Dressing Fly While You Fly
The following article is dedicated to dressing fly while you fly. As we are continuing into the New Year we must now come to terms with falling back into our daily lives and routines. For some of us that means returning home to our same old mundane affairs, while for others it means traveling back to school or work. Either way this can be a stressful time of year filled with looming resolutions or something as simple as trying to compile an appropriate outfit to wear while traveling. Dressing for travel is always a dilemma for me. Do I stick to comfort and convenience with sweats and athleisure? Or do I tempt fate by daring to wear something cute and impractical on the off chance that I see Penn Badgley or some other A-list super star at the airport? (Who I then proceed to convince to leave their wives for little ole commoner me).
See the problem? Or how about the age old question referring to how freezing it will be on the plain and how many layers do I need to combat that. But here at 2nd Street, there is no choosing between comfort and aesthetic, because “¿por qué no los dos?” We believe you can dress comfortably without sacrificing looking great- and I’m not just talking about Lulu Lemon. These looks will have you conflicted between wanting to sit harmlessly on the couch and wanting to catwalk into a club because you know you’re losing your finest. So sit back relax and take note people as we give you the best looks for travel!
Our first look involves the best fabrics to keep you warm and comfortable on those jet setting flights to Indonesia all while maintaining a sense of direction hinted at by the mix and matching of prints. Additionally all of this is achieved while staying very on brand. This looks says you are a guy that likes to have fun or adventure around — hell maybe even climb a tree (you’ll sure have the leg room in these Burberry shorts to do so.) Up top, we’ve got a classic grey tee layered underneath an army print sweater.
Some say army print has had it’s time and saw its demise with the colorful lose pants found in every fast fashion store at the moment; however, I like to think of it as a classical print that regains attention every few years when we are on the brink of political turmoil. Let the details of this Bape shirt keep you honest as you are able to unbutton the bottom part of the shirt’s hemp to let in a little air — you know for all those people flying who can’t decide whether it’s hot or cold. Since red seems to be the reoccurring color in all these prints, throw on some Supreme sunglasses to really tie the look together. Throw on some easily removable shoes and your favorite Louis Vuitton duffle bag and you are airport ready my friend. You’ll be looking fierce and comfortable.
The next look is more of a ComplexCon-sweatsuit-enthusiast-meets-soft-boy-art-ho look. This is the tortured soul you see sitting in the airport Cinnabon frantically typing on his newest edition Apple laptop while gulping down an overly-sugared coffee. Don’t judge a book by its cover though, this look came ready to make his connecting flight and have a conversation with the woman next to him about the Joan Didion book she is currently reading. I mean — look at those accessories! We are clearly looking at someone who knows how to make a statement without making too much noise. He’s way too good and unique to be wearing Warby Parker so catch him in these slick yet modern Retrosuperfuture glasses. Even in this outfit we again run into our age old friend army camouflage, but this time the print is featured on some understated Saint Laurent canvas shoes. Be comfy yet in the know as you walk through the airport with ease.
This outfit also features an aspect of utility just like the former. The two designer bags make it easier to move through out your day especially when traveling. The fannypack-esque waist bag by Gucci allows you to keep your important and most frequently used items (passport, id, chapstick, mini-bottle of Patrón for those pre-flight jitters) close and easy to access. MCM provides the supporting carry-on bag which can hold all your toiletries and travel sized Lush lotions as well as all the cool attire you plan to wear on your trip. The bag includes a plethora or pockets and zippers to compartmentalize your items and keep you organized on the trip, all while remaining in the convenient form of a backpack. As for the outfit, the monochrome yellow makes even sweats look good. With the shirt from Undercover, and the pants from Stüssy you’ll have all the hype beasts’ respect and admiration. This outfit is completed with a reversible bucket hat just in case you are in need to cover up a bad hardy on your trip- you’ll have too options!
Our last outfit is a nuanced take on the modern business man who wants to remain seemingly unnoticed. This look seems simple from a first glance, however, upon thorough investigation, we find personality and subtle effort. This person refuses to let gender norms define his style, and rocks the slightly feminine Lazy Oaf-Doc Martin collaboration boot. He’s stomping on the patriarchy and taking back the idea of gendered clothing, and he looks great doing it. I mean who ever said men can’t wear their hearts on their (sleeves) boots? He breaks down further stereotypes by dawning some sparkly merchandise. However, I don’t think any music lover would fault you for wearing the NERD merch- we stand Pharrell. I find hoodies to be the best for traveling. You have the option of being incognito and let us not forget super warm while having the hood up, and it’s easily removable when you get too hot. They are especially useful when the man in the middle seat of the plane decides to take a nap on you. You can A — rudely awake him by pretending to remove your hoodie or B — if you’re an overly nice people pleaser you can simply bundle up your hoodie and use it as a pillow to lean against the window.
The decision is up to you, but at least you’ve got options. Another layer added over the hoodie to give the look a little formality goes a long way, and this Yohji Yamamoto blazer allows this man to enter a business-casual meeting upon departing the plane. Top this fit off with some Vivienne Westwood slacks and you are ready to take on the world and become the CEO at that business-casual meeting. Additionally, this look utilizes the double bag strategy mentioned in the last outfit allowing for optimal organization and style. The Prada harness and Raf Simons x Eastpak duffle bag will keep all your belongings safe and easy to access while traveling. Let us not forget those sunglasses. Whether you are trying to hide your celebrity identity or simply need cover from the sun these CRAP x FTP will keep you shielded from the adoring fans and the damaging UV rays of the sun.
Well there you have it folks — a style guide for traveling with ease and presence. Let’s recap some of the key points. Always over accessorize to complement the comfy and durable clothing you are wearing. Don’t be afraid to wear bold statement pieces to really bring out your personality and style. If possible, try to include two bags that are easy to open and near your person. A fanny pack, harness, shoulder bag, or duffle are one of the best solutions to being fashion forward while keeping you organized. Choosing between comfortable and easily removable shoes doesn’t mean they have to be ugly slip ons or Crocs (which have been making an ironic comeback in fashion). You can wear durable boots such as Doc Martins or a crazy print trainer. ALWAYS wear layers! You never know if the temperature is going to change by the time you land at your destination, whether the flight will be freezing cold, or if you need to use a jacket as a mock pillow. So the next time you are headed out of town or simply returning home remember to apply these small tricks to hack your travel experience. And if you are headed out of town and find yourself needing some of these key accessories or attire you can find everything viewed in this post at our Melrose location. Just ask any of our super down to Earth associates and they would be happy to help you find your style needs. And who knows you might even find some hidden gems not featured in the post today.
