit Sweater - Purchased at a thrift shop in Copenhagen
Jean Jacket - Aarons' (from Club Monaco)
Same faux leather boots- Alfred Sung
Same purse- Fossil
Same hat from banana republic
Lund, Sweden
Same hat as first picture
Same knit sweater from the thrift shop in Copenhagen
Still wearing Aaron's vest
Jeans- Abercrombie & Fitch (purchased years ago on sale for under $20).
Shoes- Converse
Same watch- Fossil
Earrings - Indigenous jewellery maker in Ottawa
Backpack- Burton (purchased from Sportcheck on sale for $50). Second most worn item in my closet.
*There were literally no pictures of me with my eyes open. This backdrop was lovely though.
*Delicious vegan café downtown Lund, Sweden. This was roasted eggplant, wild rice, avocado, hummus, broccoli, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. I may have ate the bread and I may have regretted it later...
Back in Copenhagen
Hat #4- Was a gift
Sweater - Lole (Laugh out Loud Everyday)- purchased from a garage sale for $3
Same black jeans
Salt and pepper vest- Club Monaco ($70)
Same black trenchcoat from Club Monaco
Same scarf fromUNIQLO
Same boots- Alfred Sung
Sunglasses - American Eagle ($5)
Same white earrings from charity shop on St. Clair Avenue East in Toronto
Be sure to let me know which look is your favourite! What are your style traveling tips? Let me know using the hashtag #chantalmarutoblog