Travel Rules For The Stylin' Mom
by Lisa Siegel

Rule No. One: Don’t Be a Pack Mule:

Plan Ahead
A little pre-vacation planning will help you avoid looking like the family sherpa with a suitcase stuffed with every conceivable clothing option. Before you leave, check the weather for your destination. Chances are you can cull some pieces that you won’t need. Also consider clothing items that can serve dual purposes. Can the daytime mini halter dress become a tunic over pants for evening? Can the bathing suit cover up become a dressy sarong when paired with a black tee shirt and high heel sandals? Finally, choose fabrics that are wrinkle free like stretch twill or crinkle cotton.

Pick a Color; Any Color
Coordinating your outfits by color doesn’t mean you have to look like a chess set in black and white. Build your vacation wardrobe around lime green, orange sherbet, or bright pink colors. Or if you’re feeling wild, try wearing black or brown with animal prints. Comfortable Keds sneakers in coordinating colors will work both for sightseeing and a day at the beach. In the evening, switch to heeled sandals for an evening stroll or dinner on the town. Throw in a white tee and a colored pashmina shawl for breezy evenings and you are a light traveler in every sense of the word.

Rule No. Two: Do Accessorize
You can make the same pieces do double duty with different accessories. Brightly printed scarves tied as belts transform the look of solid Capri pants or Bermuda shorts. Chunky watches, bangle bracelets and some chandelier earrings can perk up an outfit worn during the day on a hike through a national park or city museum. Change your look with fun starlet sunglasses in a white, tortoise shell or black. Consider splurging on a packable raffia straw hat and matching tote.

Rule No. Three: Do Not Dress Like a Tourist Attraction
Nothing says tourist like a camera, a fanny pack and a sweat suit. Sure, we know that mom is always the family photographer, but don’t announce your multi talents by wearing the camera around your neck. Your summer neck accessory should be funky shells or a hip choker. Keep the camera and other essentials in a fun backpack purse, but ditch the fanny pack. The only accessory that ever looks good on your hip is a small toddler after a full day at the beach.

Finally, if you love to travel in sweats, choose a hooded jacket in velour or flat knit. Elastic waist pants will be more flattering with a lower rise and wide elastic band in a coordinating trim. Look for side vents in the pants legs or a boot cut rather than elastic at the ankles.

Rule No. Four: Lousy Tee Shirts Usually Are
Enough already with the “All I Got was a Lousy Tee Shirt” tee shirt. Memorialize your vacation with a hand picked shells from the beach, a painting by a street vendor, or a local artifact like pottery or jewelry.

Rule No. Five: Have a Really Great Time
Whether your summer plans involve driving a stretch of miles in a pop-up camper, lounging poolside by the cabana grill, or taking the ferry to the Liberty Island, have a great time with your loved ones and savor the precious moments.

Lisa Siegel, Writer
Lisa lives in Atlanta, GA and is a "Totally Mom" to two school aged boys.