Crops tend to pop into stores around January before spring break. But if you're heading for the sun now and can't find a pair, take your straight leg or skinny jeans and pull the hem up into a sloppy roll.
"It doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to be beautiful," personal stylist Lisa Tumbarello says. "But it gives a nice casual feel, and then you won't feel like you are without crops for your vacation."
Pair the jeans with a bright colored sweater. As Lisa says, sometimes you want to cover up a bit. It could get cold in the plane, car or restaurant and you want to be able to shed layers.
Rolled crops, Tommy Bahama, $128 Coral sweater, TB, $88 Sunglasses, TB, $138 Straw bag, TB, $98 Colored bangles, TB, $28 each
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Bring a neutral lightweight jacket for the evening when it is cooler, and it can add a lot of pizazz to a basic T-shirt.
"Throw on a little scarf with that and you have got a nice combination," Lisa advises.
Dark wash jeans can take you from day to night.
"You can throw on a nice blouse if you are going out to dinner, but they are also very easy to travel in and very comfortable," Lisa says.
Bootcut jeans, TB, $138 Stripe tee, TB, $78 Khaki jacket, TB, $138 Floral scarf, TB, $48
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Lisa says to look for one-piece swimsuits or tankinis that have more coverage. Ruching around the stomach area also helps.
"Spanx makes swimsuits that do a lot of the work for you," Lisa says. "You get a nice lift in the rear...so you don't have to worry about if you haven't been to the gym in a little while."
Stripe bandeau bathing suit, Tommy Bahama, $147
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
A lot of swimsuits also come with cute bottom pieces like a swim skirt or something that you can throw on top so you are covering the parts that you are not as fond of.
Stripe bandeau bathing suit, TB, $147 Black mesh swim cover, TB, $84 Sunglasses, TB, $138
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
"Jersey is one of those materials where you can literally ball it up, shake it out at your destination and it still looks as good as when you had it at home," Lisa says.
You can also easily wash it in the sink for more than one wear.
Black wrap dress, TB, $128 Rhinestone necklace, TB, $42
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Add some sandals with a little rhinestone detail. If you are going somewhere tropical, bring a straw clutch with a little bit of personality to it for those nights out.
Rhinestone earrings, TB, $38 Rhinestone sandals, TB, $168 Stripe straw clutch, TB, $168
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Just take a chambray shirt and tie it up at the waist. Add simple wedge sandals and a lightweight, breezy scarf with a print.
The same scarf can be used with multiple outfits.
"You don't need to be packing three kinds of prints," Lisa says. "Pack one that kind of flows with the palate of everything you are bringing."
Black wrap dress, TB, $128 Tie dye scarf, TB, $58 Chambray shirt, TB, $98 Black wedge sandal, TB, $148 Striped straw hat, TB, $68
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
This breezy dress is easily packable and versatile.
Teal maxi dress, TB, $158
Gold chain necklaces, TB, $58 each
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Stephanie Steinberg and Paula Wolfson, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – If you’re one of the lucky ones heading to the beach for the holidays, there are a few key pieces you don’t want to leave in your closet.
Lisa Tumbarello, from the personal stylist group Style for Hire, offers style tips for travelers going some place warm.
WTOP met Lisa at Tommy Bahama at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Md. where she showed us the best swim suits, versatile dresses and beach accessories for your vacation getaway.
Check out the photo gallery for outfit ideas and read Lisa’s travel fashion tips below.
Don’t travel in sweats.
Save room in your suitcase and wear your jeans or jacket on the plane.
Pack a printed, colorful scarf.
You can take that scarf and do all kinds of things with it: use it as a sarong or simply wrap it around your neck for a breezy look at the beach.
Have fun with the colors, Lisa says. Pick a pattern or hue that is appropriate for the destination you are traveling to.
Jackets aren’t only for cold weather.
A lightweight jacket can be thrown over a swimsuit or worn for a late-night walk on the beach.
“It packs easily too,” Lisa says. “If you don’t wind up needing it for the return trip home…just roll it up and pack it away.”
No need to splurge on a new wardrobe.
You certainly don’t want to invest in a whole separate wardrobe for one trip. (Save that money for shopping when you get there!) Lisa’s advice: Buy clothing you can wear anytime.
“You want these pieces to fit into your everyday life,” Lisa says. “So having a neutral khaki overcoat with a nice cinched waist is something that you will use going to the grocery store, to pick up the kids…it will be a workhorse piece in your wardrobe.”
Please, use sunscreen!
Sunscreen is always important. If you’ve been cooped inside the past few months and feel like you need a little color, use self-tanner or hit the spray tan booth before you go to the beach, Lisa suggests.
And now is the time to wear that wide-brimmed straw hat — it keeps the sun out of your face and is a great accessory.
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Editor’s Note: Living in Style is a regular WTOP Living feature with Style for Hire’s Lisa Tumbarello, who shares style tips, clothing bargains and fashion do’s and don’ts.
Follow @WTOPLiving on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
