I Went To London For A Week & This Is Everything I Packed To Wear
With the holidays being the busiest time of year for the travel industry, there's even more incentive to strategize your vacation wear as you jet-set from one destination to the next. As a fashion stylist and reformed over-packer, when it comes to travel, both planning and packing can be two of the most stressful aspects of every trip. Whether preparing for a week-long excursion across the country or galavanting abroad, it’s best to lighten your load by bringing vacation-worthy looks that are not only essential but versatile enough for multiple combinations to wear throughout your trip.
Winter travel brings challenges of its own when visiting colder parts of the world. Unlike summer vacation, cold weather means bulky coats, oversized knits, and chunky boots that take up a lot more space in your suitcase. For my recent trip to London, to alleviate the stress of packing and overweight baggage fees, I prepared in advance with a try-on haul of what I planned to wear each day of my trip. From shoes to accessories and bags, I captured a photo to reference each look while on vacation. Staying comfy, cozy, and chic was my main priority and I wanted to achieve that goal with the least amount of clothes possible.
Making a mental note of necessary items ranging from sneakers, boots, and coats to matching sets, I narrowed my options to one of each style that would complement the few statement pieces I purchased for my trip. In the end, I opted for five neutral-toned staples I could rotate from day to night throughout the week.
Keep scrolling to see the five minimal items that maximized my winter London looks.
1.New Balance Sneakers
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Sneakers are a must-have when walking the cobblestoned streets of European cities. When planning outfits for this trip, I wanted a pair of sneakers that were just as functional as they were stylish. New Balance sneakers were at the top of my list because of their comfort, sleek and minimal design. When packing, I intended to create multiple casual outfits that were easily paired with one sneaker. In addition to their lightweight feel, the mix of silver, gray, and light neutral tones was the perfect combination for effortless cold-weather outfits.
2.Mini Telfar Shopper
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
It’s hard not wanting a bag from every Telfar release. With each drop, there's a colorway I envision sitting pretty in my closet. My cream mini Telfar shopper was the perfect accessory while out and about, matching every stylish moment. Small yet large enough to carry essentials such as my phone and wallet, I wore it with ease as a crossbody keeping my valuables close at all times. When traveling it's best to be more mindful when walking in large crowds and taking public transportation around the city.
3.A Matching Set
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Wearing a matching set was top of mind when shopping for my trip. I came across this sheer nylon set with graphics and knew it would be a casual chic choice for my London aesthetic. To extend my range of options throughout the week, I separated each piece of the set into individual outfits. I wore the asymmetrical long-sleeve top with a maxi denim skirt for a transitional day-to-night look then styled the matching skirt with a layered corset for another night out to the theater. A set is a convenient and practical chic choice for a variety of options.
4.Classic Khaki Trench
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
A khaki trench coat is a classic staple that continues to stand the test of time. Typically cold and rainy this time of year in the United Kingdom, this coat was perfect for layering and protecting me from the day-to-day elements. Traveling with one large suitcase, I was able to minimize bulk by avoiding oversized coats that would take up more space than necessary. The perfect winter look, this outerwear trend is forever a stylish moment when worn with just about anything.
5.Comfy Chic Boots
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
With so much to do in the city, I brought my faux leather square-toe Jeffrey Campbell boots for cute and casual moments. From shopping trips to date nights, the trendy sleek design was the perfect complement to dress up both my daytime and nighttime looks. With a chunky platform and bulky heels, these boots were comfortable enough for all-day wear.
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Featured image by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage